Key Stage 3 pupils took part in a Barnado’s ‘NHS Health Challenge Workshop’ this week. They explored their thought in groups on what the NHS is and ways that they keep themselves healthy. They shared their opinions on a variety of ‘challenge packs’ to provide Barnado’s feedback on the best ways to share and support young people with health and wellbeing. The activities were fun and engaging and all students benefitted while developing their teamwork, problem solving skills and communication.

As a thank you for their participation all students involved received a certificate along with a £20 gift voucher that can be spent in many stores including Argos, WH Smith and Footlocker plus many more.

Feedback from our visitors was amazing. They were impressed not only with the quality of input but also the exemplary behaviour, attitude, and focus. All KS3 represented Melland High School amazingly and should be very proud of their efforts.

The Student Leaders have recently been in to the Multimedia Studio for a photo shoot. The Student Leader page on the school website and the profile image on Bright-Futures website both needed updated as the team had new members who had been elected by their respective key stages. Also they have created Student Leader posters that will be displayed around school to promote the roles and let other pupils know how they can get help and support from their Student Leaders. As you can see along with the more formal looking photo for their webpage the students had a lot of fun posing and expressing a bit more of their own personalities.

KS3 Poster

KS4 Poster

6th Form Poster

G1 have been introduced to a new book this term – Elmer the Elephant, and they have also been learning about the sounds of different instruments in Music. 

Each week we listen to the story Elmer the Elephant, a story that celebrates being different. Our new focus and theme this term is ‘I am Unique’. Whilst listening to the story of Elmer the pupils use their senses to really engage in the story. The pupils are given a choice of soft toys animals to explore that are in the story such as crocodiles, lions and giraffes. We also practise our painting skills – covering Elmer in grey paint, or ‘berry juice’ just like in the story. The pupils have been working hard to press big mac switches to listen to the different noises in the story such as the different animal noises. During our Art lesson we decorated milk cartons to look like Elmer with colourful tissue paper, googly eyes and glue. They light up nicely with tealight lights!

In Music we have been listening to the sounds of different instruments – Acoustic and electric guitar, the piano, the violin, the saxophone, drums and the trumpet. The pupils listen to the instrument sounds, and make the sounds themselves by using big mac switches, then listen to the instruments in different songs and genres of music. The class are beginning to get used to the different sounds and starting to show preferences for some instruments over others. The trumpet and the saxophone seem to be popular (listening to James Brown and The Madness), however the electric guitar isn’t as much of a favourite so far (listening to Gun’s N Roses)!

KS3 TLA’s and TA’s who have introduced both sensory circuits and zones of regulation into students’ routines. These practises have been key in helping students to recognise and understand their emotions and how to regulate and manage them effectively. The depth of knowledge and understanding of the team is excellent. Alongside the KS3 teachers they have used their highly professional knowledge and skills to identify the individual needs of targeted students, planned personalised programmes and facilitated the sessions. We have already seen a huge impact on the student’s wellbeing, and they are using zones of regulation independently without prompts throughout the day. Each room has zones of regulation resources clearly on display and these are easily accessible for all students. Thank you as always for your hard work and dedication

The Christmas Jumper parade took place today to end our festive celebrations. Each tutor group created their own Christmas jumper or Christmas hat to parade to the whole school outside in the courtyard. Along with music and a summary of their design. Models showcased their creations to the adoring audience and in front of our special guest judges made up from our senior leadership team accompanied by Poppy the school dog.

The winners of the trophies and chocolates were:

KS3: 3E with model Chelsea for their Rudolph jumper with red bauble nose and twigs as antlers.

KS4: 4D with model Abbie with a Sensory Christmas Globe jumper. It was filled with water and glitter to give it that multi-sensory effect.

KS5: TG3 with model Marvellous with the gingerbread house design complete with hat and top, sadly it wasn’t edible.

Every tutor group design was amazing and was incredibly hard to judge and a huge congratulations has to go to all that were involved. It was a great way to end the festive season and we wish everyone a happy Christmas

Melland decided this term to trial smaller pathways assemblies and we have had  fantastic feedback from staff and students. To celebrate the end of year pupils from the Pre-formal and Semi-formal pathways accessed sensory and art celebration, celebrating whilst making cards and creating their own snow! Students then shared achievements over the Autumn term and took a bow with their certificates. Students have been exploring various forms of play and problem solving this term. They have been working together on class projects and shared their experiences with pictures and art pieces. We also celebrated our house point achievements and our excellent attendance.

Students accessing our formal curriculum pathway celebrated their achievements over the past term with subject awards. Within each subject area staff nominated students to recognise their hard work, achievement, and progress. Our formal curriculum students have lessons in English, maths, science, PSHCE, computing, PE, RE, MFL and humanities. In addition to this our KS4 students have options in Art, Wellbeing, Geography, History and Media. The inaugural curriculum awards ceremony was received warmly be staff and students. One overjoyed student who received several awards said, ‘I am so excited, I think I might be sick!’ It was a brilliant opportunity for our students to celebrate their own and their peers’ achievements and raise the profile of academic achievement across the school. Students are already looking forward to the next one at the end of the spring term.

KS3 were offered a fantastic opportunity this week with The National Cycling Academy offering cycling lessons in school as part of the bikeability scheme. The pupils had access to a bike each, protective equipment and two full sessions cycling. We had a range of abilities from those riding for the first time to those that were confident riders and beginning to understand the rules of the road.

We had huge success with many students being able to ride a bike independently for the very first time. We also had a large amount of students demonstrating great resilience and motivation to keep getting back on and pushing hard to achieve the next goals set for them. Special mentions for Logan, George, Matab and Talah who made rapid progress in such a short space of time. Also to Idrees who managed to ride independently on his 13th birthday which was celebrated with all his peers. 

A huge thank you to Karen and Mel who were brilliant with our young people who were considerate of all learners abilities and needs with a variety of techniques and skills to keep the students motivated. Thank you to all staff that supported the sessions and to Mrs Harrison for her organisation of the sessions.

We are pleased to be able to share the plans, elevations and site plan for our proposed development at Melland High School in Gorton Education Village. We would welcome your feedback on the principle of the development prior to submitting the plans.

This is an exciting time, not only for Melland High School, but the wider community in which it serves. It will enable the school to both add to and improve its existing facilities and to provide an outstanding education to an increased number of students locally.

We would welcome your feedback on the principle of the development prior to submitting the plans. Please read the following letter:

The plans, elevations and site plan can be viewed or downloaded below:

If you would like to express your views on the proposed drawings, please complete the questionnaire which you can download below:

Please return your form by email or post:

Mrs Sue Warner, Principal
Melland High School
50, Wembley Rd
Gorton M18 7DT

Alternatively, you can email: admin@mhs.bright-futures.co.uk

If you do not have access to online information then please call or write to the school and we will can arrange an appointment for you to view the drawings on site.

Comments should be submitted by 21st November 2021.