Withernsea High School

The inaugural Annual General Meeting of Withernsea High School’s newly established Parent, Teacher and Friends Association (PTFA) took place last Wednesday, 26th November. 

The meeting brought together parents, carers and staff to formalise the creation of the group and agree its initial direction. Attendees were welcomed and thanked for their support before the purpose of the AGM was outlined, including the adoption of the new Constitution and the election of committee officers.

During the meeting, the Constitution was reviewed and formally adopted, establishing the structure and operating principles that will guide the PTFA’s future work. Elections followed, resulting in the appointment of Mrs Jodie Allen as Chair, Mrs Kim Wallis as Vice Chair, Mrs Chele Daniel as Secretary and Mrs Joanne Willingham as Treasurer. All relevant paperwork was completed and signed by the new officers, and the committee agreed to begin the process of registering the PTFA as a charity to support future fundraising activity.

Members held a detailed discussion about upcoming fundraising opportunities, reflecting the group’s commitment to supporting both the school community and key development priorities. Further input will also be gathered through forthcoming meetings with the school’s Progress Team.

Funds raised through planned activities will contribute to projects identified earlier in the year, including the purchase of anaphylaxis kits, support for educational visits, additional resources for the school’s breakfast club and initiatives linked to attendance, literacy and provision for students with special educational needs and disabilities.

The date of the next PTFA meeting will be confirmed and shared in due course, with members encouraged to bring forward further ideas to support the group’s aims.

Enquiries about the PTFA, including expressions of interest in joining or volunteering, can be directed to Kim Wallis at wallisk@wscampus.net or by telephone on 01964 613133.

A select group of Year 8 students have explored a new approach to learning by completing a six-session programme designed to strengthen their study habits and learning skills.

The ‘Future Thinking’ initiative, delivered by the Humber Outreach Programme (HOP) in partnership with the University of Hull, has been created to help learners understand their own thought processes through a concept known as metacognition.

Across five in-school workshops, students developed key learning skills, including how to ask insightful questions, organise their thoughts, draw connections between ideas, link concepts, generate hypotheses, and review their work effectively. As support was gradually withdrawn, students were encouraged to take greater ownership of their learning.

The sixth and final session took place on the University of Hull campus, where the students put their learning into practice through a carousel of activities designed to test their independence and confidence. They demonstrated their ability to apply the strategies independently, using tools such as the problem-solving ‘lotus blossom’ technique and the ‘diamond nine’ prioritisation tool.

Overseeing the project was school careers leader Viki Foster who said: “At the start of the programme, many students did not know how they learned or how to organise their work. By the end, they had not only become aware of effective learning tools, but had also begun to use them regularly. This journey not only represents academic growth but increasing confidence and self-understanding.

“The skills fostered through this project, such as self-awareness, critical thinking, and self-directed learning, are exactly those valued by employers. As such, the programme supports not only academic success but also future employability. For our Year 8 students, this provides a timely foundation by giving them the chance to practise and refine these skills well before the pressures of GCSEs and future career-planning intensify in Year 9.”

While at the university, students were given a campus tour that offered a first-hand look at the world of higher education - an experience Viki considers essential for broadening horizons.

“Having the opportunity to visit a higher education setting at an early age helps take away some of the fear of the unknown. Such encounters are essential in shaping aspirations and may help students begin planning a path to follow in the future.” 

Year 8 student Poppy B said the campus tour was “amazing,” while Matilda felt the campus “seemed like a good place where people will focus on work”. Joseph added, “I really loved Hull University and I hope I am accepted when applying in a few years’ time.”

ABOVE: Sanna Saidy and Amy Rutter, outreach coordinators at HOP, with students from Withernsea High School during their sixth and final Future Thinking session at the University of Hull. 

ABOVE: The programme featured a series of activities designed to promote thinking. Pictured during one of the activity sessions are Year 8 students Caitlin and Ella.

ABOVE: The students’ visit to the University of Hull provided an opportunity for a campus tour and an early introduction to university life. The group enjoyed the views from the seventh-floor observatory of the Brynmor Jones Library and a look at the university’s Asylum nightclub.

Year 11 students preparing to make post-16 choices ahead of next summer’s GCSE exam period have been given an opportunity to explore apprenticeship pathways at the Hull and East Riding Apprenticeship Expo. 

Students learned about current and upcoming vacancies in a wide range of sectors, including engineering, construction, health, public services, digital, law, business and finance, hair and beauty, sport, hospitality, education, and the creative industries. Companies and organisations involved included BAE systems, Cranswick foods, Nestle, Swift Group, Yorkshire Water, Hull University Teaching Hospitals, and construction company Hobson & Porter.

