< All news Schools welcome back students after Christmas 6 Jan 2026 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. After the excitement and unpredictability a break can bring, our focus has been on helping every young person feel safe, calm and confident as they ease back into school life. For many children and young people with additional needs, returning can bring a mix of emotions. Fresh from an INSET Day, our staff are fully trained in understanding transitions, managing change and supporting emotional regulation. Throughout the day, they have been working closely with students to make the process as smooth as possible. This includes taking extra time to re‑establish familiar routines, offering reassurance where it’s needed, and creating quiet, predictable spaces to help everyone settle. Staff have been using strategies such as visual timetables, gentle reminders, sensory breaks, and structured conversations to support students in re‑engaging with their learning and social environments. Across all our schools, the first days back have showcased the resilience of our students and the dedication of our teams. Classrooms are once again filled with life! As the term continues, we remain committed to supporting every student through change, celebrating their progress and ensuring they feel understood, valued, and ready to thrive. Previous Next

< All news Parents encouraged to use EfL app to support learning 5 May 2026 Parents and carers are being encouraged to download the EfL app to engage more closely with their child’s learning and progress through regular shared updates. Evidence for Learning (EfL) is used across First Steps Together schools to record and share pupils’ development through photographs, videos and written observations. The secure platform allows families to view learning updates in real time, helping them stay informed about achievements both in and out of the classroom. Parents and carers can access our updates by downloading the EfL Family App from the App Store (iOS) or Google Play Store (Android) . Anyone experiencing difficulties logging in is encouraged to contact a.bonilla@fstmanagement.uk or a.ahmed@fstmanagement.uk . Assistant SENDCo Alex Bonilla said: "The EfL app is a really valuable resource for parents and carers, giving them an insight into life beyond the school gates and the learning taking place each day." "Parental engagement is incredibly important and, with the app supporting multiple languages, families are able to communicate with us in the way that works best for them." Alex explained: "We have noticed that some parent have not yet logged in, so we are encouraging families to access the app and set up their login details. Support is available for anyone who needs help getting started." When logging in, families should use their email address as the username and enter the domain firststepstogether. To set up access for the first time, select “Forgot password” and follow the on‑screen steps to create a password. Once logged in, parents and carers will be able to view photos, videos and learning updates shared by staff, as well as upload their own comments and observations. As well as viewing posts from staff, parents and carers can also contribute by uploading their own photos or comments, supporting a more joined‑up approach between home and school. The initiative aims to strengthen communication and ensure families feel actively involved in their child’s learning journey. First Steps Together continues to prioritise positive partnerships with families as part of its commitment to supporting children and young people who learn differently. Previous Next

< All news Tortoise touches down at Kershaw Wood Manchester 26 Mar 2026 Kershaw Wood Manchester is now home to tortoise Dylan, after a special delivery from First Steps Together CEO Matt Higham on Thursday lunchtime. The arrival created a moment of quiet excitement as Matt entered the room and heralded the new era, with students slowly gathering around him. Tortoises have lived on Earth for more than 230 million years and are among some of the longest living land animals, with a life span of over 100 years. “Everybody be nice and quiet,” said Head of School Mike Smith, as the group edged in for a closer look. Matt encouraged everyone to explore the reptile at their own pace. “Do you want to touch it?” he asked, holding the delicate tortoise steady. One student examined the shell closely and asked, “What is that?” before receiving a personalised update about the newest student. “You can touch it when you’re ready!” Matt reassured warmly. The questions soon began to flow. “How fast can he go?” asked Oran , one of our News Ninjas . “Very very slow. He’ll never catch you!” Matt responded as the creature took its first tiny, deliberate steps across the table, almost in slow motion. “I love it,” said Mike, clearly pleased with the enthusiasm growing around the room and the potential opportunities. Attention soon shifted to naming the tortoise, and talk turned to what students could learn from caring for him. Ideas about feeding, observation, responsibility and looking after animals began to surface as part of the discussion. The tortoise was soon named Dylan by Oran, after a lively consultation with a friend. The rest of the class quickly agreed and Dylan was proudly added to the register. Head of School Mike Smith explained: “We got Dylan to support self‑regulation and help create a calmer, more nurturing environment here." "It also gives our learners another place to go when they are upset, hangry [hungry or angry] or finding it difficult to engage with a lesson.” On his first day at school, Dylan may have moved slowly, but his impact on the students was immediate. The first steps, together with the class watching on, have marked the beginning of new conversations, new learning potential and a new sense of curiosity. For now, students at Kershaw Wood Manchester have a new friend to get to know: Dylan. Previous Next

