There was a festive flavour to the day when children at a WNAT school swapped their usual uniforms for more seasonal attire.

The pupils at Clenchwarton Primary were celebrating this year’s Christmas Jumper Day on Thursday 11 December, with staff members also joining in the fun and donning winter woollies for the occasion.

“Over 200 children from Reception to Year 6 took part,” said Assistant Headteacher Charlotte Howells.

The annual event has become a regular fixture in the school’s calendar, with the children also enjoying a celebratory meal on the day.

“The whole school had Christmas lunch of roast turkey with all the trimmings served by the staff, and then the staff had Christmas lunch too,” continued Mrs Howells.

“The children loved the food, and being able to pull crackers as well.”

Other WNAT primaries participating in Christmas Jumper Day included Heacham Infant, Heacham Junior, Snettisham, Walpole Cross Keys, and West Lynn, alongside Trust high schools Marshland, Smithdon, and Springwood.

“We take part in Christmas Jumper Day every year, and also serve the children Christmas lunch,” added Mrs Howells.

“Events like these bring all the year groups together, and our wonderful staff work as a team. Everyone gets in the festive spirit, and is thoroughly enjoyed by children and staff.”

There was sparkle aplenty when caring students at a WNAT school donned festive knitwear to raise money for charity.

The fundraisers at Marshland High School were taking part in this year’s Christmas Jumper Day on Thursday 11 December, swapping blazers for winter woollies in aid of Save the Children, with staff also lending their support to the annual appeal.

“Events like Christmas Jumper Day are important to Marshland High School, because they help build a sense of community, and bring students and staff together in a fun way,” said Assistant Headteacher Claire Whitehouse.

“They also raise money for good causes, encouraging students to appreciate the value of kindness, and the positive impact their actions can have.”

Save the Children launched Christmas Jumper Day in 2012, and the event has since raised £30 million to help children around the globe. The charity operates in 93 different countries, including the UK, and reached 41.2 million children in 2024.

This year’s event was just one of the fundraising initiatives taking place at Marshland, with students also supporting some causes closer to home.

“Students are currently putting together shoe boxes of toiletries and small gifts for women and children at the local refuge, with an aim to let them know they are not alone at Christmas,” continued Mrs Whitehouse.

“There is also a collection for socks, hats, and gloves for the homeless. Debi Benson, Head of Department for Citizenship, is leading on both of these.

“It is hoped that these collections make students recognise that even a small gesture can have a great impact on someone’s life.”

It was a case of thank you for the music, when six young musicians were awarded Instrumental Scholarships at a WNAT school.

The Year 7 students at Springwood High School in King’s Lynn had been taking music lessons at their respective primaries before joining the school, and each successfully auditioned for WNAT Director of Music, Robin Norman, to receive one of the coveted scholarships.

“For the audition, each had to perform a piece on their chosen instrument, and then face an interview where their musical journey so far was discussed, and also their hopes for getting involved in the extensive musical opportunities at the school,” explained Mr Norman.

The full instrumental scholarships entitle the talented youngsters to free, weekly lessons on their instruments throughout Years 7 and 8 at Springwood, followed by a 50 per cent reduction on tuition costs during Year 9 – which continues all the way through to Year 13, should they choose to take Music qualifications at GCSE and A-Level.

“Springwood has a rich musical history going back to the 1970s, and this has always been about nurturing musicians, and also providing opportunities to get involved in music at a local, regional, and national level,” continued Mr Norman.

“We introduced two scholarship programmes at Springwood 12 months ago to help with these beliefs – one for existing musicians who have had lessons, and the other is open to students who have obtained one of the Arts Places through audition.

“I am thrilled that these six young people have been successful, and I look forward to them progressing further during their time here at the school.”

The scholarship winners are Ella D (piano); Imogen S (viola); Callie-May S (trombone); Edward W (trombone); Max M (trumpet); and Oreoluwa O (flute).

They follow in the footsteps of last year’s scholarship students Verity Or, Mika V, Elizabeth R, Sophia D, Noah C, Amaya T, Isla M, Frances H, Fidan A, Gracella H, Amelia K, and Bridie Dy, who are all now in Year 8 at Springwood, which is part of the West Norfolk Academies Trust. Their chosen instruments included piano, cello, clarinet, flute, saxophone, and violin.

“At a time when many schools are restricting their Music and Arts provision, it is wonderful to see Springwood continuing to increase opportunities for young people in the town,” added Mr Norman.

“We currently have over 200 students choosing to learn an instrument or singing within the school, with even more getting involved in Music extra-curricular activities.

“I’m pleased to say that the same scholarships are also available across all four secondary schools within the West Norfolk Academies Trust – something we are incredibly proud of.”

There were celebrations all round, when students returned to a WNAT school for a special awards ceremony held in their honour.

The Year 11 Prize Presentation and GCSE Certificate Evening at Smithdon High School saw the Class of 2025 joined by parents, staff, school governors, family members, and friends, as well as representatives from Hunstanton Town Council, Hunstanton Heritage Centre, the Hunstanton Lions, and members of Hunstanton and District Rotary Club – all keen to celebrate the students’ successes.

All the attending students received their GCSE exam board certificates, while there were also a number of other prizes, including 20 subject awards, which were based on nominations made by members of staff.

“It is great to have the students return to collect their awards, and for us to find out what they have moved on to do at Sixth Form College or in Apprenticeships,” said Headteacher Amanda Gibbins, who presented each subject award winner with a trophy.

