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Our news

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26 Mar 2026

Tortoise touches down at Kershaw Wood Manchester

Kershaw Wood Manchester is now home to tortoise Dylan, after a special delivery from First Steps Together CEO Matt Higham on Thursday lunchtime.

Three photos show CEO Matt Higham settles the tortoise enclosure on the headteacher desk, a close-up of the tortoise on a table and a fascinated student observing the tortoise on a red desk.

23 Mar 2026

Transition day to help new Watkin students 'feel at home'

Students joining us in Year 7 this September will be welcomed with open arms on Saturday, as The Watkin hosts a dedicated Transition Open Day.

Front entrance of The Watkin with red-framed glass doors, rainbow heart graphics, raised hand illustrations, and the text ‘Everyone is welcome here’ displayed on the windows

18 Mar 2026

Anderson shelters built as part of World War II module

Students at Kershaw Wood in Glossop have constructed their very own Anderson shelters while learning about Britain during the Second World War.

Two photos showing a World War II classroom project. On the left, a student holds a handmade model of an Anderson shelter in front of a colourful World War II display board featuring painted houses, aircraft and a countryside scene. On the right, students work at a table building miniature Anderson shelters from cardboard, corrugated card and green foliage materials with glue and craft supplies scattered around

6 Mar 2026

Podcast on EHC plans aims to ease stress for parents

The latest episode of Footsteps sets out to ease “nightmares and confusion” many families face when navigating Education, Health and Care plans.

An exhausted man lying on a sofa with an arm hanging off the side, surrounded by a cluttered coffee table with a laptop, papers, cups, and snack wrappers. A large thought bubble shows blurred EHC plans.

5 Mar 2026

Colour and costumes fill classrooms on World Book Day

World Book Day brought a wave of imagination across our schools with students embracing stories, characters and creativity.

Three young people dressed for World Book Day: one wearing a bee costume with yellow wings and striped skirt, one wearing a large handmade cardboard book featuring a globe with World Book Day written on it, and two students looking at colourful books laid out on a table.

26 Feb 2026

First Steps Together debunk EHC Plans with new FAQs page

First Steps Together has launched an easy‑to‑read frequently asked questions guide to help families understand the often stressful world of EHC Plans.

A graphic with lots of questions regarding EHC Plans under the words 'EHC Plan FAQs'

20 Feb 2026

Wave of fresh recruits thrive during half‑term training

Despite learners being off for a week, our teaching staff have made the most of the half‑term, with many of our new recruits undertaking valuable training.

Two staff members look on smiling during their training

13 Feb 2026

Peak Forest's Isaac wins first attendance award of 2026

Isaac from Peak Forest has won this half-term’s attendance award, securing an iPad for maintaining 100% attendance since the start of 2026.

Young boy with short blonde hair draped over forehead receives iPad in front of First Steps Together logo figures

12 Feb 2026

Experienced Andrea Lloyd joins as Chair of Governors

Local community champion Andrea Lloyd has joined First Steps Together to support as Chair of Governors and oversee the board.

The words Andrea Lloyd accompany a headshot of Andrea Lloyd, smiling with light brown hair in a dark brown cardigan

9 Feb 2026

The Watkin to host next recruitment Open Day

On 28 February, we are again opening our doors to highlight our vacancies with this latest event being held near Wythenshawe Hospital.

A modern red‑brick building named The Watkin under a bright sky with a rainbow arching overhead, with an empty car park and autumn trees in the background

6 Feb 2026

First step into podcasting with Footsteps launch

We're thrilled to launch a new monthly podcast Footsteps, offering listeners an inside look at our specialist work for young people.

A microphone sat in front of a computer displaying waveforms from editing software

2 Feb 2026

Inclusive Attendance launches across our schools

We are delighted to share that Stage 1 of the Inclusive Attendance Programme has now launched across all of our six schools across the North West.

The colourful First Steps Together logo figures and the Inclusive Attendance logo, represented by the letters IA in a colourful hexagon

28 Jan 2026

Mental Health Leads introduced across our schools

To strengthen wellbeing across our schools, we have introduced Mental Health Leads offering support for staff and students.

Trainer Katie Rivers leads a Mental Health First Aid session, standing beside a presentation screen while staff members sit around a table listening

26 Jan 2026

Recruitment open day to offer face-to-face interviews

Amid a new month, we are opening our office doors in Denton to highlight what could be your new role working in specialist education.

A bright, modern office wall featuring the First Steps Together Group logo. The logo shows two abstract human figures in teal, yellow, and magenta reaching toward each other to form an uplifting shape. Below the logo, the words First Steps Together Group appear in teal lettering. In front of the wall are two grey, cushioned chairs with a green plant between them, creating a welcoming seating area.

21 Jan 2026

First Steps Together to start specialist education podcast

We are excited to launch a new specialist education podcast in early February, sharing the people, experiences and stories that shape our schools.

Graphic for Footsteps, the specialist education podcast from First Steps Together. Colourful footprint shapes appear above the title, with the First Steps Together figures on either side.

20 Jan 2026

Attendance prizes announced for Spring Term

The exciting prizes for the next two half‑term attendance draws have been confirmed by our Senior Head of School Ms Cooper.

Black icons of a tablet and bike surrounded by First Steps Together coloured branding

19 Jan 2026

Parents' Evening reminder issued ahead of next week

Our executive team are reminding parents of Parents' Evening which is taking place across our school sites throughout next week.

Two people shake hands in a classroom setting

16 Jan 2026

SEND Coffee Mornings to resume 27 January

We're excited to invite parents and carers to our new series of SEND Coffee Mornings taking place across several of our settings over the coming weeks.

A parent smiles while holding a cup coffee

8 Jan 2026

Student letters inspire new outdoor area at Tame Bank

Crafted letters from our enthusiastic students to the Head of School at Tame Bank has led to the creation of a brand‑new outdoor area.

A small outdoor area with two goal nets and a football sit on top of astro turf surrounded by wooden fencing

6 Jan 2026

Schools welcome back students after Christmas

Across the North West, students have returned to our six schools after Christmas with our expert staff on hand to support amid a new routine.

A young girl draws on white paper with a coloured pencil, surrounded by an array of others
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