Skip to content ↓

Hessle High School

Headteacher Blog

MR J NIXON

 

Welcome On this page you will find weekly informative blogs. 

Page 1

Archive

  • WEEK 19 - Friday 6 February 2026

    Published 06/02/26

    Dear Parents and carers, 

    Thank you to all the parents and carers of year 7 students who came to the parents’ evening last night. Once again it was a very busy evening with lots of smiling faces and a real buzz. At every event we ask for parents and carers to complete a short questionnaire so that we can get feedback on what’s going well and where we can improve. Thank you to those parents who completed the questionnaire and your feedback which was very positive. 

    Personally, I think one of the great pleasures in life is sitting down at a table with family or friends, eating a meal, and having a conversation. Our mobile phone policy has contributed to this experience as previously in schools, students would be on their phones throughout social time. Next week in assemblies, we will be reiterating the view that social time is to enjoy the company of those around you, in a calm and pleasant environment. Next week, year 9 students are joining years, 7, 8 and 11 in early break and lunchtime and we are opening the hall as an additional eating area at the same time. We also restructured the queuing system on Monday, and I was impressed by how quickly students got used to it so my thanks to them for being so supportive. 

    The year 11 and year 10 mock exams have gone well. With year 11 there is now a real sense of urgency as we enter the last weeks of their GCSE years. We altered how we get students ready for going into exams with them now meeting in the hall as a year group for a short pep talk before walking to the sports hall. What this means is students will go through exactly the same process each exam so they have a clear routine every single time. Routine is important in preparing for exams so every little thing we can do to keep it the same helps.  

    The polling stations were open this week for students to step up and vote in the East Riding Youth Parliamentary elections. Nine of the candidates were our own students, who did their own lobbying before the polling stations opened. It was great to hear students discussing the options, and some very strong views on some of the manifesto messages. Nearly 300 ballot papers have been collected, with some tutor groups smashing the turnout percentage at nearly 50%!!!!! We now need to wait till March before the results are announced, but good luck to all candidates

    Have a great weekend 

    Mr Nixon 

    Headteacher

    Read More

  • WEEK 18 - Friday 30 January 2026

    Published 30/01/26

    Dear Parents and carers, 

    Firstly, a huge congratulations to Eli Ashbridge and Ewan White, both of whom received offer letters from Cambridge University this week. Ewan has been offered a place to study Maths, and Eli Computer Science. It is an incredible achievement to reach the offer stage. For Computer Science, less than 10% of applicants nationally are offered a place. This continues to build on our success from last year, when all four medical school applicants received places, and Joseph Pegg secured a place to study Law at Oxford. We realise that this is at the offer stage, but it does reflect how impressed I have been by the Sixth Form since joining Hessle. Crucially, our students are achieving because of the excellent support of their parents and carers.  

    Year 10 mock exams have gone well so far with students taking them very seriously. Thursday was a busy day with Lizann Lowson (CEO) and Amanda Bridgeman (Head of People Services) visiting the school and walking around seeing lessons and chatting with students. We also had year 11 mock interviews taking place both Thursday and Friday then next week sees the start of Year 11 mock exams, a crucial period for them. If your child is in year 11 then please encourage them to revise.  

    I continue to be impressed by our students who are such great company. Thank you for your support as parents and carers.  

    Mr Nixon

    Headteacher

    Read More

  • WEEK 17 - Friday 23 January 2026

    Published 23/01/26

    Dear Parents and carers, 

    This morning, it was a real pleasure to present offer letters to the year 11 students who had expressed an interest in staying on in the Sixth Form. The atmosphere in Tranby House was fantastic with everyone clapping and cheering as fellow students came up to get their letters. Two very brief speeches focused on the benefits of Sixth Form, especially staying on at Hessle because the Hessle students are known, of the great culture we have here, and. The room was packed so it bodes extremely well for the future. What a great way to start the day.    

    I did a walk round going into lessons with Mark Brown (Executive Director of Education) on Wednesday morning. The standard of books we saw were very good, with some exemplar cases of high-quality work and presentation. Students were attentive and on task and we witnessed some very effective question and answer techniques. We were particularly impressed at how attentive students were and I am really pleased to say that every student I asked said that they were proud of their work - and they were quite right to be proud.  

