Withernsea High School

A recent business networking event gave school students the opportunity to meet and engage with representatives from more than 20 local employers and education providers. 

The ‘Business Breakfast’, held recently at Withernsea High School, provided an informal introduction to the school’s careers programme for its newest students. Over the next five years, the programme will offer a variety of opportunities, guidance and information designed to equip students with the skills and knowledge needed to pursue their career aspirations.

Students were joined by representatives from several organisations, including East Riding of Yorkshire Council, City Healthcare Partnership, Hull College, Humberside Police, Cranswick Country Foods, Rod Chambers (Hull and East Yorkshire LSIP project manager), and Albert Weatherill, principal consultant and senior Adviser at Van Ameyde Marine.

Also present was local businessman and South East Holderness Ward Councillor Jon Dimberline, who said: “As an East Riding Councillor and long-time businessman, I thoroughly enjoyed working with the six students I was paired with. They put in a great effort once they felt comfortable. It was a well-organised event and I would be happy to attend future sessions to discuss the importance of choosing the right career, which impacts both life balance and the ability to live comfortably in an expensive world. Well done Withernsea High School; it was a pleasure to be part of this event.”

Vicky Pennington, a PCSO with Humberside Police, added: “This is our third Business Breakfast event and it’s a fantastic opportunity for students to engage with real-life workers. The group I worked with were surprised by the hours I work and how much time we get off compared with their school days!”

To help students make the most of the experience, the school’s 140-strong Year 7 cohort had previously worked with expert trainers from ‘Talk The Talk’, an organisation dedicated to developing communication skills through oracy-based intervention programmes.

During a transition workshop held within the first two weeks of the new academic year, Talk The Talk guided students through oracy-based activities and strategies designed to boost self-confidence, resilience and empathy. The workshop included tasks that encouraged students to step outside their comfort zones and move away from familiar primary school peers to interact with new classmates.

School careers leader Viki Foster said: “Our Year 7 students confidently put their improved communication skills into practice at the Business Breakfast. They were placed in groups and encouraged to get to know the external representative assigned to each table.  

“Although students had question cards on the tables for inspiration, many asked their own questions. As the session progressed, they became increasingly confident and inquisitive about the visitors they were paired with, showing strong interest in both the lives and career paths of their assigned representatives, as well as the opportunities available to them in the future.

“While decisions about future careers may seem a long way off for Year 7 students, it is important for them to begin exploring the many options available. Our goal is to provide impartial information about all pathways and opportunities so that when students make decisions, such as what to study at GCSE or which direction to take after leaving school, they are fully informed.

“The students’ behaviour throughout the Business Breakfast was exemplary and the feedback has been overwhelmingly positive. We are very proud of our Year 7 students for the mature way in which they have embraced their introduction to our careers programme and we hope they have enjoyed the activities so far.”  

To support the smooth running of the event, ten of the school’s Year 8 duty students assisted staff in serving breakfast to all attendees. These roles allow selected students to support both staff and peers in various settings around school, providing valuable insight into the workings of an organisation and first-hand experience of a workplace environment.

“Our Year 8 students took part in their own Business Breakfast last year and it was encouraging to see how much they have developed over the past twelve months. Acting in this supporting role gave them an insight into the day-to-day operations of the careers department, allowed them to put their employability skills into practice, and provided a visible example of confidence and professionalism for the current Year 7 cohort.”

ABOVE: Career conversations in full flow at Withernsea High’s Business Breakfast event. 

A group of students from Withernsea High School are participating in a bespoke work experience programme focused on supporting their local community.

In partnership with the town’s SHoRes Centre, the 36-week initiative has placed seven students from the school’s Horizons hub at the heart of the centre’s efforts to address contemporary issues including food poverty and the digital skills gap.

Designed to build practical skills and boost confidence, the programme provides students with an opportunity to work alongside staff and volunteers in a variety of settings. These include managing stock and distribution at the SHoRes Pantry food bank, gaining hospitality experience through food preparation and customer service at the centre’s café, supporting digital inclusion by helping others with basic IT skills in the DASH suite (Digital Access Skills Hub), and exploring careers in health and social care through the organisation’s domiciliary care services.

