Withernsea High School

The third group of recipients of the school’s Artists of the Month awards has been announced.

Launched in October, the initiative celebrates artistic achievement and gives students a platform to showcase their work. Each month, one winner is selected from Key Stage 3 (Years 7 to 9) and one from Key Stage 4 (Years 10 and 11), with their artwork displayed around the school and featured on its online platforms.

The Key Stage 3 winner for January is Year 9 student Florence B, whose work was inspired by British painter Sarah Graham. Praising her achievement, teacher of art Beth Lewis said: “Florence is doing really well in lessons and has used lots of different artistic styles. She has done everything asked of her to fulfil a brief using hyperrealism to create her winning pieces. I think she’s captured it really well.”

Reflecting on her win, Florence said: “It feels really good to be named one of the artists of the month. I used to do art a lot more than I do now, but it’s still a hobby that I really enjoy. If I had more subject choices for GCSE studies, I think I would pick art alongside my other subjects. At the moment, I would like to go into a career that’s either English or History-based, but I love creative things as well, so I will definitely continue to enjoy art in my free time.”

Meanwhile, the Key Stage 4 award was presented to Year 11 student Olivia B for her observational paintings inspired by British print artist Angie Lewin. Commending her work, Teacher of Art Holly Andrews said: “Olivia is one of the hardest workers in the class. She always has a lot of brilliant ideas and has put a lot of effort into what she’s doing. Her winning pieces were created in Year 10, but she has recently been working to improve them, highlighting her skills across different mediums, with a particular strength in watercolour.”

Olivia said: “It’s really exciting to be named one of the artists of the month and I feel proud that my work has been selected. I was inspired by Angie Lewin, who makes stunning arrangements of flowers, which prompted me to make my own arrangement. I took photographs of it and created paintings from them.

“When I leave school, I plan to go to college to study law, history and sociology, with a view to studying law at university. Art is a hobby and, although I’m not planning on studying it beyond Year 11, it will be good to keep it up as a form of escapism from my studies.”

The first awards of the new year also marked the introduction of photography as a new category, recognising the work of students studying GCSE Photography, which was added to the curriculum in September 2025. The inaugural award was presented to Year 10 student Charlotte F, who was praised by their subject teacher, Fay Fletcher, for their creativity and dedication.

“Charlotte’s work is both imaginative and creative. They are extremely focused and switched-on in lessons and have worked independently, with only a minimal number of pointers along the way. It has been amazing to see the quality of work they have produced.”

Reflecting on their award, Charlotte said: “I’m really happy. I did not expect to get it at all and it’s very exciting. I’m really proud of the pieces I’ve created. They were a bit hard to make, but I really enjoyed doing them. I’ve been interested in photography for quite a while and really want to do something linked with photography and marine biology when I leave school.”

Head of Design Technology Amy Norris said: “Our Artists of the Month competition is a great way for us to identify and celebrate talent. It's actually quite difficult to choose winners because so many students deserve recognition. There is a real excitement among students, particularly those in Key Stage 4, who are always keen to know who the next winners will be.”   

The initiative forms part of the school’s ongoing commitment to celebrate student success and promote creativity. Winning entries continue to contribute to updated corridor displays, with work also exhibited in the school’s main reception and shared through its website and social media channels.

A group of eight students recently represented the school at a Panathlon sporting event held at Headlands School in Bridlington.

Hosted by national charity The Panathlon Foundation, in partnership with the East Riding School Sports Partnership, the foundation’s new Xtend event aims to bridge the gap between primary and secondary multi-sports opportunities for Key Stage 3 students (Years 7, 8 and 9).

Multiple teams from schools across the county, including Holderness Academy, Kings Mill, Headlands, Hornsea and Beverley High School, took part in the event. Participants enjoyed a variety of activities, including Standing Long Jump, Speed Bounce, Volleyball and New Age Kurling.

The event aimed to introduce students to new sports while encouraging the development of confidence and teamwork. While there was a competitive element to the day, the emphasis remained firmly on participation and enjoyment. Competing against eight teams, the students performed exceptionally well, finishing in first place and qualifying for the next round of the competition.

Owen Mountain, Teacher of PE, who accompanied the students, said: “The students were outstanding throughout the day. Their behaviour was impeccable and was commented on positively by other schools. It was fantastic to see the level of teamwork and encouragement they showed one another. They have been a real credit to the school and thoroughly deserve their success.”

