Withernsea High School

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.”

Reading is a key priority at Withernsea High School, where staff are working to foster a lifelong love of books while helping students develop the literacy skills they need to succeed. As part of a special Holderness and Hornsea Gazette feature on the school's reading culture, literacy lead Laura Aldridge shares why reading remains one of the most powerful tools for improving young people's lives.

As 2026 marks the National Year of Reading, schools across the country are reflecting on the importance of literacy in shaping young people’s futures. At Withernsea High School, reading is not viewed as a one-off initiative but as a central part of daily school life.

Laura Aldridge, lead for whole-school literacy and reading, believes helping students become confident readers is one of the most important responsibilities schools have.

“Reading has so many wide-reaching benefits, from improved mental health to higher academic achievement,” she said. “Some of the greatest gifts we can give our students are the ability to read, the desire to read and the confidence to read.”

Reading is embedded throughout the school. Twice a week, tutor time begins with shared reading from carefully selected books chosen for their literary quality, cultural relevance and links to curriculum themes. The aim is to improve literacy while broadening students’ understanding of the world.

The school library, home to around 6,000 books, is a popular space where students can borrow books, seek recommendations and read independently. Librarian Julie Thompson said reading for pleasure remains at the heart of the library’s work, with displays, events and author visits helping students discover new books and genres.

This year, student voice has taken centre stage through the appointment of reading ambassadors and reading leaders. More than 70 students were nominated by their peers, with two ambassadors elected to champion reading across the school.

Alongside promoting reading for pleasure, the school runs targeted reading interventions for students who need additional support. More than 30 pupils currently receive one-to-one phonics tuition, with assessments showing improvements in fluency, accuracy and confidence.

“Closing the reading gap quickly and effectively is a powerful lever for improving student outcomes,” said assistant headteacher Catherine Mills.

For Laura, the message is simple: reading belongs to everyone.

“If you love something, read about it,” she said. “Reading can be whatever you need it to be. We are all readers.”

Read the full feature in the 11th June edition of Holderness and Hornsea Gazette or on the school website: 'Why reading matters more than ever...'

Withernsea High School will host two weeks of football camps this summer as part of the Kellogg’s Football Camps programme, delivered locally by Hull City through Tigers Trust.

The national initiative, which is supported by Kellogg’s in partnership with the English Football League (EFL) and its member clubs, aims to provide accessible football activities for children and young people during school holidays. Since its launch in 2024, the programme has expanded nationwide, reaching more than one million children across the UK.

Open to children aged five to 12, the camps will take place at Withernsea High School from July 27-31 and August 24-28. Delivered by FA-qualified coaches, each day will include football coaching, skills-based activities, games, challenges and small-sided matches, with sessions designed to provide age-appropriate coaching in a structured and engaging environment.

Specialist Goalkeeper Development Sessions for children aged seven to 12 will also be available during both weeks. Focusing on key aspects of the position, including shot-stopping, passing, positioning and communication, the sessions will take place on July 29-30 and August 24-25.

The Withernsea camps form part of a wider programme operating across Hull and the East Riding throughout the school holidays. Additional sessions will be delivered at Holderness Academy, Hornsea School and Language College, The Snaith School, Malet Lambert, Market Weighton School, Burlington Primary School in Bridlington, Tigers Trust Arena, Beverley Leisure Centre, South Hunsley School and Sixth Form College, and Howden School.

Each camp day will run from 10am to 3pm, with a lunch break scheduled around midday. Parents and carers may watch participants after 2pm, unless otherwise agreed with organisers.

Participants should wear suitable football footwear, such as astro-turf trainers or plastic-moulded boots, together with shin pads. Children should also bring a packed lunch and sufficient water for the duration of the day.

Find out more and book a place at: www.tigerstrust.co.uk/activities-courses/children-2-12/football-centres-5-12-years

A group of Year 9 students with an interest in studying Geography, Design Technology and Engineering as part of their GCSE curriculum recently took part in a workshop exploring the practical applications of hydrogen fuel cells and their emerging role in the transition to clean energy.

The students gained hands-on experience of hydrogen as an energy carrier by constructing and racing small model vehicles powered by low-pressure hydrogen. The buggies, equipped with UK-designed and manufactured fuel cells, operated using approximately 20ml of hydrogen supplied through refillable ‘Hydrostiks’, providing a safe and reliable way to use hydrogen technology in the classroom.

Working in teams, students competed to create either the fastest or the longest-running vehicle, experimenting with fuel-cell management techniques and adjusting load levels to optimise performance. Each buggy was assembled from a kit, allowing students to explore different drive configurations and evaluate how design choices influenced efficiency and speed.