Supported internships, offering workplace-based study programmes for young people aged 16-24 with an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP), were also promoted, highlighting the region’s commitment to inclusive pathways into employment. 

School careers leader Viki Foster said: “This is a crucial time for Year 11s who are considering their post-16 pathways. For many interested in apprenticeships, it was a chance to network and begin sowing the seeds for opportunities ahead of their exams in the summer. 

“The government expects schools to inform students about technical pathways, including apprenticeships, and the expo directly supports Gatsby Benchmarks 5 and 7, which encourage encounters with employers, and further and higher education as part of a national framework of best practice in careers education.

“Our students stepped out of their comfort zones to engage with representatives from different companies and education providers, and many said it opened up more possibilities for their future. There are lots of options for young people at this age and it’s about finding the one that suits them best.”

Around one fifth of the school’s Year 11 cohort signed up to attend the event, with Abi saying she “felt inspired to pursue a future in the Armed Forces” after speaking to representatives from the RAF, while Ellie found her conversations with staff at Bishop Burton College particularly valuable, as she hopes to continue her studies there from September 2026. 

Pre-event information distributed to students offered guidance on what to expect at the expo and encouraged them to approach employers confidently. It included advice on making a positive first impression and suggested conversation starters. The development of these skills is a cornerstone of the school’s careers programme, which includes mock interview sessions and communication and interview skills training.  

ABOVE: Year 11 student Kaitlin speaks to Ellie Walkington, project officer with the ERYC Education & Skills Partnership, who helps promote and manage the Log On Move On careers platform. 

ABOVE: Held at Bishop Burton College, the event welcomed representatives from over 50 companies and organisations. During the day, it was open exclusively to school and college students, followed by a session for the wider public in the evening. 

Year 7 students recently took a break from their timetabled lessons for a wellbeing day organised by the East Riding Mental Health Support Team (MHST). The event provided an opportunity for the school’s youngest learners to reflect on their mental health and learn practical strategies for self-care. 

A ‘Wellbeing Centre’ was set up in the sports hall, providing a range of physical and calming activities designed to encourage relaxation, social connection, and positive wellbeing. Participants listened to music and, working in teams, played games and completed jigsaws alongside representatives from the MHST.    

Running alongside these activities were classroom-based tasks focussing on the ‘Five Ways to Wellbeing’ – a nationally recognised framework of practical actions designed to improve mental health through connection, physical activity, learning, giving, and taking notice.

Katie Prendergast, education mental health practitioner with the MHST, said: “Wellbeing events give students the chance to interact with others, step away from traditional learning environments and focus on the Five Ways to Wellbeing. They provide an excellent opportunity for students to build confidence and learn strategies to support their mental health in a friendly and supportive environment.

“These events are delivered in secondary schools across the East Riding for students in Years 7 and 10. We developed the concept last academic year and have so far run sessions in four schools, but we are keen to expand them further.    

“The Year 7 wellbeing day at Withernsea High School was a fantastic event; students responded positively and engaged with all activities. It was wonderful to see them interacting with one another through a variety of activities, and with different people. They particularly enjoyed the Wellbeing Centre where they played a range of board games and invented new active games.”

Claire Tomes, the school’s designated safeguarding lead, said: “It was a great opportunity for the students to connect with one another, reflect on their emotional wellbeing, and learn mental-health strategies to support each other. Some activities were deliberately unstructured and fun, giving them space to relax and let off steam, while others were more structured, workshop-style sessions that offered practical guidance on supporting emotional wellbeing.

“The aim was simply to let children be children: to choose what they wanted to do, talk freely, and build relationships. The games were designed to bring together students who might not normally speak to each other, with support workers encouraging communication and engagement.

“Having recently transitioned from primary to secondary school, we felt that Year 7 were the ideal cohort to benefit from this event. As the shift from primary to the early stages of young adulthood can be stressful, the Mental Health Support Team aimed to target this age group as part of early intervention, before any emotional wellbeing difficulties could arise.”

The wellbeing day was the latest event in a year-round programme of activities organised by the MHST. Regular provision includes weekly one-to-one appointments and year-group assemblies. For Year 7, these sessions help with the transition to secondary school, while a dedicated Year 11 exam stress assembly offers strategies and support for managing exam anxiety. Once each half term, MHST representatives also visit the school to run a drop-in stall, providing resources and opportunities for students to have informal conversations about their feelings.

Mental Health Support Teams provide early intervention support for children and young people aged 5-18 in schools and colleges across the county. The teams deliver evidence-based interventions for mild to moderate mental health issues and collaborate with external specialist services to ensure children receive the right support and remain in education. 

