Withernsea High School

The second recipients of Withernsea High School’s Artists of the Month award have been announced. 

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

The Key Stage 3 winner for November is Year 8 student Alfie B, whose work was created as part of a project based on the theme of ‘hybrid bugs’. Students were tasked with combining features from different insects to design imaginative new species. Alfie’s submissions, completed in class, were praised for their strong level of detail and originality.

Explaining that his inspiration came from his interest in the appearance and structure of insects, Alfie said: “I really like how bugs look, especially their armour and body shapes. That inspired me to push my limits and be creative with how hybrid bugs might look.” Describing one example, he said: “I combined features of a praying mantis, a scorpion, a firefly and a ladybird.”. Alfie, who also enjoys drawing in his spare time, intends to continue art as a GCSE option when he reaches Key Stage 4.

Meanwhile, the Key Stage 4 award was presented to Year 10 student Elizabeth E, whose work was inspired by American modernist painter Georgia O’Keeffe. Elizabeth used a combination of oil pastels, soft pastels, watercolours and acrylic to create her pieces, which staff described as highly detailed and technically assured.

Reflecting on her win, Elizabeth said: “I was very happy to be named the school’s Key Stage 4 Artist of the Month. I really enjoy art lessons, but I don’t have any plans to continue studying it when I leave school. It’s become a hobby that I’ve really enjoyed getting in to and I’ll definitely carry on with it in my spare time.”

Praising the winners’ efforts, teacher of art Holly Andrews said: “Both Alfie and Elizabeth have produced excellent work, using techniques and detail that show skills beyond their ages. Alfie, as a Year 8 student, is already showing strong promise for future GCSE study. Elizabeth has a great eye for colour and detail and has handled some of the more challenging materials with confidence, creating impressive texture in her work.

“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.

ABOVE: Pictured left to right is Holly Andrews (teacher of art), Key Stage 3 winner Alfie B, Key Stage 4 winner Elizabeth E and Amy Norris (head of design technology).

ABOVE: Year 8 winner Alfie’s work was inspired by a classroom project on the theme of ‘hybrid bugs.’ The above images show his imaginative combination of a praying mantis, a scorpion, a firefly and a ladybird, and un-bee-lievable detail in his work. 

ABOVE: Inspired by the works of modernist painter Georgia O’Keeffe, Year 10 winner Elizabeth created some impressively detailed floral pieces. 

ABOVE: Each month, the work of the winners is given pride of place in the school’s main reception. 

Last Thursday, December 4, the Hull KR Super League Grand Final trophy tour visited Withernsea High School as part of a wider celebration involving local schools.

Organised by the Hull KR Foundation, the club’s official charity, the event gave staff and students the opportunity to see the trophy up close and take photographs alongside it.  

Jamie Hughes, head of sport and performance, said: “Lots of our students engaged, with more than 200 signing up to enjoy the experience of seeing the trophy in person. Whether they are KR supporters or not, the club’s success is inspirational for all future players. A large number of our students already show a keen interest in rugby, both at school and through participation with a number of local teams.

“Our Year 10 students in particular were eager to get involved, with more than 60 of them seizing the opportunity to have their picture taken with the trophy. On behalf of everyone at Withernsea High School, I would like to congratulate Hull KR on their success and thank the Hull KR Foundation for including us in their schools’ tour.”

The foundation supports communities across Hull and the East Riding through programmes that promote education, health, wellbeing, and social inclusion. By inspiring young people, encouraging healthy lifestyles, and creating opportunities for all, it has helped thousands of children and families engage with rugby, develop essential life skills, and build confidence both on and off the field.

Following the club’s successful 2025 season, during which they won the Super League Grand Final, the Challenge Cup, and the League Leaders’ Shield, a ‘Grand Final Trophy’ schools tour began on November 3.

The tour allows students at both primary and secondary schools across the region to see the trophy first-hand while celebrating Hull KR’s achievements. It follows the Connexin Treble Tour in October, which saw all three trophies displayed at six locations across the region, including The Deep, the Humber Bridge, Hull City Hall, Beverley Minster, East Park, and Bransholme’s North Point Shopping Centre, in celebration of a historic year for the club. 

ABOVE: Year 11 students Ruby T (left) and Ruby D (right) were among those who queued for an opportunity to see the trophy. 

ABOVE: Year 11 student Harry F. 

ABOVE: A number of staff also took the opportunity to view the silverware. Pictured left to right is the school’s head of sport and performance Jamie Hughes, teacher of PE Owen Mountain and assistant headteacher Craig Martin. 

Year 11 students have been honing the skills that will help them unlock future study and employment opportunities, thanks to a programme of events and activities focussed on writing personal statements and preparing for interviews. 

Guiding the students through this process is careers leader Viki Foster, who said: “Personal statements are invaluable. They allow students to promote themselves by highlighting hobbies, interests and what makes them unique. A strong statement demonstrates individuality and captures attention, helping applicants stand out from the crowd.”

As part of the process, students took part in an interview skills workshop. This introduced them to practical interview tips and techniques, covering preparation strategies and the different types of interviews they might face. Students also explored the qualities employers look for in candidates, with emphasis placed on positive body language, including eye contact, upright posture, and a confident handshake. 

One week after the workshop, students put their new skills into action during a structured mock interview day. More than 15 representatives from local employers and education providers, including Wyke 6th Form College, Hull City AFC, Sword Construction and East Riding of Yorkshire Council, interviewed approximately 120 students, each of whom faced five individually tailored questions from their allocated interviewer. 

Reflecting on the event from a visitor’s perspective, James Medcalf, a former student of the school and specialist occupational therapist with the City Healthcare Partnership CIC, said: “The students were fantastic, and it is great to see that the school is still working hard to prepare them for their next chapters. Having been a student at the school myself, and now in successful employment, I know first-hand how supportive the careers programme is and it was a pleasure to return as a representative of the healthcare sector to help motivate and inspire the next generation.”  

Student feedback was equally positive, with Declan K saying: “The mock interview day is an experience that everyone needs for the future, whether they are interviewing for college or work. It helped give a realistic idea of what to expect in those situations.”

Christian H described the interview skills session as extremely useful in preparing for his mock interview and found the interview itself beneficial. “The most valuable part for me was talking to a stranger about their job and their role in their workplace, and experiencing being questioned about myself. The hardest part was speaking one-to-one as it’s something I usually find challenging. The mock interview gave me a clear sense of what to expect and how to prepare for a real interview.”

ABOVE: Harry F (left) and Jason A try out their firm handshakes in the HOP interview skills session. 

ABOVE: Sanna Saidy of the Humber Outreach Programme guides students on using posture and steady breathing to stay confident under interview pressure. 

ABOVE: The mock interview day gave students an opportunity to experience an in-person, one-to-one interview scenario. 

ABOVE: In the foreground, Oakley O waits for his mock interview, while Olivia B is interviewed in the background by Clare Horrigan, operations manager at St Mary’s Sixth Form. 

ABOVE: After leading the interview skills session, HOP’s Sanna Saidy returned as an interviewer to witness students putting their new-found skills into practice.

ABOVE: Savannah B carried herself confidently in an interview with a representative from the healthcare sector.

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.