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Letter from Headteacher – 10/06/21

  • June 10, 2021

June 2021

Dear Parent/Carer

I hope this letter finds you and your families well. This is to provide you with some important updates and changes.

Changes to school uniform from September 2021

Earlier in the academic year we wrote to you about our proposal to make an adjustment to the Fred Longworth High School uniform for girls by replacing the existing skirts. We have subsequently been working with our uniform suppliers to find an alternative that is both smart and appropriate for school. From September 2021 we will be phasing out the old skirts and replacing them with the new style “Freddies’ Dress”. Girls who do not wish to wear the dress have the option to wear trousers instead.

The design of the school tie is also changing and will need to be replaced by a new school tie for the start of the new term in September 2021. The year group colour is still denoted on the new tie as before but these are new velcro fastening ties.

Uniform expectations for the new Year 7

From September 2021, all students joining the school in Year 7 will be expected to wear the new tie and all girls either the new style dress or trousers. All items can be purchased from our usual suppliers.

Uniform expectations for all other year groups

We expect all students to be wearing the new ties in September; however, for the girls in all other year groups, their existing school skirts can be worn until September 2022.

We appreciate that students already at school may yet have some additional wear out of their existing school skirts.

Further details about the uniform changes can be found on our website here.

Our launch of 'Freddies focus on the Stars'

In order to continue promoting a culture of excellence and celebration at Fred Longworth High School we have now launched ‘Freddies’ Focus on the Stars’. This takes place fortnightly and is shared with the students during a designated pastoral slot in form time.

All teachers, Heads of Year and members of the pastoral team choose the names of students who they feel are working to an excellent standard, making an excellent effort or are contributing something ‘above and beyond’ to our school community. Every student chosen for that fortnightly award will receive three rewards on our system.

If a student has achieved a Head of Year award they will be asked go to their Head of Year to receive a special Head of Year badge and certificate.

As Headteacher, I am also asking staff to nominate students who they feel deserve my Headteacher’s Award. This may be for a student who has gone ‘above and beyond’ for our school and/ or the wider community or someone who has made exceptional progress in a particular aspect of school life. I meet with my award winners and present them with their Headteacher badge and certificate. In the few weeks that I have been running this award, I have so far met with some amazing, talented and dedicated young people. They are truly inspirational and presenting the awards and talking to these young people is one of the highlights of my week.

We will share the names of all of our award winners fortnightly through our Instagram page- ‘ffonthestars’. You may also find ‘Freddies’ Focus on the Stars’ on our Facebook page.

Covid Issues

Unfortunately, we continue to face disruption from Covid. You will be aware from earlier communications about the specific guidance for our region, which requires students to continue to wear face coverings in school. May I also take this opportunity to remind you of the need to continue home testing each Wednesday and Sunday and to report positive results to us by 6pm. Your support on all of these matters is very much appreciated

Yours sincerely

Mr P Davies

Headteacher

How Yondr Works

Frequently Asked Questions

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.

In case of a school emergency, we direct our students to safety first, following our school emergency procedures.

 

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.

Your Office 365 account username is your school network account username followed by @flhs.wigan.sch.uk 
The password is the same password that you use in school to access computers.