Withernsea High School

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 As support was gradually withdrawn, students were encouraged to take greater ownership of their learning.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. 

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.