New leadership as WNAT school begins rebuild
With over forty-five years of teaching experience between them, a new Headteacher and Deputy Head have taken charge at a West Norfolk Academies Trust school, as it enters a period of dramatic transformation.
Previously Deputy Headteacher at Smithdon High School in Hunstanton, Sarah Robinson has worked at the school for 20 years, and has now taken over the reins as Acting Headteacher.
She has been joined by newly appointed Deputy Headteacher Jamie Warner-Lynn, who has been teaching for 25 years, and has been seconded to Smithdon from fellow Trust member Springwood High School.
The two take on the leadership at a time when Smithdon is undergoing extensive refurbishment and restructuring, which will update the school building and provide cutting-edge new facilities for the staff and students.
Mrs Robinson was positive about the changes, which have recently got underway – despite some minor hiccups.
“It is a refurbishment of the existing main building and gym, to maintain the heritage of the listed, brutalist building,” she explained. “It will include brand new science labs, state-of-the-art music suite and performance area, and a modernised gym.
“Whilst the last few weeks haven’t all been plain sailing, with drainage complications resulting in a temporary school closure, I am proud that the sense of kindness and community I have associated with Smithdon throughout my 20 years here has continued to shine through.”
It has been business as usual for the school, with a wide range of activities and trips taking place over the Summer term.
Mrs Robinson continued: “Despite the disruption, the staff and students at Smithdon have continued to engage in all the enrichment activities that they normally do.
“In the last few weeks alone, we have held our Chess Tournament, a group of Smithdon students won the West Norfolk Academies Trust Race to the Line Event at Springwood High School, the Duke of Edinburgh students have completed their expeditions, we have run a football tour to Paris, and had professional tennis player Jade Windley in to coach our Year 8s.
“In addition to all of these, we have said farewell to our Year 11 cohort following their exam period, and have also been welcoming our new Year 6 students for various transition events.”
Mr Warner-Lynn said: “Whilst it has certainly been a busy start to my time at Smithdon, I am without a doubt really enjoying it. The staff here are incredibly hard working, and the community is so supportive and friendly.
“I have enjoyed doing some extra revision sessions with the Year 11s, and seeing the talent that Smithdon students have.”
While the building work at Smithdon is expected to take three years to complete, the new leaders were prepared for the challenge.
Mrs Robinson was positive about the changes, which have recently got underway – despite some minor hiccups.
“It is a refurbishment of the existing main building and gym, to maintain the heritage of the listed, brutalist building,” she explained. “It will include brand new science labs, state-of-the-art music suite and performance area, and a modernised gym.
“Whilst the last few weeks haven’t all been plain sailing, with drainage complications resulting in a temporary school closure, I am proud that the sense of kindness and community I have associated with Smithdon throughout my 20 years here has continued to shine through.”
It has been business as usual for the school, with a wide range of activities and trips taking place over the Summer term.
Mrs Robinson continued: “Despite the disruption, the staff and students at Smithdon have continued to engage in all the enrichment activities that they normally do.
“In the last few weeks alone, we have held our Chess Tournament, a group of Smithdon students won the West Norfolk Academies Trust Race to the Line Event at Springwood High School, the Duke of Edinburgh students have completed their expeditions, we have run a football tour to Paris, and had professional tennis player Jade Windley in to coach our Year 8s.
“In addition to all of these, we have said farewell to our Year 11 cohort following their exam period, and have also been welcoming our new Year 6 students for various transition events.”
Mr Warner-Lynn said: “Whilst it has certainly been a busy start to my time at Smithdon, I am without a doubt really enjoying it. The staff here are incredibly hard working, and the community is so supportive and friendly.
“I have enjoyed doing some extra revision sessions with the Year 11s, and seeing the talent that Smithdon students have.”
While the building work at Smithdon is expected to take three years to complete, the new leaders were prepared for the challenge.
Mrs Robinson added: “Smithdon’s greatest strengths are a strong and supportive community, and a strong enrichment programme with lots of opportunities for all students.
“We want to continue to develop the culture of the school to provide a warm and welcoming environment, where students can thrive academically, and develop into compassionate and confident young adults.”