The William Henry Smith School and Sixth Form

11/09/2026

🌟 Where does curiosity lead?

We believe that children are natural explorers. They want to ask questions, investigate, discover, experiment and make sense of the world around them. Sometimes, the simplest things can spark the biggest questions - a real-life object, something they find outdoors, a story, or simply something that catches their attention.

At the William Henry Smith Foundation, we have been developing our approach to curiosity-led learning for many years, and we have seen the difference it can make to children's engagement, confidence, independence and wellbeing. Our latest article shares some of the things we have learned along the way: https://bit.ly/4A6cSKi

10/09/2026

This week’s Makaton sign is one of our favourites… CAKE! 🍰😋
Whether it’s a birthday, a special celebration, or simply because cake makes everything better, it’s a great word to learn and practise together! You can practise it while baking, enjoying a slice, reading a story about cake, or even when talking about your favourite flavours! Watch here: YouTube https://youtu.be/Axpp6tXJEoY

Remember, using signs alongside speech can help support communication and give children another way to express themselves.

We've celebrated lots of birthdays already since the start of term ...

09/09/2026

Learning doesn't always have to happen in a classroom. 🎣

Fishing might not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think about the curriculum, but for our students it provides plenty of opportunities to learn.

The William Henry Smith Foundation has access to in Queensbury, and we’ve seen some great progress through these sessions, and that’s why fishing has become a valuable part of our curriculum and enrichment offer.

There’s the obvious bit — learning to cast, sorting out tackle and hopefully catching a fish or two. But fishing also teaches:

• Learning to wait and concentrate
• Working out how to untangle a line when things don't go to plan
• Following instructions and using equipment safely
• Communicating with others and working together
• Taking responsibility for equipment and the environment
• Building confidence by doing things independently

There’s learning about habitats, wildlife and conservation too, helping our students understand the natural environment and their responsibility towards it. Read the full article: https://bit.ly/4xeEev4

07/09/2026

1% Better Every Day

What a brilliant afternoon at Scammonden for our latest Staff Connect event!

Colleagues took on different levels of the incredible Scammonden Steps challenge — and what a challenge it was! A 5K around the dam, before finishing with a very well-earned meal together. But this was about much more than steps, kilometres, or fitness.

It was about challenging ourselves, encouraging each other, getting outdoors, having conversations we don’t always have time for and simply enjoying being together.

That’s what MOVE • MIND • CONNECT is all about. Looking after ourselves, making time for each other and recognising that small things, done consistently, can make a big difference.

And importantly, everyone can take part. No pressure, no competition — just colleagues supporting colleagues and having some fun along the way.

28/08/2026

We’re excited to welcome our staff back on Tuesday and all of our boys back to school on Wednesday. We hope you’ve had a wonderful summer and are ready for the year ahead!

A very special welcome to the new students joining us for the first time – we can’t wait for you to be part of our school community.

26/08/2026

As we near the end of the school holidays, we wanted to share details of our new Family Mornings, which will take place throughout the term.

These mornings are a valuable opportunity to meet with our team, discuss how your child or young person is doing, and explore how we can work together to help them achieve their full potential.

These sessions are much more than a typical parents' evening. They provide a chance to celebrate the amazing progress your child has made, learn how you can support them at home, and ask questions in a relaxed and supportive environment.

It's also an opportunity to build relationships with our team, connect with the people who know your child best, and receive support and encouragement along the way. Parents and carers will receive a personal invitation from us. We encourage you to come along!

20/08/2026

Congratulations to all our students receiving results today across our School and Sixth Form.

From GCSEs in English, Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Art and Photography, to Entry Level qualifications, BTEC ICT, Construction and Skills for Life awards, our students have followed a wide range of pathways and achieved qualifications that reflect their individual strengths and future plans.

There have been some fantastic achievements in Construction, with students gaining City & Guilds qualifications, alongside strong outcomes in Skills for Life. Every achievement represents hard work, determination and commitment, and we are incredibly proud of all our students.

Read the full results story on our website: https://bit.ly/4xSACj7

20/08/2026

Today we celebrate the incredible hard work and determination of all our students who have received their results this summer. We know that every journey is unique and reaching this milestone is a huge achievement in itself. We are so proud of our students for all their efforts throughout the year. Well done to you all and good luck in your future!

14/08/2026

*New role: Educational Psychologist
Closing date: 1st September 2026

We’re looking for an Educational Psychologist who can work as part of a highly respected multidisciplinary team, supporting children and young people aged 5–25 with complex SEMH needs, SEND, trauma and neurodiversity. This is a unique opportunity to work across both education and residential settings, embedding trauma-aware and psychologically informed approaches at every level. You’ll combine strategic leadership with hands-on practice - influencing safeguarding, contributing to complex casework, working closely with families and multi-agency partners, and shaping innovative responses to emerging challenges such as digital and online risks.

You’ll play a key role in developing staff, driving service improvement and ensuring every child and young person experiences safety, belonging and success.

The role’s key responsibilities include providing Educational Psychology services within the Foundation and as part of an external services offer and plan and deliver psychological assessment, consultation and intervention, offering advice to support learning, behaviour and wellbeing.

Full details and how to apply: https://bit.ly/3P44HeT

10/08/2026

📢 We're Hiring | Personal Assistant to the Foundation Strategic Leadership Team (Maternity Cover)

The closing date is the 16th August 2026.

We're looking for an exceptional Personal Assistant to join the William Henry Smith Foundation, providing high-level support to our Foundation Strategic Leadership Team.

This is a varied and rewarding role where no two days are the same. You'll be a trusted partner to senior leaders, managing complex diaries, coordinating projects, supporting Foundation-wide events, preparing professional documentation, and helping ensure the smooth running of a busy and ambitious organisation.

We're looking for someone who is:
✔️ Highly organised with excellent attention to detail
✔️ Experienced in supporting senior leaders
✔️ A confident communicator with outstanding administrative skills
✔️ Proactive, adaptable and solutions-focused
✔️ Skilled in Microsoft Office, SharePoint, Canva and digital collaboration tools

Role Details
Term-time only plus 3 weeks
⏰ 37 hours per week
💷 NJC Scale 8–16 (Actual salary: £24,692.71–£28,093.21)

If you thrive in a fast-paced environment and enjoy building strong relationships while making a real difference, we'd love to hear from you. Please note that applications must be submitted via SAM Recruit. We are unable to accept CVs.

Find out more and apply today: https://bit.ly/3P44HeT...