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  • WNAT School Donates Maps to Hunstanton Heritage Centre

    Published 09/09/25

    Smithdon High School in Hunstanton, which is part of the West Norfolk Academies Trust, strengthened its links with the surrounding area, when it donated a collection of maps to the Heritage Centre.

    “We are currently going through all of our resources and equipment before the potential start of a rebuilding project in the coming months, and are making some interesting finds,” explained Assistant Headteacher Steve Chapman, who rediscovered the maps, many of which are more than 50 years old.

    “The maps had been held in the Geography Department storage cupboard for many years,” he continued. “I was concerned that these maps were not being looked after in the way they should be.

    “The maps of all the local villages had not been used in lessons for a number of years.”

    Mr Chapman approached the Heritage Centre in Hunstanton to see if they would be interested in the maps, and the Committee members were happy to add them to their collection.

    Representatives Andrew Murray, Stephen Kent, and Sheila Kent from the Centre visited Smithdon on Friday 11 July to accept the maps in person from Mr Chapman.

    “The Heritage Centre on the corner of Northgate and Greevegate holds a fascinating collection of local memorabilia and artefacts, which the public can visit,” he added.

    “The school looks forward to working closely with the Heritage Centre in the new academic year, with small group visits to the Centre to help increase students’ knowledge and understanding of local Geography and History.”

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  • WNAT Teacher Celebrates 30th Year at School

    Published 09/09/25

    As the new academic year kicks off, a teacher at a WNAT school is celebrating an impressive milestone.

    Steve Chapman joined Smithdon High School in September 1996, meaning this month marks the start of his thirtieth year of teaching there.

    Now Assistant Headteacher at the school, Norfolk-born Mr Chapman attained a degree in Geography and Economics at the University of Reading before completing a PGCE at the University of Anglia.

    “I wanted to teach, as I really enjoyed Geography and Economics, and I have always enjoyed meeting people, which education allows you to do,” he explained. “I had been inspired by my own teachers, who showed passion for their subject and used teaching techniques which allowed me to enjoy learning.”

    “I remember my first day at Smithdon,” he continued. “I was given a very friendly Year 8 form who were with me until they left in Year 11.

    “We had a great Year 8 tutor team, and one of the most memorable times was in May 1997 when we took around 150 students on a camp at Trimingham on the Norfolk coast. This was so successful that in May 1998, we took a similar number on a two-night trip to London, visiting the shows Cats and Grease, and the Tower of London.”

    Other career highlights have included outings to Disneyland Paris, London, Brighton, and Birmingham, along with a visit to Alton Towers, complete with rollercoaster ride.

    During his three decades at the school, Mr Chapman has held a variety of roles, becoming Deputy Head of Sixth Form in 2000, and then Head of Sixth Form from 2002 to 2018.

    “It was an amazing job, allowing me to work with ambitious, young people, supporting them towards their goals of fantastic university careers,” he said.

    “I have also been Head of Geography and Business, and firmly believe that teaching is the most important part of the job. Delivering a lesson, interacting with students, and seeing them progress is extremely rewarding.

    “In January 2022, I became Assistant Headteacher, focusing on GCSE achievement, quality assurance, staff development, and Early Careers Teachers. I really enjoy working with our excellent staff team. It is humbling that I can offer support to staff – but many of them teach me new techniques, as I have the honour of seeing them all teach.

    “Working in a school is never dull, days go quickly, and you never quite know what might happen.”

    Mr Chapman continues to enjoy his time at Smithdon, and has no plans to go elsewhere.

    “It may be unusual to spend your whole career in one school, but my career has developed here,” he added.

    “The best thing about my job is the students of Smithdon High School, who I honestly believe are the best you can work with.

    “Only last month, I saw an ex-student who also started Smithdon in 1996, who told me that my lessons were the inspiration for her career, and that I introduced her to the term ‘sustainability’, which she ultimately used in her job.

    “She also told me that I had not aged – I was very pleased with that compliment!”