< All news First Steps Together debunk EHC Plans with new FAQs page 26 Feb 2026 First Steps Together has launched an easy‑to‑read frequently asked questions guide to help families understand the often stressful world of EHC Plans. The EHC Plan FAQs were created to make a complex system easier to understand. Many families find the EHC process overwhelming, especially when starting out. The new page breaks everything down answering key questions such as: What is an EHC Plan? How do I apply? What evidence should I send? How long does the application take? What happens during the assessment? Who writes the EHC Plan? What is in an EHC Plan? How often is the EHC Plan reviewed? It also includes information about legal rights under the Children and Families Act 2014, how to appeal decisions and what to do if support isn’t being delivered. You will find clear guidance on each stage of the journey: requesting an assessment, providing evidence, working with professionals, reviewing plans and seeking help when things aren’t going as they should. Parents can also submit their own questions. Nick Ransom, Communications Officer, said: "Amid all the noise surrounding specialist education, we understand that parents are looking for practical, down‑to‑earth advice that helps make life feel less overwhelming. We’re always open to ideas for new questions and committed to supporting our community in every way we can." "The new resource reflects First Steps Together’s commitment to supporting young people with additional needs, ensuring families feel informed, empowered and confident throughout their experience with us." You can explore the full FAQ page now at firststepseducation.uk/ehcplans . Previous Next

< All news Recruitment open day to offer face-to-face interviews 26 Jan 2026 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 dedicated recruitment day will take place this Saturday, 31 January, at Crossgate House on Irwin Street, offering visitors the chance to discover a wide range of opportunities across the organisation. It will showcase the breadth of opportunities available and the meaningful impact each role has on the lives of young people. The event takes place between 10am and 3pm is open to anyone interested in joining the team, with no appointment required. Attendees will meet staff, learn about the roles available across First Steps Together’s schools, and gain an insight into the work the organisation does to support young people with additional needs. Emma Burgess, Head of People Services, said: "We’re experiencing phenomenal growth across First Steps Together, and it’s creating some fantastic opportunities for people who want to work with young people." She continued: "Our Recruitment Open Day is a chance for people to find out more about the remarkable work we do, the teams behind it, and the difference people can make here. If supporting young people is what drives you, this is absolutely the place to be." Those ready to take the next step will also have the opportunity to take part in on-the-day interviews. The aim is to remove barriers and make the process as accessible as possible for people looking to start or continue a career in the sector. Prospective applicants are asked to complete a short application form in advance via recruitment@fstmanagement.uk , helping the recruitment team prepare for discussions on the day and ensuring a smooth experience for visitors. We also ask that anyone attending brings ID as part of our Safer Recruitment checks, to help safeguard and protect young people. Car parking spaces are limited but road parking is available nearby, making it easy for attendees to reach our offices. Previous Next

< All news Student letters inspire new outdoor area at Tame Bank 8 Jan 2026 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. The area, named the "Fantastic Outdoor Area", is now officially open and already proving popular with learners and staff. Mr Smith, Head of School, said, “It will help the students around their learning as an extra incentive to get outside more. The more spacious area will also be great for team building activities.” The space has been designed as a multi‑use area, with goal nets and a football bringing the beautiful game to Tame Bank. Staff expect it to be used for outdoor learning, sports, teamwork sessions and social time throughout the school day. Student Voice feedback and the letters sent directly to Mr Smith highlighted how important an improved outdoor area was to the young people at Tame Bank. Their input played a key role in shaping the project and ensuring the space meets their needs. The school is looking forward to seeing the pitch used across lessons and enrichment activities as part of its commitment to providing a supportive, engaging environment for all students. Previous Next

