Withernsea High School

On Thursday 25th June, a group of Year 7 and 8 students visited Hull New Theatre to watch the live stage production of Horrible Histories: Terrible Tudors.

The visit was a reward for some of the highest-performing historians in Key Stage 3, recognising their excellent attitude to learning, consistent homework completion and strong assessment results throughout the year.

The production explored key events and figures from the Tudor period, including Richard III and the Princes in the Tower, Henry VIII and his six wives, and Elizabeth I's reign and the defeat of the Spanish Armada. The performance combined comedy, music, audience participation and 3D visual effects to present topics studied by the students during the summer term.

During the second act, members of the audience wore 3D glasses as part of a series of immersive scenes featuring visual effects linked to the Tudor period.

Clare Atkin, Head of History and Second in Humanities, said: “We had a brilliant day at Hull New Theatre watching the Horrible Histories production of The Terrible Tudors. An enthusiastic team of actors managed to cover our entire half-term's syllabus on the Tudors in two hours. 

“Our students' behaviour was exemplary. The theatre staff commented on how polite and considerate they were. It's a privilege to see our students enjoying History outside of the classroom and being rewarded for consistently completing their homework, achieving Blues in their assessments and having the top scores for Attitude to Learning in their reports.”

Year 8 student Reese F said: “The trip was really good. The songs were very catchy and the jokes made us laugh. My favourite part was when we had the 3D goggles and objects were bursting out of the dungeon.”

Bethany H, Year 7, added: “It was a really enjoyable day, with lots of interesting facts mixed with plenty of funny moments for us to enjoy.”

Fellow Year 7 student Logan S said: “The actors were very good and funny, and the songs were great. One of the 3D scenes made it feel as though we were aboard an English ship fighting against the Spanish Armada. In another scene, a skull appeared to come towards the audience, while a firework seemed to fly directly at us.”

The visit provided students with the opportunity to experience topics studied in the classroom through a live theatre performance, complementing their learning on the Tudor period.

Withernsea High School’s Year 11 students marked the end of their secondary education with a prom at Hull’s MKM Stadium on Friday, 26th June. 

In keeping with tradition, many students gathered at the school before the event to pose for photographs with family and friends before travelling to the venue in a variety of hired vehicles, including trucks, tractors, motorbikes, a fire engine and sports cars.

Sadie Daley, Head of Year 11 and event organiser, said: “It was a fantastic evening, and everyone had a great time. The students looked amazing and thoroughly enjoyed themselves. Many left saying it was even better than they had expected. Their behaviour throughout the evening was exceptional and they were a real credit to the school.

“I'd like to thank Mrs Woodruff, Mrs Elvidge and Mrs Hopper for all their help in organising the event. I would also like to thank local business Vic Baked, who kindly donated cookie pie, buns and rocky road. The dancefloor was busy throughout the evening, and it was wonderful to see the students enjoying themselves. Congratulations also to our Prom King and Queen, Aron T and Olivia B."

The evening featured the fourth annual Lighthouse Awards, which recognise students' personalities, talents and memorable moments from their time at the school.

Sadie added: “From Max C being named the student 'most likely to become Prime Minister' and Jenson P being 'most likely to forget his own birthday', to Florence D being 'most likely to find a cure for a disease' and Charlotte W being 'most likely to go viral by accident', the Lighthouse Awards gave us the opportunity to celebrate our students and the unique qualities they have each brought to the year group.”

Headteacher Mark Crofts said: “There was a positive and upbeat atmosphere of celebration, and the students were impeccably behaved throughout. The prom committee had much to be proud of in delivering another excellent event. My thanks extend to them all.

“I am sure our Year 11 students have ended their high school years with greater confidence in their abilities, increased resilience, and are better equipped to face future challenges. We hope their eyes have been opened to the possibilities of what they can achieve in life.

“My wish for them all, whatever path they take from here, is that they seek out every opportunity life offers and have the confidence to make brave and exciting choices. This is the end of one phase, but also the beginning of a new and exciting chapter. Good luck and best wishes to them all.”

PHOTOS: All images courtesy of Terry Bearpark. A selection of these photos will be published in the 2nd July edition of The Holderness and Hornsea Gazette.

A new year-long programme is giving young people in Withernsea and the surrounding area the opportunity to discover new talents, build confidence and gain valuable real-world experience through creativity, culture and human rights education.

'Start Somewhere… in Withernsea' is open to young people aged 11 to 17. Over 12 months, participants will take part in monthly Saturday creative workshops, visits to arts and cultural organisations, a dedicated careers event and two-day work placements with local organisations.

