THS in the Community
Our wonderful students are playing such a big role in our local community. Read about all of the wonderful things they have been up to in this issue of the TT!
A word from MR YATES
Hello and welcome to this edition of the Tottington Times! It has been such a busy half term with so much going on. Our Year 11 students have made an incredible start to their GCSE examination and we are so proud of their mature and dedicated approach during such an important time. We have also has a wonderful Year 10 Mock Results evening with over 70% of families attending!
We have had so many events and activities take place as well this half term and with so many more lined up for the next one!
I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone for their continued support and we would really value your feedback as we continue on our journey of improvement.
You can give your view by scanning the QR code at the end of this newsletter.
Until next time!
David Yates Headteacher
Our Tottington Team...
Year 7
Mr Baron - Head of Year 7 ryan.baron@ths.set.org
Miss Harrison - Pastoral Manager stacey.harrison@ths.set.org
Year 8
Mrs McKay - Head of Year 8 olivia.mckay@ths.set.org
Miss Howard - Pastoral Manager chloe.howard@ths.set.org
Year 9
Mr Scholes - Head of Year 9 charlie.scholes@ths.set.org
Miss Dandy - Pastoral Manager sarah.dandy@ths.set.org
Year 10
Mrs Hesketh - Head of Year 10 rachel.hesketh@ths.set.org
Miss Price - Pastoral Manager gemma.price@ths.set.org
Year 11
Mrs Adams - Head of Year 11 krystina.adams@ths.set.org
Miss Martin - Pastoral Manager amy.martin@ths.set.org
SEND
Mr Ishtiaq - SENDCO aqib.ishtiaq@ths.set.org
In memory of Olivia
Members of our student leadership team have been fundraising in memory of a former student on behalf Liv’s Trust.
The charity was set up in loving memory of Olivia Campbell-Hardy, a former THS student who tragically lost her life in the Manchester Arena atrocity. Liv’s Trust support under twenty-fives in Greater Manchester to get help and receive education in music & dance. Students undertook bag packing, collected donations and spoke to members of the public about Liv’s Trust and raised more than £220 at Tesco in Bury.
Olivia’s Grandma, Sharon, is patron of the trust and is pictured with members of the student leadership team. Sharon was delighted with the students support and their fundraising achievements.
How can we help?
if you are unsure of who to go to when you need help or have a question? Whether it’s about learning, wellbeing, or something else, we’re here to support you. This section will guide you on who to speak to for di erent needs, so you always know where to turn. Pastoral (help and advice around personal matters): Please contact your child’s form tutor in the first instance Academic:
Please contact the class teacher in the first instance Safeguarding (serious and significant concerns): Please contact Mrs Maclean with regards to any safeguarding issues on kelly.maclean@ths.set.org
We are also happy to announce that Mrs Adams will be the Head of Year 7 and Miss Martin will be the Pastoral Manager for our new Year 7 students in September. Please
VE Day Celebrations
THS students helped to arrange a memorable VE Day Celebration for over 100 residents at St John’s Church in Tottington this half-term. The students worked in partnership with Councillor Yvonne Wright and Tottington Civic Pride to put on a celebration extravaganza to mark this landmark occasion.
Attendees were treated to afternoon tea, that was served by students. They were further entertained by a musician who performed a range of songs from the 1940’s era that are synonymous with VE Day celebrations . they also took part in a WW2 based quiz.
One resident commented; “What a fantastic event this has been, to see people from all age groups coming together to commemorate the 80th VE Day anniversary is incredible. The students are a huge credit to the school, and we are so grateful for them for facilitating such a lovely event.”
We really embraced VE Day with bunting and banners adorning the school entrance and canteen, traditional scones with cream and jam being served at lunchtime, a range of VE Day related tutor-time activities taking place along with KS3 students participating in the national VEMail initiative.
The VE-Mail initiative provided an opportunity for students to receive a bespoke letter from former American VE Day veteran; Colonel Joseph Peterburs aged 100 who was stationed at Kings Cli e Airfield near Peterborough in 1944.
Joseph wrote a heartfelt account of his time during the war and shared his memories of VE Day. Students have been enthralled with the opportunity to learn about Colonel Peterburs accounts and have written replies to him to thank him for his letter and also to ask further questions about VE Day and the WW2.
First Aid Course
We were delighted to welcome Amy Meadows from The British Red Cross to deliver an important training session on CPR, as part of our Personal Development programme. Amy will be delivering emergency first-aid workshops to students in KS3 and KS4 throughout the summer-term.
The workshop began with an introduction to the work of the Red Cross and progressed onto students learning about how to treat a casualty if they were choking, experiencing a seizure, found unconscious or how to respond should someone su er a cardiac arrest.
The workshop component focussing on CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation) highlighted how an individual can confidently perform this should they be required to do so to potentially save a life during a cardiac emergency. Students learned how to recognise the signs of someone in need of CPR, how to perform chest compressions e ectively, and the importance of calling for professional help immediately.
Through interactive demonstrations and supportive guidance, the session taught students technical skills but also instilled a sense of confidence to act in emergencies. The instructor reminded everyone that even a basic understanding of CPR could mean the di erence between life and death.
