Freddie's Focus
For Parents & Carers
- Issue 157
- March 27, 2026
Freddie's Focus
For Parents & Carers
- Issue 157
- March 27, 2026
Message from the Headteacher
Dear Parents & Carers,
At our school, we are proud to celebrate the diverse strengths, talents, and perspectives that each young person brings to our community. This includes our neurodiverse learners, students who may think, learn, or process the world differently, including those with ADHD and autism.
How we’re supporting neurodiverse students:
- Inclusive teaching strategies: Staff are continuously developing approaches that support a range of learning styles and needs.
- Quiet and safe spaces: Areas in school allow students to take a moment to reset, regulate, or focus when needed.
- Collaboration with families: We know that parents and carers understand their children best, and we value your insights in shaping the support we provide.
- Celebrating strengths: Whether it’s creativity, problem-solving, attention to detail, or resilience, we highlight the unique qualities every child brings.
How families can help at home:
- Open conversations: Encourage your child to talk about what helps them learn best.
- Routine and reassurance: Predictable routines often reduce stress and support positive learning habits.
- Partnership: If you have concerns, questions, or information that may help us better support your child, please reach out to our pastoral or SEND team.
You will aware that we have added a new section to Freddie’s Focus for Parents which contains links to information and support for parents and carers of SEND children.
We will be hosting in school on Thursday 23rd April a workshop led by Embrace to support parents of children experiencing sleep issues. Details about how to sign up for this event have been emailed out to parents this week.
Together, we can create a school environment where all students feel seen, supported, and able to thrive. Thank you for being our partners in building a community that embraces neurodiversity with understanding and respect.
Thank you for your continued support.
Mr Davies
Message from the Headteacher
Dear Parents & Carers,
At our school, we are proud to celebrate the diverse strengths, talents, and perspectives that each young person brings to our community. This includes our neurodiverse learners, students who may think, learn, or process the world differently, including those with ADHD and autism.
How we’re supporting neurodiverse students:
- Inclusive teaching strategies: Staff are continuously developing approaches that support a range of learning styles and needs.
- Quiet and safe spaces: Areas in school allow students to take a moment to reset, regulate, or focus when needed.
- Collaboration with families: We know that parents and carers understand their children best, and we value your insights in shaping the support we provide.
- Celebrating strengths: Whether it’s creativity, problem-solving, attention to detail, or resilience, we highlight the unique qualities every child brings.
How families can help at home:
- Open conversations: Encourage your child to talk about what helps them learn best.
- Routine and reassurance: Predictable routines often reduce stress and support positive learning habits.
- Partnership: If you have concerns, questions, or information that may help us better support your child, please reach out to our pastoral or SEND team.
You will aware that we have added a new section to Freddie’s Focus for Parents which contains links to information and support for parents and carers of SEND children.
We will be hosting in school on Thursday 23rd April a workshop led by Embrace to support parents of children experiencing sleep issues. Details about how to sign up for this event have been emailed out to parents this week.
Together, we can create a school environment where all students feel seen, supported, and able to thrive. Thank you for being our partners in building a community that embraces neurodiversity with understanding and respect.
Thank you for your continued support.
Mr Davies
Things to celebrate
- Last week our Year 10 students took part in our annual work experience. We have been incredibly impressed with the feedback from employers and professionals who have hosted careers experiences for our students.
- This week has been our Self-Evaluation week. During Form Time, students have reflected upon their strengths and areas for development as they move towards our final Term. Please ask your child which subjects and specific things they have chosen to focus on next Term.
- On Wednesday a group of our dancers took part in the Wigan Dance Festival. We are always incredibly proud of the way in which our dance students represent our school at such events.
- On Thursday we hosted our Year 10 Parents’ Evening. It was really nice to see so many of you in attendance.
- Sporting Success this week
It has been another action‑packed week for our PE department, filled with determination, teamwork, and outstanding performances across a range of activities.
We are always excited to learn of any sporting successes outside of school so we can celebrate the student’s achievements. Please email Mr Gregory with any information so we can share with everyone on Freddie’s Focus – gregoryi@flhs.wigan.sch.uk
Sporting Success this week
It has been another action‑packed week for our PE department, filled with determination, teamwork, and outstanding performances across a range of activities.
