WELCOME TO HYMERS COLLEGE

Welcome to Hymers College. Our school provides a balanced all-round education for boys and girls between the ages of 8 and 18. Hymers is an independent school with an unrivalled reputation.

People often comment on the cheerfulness and friendliness that they find in the school, and they are impressed by the results that are achieved in public examinations and in a wide variety of activities.

"For the training of intelligence in whatever social rank of life it may be found among the vast and varied population of the town and port of Hull"
John Hymers 1893

The Reverend John Hymers, Rector of Brandesburton, died in 1887 leaving money in his will for a school to be built “for the training of intelligence in whatever social rank of life it may be found.”

Hymers College opened in 1893 as a school for boys on the site of the old Botanic Gardens of Hull. It soon established itself as a centre of academic excellence, and parents from Hull and the East Riding were keen for their sons to be admitted. The numbers expanded and buildings were added. The first Headmaster, Mr Charles Gore, was admitted to the Headmasters’ Conference (HMC), which represents the leading independent schools in the country, and all succeeding Headmasters have been members.

Scholarships and bursaries were provided from the start to allow pupils to attend whose parents could not pay the school fees. In 1946 Hymers became a Direct Grant school with many of the pupils now paid for by the Local Authority. In 1971, when the direct grant scheme was abolished, the Governors had to decide whether the school should become part of the comprehensive system that Hull was adopting at the time or become an independent school. The decision was made to go fully independent. The introduction of the Government-funded Assisted Places scheme allowed the school to offer 25 places in each year group to pupils who needed financial support, and when this scheme was abolished in 1997 the Governors decided that bursaries would be provided from the school’s resources so that the wishes of its founder and its practice for over a hundred years could be maintained.

Girls came into the Sixth Form throughout the 1970’s and 1980’s, and the decision was taken in 1989 to go fully co-educational. Now over 40% of the pupils are girls. The opening of the Humber Bridge in 1981 further extended the catchment area and in the 1990’s the school’s numbers expanded to just under a thousand pupils. At the same time curricular developments allowed pupils to study newer subjects up to A level, such as Psychology, ICT and Physical Education, as well as the more traditional subjects.

There has been a steady development of buildings and facilities. In recent years additional land has been purchased, and a theatre, science laboratories, an all-weather sports pitch, other sports facilities, and a new Junior School have been built. A swimming pool will be opened in Summer 2004.

In Years 7 to 9 all pupils study a broad range of subjects. Streaming takes place in Mathematics, but all other subjects are taught in mixed-ability groups.

The Middle School curriculum (Years 10 to 11) is designed to prevent early specialisation in arts or sciences, to keep options open for AS/A level, and to provide some choice to cater for individual strengths and interests whilst, at the same time, ensuring a broadly-based education for each boy and girl.

All pupils study GCSE English Language and Literature, Mathematics, Science (either as Single Sciences or Double Award), at least one Humanities subject, Modern Language and Technological or creative subject. They may take more than one of these if they wish.

In the Sixth Form a wide range of AS and A level subjects provides plenty of choice. All students take 4 AS level subjects (5 if one is Further Mathematics) in Year 12, usually dropping to 3 plus A level General Studies in Year 13.
All year groups also have an afternoon of Games and Years 7 to 11 have a PE lesson.

For more information about subjects available to Sixth Form students, please see the Sixth Form page of the website.

A wide range of extra-curricular activities is available for all year groups – see the ‘Clubs’ page of this website.

For information regarding the Junior School, please click here.

The Six-Day Cycle

The School operates a six-day cycle of 42 periods (7 periods per day). We start the year on Day 1, and when we get to Day 6 we begin the cycle again. There is no weekend school, apart from Saturday sports fixtures.

Resource Centres

Resource Centres provide areas for quiet study within departments. They are stocked with books, magazines and other resources relating to the subject. These areas are used by the Sixth Form in their private study periods and during free time and by other pupils at lunchtime and after school.

Learning Support

The School does not have specialist teachers for special educational needs. However, we endeavour to ensure that pupils who are identified as being in need of special support receive help through outside agencies, if necessary, and through any non-specialist help that subject teachers are able to give. We wish to be sympathetic and supportive to pupils with difficulties to ensure that they fulfil their potentials and are happy in their studies.

Pupils entering the School in Years 4, 5 and 7 are given a screening test soon after their arrival. Pupils who are identified as possibly having learning difficulties will be observed and evidence from their teachers will be analysed by the Learning Support Co-ordinator. The Learning Support Co-ordinator produces an Individual Education Plan for each pupil who is diagnosed as dyslexic or who has any other recognised learning difficulty. Teachers give consideration to pupils with learning difficulties and provide help based on the recommendations that have been made.