< All news Parents' Evening reminder issued ahead of next week 19 Jan 2026 Our executive team are reminding parents of Parents' Evening which is taking place across our school sites throughout next week. The Watkin will host its session on Monday, 26 January, followed by Peak Forest and Kershaw Glossop on Tuesday, 27 January. Tame Bank is scheduled for Wednesday, 28 January, with Stansfield House concluding the week’s events on Thursday, 29 January. All Parents’ Evening sessions will run from 4.00pm to 6.00pm, with last entry at 5.45pm across all sites. The events are intended to give families the opportunity to meet teaching staff, tour the school facilities and discuss the progress pupils have made throughout the year. Addresses for our schools can be found on our school pages . In case of any further questions, please visit the contact us page for our details. Previous Next

< All news Sensory pod installed at The Watkin aiding regulation 15 May 2026 A new state-of-the-art sensory pod installed in The Watkin, the largest of our six schools, is proving to be a hit with students. Designed by Dublin-based healthcare equipment provider Murrays , their sensory team visited our Wythenshawe site last month to install the vibrant, futuristic aid. With the ability to host both learning and entertainment on its connected screen, the six foot tall pod can also cater for relaxation, allowing for some shut eye if experiencing burnout. Murrays say the presence of a pod in a school is "proven to reduce the frequency and severity of disruptions when a student experience sensory overload." Chantelle Bowker, Head of School, confirmed "the space has had a significantly positive impact on student regulation. Safe and calming, it's really supporting the individual needs of our students." A student told us "the sensory pod is amazing, it feels like a spaceship! It's comfortable, calming and helps me feel relaxed." Plans are in place to enhance The Watkin sensory room further, ahead of the 2026-27 academic year. With the pod's adaptable design and flexible applications, we’re excited about the future possibilities this technology offers. Previous Next

< All news Inclusive Attendance launches across our schools 2 Feb 2026 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. This marks a major step forward in our commitment to creating attendance cultures that are sustainable, inclusive and consistently centred around the needs of children and young people who think, behave and learn differently. Embedding the Inclusive Attendance Programme means establishing a truly system led approach across the federation. It encourages collective responsibility, strengthens best practice and ensures that attendance becomes a meaningful driver for long term success. By working in partnership with Inclusive Attendance, we have begun accredited staff learning, deep dive practice reviews and the development of a five year strategy that places inclusivity, belonging and success for every learner at the heart of what we do. This work also ensures that our approach aligns closely with the Ofsted Framework and the Department for Education’s statutory expectations regarding attendance. More importantly, it strengthens our culture of care, consistency and ambition. The programme will support us to reduce persistent absence, improve overall attendance and build a quality assurance model that helps each school grow year on year through self evaluation, shared insight and collaboration. Senior Head of School Caron Cooper, captured the purpose behind this work clearly when she said, “We did this because attendance is so important for children. The passion is that we want to get these children back into school because they have not been in school. By having attendance incentives and committing to this, because we are all about inclusivity, that is why we are doing it.” Inclusive Attendance described today as the beginning of “a shared vision”, acknowledging our commitment to leading the way in sustainable attendance improvement. This launch represents an important milestone for all of us at First Steps Together. It strengthens our ability to support children and young people every day, ensures we are working to the highest standards and brings us closer to achieving Bronze Mark Accreditation across all of our schools. Most importantly, it reinforces our belief that every child deserves a school environment where they feel supported to attend, welcomed when they arrive and empowered to succeed. Previous Next