Reflecting on the success of the project so far, John Blades, head of additional provision and SENCO, said: “The students have fully embraced the opportunity to play an active role in a cause that directly supports vulnerable residents in the area. The programme aims not only to provide valuable workplace experience but also to promote inclusivity and strengthen community ties.

“Community learning is a vital part of our students’ development, and work experience gives them the opportunity to build new life skills in a real-world environment, preparing them for post-16 learning and beyond. It’s about empowering students with confidence, responsibility, and a sense of purpose. I am extremely proud of the mature and focussed way our Horizon’s students have engaged with this experience and I would like to thank the team at SHoRes for their continuing support of our young people.”

Alex Camplin, centre coordinator at SHoRes, said: “Our aim is to support students in using their interests to develop projects that make a real impact within the community. That might involve helping to raise funds and collect food for the pantry, using technology to improve how we connect with residents, or gaining insight into what a career in care could look like. 

“Volunteers are essential to the work we do; we simply couldn’t make the impact we do without them. Involving young people not only brings fresh energy and ideas but also helps us understand what the next generation needs from community spaces like SHoRes. It’s about building something that works for them, with them.

“This is more than just work experience; it’s about showing young people how their skills and passions can have a real impact and make a difference locally - whether through food, technology, or care. It’s about showing them how they can shape their community. We’re proud to be part of that journey.”

Opened in September 2022 as the Enhanced Resource Provision (ERP), and recently rebranded as ‘Horizons’ to solidify its own identity, the hub is a dedicated provision within the school for full-time learners with Social and Emotional Mental Health (SEMH) needs – a type of Special Educational Need where a child may struggle to manage their emotions or behaviour, causing them to feel scared, anxious or misunderstood.

Students are supported through individual EHCPs (Education, Health and Care Plans), which describe their needs, the support required, and the outcomes they hope to achieve. Crucially, the support provided within the Horizon’s base enables students to continue their education in a mainstream school, with the aim of reintegration back into regular classroom settings.  

John Blades added: “We offer a bespoke curriculum, tailored to the needs of each individual learner, with the aim of helping them regain access to mainstream lessons alongside their peers. To support this, a number of students currently follow a hybrid learning package, splitting their time between Horizons and timetabled lessons. 

“We are delighted with the impact we’ve made so far. There is positive engagement in classes and strong attendance, with students really thriving. They are demonstrating a real sense of belonging and a purposeful presence in lessons.

“Our recent rebranding as ‘Horizons’ strengthens our identity while aligning us more closely with the school’s core purpose to broaden students’ horizons and inspire confident young people to thrive in a changing world. 

“The collaboration with SHoRes reflects a growing recognition of the value of community-based learning, particularly for students with additional needs. It also highlights the importance of empowering young people to play an active role in addressing real-world issues. 

“The project is already receiving positive feedback from students, families, and the wider community, and there is hope that this partnership could serve as a model for similar work experience programmes in the future.” 

ABOVE: Leon and Ben get to work in SHoRes Pantry.

A group of Year 11 students recently had the opportunity to explore the wide range of career options available within the construction industry at Foundations Live - a major business, trade and careers event.

Led by Hull-based construction and maintenance company Hobson & Porter and hosted by Bishop Burton College, the event brought together more than 70 exhibitors from across the construction supply chain. 

The exhibition featured practical demonstrations, interactive displays, and hands-on activities highlighting more than 180 career paths within the construction industry. Visitors also had access to apprenticeship and training advice, as well as networking opportunities with key industry professionals. 

Accompanying the students was school careers leader, Viki Foster, who said: “Foundations Live is a fantastic way to help our students understand the diversity of careers available in construction. Many young people tend to associate the industry with traditional roles such as bricklaying, joinery and plumbing, but this event really broadened their horizons. They spoke with professionals from areas including civil engineering, groundworks, architecture and specialist trades such as tile manufacturing. 

“The students particularly enjoyed the hands-on activities and made the most of every opportunity to talk directly with employers and training providers about their future pathways. They were a real credit to themselves and to the school. We are extremely grateful to Hobson & Porter, Bishop Burton College and everyone involved for another successful and worthwhile event."

ABOVE: Year 11 student Louis cements an interest in construction during a hands-on bricklaying demonstration. 

ABOVE: Brogan, Riley and Alfie try their hand at tiling at Foundations Live.