Competing under the team name 'Hull’s Finest', Leo, Archie and Arry recorded the fastest race time of the day with an impressive 5.3-second run. Their result is currently the quickest achieved among the five schools that have participated in the programme so far this year.

Amy Norris, Head of Design Technology, said: “The students demonstrated excellent teamwork, resilience and problem-solving skills throughout the challenge, developing valuable transferable skills as they prepare for Key Stage 4. The workshop also created meaningful links between Design Technology, Engineering and Geography through discussions around renewable energy. Our visitors praised students for their ability to identify challenges quickly and work creatively and collaboratively to develop effective solutions.”

Explaining how the project supported learning in Geography, Head of Humanities Sarah Harris added: “Our aspiring geographers enjoyed learning about hydrogen as a renewable energy source, how it can be stored and its potential role within the future energy mix. Sustainable energy is a key component of the GCSE specification, and the growth of the hydrogen economy in the Humber region makes this learning particularly relevant to students’ future opportunities.”

The workshop was delivered by UKSTEM, a provider of STEM education packages and resources, as part of their H2 The Future initiative. The programme aims to demonstrate how hydrogen can support the transition to renewable energy systems by acting as a form of energy storage, produced from sources such as wind, solar, tidal and wave power.

The fifth recipients of the school’s Artists of the Month awards have been announced. 
This month’s Key Stage 3 winner is Year 8 student Alba L, while the Key Stage 4 award has been presented to Year 10 student Kieva H.

Alba’s work included a highly detailed butterfly study that demonstrated strong observational drawing skills and careful attention to pattern, shading, and symmetry. Using soft pencil tones and subtle accents, the piece captured delicate textures and intricate markings. Her second artwork combined watercolour-style washes with layered pencil work, bringing together colour and imaginative composition in a striking image featuring a vivid eye alongside a fish. The unusual pairing of subjects highlighted Alba’s willingness to experiment with both realism and more abstract ideas.

Teachers praised Alba’s consistent dedication, noting that she frequently takes her sketchbook home to complete additional work outside of lessons. They added that her determination to achieve Artist of the Month was evident throughout the year, with her hard work clearly paying off.

Reflecting on her achievement, Alba said: “It feels really good and I’m very proud of myself. I definitely want to study Art at GCSE in the future, so I’m really happy. When I was younger during COVID, I used to watch lots of art videos on YouTube, and so many creators inspired me to start making art myself. My winning Artist of the Month pieces came from the work I’d been doing in my sketchbook during art lessons at school. In the future, I’d like to have a job involving art because it’s something I really enjoy. I’ve thought about becoming either a primary school teacher or an art teacher, but I’m not completely sure yet. Either way, I’ll definitely continue art as a hobby.”

Kieva H’s artwork demonstrated strong imagination and confident use of colour and texture across two nature-inspired pieces. One painting depicted an atmospheric woodland scene, with muted greens, purples, and blues creating depth and mood. Her second artwork featured two brightly coloured koi carp swimming among lily pads, drawing inspiration from water and wildlife. Together, the pieces showcased her creativity, attention to detail, and ability to capture atmosphere through natural environments.

Kieva, who is currently studying Art at GCSE level in Year 10, said: “I was really surprised, but also really happy to win. I’m not entirely sure what inspired my winning pieces, but one of my favourite artists we’ve studied so far is Hayao Miyazaki because of the bright, naturalistic style in his work; I just think it’s really cool. I’d love to continue with art and design in college, and I’d also like to do photography alongside it. I’m still not completely sure about my future career, but art and design has always been something I’ve really enjoyed, whether as a hobby or possibly even as a career one day.”

Art teacher Holly Andrews commended the students’ achievements, saying: “The past few months have been amazing for both students. The themes of work and the level they are achieving are something they should be proud of. Kieva has been excelling at GCSE and has been using her own creativity to push her artistic choices. Alba has been trying really hard all year, even putting in extra hours at home to make sure her work is completed, certainly with her eyes on student of the month.”

The Artists of the Month award forms part of the school’s wider commitment to celebrating student success and promoting creativity. Launched in October, the initiative recognises artistic achievement across Key Stages 3 and 4 and provides students with opportunities to showcase their work through displays around the site, exhibitions in the main reception, and features on the school’s website and social media channels. 

Head of DT Amy Norris added: “We have loved seeing the enthusiasm for Artist of the Month. Many students are keen to complete extra work at home in the hope of winning the award. We have noticed a positive difference in the standard of artwork being produced this school year, and we believe this is due to raising the profile of the subject. Competitions such as Artist of the Month, more school visits, and displaying more current work around the school have all helped. Every time we meet as a department to choose our winners, it gets more and more difficult.”