    One of the many privileges of being a headteacher is working with young people, and our students are great. I am a great believer in regular rewards for those students who attend and work hard, so I have just increased our rewards budget. Research shows that lots of small, short-term rewards are really appreciated and have a greater impact. We continue to see a dip on Fridays so please encourage your child to attend, even if they are not feeling 100%. My thanks to the vast majority who do.  

    Last night’s Year 8 parents’ evening was well attended. It was a pleasure to be able to walk around chatting with students and parents and hear how their child is doing at school. The format for parents’ evening hasn’t really changed over the decades - except for Covid - and there is a reason in that a face-to-face discussion with a teacher is extremely valuable.  

    We are also delighted to inform you that Mrs Kelsey, our current Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead, will be stepping up to take on the role of Interim Designated Safeguarding Lead to support Mr Chapman as he leads the Leap team. 

    Finally, I have presented to staff a number of planned changes going forward, some of which are being introduced on our return after half-term. I will be sending out a letter to all parents next week giving more detail.  

    Mr Nixon

    Headteacher

    Read More

  • WEEK 16 - Friday 16 January 2026

    Published 16/01/26

    Dear parents and carers, 

    Some of our year 11 students went to Hull University this week where they attended lectures in maths and English along with students from all the other secondary schools in the trust. The sessions were focused on those who are close to getting a grade 5 (Tuesday) and the second day (Wednesday) was those who are close to grade 7. I went to see our students in action on the Tuesday and am pleased to see that they were working very hard. The sessions were both intense and ambitious; you could see how much thinking was taking place by the looks on all the students’ faces. The programme has run for a couple of years now and has proven to be extremely valuable.      

    I would like to encourage students to bring their own refillable water bottles to schools. At present I see a large number of students buying flavoured water from the canteen yet right next to the serving area there are two water stations. I am looking at the viability of installing more water stations, meanwhile whilst we do recycle the plastic, there is a financial saving to be made by investing in a personal water bottle.  

    We have a number of students who come to school on a bike which is a healthy form of transport and to be encouraged, especially as we move towards Spring. For clarification, along with other schools in the trust, students are not allowed to come into school on an ebike for safety reasons.  

    On Monday I am presenting some changes that have been in planning stages over the past few weeks and so in next week’s communication I will outline what they are with proposed implementation dates.  

    I am thoroughly enjoying my time at Hessle and see it as a real privilege to work with our brilliant students and staff. And on that note, also a big thank you for this week for your support as parents and carers. 

    Mr Nixon

    Headteacher

    Read More

  • WEEK 15 - Friday 9 January 2026

    Published 09/01/26

    Dear parents and carers, 

    To start on a personal note, it is great to be able to be at Hessle full time to continue the school’s improvement journey. It’s great to be back.  

    At the end of last term, I wrote about the importance of exercise books and that they would be a focus, not only now but throughout my tenure. This week I have dropped into a number of lessons to look at the quality of work our students are completing and I am pleased to say that the picture is a very positive one. There were some exceptional examples where I saw work that was nothing short of exemplary. On the few occasions where books were not quite as I would want, the teacher was aware and was addressing it with the student. As previously mentioned, we will also be providing support for those students who may find it challenging. On Thursday after school, all teaching staff were involved in looking at different exercise books to see good practice and get ideas. It was a valuable exercise.    

    At various times of the day, though usually at the end of social time, I like to hold the door open for students to come into the building and I have to say that I continue to be impressed by how respectful and courteous our students are on a day-to-day basis. I find myself saying “you’re welcome” repeatedly as almost all of them say “thank you” as they pass by. In addition, conversations with students in the dining hall are a real pleasure with some students still going out of their way to come and speak to me. It is this level of courtesy that will get them far and what’s more, it comes across very natural so my thanks to you as parents for instilling these values in them. You should be very proud.     

