Ince CE Primary School in Wigan is a vibrant and inclusive primary school catering to around 400 pupils. The school emphasises a supportive environment where children feel safe and welcomed, and promotes positive attitudes towards learning. We spoke with Sara Lawrenson, Headteacher, Jaime Traynor, Designated Safeguarding Lead and some of their ‘tootoot champions’ about tootoot.

“I know I can use tootoot to tell someone when my mum and dad are shouting. And then my teachers can help me in school the next day.” Pupil Ince Primary School

Sara, how have you found tootoot has supported your school?

“If it came down to funding, tootoot is something we just couldn’t get rid of, it saves lives.”

“If it came down to funding, tootoot is something we just couldn’t get rid of, it saves lives. There is such a difference in how early you get to what is happening at home with tootoot. Tootoot helps us understand the child’s perspective, especially in high-risk situations it gives us a fuller picture of what’s going on at home. I’m really happy with the support and interaction from the tootoot team. I have complete peace of mind that they have everything in hand.

“Tootoot helps us understand the child’s perspective, especially in high-risk situations it gives us a fuller picture of what’s going on at home.”

The free resources tootoot provide are fabulous, we always use the assemblies. It helps to keep tootoot fresh in all our children’s minds, they really look forward to them. We even have our tootoot champions delivering the assemblies.

“Every school should have tootoot, because why wouldn’t you want to help every child?” Year-6 Pupil Ince Primary School 

Jaime, what do you like most about tootoot?

Tootoot is a lifeline for our school, it gives us an invaluable way to communicate with our vulnerable children, Tootoot will be essential for us throughout these coming months. I love how tootoot allows us to be proactive. We can send messages to our vulnerable pupils to let them know someone is thinking of them and that we are there for them.

“I love how tootoot allows us to be proactive. We can send messages to our vulnerable pupils to let them know someone is thinking of them and that we are there for them.”

Tootoot is vital to us at Ince Primary School. We completely rely on it. For some of our children it’s the only way they feel comfortable communicating.

Are there any messages that you’ve received on tootoot that demonstrate how tootoot has worked in your school?

Yes - there are a couple.

““I want to end my life” - We had no idea he was even struggling, everything seemed fine and he had always been very quiet.”

“I want to end my life” - We received this message from a boy in Year-4. We had no idea he was even struggling, everything seemed fine and he had always been very quiet. From this initial message the pupil began to open up and we got him counselling with our local CAMHS. Now a few years on, I’m happy to say that he is in a really good place. Because of tootoot, we were able to intervene at an early age and get the support in place he needed.

“Tootoot me gives confidence to talk about my problems.” Pupil Ince Primary School  

“People aren’t being nice to my friend and I’m worried about him” A little boy sent us this message last week, he was really worried because he knew his friend wouldn’t ask for help himself. His teachers acted on this and we praised the boy for being such a good friend. The next day Mum came in as she was also worried about her son. We were able to tell her that we already knew and were on with a plan. Mum was able to feel really supported and it put her mind at ease to know that we were already sorting it out.

“If we didn’t have tootoot all the children would have hurt in their hearts and nobody to tell.” Year-6 Pupil Ince Primary School