Designed to broaden horizons and raise aspirations, the initiative will encourage young people to step outside their comfort zone, meet new people, develop creative and leadership skills, and gain a greater understanding of future education and career opportunities. They will also work alongside professional artists and creative practitioners while experiencing places and opportunities they may never have considered before.

Alongside developing practical skills and confidence, participants will explore the life and legacy of Mary Wollstonecraft, the pioneering 18th-century writer and philosopher whose work helped lay the foundations for modern ideas of equality and human rights. They will also learn about the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, encouraging them to understand their rights, value their voice and become active members of their communities.

The initiative is being delivered by the Mary Wollstonecraft Society, which uses creativity and education to promote equality, inclusion and human rights.

Monthly sessions take place on Saturdays from 11.15am to 3.15pm, beginning on Saturday, 11th July, at the Meridian Centre in Withernsea.

For more information or to sign up, contact the Mary Wollstonecraft Society at admin@wollstonecraftsociety.org.

Following the success of previous events, the Sport and Performance Faculty is delighted to present its fourth annual Performing Arts Summer Showcase on Wednesday 8th July. 

After three successful years at Hull University's Middleton Hall, this year's showcase will be held in Withernsea High School's Main Hall for the first time.

The evening celebrates the incredible talent, creativity and collaboration of our students, featuring a programme of performances from the Music, Dance and Drama departments.

Admission is £3.00 per person, payable on the door. The performance will begin at 6.00pm.

Refreshments will be available to purchase from the school's PTFA, with all proceeds supporting the Parents, Teachers and Friends Association.

We warmly invite you to join us for an evening showcasing the talent and creativity of our students.

A record number of students have taken part in a University of Cambridge outreach programme designed to challenge misconceptions about higher education and inspire young people to consider ambitious educational pathways.

This year, 60 Year 10 students, the largest number to date, attended a session led by Ellie Nethaway, Schools Liaison Officer for King’s College. The visit formed part of the university’s College Area Links Scheme, which aims to widen participation in higher education by building relationships between Cambridge colleges and schools across the UK.

During the session, students learned about the university’s unique collegiate system and the wide range of degree courses available. They also explored entry requirements, subject choices and the routes available to students aspiring to study at Cambridge and other Russell Group universities.

A key focus of the session was addressing some of the misconceptions that can discourage young people from pursuing ambitious higher education pathways. Discussions centred on topics including student finance, social barriers, affordability and the belief that institutions such as Cambridge are only accessible to certain groups of students.

For more than twenty years, Cambridge’s College Area Links Scheme has helped schools and colleges access impartial information, guidance and support. Through the university’s commitment to widening participation, outreach work seeks to ensure that students from all backgrounds understand that higher education opportunities are available to them.
Leading the outreach work across Yorkshire and the North East, Ellie regularly visits schools to support students as they begin making decisions about their futures.

Reflecting on the importance of the programme, Ellie said: “There are still a lot of misconceptions about attending Cambridge and other top universities, with some people thinking that they won’t fit in. One of the reasons why I really like working with schools is that I can help students realise that they can actually study anywhere they want. Anyone from any background, regardless of location or status, has the potential to reach their destination of choice.

“Another misconception is that people think it’s more expensive to study at universities such as Cambridge and Oxford. Explaining student finance and how loans work makes a big difference. There is so much support available.”

School Careers Leader, Viki Foster, said: “It was great to have Ellie back at the school for the fifth year working with King’s College. I was really impressed by the engagement of students and the level of questions they were asking, showing that many students are interested in aspirational educational and career pathways.

“Many former students have successfully gone on to study at Oxford, Cambridge and other Russell Group universities. It is encouraging to see some of our current students expressing similar aspirations during their careers interviews, which aligns closely with our school value of Ambition.”

Engagement with the Cambridge outreach programme is part of the school’s wider careers programme, which is designed to ensure students receive impartial information about the full range of education and training opportunities available after Year 11. Encounters with universities and higher education providers are a key element of the Gatsby Benchmarks, the national framework for careers education in schools and colleges.

As Year 10 students continue to explore their post-16 options, the school’s careers programme plays an important role in helping them gain a clearer understanding of the pathways available, enabling them to make informed decisions about their future study and career aspirations while demonstrating that ambitious goals are achievable.

Yesterday marked the end of an important chapter for our Year 11 students as they completed their final GCSE examination, bringing to a close five years of secondary school education.

Following the morning’s science exam, students gathered in the HLC for one last opportunity to spend time together before leaving school. Continuing a tradition, they signed each other’s shirts, shared memories and celebrated the end of their exam journey before departing shortly before lunch.