    “Steve is a stalwart of Smithdon and lynchpin in our Senior Leadership Team,” said Headteacher Amanda Gibbins. “Calm, consistent, and widely respected by students and staff alike, he is an inspiration to us all, not least in having dedicated 30 years of his life to one school – which is a rarity in today’s education world.

    “I look forward to continuing to work with him for years to come.”

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  • Records Smashed at WNAT School Sports Day

    Published 09/09/25

    Records were broken when athletes at a WNAT secondary competed in their annual sports day.

    All students from Years 7 to 10 at Smithdon High School took part in this year’s event on Monday 21 July, with some members of staff participating too.

    Taking a new approach, form groups were divided into four houses, each represented by a colour, while another change saw the introduction of a series of ‘inclusive’ events for the first time.

    “This year was different,” explained Head of PE Jamie Tilley, who organised the day with the assistance of the PE Department.

    “We held our traditional athletics events, but, alongside that, we had our inclusive sports too, so that everyone could be involved to help achieve points for their house.”

    Athletic competitions included 100m, 200m, 800m, 1,500m, and relay races, as well as high jump, javelin, shot put, and discus; while the ‘inclusive’ sports comprised archery, golf, targets, and track walking.

    “The day was very competitive, and every single pupil put everything in to achieve points for their house,” continued Mr Tilley. “All winners from the events received gold medals for their amazing performances on the day.”

    Among the record breakers were Daniel in Year 7, who ran the 200m in 30.89 seconds, and Harry, also in Year 7, who finished the 1,500m in five minutes 37 seconds; while, in Year 8, Indie broke the 200m time of 28.47 seconds, which had been held since 1988, completing the race in 27.85 seconds.

    New school records were also achieved by Fletcher in Year 9, who ran the 100m in 12.20 seconds, beating the 12.50-second record that had been made in 1981, and Anya in Year 10, who set new times for both the 200m and 100m, running 31.31 seconds and 13.11 seconds respectively.

    “The PE Team officiated the athletics,” said Mr Tilley. “We also had Mrs Fairweather, who updated the results throughout the day to see which house colour was in the lead – a very important role for the day.

    “All staff at Smithdon High School were involved in one way or another, from competing themselves to marshalling the pupils with their activities.”

    Once all the scores had been tallied, the overall winner emerged as Blue House, with a total points score of 3,111, followed by Yellow House with 2,774 points, Red House with 2,716 points, and Purple House with 2,704.

    The highest-scoring students were each crowned ‘Sportsperson of the Day’. Both members of Blue House, Anya in Year 10 contributed 320 points to be named ‘Victrix’, and Daniel in Year 7 clocked up 210 points to earn the title of ‘Victor’.

    “Sports Day is important because it promotes physical activity, encourages teamwork, and supports the overall development of pupils,” added Mr Tilley.

    “It provides an opportunity for all students to participate in a fun, inclusive environment where they can be active and celebrate sporting success, aiming to achieve personal goals or trying to break the Smithdon records.”

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  • WNAT Artists ‘Gather’ at Hunstanton Town Hall

    Published 08/09/25

    Artists from a WNAT school impressed art lovers when they showcased their talents at an exhibition held in Hunstanton Town Hall.

    Eighteen GCSE Art students from Smithdon High School were exhibiting their creative work, which featured an array of different media from biro, pencils, and prints, to textiles and oil paintings.

    “The exhibition was named ‘Gatherings’, after the project title students were given in their exam project,” explained Sian Wheeler, who is Head of Art and Design and Technology at the school.

    “Each student had two of their final pieces on display which were from coursework and exam projects.

    “The students created work from the themes of ‘Reflection’, ‘Similarities and Differences’, and ‘Gatherings’.”

    It was the third year that the show had been held at the Town Hall, with more than 200 visitors attending across a two-day period.

    “The public feedback on the exhibition as a whole, praised the work of our talented Smithdon students,” continued Mrs Wheeler.

     “A few pieces were mentioned often as stand-out – Ava M’s woven piece, Rhenaya C’s colour pencil Candy Canes, and Megan M’s biro tiger.”