Student Profiles

Fiona is in Year 9. She is a talented musician, playing the violin in the Intermediate Orchestra and Strings Group and singing in the choir. “I have violin and singing lessons once a week at school and I particularly enjoy rehearsing with other pupils two or three times a week.” She is also in the hockey team for her year group and she attends practices and plays matches on Saturdays. Her life is very busy but she says, “I enjoy my involvement in all these activities, and I do manage to find time for my homework, too!”

James enjoys sport and he represents the school at rugby and cricket. “I enjoy the camaraderie of team sports; I think they have taught me the importance of working together and not letting people down. I am also studying hard for my GCCEs this year. I hope to achieve good grades so that I can apply to read Law at university in a couple of years time.”

Adam is in Year 13 and has applied to Cambridge to study medicine. He achieved excellent GCSE results and A grades in his four AS subjects last summer. “I have received a great deal of helpful advice regarding university entry and the school organised a trip to Cambridge to visit the colleges. I am doing work beyond the demands of A level to assist me with my application, and I am much enjoying the challenge that this poses.”

Philosophy The philosophy of Hymers Junior School is simple. We have high expectations of our pupils, we offer clear guidelines in all areas and we have a keen sense of fun. Our excellent teaching staff, their approachability and the superb facilities ensure that our pupils enjoy their school life and are fully prepared for their secondary education in our senior school. The new school was opened on the 30th September 2003. It is a landmark building with everything the primary school child could need for their education. All curriculum areas are discrete and equipped to the highest standard. We also have our own suitably sized football, hockey and cricket pitches and enjoy sharing the all-weather area and the theatre with our senior school. If you feel that you would like to know more and experience our school for yourself, simply ring the Head of the Junior School, Mr Bryan, on 01482 441211 for a chat or to arrange a personal tour. He would love to show you around. School Structure The school has nine forms, three each at Year 4, Year 5 and Year 6. Each form is under the guidance of a form teacher. Many of the curriculum subjects are specialist taught, including: Art Design Technology Games Drama Information Technology Modern Languages Music Physical Education The children also study Maths, English, History, Geography, Science and RE. The school has five male form teachers and four female form teachers with specialist Art, Music and Modern Language teachers. All pupils are in one of the four houses – Brandesburton, Gore, Holderness, Trinity. They represent their houses in sports and try very hard to win the behaviour cup by accumulating the largest number of house points! Extra-curricular Activities A large number of extra-curricular activities are offered. These vary from term to term, taking into account the weather and sporting seasonal changes. Art Club Football Club Recorders Athletics Football: U9, U10A&B, U11A&B, 5-a-side, 6-a-side Rugby Club Chamber Choir History Club School Plays Chess Hockey School Concerts Choir Indoor Hockey Sewing Computers Music Swimming Cricket: U9, U10, U11 Nature Club Wind Band Cross Country Netball Year 4 Choir Drama Orchestra   Music Music plays a large part in the life of the school. There are numerous choirs, an orchestra, string group, wind band and a recorder group. Many pupils study an individual musical instrument as well as their curriculum lessons. The pupils take part in numerous public performances throughout the year and parents are encouraged to attend. Sport School teams are run in the main sports of football, cricket, netball, hockey, athletics, swimming and cross-country and numerous pupils have the opportunity to represent the school in friendly competition against local primary schools or other independent schools.

Drama As well as this being a curriculum subject, there is a major production every summer in which all 78 Year 6 children take part. This also involves many staff and an army of parents in making costumes and helping with scenery and make-up. It is a real team effort and it is great fun.

A Typical Day Our school day starts at 8.40am. After registration and assembly each pupil follows a timetabled curriculum with their classmates. The curriculum is broad and balanced, including practical as well as more academic based subjects. There is playtime from 10.35am to 11.00am. At 12.20pm school lunch is provided in the dining room and pupils chose between bringing their own packed lunch or selecting a meal from the large menu available. Having eaten, the pupils attend an activity or play in the playground until 1.45pm when lessons resume. The school day finishes at 3.35pm and children who are not involved in an after school activity make their way home. Those who cannot be picked up immediately go to the late stayers room where they watch a video or to the quiet room in order to do their homework. Our pupils attend school in their school uniform which is bought from the school shop, which also supplies all sports kit.

Our School Year We have a wide variety of events in which the pupils take part, ranging from concerts, school play, sports fixtures, historical theme days, sports day, discos, trips to the Battlefields of Normandy, Camp Windermere and local museums, theatres and art galleries. The year ends with Speech Day which gives us the opportunity to look back and celebrate the achievements of the previous year. Admissions Every pupil at Hymers has to pass an entrance examination which takes place in early February for entry the following September. Occasionally vacancies do arise at other times of the year so it is worth enquiring at any time. You may be lucky. Click on ‘Contact us’ for details of how to apply.