    Finally, I would like to emphasise the importance of your child being at school. Attendance drops considerably on Fridays and that is a real concern as it means 20% of the week is being missed by too many students. It is especially the case for those who are in year 10 and year 11 with exams either very close or on the horizon. My thanks to the vast majority of parents who send their child into school every day, as your child will benefit from it for the rest of their lives.   

    Have a great weekend. 

    Mr Nixon

    Headteacher

    Read More

  • WEEK 14 - Friday 19 December 2025

    Published 09/01/26

    Dear parents and carers 

    As 2025 comes to a close, I want to wish everyone a safe and restful Christmas break. I am looking forward to taking up my full-time post as Headteacher at Hessle High and know that we can achieve great things for the school in the New Year. 

    Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! 

    Mr Nixon 

    Headteacher

    Read More

  • WEEK 13 - Friday 11 December 2025

    Published 09/01/26

    Dear parents and carers,  

    On Tuesday I attended my first Hessle High School and Sixth Form Local Governing Body meeting. Governors play an important role in schools as they bring a local context to the Trust as well as provide support and challenge. In my own experience, a crucial aspect of their role is their visits to school, so it was good to read and hear their feedback on what they saw in school, and the meetings they attended. Governors were sent a copy of the presentation I did a few weeks ago and as senior leaders, we went through our plans whilst highlighting how we had already changed how we quality assure the work that takes place in school.  

    It has already been mentioned to teaching staff, so I thought it would be useful to highlight the importance I place on exercise books. They are the window to the student’s attitude to their learning. From January when we return, it will be a major focus both in the standard of presentation and the quality of work students produce so I would ask for your support as parents and carers in this. For some students, it will literally be drawing a line under the previous work, as we know they can produce a much higher standard of work and for others, it will be celebrating the work they are currently doing. Some students will need support, but we should be ambitious for every student at Hessle High School.  

    Again, I have absolutely loved my two days at the school and whilst I will be sad to leave Howden, I am also really looking forward to the 06 January when I am in Hessle full time.  

    Have a great weekend.    

    Mr Nixon

    Headteacher

    Read More

  • WEEK 12 - Friday 5 December 2025

    Published 09/01/26

    Dear Parents and Carers 

    On Monday and Tuesday, and with Mark Brown on Wednesday and Thursday, much of what we looked at was centred around SEND both in lessons and meetings. What is a real joy is walking round the school and going into lessons to see students engaged in their learning. We have a very dedicated and professional team of staff who know their students well and the staff / student relationship is positive. What I would like to emphasise this week is the importance of attendance. Being off school is very stressful for a student as when they return, they have to catch up on work missed. This makes the lesson difficult as the class has moved on. Persistent Absence percentage is 90% which is one day a fortnight; a huge amount of learning missed over the year. My plea is that if your child is not feeling so good, still send them in as the chances are they can just get on with school life and if not, we can deal with it. 

    The weeks are flying by with only two weeks to the end of term. Schools also start to get that Christmas atmosphere but a heads up, I expect lessons to continue as normal. 

    Have a great weekend. 

    Mr Nixon

    Headteacher

    Read More

  • WEEK 11 - Friday 28 November 2025

    Published 09/01/26

    Dear Parents and Carers, 

    Although I am in school for just a couple of days, a lot of work is covered during that time. One of my favourite moments is social time and chatting with students in the dining hall. It continues to impress me how welcoming everyone is – if I am honest, that has not always been the case when I go into schools so is not to be taken for granted. The students are easy to chat with and often come up to me for a conversation. Movement around the school is calm and purposeful, as is line ups in the morning for Key Stage 3. 

    On Monday I had the pleasure of being involved in a review of the Arts Department alongside a visit to a year 7 lesson. After school, I did a presentation to staff about the way forward for the school and will be doing the same to Governors on Tuesday 09 December as well. I do realise that my comments in this forum are usually quite brief at present, but this is because much of my time is getting to know the school in increasing detail as whilst I have plans, they need to be a good fit for Hessle. 

    I am looking forward to being in again on Monday and Tuesday. Have a great weekend. 