    Another highlight was a drawing installation that had been created by more than 300 primary school children, alongside Smithdon students, and to which visitors could contribute, enabling it to grow and evolve throughout the exhibition.

    Staff involved in the event included Smithdon Deputy Head Sarah Robinson and Assistant Head Alysha Moat. They were also joined by professional artist – and former Smithdon student – Emily Chapman, who was on hand to select a winner for the Emily Chapman Art Award, which will be presented at a Year 11 Awards Evening in November.

    “The public were in awe of the talent and work produced at Smithdon, with many asking if work was for sale, or which students were going on to study Art further,” added Mrs Wheeler.

    “This event is so important in raising the profile of the arts. It enables people to see the students in a different light, and their talents.”

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  • From Norfolk to Nepal

    Published 03/09/25

    Students from a WNAT school became teachers when a cultural trip of a lifetime saw them travel to Southern Asia to spend more than two weeks helping pupils in Nepal.

    Thirteen students from Marshland High School travelled to Bhaktapur for the 17-day adventure, staying near Durbar Square, which is one of Nepal’s UN Historical Sites.

    “We were working with Springdale Secondary School, helping students in Class 4 to 6 (eight to 11-year-olds) with STEM projects,” explained Claire Whitehouse, who is Assistant Headteacher at Marshland in West Walton.

    “Our students planned and taught three lessons a day, trying to include hands-on, interactive experiences for the students in their learning. One day also allowed our students to deliver CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) training to the Nepal students.”

    “The headteacher of the school was incredibly impressed with the students’ teaching techniques, and the way they conducted themselves,” said Marshland Head of History, Debby Dye, who accompanied the group.

    “It was inspiring to see them in action, showcasing such a wide range of invaluable skills – leadership, teamwork, empathy, organisation, resilience, communication, and adaptability.”

    As well as supporting the Nepali children in their science studies, the students had the opportunity to explore the area, visiting historic sites and experiencing local customs, food, and dress.

    Visits included Swayambhu Mahachaitya, the monkey temple; Thamel, the traditional market area of capital city Kathmandu; and the Bageshwori Nagarkot suspension bridge; while the students also had the opportunity to try their hand at traditional pottery making, try-on classic Nepali clothing, and to sample a variety of Nepali food.

    “The students immersed themselves into the Nepali culture, increasing their awareness and understanding of Global Citizenship,” added Mrs Whitehouse. “It was a pleasure to see them grow in confidence and develop their skills.  The students were a credit to themselves and the school.”

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  • Trust teacher exhibits with Banksy in Norwich show

    Published 03/09/25

    A WNAT teacher can boast an impressive ‘claim to fame’, after he took part in a prestigious exhibition alongside Banksy and a host of other iconic names from the world of street art.

    Lee Eveson, Head of Art at Springwood High School in King’s Lynn – and a successful artist in his own right – was invited to showcase his talents in a street art exhibition held at the Undercroft Gallery in Norwich.

    Bringing together internationally renowned street artists from across the globe, ‘Banksy to Bitcoin’ comprised over 150 original pieces from names such as Ben Eine, Mason Storm, Shepard Fairey, DFace, Jeff Gillette, Ralph Steadman, Taqi Spateen, Yazan Abu Salameh, Mr Hansel & Mr Crypto, Li Xin Hui, and YOTET, as well as Banksy himself, and Mr Eveson, who works under the name EVES.  

    Produced on canvas using acrylic, spray paint, and mixed media, the three paintings he exhibited were titled ‘Why’, ‘Shelter’, and ‘NOT 3’, and were shown alongside exhibits which included Banksy’s ‘Walled Off Hotel in Bethlehem’, and relics from his infamous ‘bemusement park’, ‘Dismaland’.

    The exhibition, which ran from 11 to 18 August and was organised by Urban Art Store in association with MOBA (Museum of Blockchain Art), and also featured a full-scale pop-up of ‘Enter Through the Gift Shop’, complete with ‘absurd’ collectables and exclusive merchandise, with proceeds going to the Gift Shop in Bethlehem charity.

