It’s been all change in the team of Pastoral Managers recently, with three new appointments and the retirement of one of the pioneers of the service at Sale High.

Mrs Gouldthorpe, who was the first Pastoral Manager at the school, is leaving in July after more than thirty years’ service. She started as a teacher of what was then called Cookery (it’s been Home Economics and Food Technology since), and has also been Head of Year, but a few years ago, she proposed the idea of Pastoral Managers to the Headteacher. This central role would take on all the support activities that tutors and Heads of Years were trying to fulfil - attendance, punctuality, behaviour, guidance, support, help with homework and any problems students might experience. Five years later, there are five Pastoral Managers, one for each year group, and they are a well-established and respected part of the school team.

Mrs Gouldthorpe says they are like a parent in school - sympathetic but firm. Their role is to help the students get the most out of school. Before she retires, she’s been helping the two newest Pastoral Managers to settle in: Mrs Howard is taking over responsibility for Year 7 and Mr Bowers will be working with Year 9 from September.

Mrs Howard will be liaising with the primary schools and ensuring that new students get through he transition as smoothly as possible. Previously an Attendance Officer at Newall Green High School, she has also worked for the Probation Service and started with us in May. She says she’s been made to feel very welcome and is very much enjoying her job at Sale High School.

Mr Bowers came to the school in March from a Learning Support Unit in Preston and previously worked for a Youth Mentoring Project. He says he loves all aspects of the job, including the working with parents and other external agencies. He wants to build more links with the local community, including the police service and other community groups and services, as these all have an impact on students’ lives in the area. Mr Bowers lives in Manchester and is taking a Masters Degree in Special Needs at Liverpool John Moores University.

 
They will be joined in September by Mrs Varley who will work with Year 8. The team also includes Mr Patrick, who works with Year 10 and Mrs Byrne (Year 11).

Mrs Gouldthorpe is hoping to keep in touch with the new team, as she will be retuning to the school every week to help with the Reading Club. She also has lots of other plans for her retirement, including travelling, seeing friends, gardening and doing some work for the British Heart Foundation. She’s also volunteered to look after her two year-old grandson for a day a week for her daughter who is a primary school teacher. Most of all, she’s looking forward to pleasing herself and not being ruled by bells!