In September, we were proud to open the first Enhanced Resource Provision (ERP) for Cognition and Learning in the East Riding.  This came about following lengthy discussions between the local authority and school and Trust leaders to determine whether this was a feasible option for a mainstream school.   

Five years ago, this would not have been an option for the school.  Since then, we have seen a number of students with very specific Special Educational Needs join us in the school and seen them thrive.  I have mentioned Anya Findlay in this blog before and Anya, who left the school last summer and who has Down’s Syndrome, left a genuine legacy in our school.  Through her five years with us, we learned as much from her as she did from us and, in her slipstream, came similar students, Lara and Mia.  The skills and ability of our staff to educate and support these students grew and, a couple of years ago, we began to see a rise in the number of families applying for places at our school on the back of the reputation we had gained for supporting students like those girls. 

This led Jo Anderson (our SEND Coordinator, Assistant Head and member of staff at Hessle for over twenty years) to begin the process of bidding for an ERP for similar students.  This makes us a local centre of expertise and provision, comes with appropriate funding to recruit more staff and enables us to build the staff skillset to further our work. 

We are now almost a term into this provision and delighted that it has been as successful as we had hoped.  It will take time to fully develop our provision but the outcome of this is that a number of students, who might otherwise have struggled to cope in a mainstream school, can enjoy their educational journey in a large school with a bustling and vibrant student population and ‘fit in’ and belong.  That is priceless for the students but also an enriching experience for all of our other students who learn about diversity and respect through their daily interactions with each other. 

No performance tables or Ofsted inspection framework can measure the impact of this on young people.  We do it because it is the right thing to do and changes lives. 

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This week, we held our now-annual Christmas Fayre.  Over recent weeks, students have spent some time in their tutor groups planning the products and activities they would bring to the Fayre and it culminated on Wednesday during lunchtimes and after school.  There was a lovely atmosphere with students, staff and parents browsing the stalls, buying cakes and gifts, playing games and contributing to the four House Charities.  The amount raised was phenomenal and will be revealed to the students in their end of term celebrations.  The House system in school helps students across different year groups to mingle and socialise in a way that doesn’t happen in normal classes and I am very grateful to the four members of staff who, this year, are leading their Houses – Mr Adams, Miss Foster, Miss Deveney and Mr Griffiths and to Mrs Bourne who coordinates them.  And finally thank you to those who supported by buying their wares. 

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As we reach the end of Week 13, we are now a third of the way through the school year and there are some key events coming up.  Aside from Christmas, we have multiple visits for students and those in Year 9 will, after the holidays, begin their pathways process with a series of assemblies informing them about Key Stage 4 and the options process. 

Students in Year 7 and Year 8 will begin new topics after Christmas as they progress through their Key Stage 3 curriculum and students in Year 10 will begin new GCSE units and coursework continues in earnest.  Students in Year 11, of course, are counting down the days to their real GCSE exams but before that will face another round of Mock Exams in February.  Lots going on and the cycle of another academic year moves around again. 

However you are spending this weekend, stay warm and safe and thank you for your support.   

Mr Groak

Headteacher