Junior Common Room

In 1995 an ugly building was transformed into a most attractive Junior Common Room (known as the JCR) for the use of the Sixth Form. As well as a large well-lit central social space with plenty of easy chairs, at one end there is a canteen, and a study area at the other. At break and lunchtime 200+ young men and women create a vibrant culture, in fine weather spilling out through three sets of French windows onto a patio area, where there are picnic tables, and further onto the field in order to play social football and other games.

Each of the 18 Sixth Form tutor groups sends a representative to sit on the JCR Committee which meets every Monday. At this forum all aspects of Sixth Form life are debated, from the type of food which students would like to see served in the canteen to the planning of the Leavers’ Yearbook and dances (a popular Snowball is held every year in the Main Hall and a Leavers’ Ball is held in June at a local hotel).

Prefects

All Sixth Formers have the opportunity to become a school Prefect for a year. The Head Boy and Girl and six Senior Prefects, who are appointed at the end of the Lent term of Year 12, meet weekly with the Headmaster and Deputy Head to coordinate the day to day running of the school and for special occasions, and act as a sounding board for the rest of the school. Two Form Prefects per form for Years 7 to 10 and a number of Junior School Prefects take up their duties at the start of Year 13.

We feel that prefecture provides the opportunity to learn to exercise authority with pupils of all ages, and to develop communication and inter-personal skills. It develops maturity and teamwork with a sense of commitment, responsibility and social awareness for the general benefit of all.

Extra-Curricular Activities

One of the strengths of the school lies in its wide range of extra-curricular activities, in many of which very high standards are achieved.

In the Sixth Form, students have opportunities to be involved in a wide variety of sports and in recent years school teams have done well on our competitive circuit.
Many students play in orchestras and sing in choirs, and those selected for national youth choirs and orchestras are too numerous to mention here. Drama is another area of enjoyment and success.

Many students help other people through the Children’s University scheme in Hull, our weekly lunch for the elderly, and by distributing parcels to old folk at Christmas.
For an example of some of our more notable successes see the ‘Clubs’ page.

Young Enterprise

A national educational charity, Young Enterprise aims to provide pupils with the skills and attitude required for personal success.

Over forty students from Year 12 participate in the competition each year, with each student sitting the YE examination during the Spring term. In 2005 the Hymers College Young Enterprise Company Avian Enterprise won the National Finals of this competition and came 2nd in Europe.  In 2006 the Hymers College Company Tops Off again represented the Yorkshire and Humberside Region in the National Finals, making Hymers College the only school to have been represented in the National Finals 2 years running.

Advisers from local business support each company and we would welcome the assistance of any parent who feels that they, or their company, would like to join us in this year’s campaign. Please contact Mr Gravelle or Mr McTeare.
J Gravelle

School Shop (Hull) Ltd

The School Shop is run by parents for parents, thus helping to reduce the price of uniform items, and carries the full range of approved uniform, sports clothing and educational equipment.

Dates and Times of Opening

The School Shop is open every Wednesday in term time from 1230 to 1630, or by appointment.

Summer holiday opening hours include a number of days before the Autumn Term starts, which are advertised before the end of the Summer Term. New starters are able to make appointments for individual fitting and purchase of full outfits on Saturdays in May and June between 0900 and 1530. Please don’t leave it to the last minute to buy full uniforms – if pupils do grow during the holidays, the Shop will happily exchange unused items! For more information please visit our publications page where you can download a uniform list.

Contact Telephone Number: 01482 470224

Duke of Edinburgh

Teacher in charge: Mr D J Thompson

The Award is very popular at the College. Approximately half of Year 10 start the scheme at Bronze level, and numbers moving into Silver and Gold levels have increased steadily.

As part of the Service Section, usually about 30 students obtain the Young Lifesavers Certificate. Other participants can be found helping in old people’s homes, in charity shops, at the Children’s University and in many other activities. The Expedition Section is enjoyed by all participants. Expeditions at Bronze and Silver levels are carried out in the Yorkshire Wolds; Gold Award candidates are usually to be found on the North Yorkshire Moors.

Many talented and busy students satisfy the Skills and Sports Sections at the College – playing musical instruments, singing, being involved in drama and representing our sports teams. Archery will soon be added to the sports programme.

Hymers College Army Cadet Force

Hymers College Army Cadet Force Detachment first paraded in its current form in the autumn of 1992. It can trace its roots back to 1894 through a series of guises from Combined Cadet Force (CCF) to Officer Training Corps (OTC). Originally the Corps was affiliated to the East Yorkshire Regiment, but is now proud to wear the badge of the Royal Logistics Corps with whom it has close links.

The Detachment parades on Thursday evenings from 1730 to 1930, with regular weekends and annual camp. The Cadets undertake a full range of military training from skill at arms to first aid and from field craft to community service.