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From the Archives: Andy Burnham joins us for our 50th birthday celebration

  • February 9, 2024

We rewind back to Friday 7 March 2014 as we celebrated the 50th anniversary of the school.

Originally published:

  • March 11, 2014

Friday 7 March 2014 was a very special occasion as we celebrated the 50th anniversary of the school, which was officially opened on 7 March 1964. The school held a celebration assembly attended by Andy Burnham MP, Shadow Secretary of State for Health, who also unveiled a timeline created to mark the Golden Anniversary.

Students and staff dressed up for the occasion by wearing outfits from the Sixties through to the Noughties and some lessons were also based on the respective decades. The assembly continued with the theme of the last five decades and was a showcase of music and dance performed by students from all year groups. Andy Burnham was on hand to present certificates and prizes to the best dressed student and member of staff on what was an overwhelmingly successful and entertaining day.

At the end of the school day, Mr Burnham unveiled a commemorative timeline that highlights significant events dating as far back as 1770, when the first factories and mills were built in Tyldesley. It focuses on the school’s milestones over the past 50 years with recent achievements including being awarded Arts College status in 1997, hitting the top 10% of schools in Britain in 2002, being judged as ‘ Outstanding ’ by Ofsted in 2010 and receiving the Queen ’ s Award for Voluntary Service in 2013. It takes pride of place on the approach to the School Reception and can be viewed by visitors to the school.

Speaking during his visit Andy Burnham said, “What comes through for me is the confidence of the students and the enjoyment on everyone’s faces. That’s what the school is all about and the name Freddie’s is so well respected and well regarded. It’s a fantastic school and that’s a credit to the staff, parents and Governors. The school carries on setting new standards which puts it at the forefront locally and, [with its participation in the recent Qatar conference] top of the international tree as well! It’s obvious the talent that there is within the school and we are all very proud of the students. It’s just an absolute privilege and a pleasure to be here and mark the occasion”.

Jan Garretts, Headteacher, said, “I am proud and privileged to be Headteacher of the school at such an important moment in its history. Its success is due to the hard work and enthusiasm of many people over many years and we hope to go from strength to strength. Today’s celebrations have shown what an excellent community spirit there is within the school – and the talent and creativity of students and staff. It has been a thoroughly memorable and enjoyable day.”

The school has already planned further celebrations throughout the year with highlights being a Community Fun Day on Bank Holiday Monday 5 May 2014 and a charity football match on Saturday 12 July where a school team, made up of staff and students, will be playing a celebrity ‘ All Stars ’ team.

50 Year Celebration Gallery - 7th March 2014

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We want our students to be engaged in their learning. A child at high school should not really have a reason to contact a parent during the day; however, if there is a genuine reason e.g. they have forgotten their packed lunch, a phone call can be made home from the school office. If a parent needs to contact their child in an emergency, they should contact the school office. If you need to contact your child during the school day, contact the main office on 01942 883796.

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Students are in possession of their phone - in their Yondr pouch - for the entire school day. We will advise students to store the pouch safely in their school bag or blazer pockets.

If a student damages their Pouch or is caught on their phone, we will confiscate the phone and issue a sanction which is likely to be a suspension.

Note: Damage consists of any signs that the physical integrity of the pouch has been compromised, whether intentional or unintentional, as determined by the school or Yondr staff.

Damaged pouches will be charged to parents at a cost of £20.

They will be searched and wanded with a handheld scanner by a member of SLT. If they are found to have their phone on their person they will be expected to place it in their pouch. Refusal will be met with suspension.

If a student forgets their Pouch, their phone will be confiscated.

As per our previous mobile phone policy;

  • Confiscated phones will be taken to reception where the phone will be secured in the school safe.
  • Parents will be alerted to the phone confiscation via the school office.

Parents will have the option to collect the phone at the end of the day. If parents do not collect the phone, the phone will remain in school until the end of the week or until the student has their pouch.

In Yondr’s experience, this almost never happens. All students funnel past the unlocking stations at the exits, they want their phones back and don’t forget to unlock their pouches. If they do arrive home with a phone in a pouch, they can either come back to school to unlock it, or have a phone free evening!

The unlocking process is quick and takes under a second per student. 

As a privilege, Year 11 will be able to unlock their phones as they go off site at lunchtime; however, they will be expected to put their phones back into their pouches when they return to school for period 5.

Yes. There is an adapted version of the pouch which uses a Velcro fastener instead of a magnetic lock. This means the student still follows the policy, but the adapted pouch gives them easy access to their phone when required. If the student abuses this, they will face a sanction. We are already aware of these students.

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