A year 7 student, commented, “I really think that this experience was helpful for myself and everyone, and that we are all confident of applying our skills to real-life situations, should the situation require it.”
This session is part of Tottington High School’s commitment to empower students with essential life skills as part of the Personal Development programme. By learning CPR at an early age, students become more prepared to contribute to the safety and well-being of their communities.
Mr Wilson: Teacher of Personal Development commented “The enthusiasm and dedication shown by the students was fantastic, and the session proved to be a valuable addition to their learning journey. “
Focus on SEND
Since stepping into the role of SENCO in January, my primary focus has been on reviewing and strengthening our SEND provision to ensure every student receives the tailored support they need to succeed both in the classroom and beyond. It’s been a busy and productive five months, and I’d like to take this opportunity to share some of the key developments with you:
•I have gone through all EHCPs and rewritten each student’s pupil passport to ensure they are accurate, meaningful, and truly reflective of their individual needs. I’ve also created bespoke, outcome-based targets from each EHCP to guide support over the coming year.
•All students on SEND Support have also had their pupil passports reviewed and updated, ensuring that e ective strategies and support are clearly communicated with sta .
•I’ve met with many families and will continue to do so, working closely to address concerns and rebuild trust in our SEND leadership. Strengthening these relationships is a vital part of our journey forward.
•Another key focus has been the development of our PEEL Centre, a specialist intervention hub designed for students experiencing Emotionally Based School Avoidance (EBSA). The PEEL Centre o ers a bespoke curriculum to close gaps in literacy and numeracy, along with structured emotional well-being and therapeutic support to help students manage anxiety and rebuild confidence.
•Following a full review of existing interventions, I have introduced a new range of evidence-informed interventions designed to support students across all four areas of need: These interventions have begun with students on the SEND register, however, may be on pause while the curriculum support team are supporting students in Year 11 examinations. Details on the Interventions are in the table below:
InterventionDescription
Red2Blue Helps students manage emotions and shift from a reactive mindset to a calm, focused one.
Memory Magic Teaches strategies to improve memory and recall, aiding learning and organisation.
IDL Literacy A multi-sensory programme to develop reading, spelling, and writing skills.
Pyramid Club Supports shy or anxious students in building confidence and social skills.
Speed Up Helps students improve handwriting fluency and control through practical exercises.
Lego Therapy Encourages teamwork, communication, and problem-solving in a structured group setting.
Talkabout for Teens Develops social confidence, communication, and self-awareness.
Area of SEND Need
Social, Emotional, and Mental Health (SEMH)
Cognition and Learning
Cognition and Learning
Communication and Interaction & SEMH
Physical and Sensory
Communication and Interaction
Communication and Interaction & SEMH
Interventions will typically run for 6-10 weeks, with students attending one session per week. To maximise the impact of each intervention, students will only participate in one intervention at a time. This allows them to fully focus on developing the specific skills being targeted, ensuring measurable progress rather than being stretched across multiple interventions with limited impact.
We are on a journey — and while there’s still more to do, I genuinely believe that together, we can create a school environment where every child feels seen, supported, and successful. I’m incredibly proud of the progress so far. Thank you for your continued support — it really does make all the di erence.
Cleaning up our community
Our students have continued their wide range of community projects through supporting members of the ‘Tottington Litter Pickers’ group with cleaning up our local community and enhancing the environment. The group, comprised of learners from the student leadership team, wanted to tackle the litter on the streets of Tottington and surrounding area with the objective of making a di erence to their local community.
The students were supported during their first litter-picking session by Kathy Taylor from Bury Council; (Volunteer Support and Development O cer-Parks and Countryside) and members of the Tottington Litter Pickers Team who provided bags and litter pickers to assist the students. They filled several refuse bags of rubbish, ranging from takeaway bags to plastic bottles. The students will be supporting Tottington Litter Pickers on a regular basis and will be working to ensure that their our community remains litter free and environmentally friendly.
Tech Showcase
Our wonderful students have been working hard to create some fantastic recipes and projects during the last half term. The wooden animal pencil holders were made by year 7 who have been learning about wastage processes, hard woods and softwoods. The bird boxes are made by year 9 who have been learning about marking out accurately from cutting lists, correct use of tools and equipment and adding their own designer twist to a standard product. The other photographs are just a few of the fantastic dishes served up by Y11 in their Hospitality & Catering practical exam.
Neil Wilson, Teacher of Personal Development said:
“The THS Community Litter Pick embodies our commitment to personal development and community engagement, providing our students with valuable experiences outside the classroom.
“The initiative not only helps to clean up the environment but also promotes a sense of community and teamwork among students and enables them to support a range of initiatives within their local area.”
Eco Club
This month, our creative minds faced the Egg Crash Test Dummy Challenge! Students designed and built protective devices to keep their eggs safe while enduring throws, drops, and even kicks from their opponents. After a serious egg-streme test of engineering, we had two victorious teams whose eggs lived to tell the tale!
Up next? By popular vote, our next challenge is... Designing and Building an Escape Room! We can’t wait to see what puzzles and traps they come up with. Stay tuned for more egg-cellent adventures from Eureka! Club!