Craig Martin, Assistant Headteacher, said: “And that’s a wrap for Year 11! As our students finished their final exams and signed shirts to mark the occasion, it felt like a moment to reflect on just how far they have come.

“This year group has shown real resilience, determination and maturity throughout the exam period. They have supported one another, kept going through the pressure and represented the school brilliantly.

“We are incredibly proud of everything they have achieved and excited to see where their next steps take them. For now, enjoy a well-earned summer, make amazing memories, stay safe and look after each other. We can’t wait to celebrate with you at Prom.”

Head of Year Sadie Daley added: “Yesterday was a bittersweet day. It was emotional knowing they were together for one last time to say farewell, but also exciting to see them move on to their new adventures.

“It has been a pleasure to be their Head of Year over the past three years, watching them grow and develop into the mature, confident young people they are today. I am incredibly proud of each and every one of them, and of the resilience and commitment they have shown throughout their exams. They should be extremely proud of themselves.

“I wish them all the very best for the future and look forward to celebrating their hard work with them at Prom.”

Later in the summer, students will return for GCSE Results Day on Thursday 20th August, with results available from 9.00am in the HLC.

Eight students recently visited the National House Building Council (NHBC) Training Hub in Hull as part of a construction careers programme delivered through the Hull and East Yorkshire Careers Hub.

The Year 9 students were accompanied by Careers Leader Viki Foster and Head of Design and Technology Amy Norris during the visit, which provided a practical introduction to careers in the construction sector.

Viki said: “Through the Careers Hub, we've accessed resources throughout the year for a range of students. Our Year 11s have taken part in a mentoring programme with people working in the construction industry, while the NHBC visit gave Year 9 students a practical introduction to construction careers.”

The Hull and East Yorkshire Careers Hub works with schools, colleges and employers across the region to help young people understand local labour market opportunities and develop pathways into employment, training and further education. Through employer engagement activities, industry partnerships and targeted programmes, it supports students in making informed career decisions.

During the visit to the NHBC Training Hub, students learned about wages and salaries, training programmes and apprenticeships, before taking part in an interactive session exploring brickwork and the basics of bricklaying as a career.

In a hands-on bricklaying challenge, the group learned how to use mortar and a trowel, prepare a bed for laying bricks and construct a brick pyramid - a task designed to introduce the fundamental techniques used in wall building.

Prizes were awarded for first, second and third place based on the quality of the finished structures, as well as participants’ attitude and work ethic throughout the day. Mylie G took first place, followed by Jack L in second and Oskar D in third.

Amy Norris, Head of Design and Technology, said: “The students were highly engaged throughout the day and impressed the instructors with their enthusiasm, questions and excellent attitude. The experience helped bring engineering concepts to life, particularly around precision and accuracy, while giving students practical insight into the skills required in construction.”

Reflecting on the group’s response, Viki Foster added: “The students were initially very quiet, but once they got on with the tasks, they became very competitive and focused. A few of them said after the trip that it wasn't what they expected. While it is hard, manual and physically demanding work, they found it really fun. They really enjoyed the practical element and were quite surprised at how much a bricklayer can earn.”

Established in 1936, the NHBC is the UK's leading provider of warranty and insurance for new homes. As part of a £100 million investment to address the national house-building skills shortage, it is expanding a network of specialist training hubs across the country.

NHBC’s Hull Training Hub provides apprenticeships in bricklaying and groundworking and can train more than 50 apprentices each year. The purpose-built facility offers realistic site conditions, including outdoor construction areas, classrooms and welfare facilities, helping apprentices develop practical skills before entering the workplace.

The hub forms part of NHBC's wider programme to train up to 3,000 site-ready tradespeople annually across England through a network of dedicated training centres.

Phil Mudd, Principal Tutor/Assessor at NHBC Hull, said: “It was a pleasure to welcome students from Withernsea High School to our training hub and give them a hands-on introduction to the sector. Through practical activities, learners developed core bricklaying skills and saw how subjects such as Maths and English are applied in a real working environment. The students showed excellent enthusiasm and engagement throughout the day, and we hope the experience has encouraged them to explore the wide range of opportunities available in construction.”

Highlighting the significance of the industry within the local economy, Viki Foster added: “Construction is one of the largest employment sectors in our area. We currently have major developments taking place in Withernsea and Keyingham, while many of our local employers are small and medium-sized businesses and self-employed tradespeople. It remains a thriving industry that offers a wide range of opportunities for young people.”