Well done to: James, Will, Thomas, Coady, Wyatt, Darren, Tommy and Jensen. 

We are delighted to share a second selection of images showcasing more outstanding work produced by our Year 8 historians.

Students have continued to impress with the quality, creativity and historical insight demonstrated in their exploration of the origins of the British Empire. This follow-up gallery highlights a fresh range of outcomes from the same consolidation task, where pupils combined written explanation with visual design, all inspired by the symbolism of a teacup.

The task encouraged students to explain why the Victorians were motivated to build an empire, while allowing them the freedom to present their understanding in ways that played to their individual strengths. The use of tea as a central theme proved both engaging and historically meaningful, reflecting its crucial role in trade and empire-building.

Clare Atkin, Second in Humanities (History), commented:
“Seeing another set of finished pieces really underlines how thoughtfully Year 8 approached this task. There is such a wide range of ideas and interpretations, and the care taken over both the written and visual elements is clear. Students worked with focus and perseverance, and these outcomes are something they should feel very proud of.”

This work builds on prior learning about the Industrial Revolution and provides an important foundation for future topics, including the study of the First World War in Year 9, where students will examine conflict through the lens of competing empires.

Mrs Atkin also emphasised the wider significance of the task, noting the importance of understanding how Britain, despite its small size, became a dominant global power. Students were encouraged throughout to consider multiple viewpoints and to reflect on the ethical and moral complexities associated with empire.

Withernsea High School has completed a series of improvements to its Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) provision after securing a £5,000 grant from an autism support charity.  

The funding, awarded through the Sheila Coates Foundation’s Rapid Impact Fund, was invested in projects associated with the school’s Horizons hub - a dedicated provision supporting students in Years 7 to 11 with a range of additional needs, including Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), and Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) needs.

The grant supported the purchase of both indoor and outdoor equipment, enabling students to engage in learning, play, and interaction across multiple settings. This includes sensory-friendly resources, interactive learning tools, and designed areas to support both group activities and quiet reflection. Additional items purchased include a cross trainer, bubble tubes, an outdoor sensory set, a pop-up ‘den’, a potting bench, and a selection of indoor and outdoor toys and games. 

Reflecting on the impact of the funding, John Blades, Head of Additional Provision, said: “The new equipment has already been fully embedded into daily routines and has helped our students benefit from increased positive social interactions with one another, reduced anxiety, and improved overall wellbeing and confidence. 

“Parents and staff have noticed remarkable improvements in wellbeing, behaviour and social engagement, and the reduction in emotional outbursts has been significant. Many students who previously struggled to cope with the school day are now participating in group activities.”

One of the students who has benefited from the support delivered by the Horizons hub is Ben, who said: “This is a great place for us to interact. I love the pool table and the outdoor equipment. Before, I would feel overwhelmed and often get into trouble. This space has enabled me to be myself. It has made a huge difference and I know I am not alone. Without this support, I would not be in school.”

Emphasising the importance of external funding, Business Manager Sarah Crook said: “I am delighted that we have been able to deliver this project with the support of the grant funding. The financial landscape for schools is more challenging than ever, and this particularly affects projects that enhance the school and learning experience at a time when many schools are struggling to afford the basic essentials needed to deliver the curriculum. Organisations such as the Sheila Coates Foundation are greatly appreciated for helping us to fund projects that make a real difference to the daily lives of our students.

Anyone wishing to support Withernsea High School and its work to enhance student learning experiences is invited to contact Sarah Crook, business manager, at crooks@wscampus.net

Further information about the Sheila Coates Foundation can be found at https://www.sheilacoates.foundation/

Effective from Monday, 19th January, there will be a slight change to the timings of the 312 bus service for pick-ups and drop-offs in Patrington.

The morning service will collect pupils five minutes earlier at 8:15am on Winestead Road and 8:18am at Northside. Pick-up times in Hollym remain unchanged at 8:25am on Patrington Road (Halcyon) and 8:29am on Withernsea Road.

In the afternoon, drop-offs in Hollym will remain at 3:26pm on Withernsea Road and 3:30pm on Patrington Road (Halcyon), with Patrington drop-offs taking place five minutes later than currently published, at 3:37pm at Northside and 3:40pm on Winestead Road.

These changes have been made to help ensure the service runs on time, and we are grateful to EYMS for their support.