The Sound of Music
Our Performing Arts team are beyond excited to present our upcoming school musical: The Sound of Music. Our pupils have been working incredibly hard since October and are looking forward to putting on a fantastic show for our school community. Please come along on Tuesday 17th, Wednesday 18th, or Thursday 19th June to watch our pupils perform in this year’s fantastic production! Keep an eye out on social media for more information regarding how and when you can secure your tickets.
Dates for your diary
University of Manchester - Y10
Thursday 12th June
9.30am-1.00pm
Abbeywood Care Home
Y7/Y8 Prefects
Tuesday 17th June
•Showered in praise from sta
•O ered something sweet to enjoy
2.00pm-3.00pm
DWP Workshop Remaining Y9 Forms
Friday 19th June
All Day
•Given a positive message to take home
Red Cross Emergency First Aid Workshop
Y9-Remaining Forms-Rota
Friday 20th June
ALL Day
Year 6 Parents/Students Meeting 23rd June 5.00pm
This is a moment for recognition, celebration, and encouragement. Every student who visits the Excellence Table will be:
We are excited to launch a brand-new weekly celebration of student success: The Excellence Table. Each Friday lunchtime, students who have produced beautiful work and demonstrated exceptional pride in their books will be invited to present their work to members of the Senior Leadership Team in the school hall.
The Table of excellence!
Year 6 Transition Days 24th/25th June
Year 11 Prom 26th June
Y10 Health and Social Care Career Event
Social Care & Dementia Workshop with Persona Care and Support Limited Friday 4 July Workshop
Abbeywood Care home Y10 Prefects
Tuesday 8th July 2.00pm-3.00pm
UK Parliament Outreach Visit
Y7 Assembly & Y7-Y10 Prefects Workshop
•And invited to sign the prestigious Book of Excellence
We can’t wait to see the incredible e ort and pride our students bring to their learning each week. Let’s celebrate excellence together!
Wednesday 9th July
Lewis Silkin Law Firm-Virtual Presentation
Y10 Cohort Virtual Presentation
Monday 14th July
9.00am-10.00am
Rewards Trips 21st July
Last day of Term 22nd July
Year 11 update
How many Year 11s actually turn up for Saturday school, I hear you say…
On Saturday 10th May we had five subjects on o er — English, Biology, Maths, RE and Computer Science — and the turnout was phenomenal. Year 11, your dedication ahead of next week’s GCSEs is seriously impressive. You’ve got this!
Remember, we have more sessions available over half term! We hope to see you there!
Tuesday 27th May - Maths with Mr Sellers 10am - 12pm & 1pm - 3pm
Wednesday 28th May - Music with Mr Atkinson 10am-12pm
Maths (Foundation) with Mrs Hesketh 10am - 12pm Maths (Higher) with Mr Hope - 10am - 12pm & 1pm - 3pm Geography with Mr Vale 10am-12pm and 1pm 3pm
Thursday 29th May - Sport Studies with Mrs Carter 10am-12pm
Friday 30th May - History with Mr Wilkinson 10am-12pm paper 2 and 1pm-3pm paper 3
Year 11 Prom
Hot Chocolate Friday
Our Yr 7 Prefects had a fantastic opportunity to take part in the inaugural THS ‘Hot Chocolate Friday’, a new initiative designed to promote gratitude, kindness, and community spirit across the school. As part of the event, students wrote heartfelt thank you cards to members of sta , recognising the support, encouragement, and care that the THS team provides each and every day. It was a lovely way to celebrate the strong relationships that make our school so special. In addition to Hot Chocolate Friday, the Year 7 Prefects also participated in a Leadership and Active Citizenship workshop led by Heather Walton from Bury Youth Service.
Our Year 11 Prom will take place on Wednesday 26th June.
Venue: Last Drop Village
Arrival Time: 6:30 PM
Finish Time: 11:30 PM
This is a special evening to celebrate the hard work and achievements of our Year 11 students. Please note that all students must be collected by a parent or guardian at 11:30 PM—no students will be allowed to leave unaccompanied.
We can’t wait to see everyone dressed to impress for a night to remember!
‘Tails’from...
Spring has brought fresh energy to Laurel Farm, and we’re excited to share what’s new with our growing little haven!
Our sheep (Maltesa and Wispa) have recently been sheared, and they’re now sporting their sleek new summer coats—just in time for the warmer weather! It’s always a special moment in the farming year and a reminder of the natural rhythms we follow here on the farm.
We’ve also welcomed two adorable new goats to our family— meet Brambles and Rambles! These cheeky characters are already making themselves at home and have quickly become favourites among our Tottington Family.
Looking ahead, we have even more plans in the pipeline. We’re hoping to expand the farm to include ducks and donkeys in the coming months, adding to the diversity and charm of Laurel Farm. These additions will o er even more educational and therapeutic opportunities for our community.
We can’t do it without your support. You can help us grow by taking part in the Parent Lottery or by using easyfundraising when you shop online (use the QR code below). Every little bit goes a long way in keeping the farm flourishing and accessible for everyone.
Thank you for being part of our journey!
The Laurel Farm Team