< All news Mental Health Leads introduced across our schools 28 Jan 2026 To strengthen wellbeing across our schools, we have introduced Mental Health Leads offering support for staff and students. The move follows a full day of specialist training delivered by Katie Rivers of Manchester First Aid Training , focusing on mental health and wellbeing in the workplace. The initiative aims to build a clearer, more responsive system for identifying and supporting mental health needs across all schools. Each school will designate its own Mental Health Lead, who will train and support colleagues in recognising early signs of concern and knowing how to respond effectively. During the training, staff explored a wide range of topics including anxiety, self-harm, mood changes and how to support individuals experiencing a mental health crisis. Practical strategies that can be implemented immediately within school settings were a major focus, along with the introduction of mental health first aid boxes that will soon be rolled out across all sites. Caron Cooper, Senior Head of School, welcomed the development, emphasising its importance for both staff and student wellbeing. “From my point of view, I’ve completed trauma‑informed training, and it’s clear how important it is to have Mental Health Leads,” she said. She added: “This isn’t just about supporting the emotional wellbeing of staff, it’s about our students as well. We need a clear understanding of the issues they face, their mood swings, and how we can best help.” Cooper explained that the new system will help staff feel more confident in recognising signs of distress, supporting colleagues and ensuring concerns are addressed early. The introduction forms part of a wider push across the organisation to improve mental health awareness and create consistent, supportive environments for everyone in the school communities. Previous Next

< All news Senior politician answers questions at Tame Bank 18 May 2026 Labour Chief Whip and local MP, Jonathan Reynolds, has described questions he took from Tame Bank students as “as hard as any PMQs session.” On social media , Reynolds thanked staff and students for a "warm welcome", comparing the questions posed to the weekly session in Parliament, where the Prime Minister responds to queries from MPs. As well as representing Stalybridge and Hyde as a Member of Parliament, Jonathan Reynolds is a significant voice in the current Labour government as Chief Whip. The role involves ensuring MPs, and peers in the House of Lords, attend and vote in line with party leadership. After a tour of the modern Tame Bank space led by teacher Mr Hughes, Reynolds was welcomed into the Orange Room where he enjoyed watching a spontaneous martial arts session. Reynolds then took questions from a number of students, with topics covering education, history, parliament and public services as well as artificial intelligence, among other subjects. Teacher Mr Hughes, who organised the visit, said "Jonathan could see how First Steps Together had transformed the Tame Bank building, giving it a friendly, welcoming, yet professional atmosphere". "The students really impressed Jonathan with their focused questions and enthusiasm and this was the highlight of the visit for me" he concluded. The MP added on Facebook that it was " great to call in", adding that First Steps Together are "doing great work supporting young people with a range of educational needs". Matthew Lawton, Head of School, said it was "fantastic" that "students engaged so confidently with Jonathan and asked such thoughtful questions." He explained that "experiences like this are invaluable in helping our young people grow in confidence and understand the wider world.” Tame Bank and First Steps Together continue to work closely with the local community, promoting student voice and providing valuable opportunities for learners to explore a wide range of career pathways. Previous Next

Explore the latest First Steps Together news with key updates, achievements and more. Our news 8 Jun 2026 Students educated on dangers of open water swimming Students at The Watkin have been visited by Jane McCormick, an open water swimmer, to discuss the dangers of swimming in deep water. Read more 18 May 2026 Senior politician answers questions at Tame Bank Labour Chief Whip and local MP, Jonathan Reynolds, has described questions he took from Tame Bank students as “as hard as any PMQs session.” Read more 15 May 2026 Sensory pod installed at The Watkin aiding regulation A new state-of-the-art sensory pod installed in The Watkin, the largest of our six schools, is proving to be a hit with students. Read more 5 May 2026 Parents encouraged to use EfL app to support learning Parents and carers are being encouraged to download the EfL app to engage more closely with their child’s learning and progress through regular shared updates. Read more 24 Apr 2026 Students help greenhouse glisten at Peak Forest Teamwork triumphed at Peak Forest as students and staff came together to build a new greenhouse, supporting curriculum learning, wellbeing and the school kitchen. Read more 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. Read more 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. Read more 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. Read more 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. Read more 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. Read more 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. Read more 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. Read more 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. Read more 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. Read more 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. Read more 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. Read more 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. Read more 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. Read more