Thanks to the combined efforts of students, parents, carers, and staff, Withernsea High School’s autumn attendance figures reflected a strong commitment to learning, despite the seasonal challenges experienced both nationally and regionally.

A programme of attendance rewards, comprising competitions and ad hoc giveaways, played a key role in supporting this progress by celebrating students who demonstrated excellent or improved attendance. 

September marked a strong start to the academic year, with over half of the school’s learners recording full attendance. This achievement was formally acknowledged through the school’s first incentive of the year, when one eligible student from each of the five year groups was named a 100 per cent attendance hero. Each recipient received a £50 voucher of their choice in recognition of their achievement. 

The Year 7 prize was awarded to Scarlett-Anne S, followed by Corey S (Year 8), Oskar D (Year 9), Alfie K (Year 10), and Dan L (Year 11). Reflecting on his award, Year 9 recipient Oskar said: “I was surprised when I found out I had won. School is really important because if you are not here, you miss out on lessons and learning.” Year 7 winner Scarlett-Anne added: “I did not expect to win, but I am really grateful for my voucher. I think attending school is really important.”

To maintain momentum and reinforce consistent attendance habits, a series of initiatives were introduced throughout the term. The ‘Level Up!’ challenge encouraged students to improve their attendance compared with the previous half term, ensuring that even small gains were recognised. Meanwhile, ‘Freddo Friday’, held on December 12, rewarded every student who was present on the day with a complimentary chocolate.

Tutor groups were also acknowledged for their collective efforts. Those achieving attendance above 95 per cent during a designated week in November were awarded a box of sweets for their form. In addition, the top-attending tutor groups during the first two weeks of December were invited to a Christmas Breakfast in the final week of term, where they enjoyed fruit, pastries and hot chocolate at the start of the school day.

Following a successful launch last year, this year’s incentive scheme will once again culminate in an end-of-year grand prize draw. Students who achieve 100 per cent attendance in any given week receive a raffle ticket, which provides one entry into the draw. The more weeks a student attends in full, the more entries they accumulate, increasing their chances of winning. 

Harriet Elvidge, Attendance Officer, said: “The autumn term incentives have been highly effective, generating strong student engagement and excitement. It is encouraging to see that students are motivated not only by rewards but also by recognition and a sense of achievement.” 

Beci Pindar added: "As with many schools, illness remains one of the main challenges, resulting in short periods of absence for some students. We are grateful to families for working closely with us to report absences and to support students in returning to school as soon as they are well enough. Together with our whole school community, we will build on autumn’s efforts to ensure sustained and improved attendance in the spring term.

“We are incredibly proud of our students for their dedication and would like to thank all parents and carers for their continued support. We are very aware of how families play a vital role in ensuring good attendance and we value this support. Simple steps that can be taken include encouraging a consistent morning routine to promote punctuality and scheduling medical appointments outside of school hours whenever possible.” 

For further information about the school’s rewards and incentives programme, or to discuss donation opportunities, please contact Mrs H Elvidge on 01964 611523 or via email at elvidgeh@wscampus.net.

Read the full article online or in this week's edition (15/01/26) of The Holderness and Hornsea Gazette: https://holderness-gazette.co.uk/community-effort-helps-maintain-strong-attendance-at-withernsea-high/

ABOVE: Attendance heroes Oskar, Dan, Corey, Alfie and Scarlett-Anne each won a £50 voucher in recognition of their 100 per cent attendance at the start of the academic year. They are pictured with school attendance officer, Harriet Elvidge. 

ABOVE: Crystal and Lily receive a Freddo from attendance officer Harriet Elvidge and family support adviser Lucy Hopper during ‘Freddo Friday’, an initiative to encourage positive attendance. 

ABOVE: Students enjoyed a festive breakfast as part of a tutor group reward. 

We are delighted to announce this year’s dance production, We made headlines… again!, featuring talented students from Years 7–11. 

The performance will take place on Wednesday 11th February at Middleton Hall, University of Hull, with doors and café bar opening at 6.30pm.

The show, including an interval, will run from 7.00pm to approximately 9.00pm.

Tickets are priced at £7 and are available from www.ticketsource.co.uk/middleton-hall or by calling 0333 666 3366.

As part of our safeguarding measures, ticket sales are password protected. The password will be shared with parents/carers in a direct communication.

If you have any questions, please contact Mrs J Hughes (Head of Sport and Performance) at hughesj@wscampus.net