    Mr Nixon

    Headteacher

    Read More

  • WEEK 10 - Friday 20 November 2025

    Published 09/01/26

    Dear Parents/Carers 

    Yet another good couple of days at Hessle where I continue to be impressed by how friendly and welcoming everyone has been. On a very personal note, what I am really enjoying is being back in a school with a sixth form as they add such a positive and academic dimension to a school. What also makes a difference is that some lessons are in the main school building, so they are role models for all our other students. Even the complexity of the language they use as they walk to lessons will be picked up by younger students to become part of their everyday vocabulary. Tranby House, where Sixth form is based, is a lovely environment as are the facilities and the quality of education both here and when they go to Wolfreton. It is a very effective partnership. 

    What I would like to highlight is that our progress outcomes in the Sixth Form are well above national, something that I am keen to celebrate and publicise. This is down to a number of factors, not least high-quality teaching. The aspirations of our students are high, for example four students were accepted into medical school last year (four applied) and we also had a student who was accepted into Oxford University. This year we have four strong applications for Oxbridge alongside students moving on to a wide variety of destinations including degree apprenticeships. Our approach of providing individualised support for students has resulted in higher than national averages for destinations and retention and a large number of very happy former sixth form students, all of whom have a personal tutor throughout their time with us. 

    We also have a campus culture which helps students develop the independence they need to thrive post-Sixth Form, an aspect I consider to be crucial for future success. What I have observed is a real sense of pride and a willingness to volunteer and represent the sixth form. Our student council is led by Sixth Form students, and I have been impressed when watching them in action in Tuesday morning meetings. There is a strong sense of loyalty amongst the students not only in our current cohort but those former sixth formers who come back to speak about their experiences. 

    In short, in conjunction with Wolfreton, we are extremely proud of our sixth form and their achievements. It is a great privilege to be given the opportunity to lead Hessle School and Sixth Form with such fantastic students and staff. 

    I hope you have a good weekend. 

    Mr Nixon

    Headteacher

    Read More

  • WEEK 9 - Friday 14 November 2025

    Published 09/01/26

    Dear Parents and carers, 

    I have had another couple of good days at Hessle. For information, although I am currently only in school Mondays and Tuesdays, I am in contact with colleagues throughout the week. Again, Mark Brown has been in to support the school. 

    On Monday I was involved in some drop ins looking at maths lessons. I was impressed with the level of engagement of students, and the staff student relationships. Students came across as being eager to learn and were happy to show me their exercise books. The dedication of staff is visible.  

    The weather was wet on both days, yet the atmosphere was calm and purposeful. I made sure that I visited every classroom in the main building to see the learning that was taking place. I will repeat that the students have been incredibly welcoming and willing to engage; it has been a real pleasure to talk with them and get to know them.  

    It is necessary to have various meetings at this stage to build up my knowledge and understanding of the school, though my instinct is always to go out and see the school in action. That is the best part of the job. 

    Mr Nixon

    Headteacher

    Read More

  • WEEK 8 - Friday 7 November 2025

    Published 09/01/26

    Dear parents/carers, 

    I thought it might be useful to give you a brief overview of my first two days at Hessle.  

    The first thing I would like to emphasise is how friendly and welcoming everyone has been; both staff and students. Several students have gone out their way to come and speak to me, and many have said “good morning” at line up or as we met in the corridor. Staff have done the same.  

    On Monday I held an assembly for all the year groups in the main school. I was impressed by the way they conducted themselves, and I spent quite a bit of time walking around the site and being out and about at breaks and lunchtimes. I have also held numerous meetings including members of the Senior Leadership Team. After school on Monday, I spoke to staff briefly about my values and what is important to me not only as a leader, but just as importantly, as a dad and a husband. 

    First thing Tuesday morning I sat in the student council meeting then spent some time with Mr Jarman talking about the sixth form after which we visited some sixth form lessons. Mark Brown (Executive Director of Education) and Lizann Lowson (CEO) were in school as well.  

    I thoroughly enjoyed my two days at Hessle and am already looking forward to next Monday. Although I am at Howden for the rest of the week, Mark Brown will be in school during the week as well. I am also in regular contact with Hessle, even when I am not in the building, so that I am kept up to date.

    Mr Nixon

    Headteacher

    Read More
The Consortium Academy Trust
Cookie Policy