In partnership with education settings, MHSTs assist mental health leads in further developing and implementing a whole-school approach, providing guidance and support. As part of this work, they also run parent workshops to help families address issues at home. 

The next workshop for parents, carers and family members of students in the Withernsea High School community will take place on Thursday, December 4. Focussing on ‘behaviour as a form of communication’, the session will explore how children’s behaviour can reflect underlying needs, emotions and communication styles. It is designed to support families in understanding and responding to behaviour constructively and empathetically.

The workshop will be held in the school’s HLC building from 4:30pm to 6.30pm, with free places available to book at www.eventbrite.com/e/behaviour-as-a-form-of-communication-a-parentcarer-workshop-tickets-1961376502919

Alternatively, please contact Claire Tomes, designated safeguarding lead, for further information at tomesc@wscampus.net 

ABOVE: Students were given an opportunity to play games and talk to each other in the Wellbeing Centre. 

ABOVE: Taking inspiration from ‘taking notice’, one of the Five Ways to Wellbeing, students took part in ‘I’m a Year 7, Get Me Out of Here’, using their senses to explore and identify the contents of mystery boxes.

ABOVE: The event provided an opportunity for students to learn about the support available from the Mental Health Support Team. 

Withernsea High School’s weekly Running Club continues to attract a committed group of participants, with additional places still available for students of all ages and abilities.

The club takes place every Tuesday after school and is led by Ms Harris, Head of Humanities, who said: “Our Running Club has grown in popularity since the first session in September 2022. Since then, it has gone from strength to strength, and we are proud of all those who take part, whether regularly or on an ad-hoc basis. It is wonderful to take exercise outside of the school environment and into the community.

“Running is great for mental as well as physical health, and during the winter months it can be especially beneficial. Regular outdoor activity, even in colder weather, helps boost mood, increase energy, and counteract the effects of shorter, darker days. Encouraging students to stay active through running can be an effective way to support their overall well-being and reduce the impact of the winter blues.”

As activities take place off the school site, parental consent is required for students wishing to participate. Consent can be provided through EduLink by visiting the FORMS section and completing the Running Club Consent form.

Students attending the club should wear their school PE kit and suitable footwear. Rain and windproof jackets are also advisable for cooler/damper days. Participants are asked to get changed immediately after school and meet outside the PE office.

Any students interested in joining the club should speak to Ms Harris for further information.

ABOVE: (left to right) Mrs Woodruff, Olivia, Evie, Tyler, Alex, and Ms Harris on a recent run. 

A group of Year 9 students from Withernsea High School have been given the opportunity to explore potential career pathways as part of Humber STEM - a business-led event aimed at inspiring young people to pursue careers in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM).

Held recently at the MKM Stadium, the event featured interactive workshops and practical demonstrations that highlighted real-world applications of STEM subjects, with contributions from a range of local employers and educational partners.

Activities included working with broadband cables and diagnostics with KCOM, a forensic science demonstration by Bishop Burton College, and participation in the UK STEM Supergrid challenge, where teams competed to generate electricity using their own wind turbine designs. Other sessions included construction-based exercises with Hobson and Porter, tower building with CR Reynolds, and measurement of the MKM stadium using laser devices.

Accompanying the students was Careers Leader Viki Foster, who emphasised the value of the event for students preparing to make key academic choices. 

“In the coming months, these students will begin selecting their GCSE subject options. Learning about potential careers at this stage not only opens their eyes to new opportunities, it also helps them to make informed choices about their futures, including which subjects to study and the paths they may take after leaving school.

“The Humber STEM event offered a valuable opportunity to engage, inspire and educate our students through hands-on activities. We were also pleased to reconnect with representatives from many local companies who continue to support the school’s careers programme through our own schedule of events.”

ABOVE: Students learned how laser measuring works with a practical demonstration from construction company Hobson & Porter. 


ABOVE: As part of UK STEM’s Supergrid challenge, students competed to design and refine wind turbines, testing which was the most effective at generating power.

ABOVE: A forensic science demonstration by Bishop Burton College, where a Forensic Science and Criminal Investigation course forms part of the curriculum. 



ABOVE: Tower building with civil engineering company CR Reynolds. Students were tasked with building a structure that could support the weight of a hard hat. 



ABOVE: A diagnostic demonstration by KCOM gave students a practical look at working with broadband cabling. 

Please advise your child to take extra care when arriving at school this morning, Thursday 20^th November.  Following  the low temperatures overnight, the site is icy - with patches of black ice reported around the area. Students and visitors should stick to the main paths, which have been gritted.