As well as receiving an informative introduction to university life and an opportunity to explore the campus, the students were also invited to take part in a maths challenge which was organised in collaboration with the Humber Outreach Programme (HOP). As part of the government-funded UniConnect programme, HOP delivers impartial advice about higher and further education across the Humber region.

The challenge tasked students with planning a realistic budget for life at university. This included choosing part-time jobs that would fit around their studies, managing essential expenses such as food, and ensuring they had money left over for social activities and enjoyment. The students who created the best work/life or study/life balance were declared the winners.

While on campus, the students were given a guided tour which included a visit to the top-floor observatory of the Brynmor Jones Library, a walk through the students’ union and a visit to the state-of-the-art Allam Sports Centre, where two lucky groups had the opportunity to witness a Hull FC training session in full swing.  

Careers leader Viki Foster said: "The day was both educational and inspiring - helping Year 9 to begin to think about their future pathways and the possibilities that higher education can offer. It is always great to visit the University of Hull, and this trip was no exception. The students enjoyed learning about higher education, how student finance works, and role-playing as university students as part of a budgeting challenge.

“The tour of the campus was great - helped by the lovely weather! - and not only offered an insight into what university life is like, but also showed the students the wide range of options that are available to them as part of a higher education pathway. The students were an absolute credit to themselves and the school and we would collectively like to thank HOP and the University of Hull for facilitating this experience."

Also accompanying the group was second in maths, Nicola Makey, who said: “It was a pleasure to take our students out to see what life could be like for them beyond Withernsea High School, and to see the opportunities available to them in higher education.

“During the maths challenge, it was interesting to watch students decide whether they thought they could juggle a full-time job alongside their studies, whether five bananas were enough for a week, and what exactly the Extreme Ironing Society actually involves! These fun-filled tasks helped to bring maths to life.”

ABOVE: Sanna Saidy, Collaborative Outreach Coordinator with the Humber Outreach Programme (HOP), assisted Withernsea High School students with budgeting techniques during the maths challenge.