The Year 11 Prom offers students a final opportunity to come together as a year group before moving on to further education, training, or employment.

Thanks to their hard work and commitment to learning, more than two-thirds of attendees were able to receive discounts on their tickets through the school’s rewards system. Throughout the academic year, students accumulated ‘Prom points’ for positive behaviour, effort, and meeting expectations, which could then be used to reduce ticket costs.

In keeping with tradition, many students gathered at the school before the event to pose for photographs with friends and family before travelling to the venue in a variety of hired vehicles.

Charles Little, event co-organiser and Year 11 tutor lead, said: “It was a truly memorable night. From the moment students arrived - walking through a gauntlet of 16 bubble machines and a cacophony of confetti cannons - to the emotional farewells at the end, ‘effort’ was clearly the buzzword of the evening. From a notable entrance in a McLaren sports car to a colourful array of dresses and suits, it was evident that a tremendous amount of time, care and energy had gone into making the night the success it was.”

The evening’s entertainment included games such as air hockey, table football and Connect 4. There was also a chocolate fountain, a mountain of Ferrero Rocher, cupcakes and homemade 'good luck' biscuits.

Student successes were celebrated, with individuals recognised for their achievements and contributions throughout the year. These included the 72 students who had successfully completed their Prom passports to a high standard, meeting targets and accumulating points that enabled them to attend.

Also celebrated were the year group’s top attenders who, as part of the school’s ‘Door to Draw’ attendance incentive, earned one entry into a prize draw for each full week of attendance throughout the year. With an impressive number of entries submitted, a wide range of prizes were awarded — including an Amazon Echo Show — highlighting both the initiative’s popularity and the students’ commitment to strong attendance.

A popular addition to the Prom in recent years has been the ‘Lighthouse Awards’ – a light-hearted awards ceremony that celebrates the individual talents, personalities, memorable moments, and inside jokes that help to define a year group.

Mr Little said: “The third annual Lighthouse Awards were a highlight of the evening. From Olivia C being named the student ‘most likely to appear on the cover of Vogue’ to Marianne C winning ‘most likely to headline Glastonbury’, the awards were met with whoops, cheers and good humour.”

The evening not only marked the end of a chapter for the students, but also the end of five years at the school for Mr Little, who is due to retire from teaching at the end of term.

“From the low days of Covid, when students went without a Prom, to its return as a must-attend event, it has been a pleasure to carry the event forward. Personally, I shall be sad not to be the organiser and compère again, but I know I will have left it in a very healthy state. I must pass on my special thanks to Nicola Makey - my muse, without whose help it would have been a damp squib - to Lucy Hopper, for her voracious appetite to support, and to many other staff, too numerous to mention, for their contributions.”

“I started at Withernsea High School in the same year as this cohort of students, and I truly believe they were fully committed to their education and will go on to achieve great things under my maxim: Labor omnia vincit (work conquers all).”

Mark Crofts, Headteacher, added: “As always, the Prom provided a chance for our Year 11 students to spend time with one another and to see the staff who have supported and cared for them over the past five years. It offered an opportunity to reflect on the journey they have taken and to celebrate their many successes.

“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. I would like to say a particular thank you to Mr Little, who has led the charge over the past three years. He has not just been an event organiser – his energy has guided Year 11 through a busy and focused year. In his role as Year 11 tutor lead, there has been real cohesion between himself and the year group. It was clear from our students’ reactions that they were hugely grateful to him and to everyone who helped make the event a success. My thanks extend to them all.

“I am sure that 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 [Photo Credit Terry Bearpark / Holderness Gazette]: A selection of these images appear in print in the 10th July 2025 edition of The Holderness Gazette