The occasion also saw the introduction of two new awards sponsored by Hunstanton Heritage Centre, with the first History Award going to Charlie Leverett, and the first Geography Award to Harley Stuart.

Also new this year was a cup sponsored by the Rotary Club of King’s Lynn, which was awarded to Isabel King for Hospitality and Catering; while Marie Jarvis from Hunstanton and District Rotary Club was on hand to present Bethany Green with the Rotary Young Citizen Award, in recognition of her fundraising work.

Among the other prize winners was former Head Boy, Ethan Guymer, who was awarded the Hunstanton Lions Prize for Service to the School and its Community, with Assistant Headteacher Dan Ward making the presentation.

“It was a pleasure to work with all these students over the last few years; it is great to be here tonight to celebrate all of your successes,” said Mr Ward, who also presented a Pastoral Leader Award to Niamh O’Donnell – her second honour of the night, alongside the Halls Exhibition Foundation Endowed Prize for Mathematics.

The Mayor of Hunstanton, Councillor Cynthia Easeman, introduced the Mayor’s Award for the Smithdon Seven, sponsored by Hunstanton Town Council, which went to Ruby Chamberlain for demonstrating all aspects of the ‘Smithdon Seven’ – ‘Self-Belief’, ‘Ambition’, ‘Responsibility’, ‘Community’, ‘Prepared’, ‘Respect’ and ‘Pride’.

In addition, a number of endowed subject awards were presented across the evening, with the Connie Martin Memorial Prize for English Literature going to Thomas Mills; while the Clare Shield for English Language went to Matthew Crossman; and Amber Holness received the Clare Shield for Art.

Also receiving accolades were Reece Ward, who was given the George Raines Memorial Award for Sport by Head of PE Jamie Tilley, and Bonnie Parsons, who attained the Hunstanton Round Table Award for Physical Education.

The final awards were made by the Chair of Governors, Robert Lodge, who presented prizes for top progress and achievement, with Freddie Ince announced as having achieved the best overall results, as well as receiving the subject award for Business.

“We are so proud of all our students and their personal successes,” added Steve Chapman, Assistant Headteacher at Smithdon.

“It is so important to us to celebrate with them, and to acknowledge the accomplishments of all their hard work.”

There was great excitement when a former CBeebies producer shared stories from his television career with children at a WNAT school.

Bruce Turner joined pupils from Years 4 to 6 at Gaywood Primary virtually via Microsoft Teams, as part of a series of Career Conversations organised by the Raising Aspirations Programme.

Mr Turner, who was born with cerebral palsy, worked on the BBC children’s series Something Special, which celebrated the achievements and potential of youngsters with disabilities, before moving to Channel 4’s 24 Hours in A&E, and then Dragonfly’s Ambulance.

He is also creative director of his own company, Proud Mary Productions, which makes charity appeal films.

“Gaywood Primary School takes part in the Raising Aspirations Programme run by the Ambition Institute,” said Executive Headteacher Neil Mindham.

“They hold frequent meetings online, where children get the chance to meet adults working in various careers, and chat to them about their jobs.

“It is really exciting for the children, and gets them thinking about their lives beyond the classroom, and what careers they might have a passion for.”

The session with Mr Turner was facilitated by Michelle Parry, who is one of the organisers at Raising Aspirations.

“Bruce spoke about his career in the BBC, and also about the skills needed for him to succeed,” continued Mr Mindham. “He spoke a lot about his travelling and time spent away, which the children saw as an exciting opportunity.

“Bruce spoke about the shows he has worked on, which some children knew about and were able to ask questions on.

“The children found it interesting learning how a producer works with so many other important people to get TV shows to come to life. They were also interested in learning about his time at CBeebies – something that many children were familiar with.”

Other Career Conversations taking place at the school over the past months have featured an author, a perfumer, a cardiologist, account managers, and even a TikTok star.

“Throughout the rest of the year, we will get the opportunity to sign up to the next round of Career Conversations when they become available,” added Mr Mindham.

“It is always an exciting time for children to learn about important careers, and finding out who we will be meeting.”

It was a case of ‘Hello, hello, hello’ when children at a WNAT school welcomed a special visitor into their classrooms.

Police officer James Smith met with more than 360 pupils of all ages, from Reception to Year 6, when he spent the day at Gaywood Primary.

“PC Smith led sessions with Years 3 and 4 on mobile phone and online safety, Years 5 and 6 on county lines, and Years 1 and 2 on ‘how the police help us’,” explained Executive Headteacher Neil Mindham. “He also paid a visit to our Reception class.”

Formerly Safer Schools Officer within the Safer Schools Partnership, PC Smith is now one of two neighbourhood police officers working to engage, educate, and support children and young people across Gaywood, Faistead, and Reffley.

“The children thoroughly enjoyed the interactive nature of the sessions – especially the question-and-answer opportunities where they could ask PC Smith questions directly about his job and uniform,” continued Mr Mindham.

“The younger children in Years 1 and 2 particularly liked learning ‘how the police help us’ and seeing the officer in uniform. The older students in Years 5 and 6 found the information on county lines and online safety to be very relevant and engaging, appreciating the examples and advice PC Smith shared.”

“Events like this are extremely important, as they establish positive relationships and trust between children and the police at an early age,” he added.

“They benefit children by providing vital, age-appropriate safety education on topics like online risks and county lines, delivered by an expert.

“Crucially, meeting an officer like PC Smith in a familiar, school setting helps demystify the police role, making officers approachable, and reinforcing that they are trusted figures children can turn to for help.”