Not all occasions were happy ones. School had to close on 7th October 1970, in company with other city schools, as a result of industrial action by the caretaking section of the non-teaching staff, and power cuts caused inconveniences in December 1970 and February 1972. On a day in June 1971, one Teachers'Association supported a national strike, whilst school carried on as normally as possible. There were occasional bomb hoaxes, and this meant that the building had to be evacuated whilst the police searched and then gave permission for a normal resumption. The assembly areas for this and other enforced evacuations were the playing field for the Junior School, and the open ground on what had been Exeter Street, for the Senior School.

On 9th September,1971, Harry Reid, from 6L died. A boy of great courage, he overcame many physical disabilities to get to school-latterly by special transport. In December,1972, Jean Scanlon, of 2E died, following a sudden but severe illness. On the morning of 21st March,1969, the school was shocked to hear of the death of Mr. Martin, Head of the Senior School, who had collapsed and died on Stockport Road whilst waiting for a bus after school the previous day. A special memorial service was held in the Senior School on the morning of the funeral, and later that day, the Headmaster, several colleagues and many senior boys and girls attended the funeral at Whitefield. Mr. Martin's devotion to duty, his loyalty to the school, his insistence on high standards and untiring efforts on behalf of boys and girls alike made him a leader to be respected and followed.

Parents had at least one opportunity each year to come to an appropriate year group evening in "N" Hall and meet the staff. These were reasonably well supported, although it was a justifiable staff complaint that too often the parents who ought to be present never came, although invited to do so. Encouragement was given for visits in working hours by appointment, and Year Tutors often asked parents to come to see them to discuss particular problems. Sometimes there was concern over matters of attendance and punctuality. In common with almost all other schools, attendance was not as good as it used to be, despite vigorous work by successive Welfare Officers Messrs. Martin, Oldfield and Lawson. Occasionally there were area meetings about school attendance. Child Guidance Centres became involved as pupils with poor attendance records were on occasions referred to them. Also at times they became involved either at the centre or in school with other problem cases. Year Tutors were always closely involved with these outside support groups. Late comers to school had to report to the appropriate office, and Year Tutors organised their own system of late detention.

School dinners were provided in the Junior School on a family service basis. Two rooms were available -a large one, and one considerably smaller. These rooms were not ideally situated, being below ground floor level, and the dinner queue stretched into the playground via a flight of steps. Appetites were always good and there was no shortage of candidates for "seconds". Mrs Woolley continued as Canteen Supervisor, having oversight of the Senior School arrangements as well. In that school, there were 2 dining rooms, one in each building. The best plan eventually was for the meal to be cooked in "H" Kitchen and served to 5th and 6th formers in "H" Gymnasium (i.e. the Technical High School facilities), and other supplies transported in hot boxes across Tiverton Street to the hot ovens in the servery of "A" building, from whence it was served to the 4th year. Mrs Anderson supervised the cooking in "H" Building, and Mrs Pimblott controlled affairs in "A" Building servery. Each of the three dining rooms had two sittings, alternating between boys and girls. Staff assisted with supervision on a voluntary basis, and in November 1968,4 supervisory assistants began duty.

Medical inspections and immunisation programmes were carried out annually. The nurse visited regularly; accidents and emergency cases were taken to Shakespeare Street Clinic or the Royal Infirmary by ambulance or car. There was also a dental inspection each year and the Staff participated in the mass radiography scheme. An excellent liaison service existed with the Youth Employment Bureau, first through Miss Robinson, Miss Thwaites, Mrs Tinker and Mr. Clarke, and then from September 1969 through Mr. Massum, Mr. Brown and Mrs Butler. Group talks were held early in the school year, followed by individual interviews. Occasionally, the R.A.F. and the Police were given permission to speak to the Senior School on careers. Miss Irlam co-ordinated all the careers work for the girls. Mr. Martin and then Mr. Howard did the same for the boys, until Mr. Race took over the responsibility. The raising of the school leaving age in September 1972 obviously influenced the careers work. An area was established at the end of the corridor from the Hall in "H" Building for the permanent display of careers material, not only posters and display sheets, but also books and reading material. Mr. Davies was responsible for 6th form careers advice. Displays and materials were available in the centre, and special visits were arranged, such as the one to Mather Training College in July,1973.