We are always excited to learn of any sporting successes outside of school so we can celebrate the student’s achievements. Please email Mr Gregory with any information so we can share with everyone on Freddie’s Focus – gregoryi@flhs.wigan.sch.uk
Information for parents of SEND students
Embrace offer a range of on-line courses to support parents. Details of these can be found here:
https://www.embracewiganandleigh.org.uk/behaviour-support-workshops/?cn-reloaded=1
On the 23rd April, Embrace will also be in school delivering a workshop on managing sleep issues. Details of this face-to-face event will be emailed out to all parents so that you can sign up.
The following link provides a useful gateway to all services that support children in the Wigan area. This page is regularly updated so it is worthwhile frequently checking-in for current information and updates.
https://padlet.com/WiganCAMHS/wigan-mhst-info-board-nu69chp8ifamla8q
We can also recommend this website as a source of useful information for the parents of neurodiverse children and teens.
https://www.healthforteens.co.uk/health/neurodiversity/
After the Easter Holiday the Neurodiversity in Schools Project Team will be offering additional Parent workshops. The details of each session will be confirmed as soon as possible.
What we do at Freddie's and why we do it
Self evaluation week
Over the course of the academic Year, we provide an opportunity for our students to reflect on their learning, achievements, and areas for improvement. This is called our ‘Self-Evaluation’, and it takes place during Form time once a Term. We want all of our students to take ownership of their learning journey and to be able to reflect on what is going well and their next steps. We also ask students to consider any pieces of work that they are most proud of in preparation for their end of Year ‘Student-Led Conference’. Please discuss the importance of this week with your child.
Year 7 to Year 10
100 HoY Mug/Earphones/Water Bottle/Skip the queue pass
175 MTA Power Bank/Skip the queue pass/Calculator/£5 Amazon voucher
250 MTA £10 Amazon voucher/Skip the queue pass
350 PDA £15 Amazon voucher/Skip the queue pass
Year 11
100 HoY £5 Amazon voucher/£5 off Prom
150 MTA £10 Amazon voucher/£10 off Prom
200 PDA £15 Amazon voucher/£15 off Prom
Homework and Independent Learning
At Freddie’s we set six specific types of homework to broaden, consolidate and enhance learning. Below are the types of homework that your child can expect:
Applications that we use for learning
The following applications are used by our students during their time at FLHS to aid their learning. You can learn more about them below.
Microsoft Office
Did you know that your child can access Microsoft Office at home for free? As a student at Fred Longworth High School, your child is allowed to download a fully working free copy of Microsoft Office 365 to use on their computer, smartphone and tablet whilst they are a student at our school. Click on the button below to learn more.
Satchel:One
Satchel:One is the school online learning platform for students and is the parental portal for all information related to your child’s overall progress within school. You can keep track of your child’s homework using Satchel:One. It is advisable to remind your child to get into the habit of checking their homework on Satchel:One regularly. Relying upon notifications is not the right approach and we advise students to turn off notifications so that they are not disturbed by them.
GCSEPod
GCSEPod is an online study platform and is the perfect resource to help your child learn, retain and recall all the information they need to achieve their GCSE goals. GCSEPod provides 3-5 minute bursts of audio-visual, teacher written learning which can help to reinforce and consolidate key GCSE topics covered in lessons. Experts read and explain everything clearly including all the right facts, quotes, keywords, dates and diagrams on screen. GCSEPod is only available to students in Year 10 and Year 11.
Homework Club
Please remind your child that homework club is available to all students Monday to Thursday where they can complete work in a quiet environment with staff on hand to support them, and computers for online quizzes and research.
Attendance
We want to do all we can to support your child to be in school every day and ask that you support this important message from home, encouraging your child to avoid missing curriculum content through absence. Here is a breakdown of the absences for the following attendance percentages:
Thank you for your continued support with attendance.
Please encourage your child to be in school every day.
Can we please remind all our parents and carers to use the correct channels of communication should they wish to raise a concern or question. Your continued support is invaluable to us.
Belonging, Engaging, Succeeding Together.
Can we please remind all our parents and carers to use the correct channels of communication should they wish to raise a concern or question. Your continued support is invaluable to us.