    “The show was one big highlight,” said Mr Eveson, who was asked to contribute by Urban Art Store CEO Lee Webster.

    “It was the largest collection of contemporary street art that I had ever seen. I was slightly flabbergasted when I saw the scale of what Lee had curated, and where he had managed to gather the enormity of work – especially from artists like Banksy, and Shepard Fairey, whose Barack Obama portrait was seen all over the world.

    “I was especially pleased to have my work next to DFace, who has been one of my favourite street artists for years.”

    Springwood is known for its strong Art offering, and students past and present were keen to view Mr Eveson’s work.

    “It was brilliant to catch up with many ex-students who visited the exhibition,” he continued. “It was so pleasing to hear their fond memories of Springwood and how it has helped shape them and their future careers.

    “I was very pleased to spend some time at the exhibition with Molly Holmes, who was one of the students who first gave me the nickname ‘EVES’ 13 years ago at Springwood. It’s the pseudonym I adopted for my art, and a nickname which I still get from staff and some students in the Sixth Form.”

    “I think it’s important as artists that we observe and make comments on the world around us,” he added. “For me, on a personal level, I want to show students that if you work hard and are determined, you will be successful.

    “I want to inspire students in the classroom through my teaching, and through the example I set outside the classroom in my art practice too.”

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  • DofE Achievements Honoured at Smithdon Celebration Evening New News Story

    Published 01/09/25

    There were celebrations at a WNAT school as this year’s Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Bronze scheme participants received their certificates.

    Smithdon High School saw 20 Year 9 students complete their Bronze DofE projects, while 10 students in Year 10 achieved Silver.

    “Nineteen Bronze participants attended the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Bronze Participant Project Presentation Evening with their family and parents,” said Alysha Moat, who is Assistant Head of Years 7 and 8 at the school, as well as DofE Manager.

    “They had to present a project they had produced on their expeditions  – they made these as teams. Once they had completed the section, they received their certificates.”

    “Those who had completed sections, received sectional certificates for volunteer, physical, and skills sections,” she continued. “Those that completed all of these were awarded their Bronze Certificate and Badge.”

    Ms Moat and Deputy Headteacher Sarah Robinson were on hand to present the awards at the evening, where the students were also able to display their DofE project work to their families and friends, who had the opportunity to ask questions about the expeditions undertaken.

    The annual ceremony takes place every July at Smithdon, which is based in Hunstanton.

    “Events like these are really important to develop and celebrate soft skills the students develop that can’t be awarded in GCSE certificates,” continued Ms Moat.

    “They include self-belief and self-confidence; a sense of identity; initiative and a sense of responsibility; a real awareness of their strengths; new talents and abilities; the ability to plan and use time effectively; learning from and giving to others in the community; forming new friendships; problem-solving, presentation, and communication skills; and leadership and teamworking skills.”

    “Duke of Edinburgh’s is really important at Smithdon,” she added. “It makes memories beyond the classroom, and lifetime friendships and life lessons for students.

    “It allows them to build positive and trusting relationships with other students and staff in a different environment. It also helps student and staff wellbeing, increasing life satisfaction, decreasing anxiety, increasing happiness and worthwhileness, all contributing positively to resilience.”

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  • Springwood Sixth-Formers Celebrate In Style

    Published 29/08/25

    Following some outstanding A Level results, the Class of 2025 had plenty to celebrate when they reunited for the Year 13 Springwood High School Prom.

    Almost 200 Sixth Form graduates arrived in style at the Duke’s Head Hotel in King’s Lynn, sporting an array of glamorous evening wear, and delivered to the door in a range of eye-catching vehicles, from classic cars to vintage motors.

    The venue had been transformed into a ‘casino’ for the evening, complete with black and gold balloons, casino tables, and a sequinned wall. 

    In keeping with the theme, there were games of blackjack and roulette on offer, as well as a dance floor and DJ, while a photo booth enabled partygoers to commemorate the occasion with a lasting souvenir.

    “Our Year 13 Prom was a truly special evening, and a wonderful way to celebrate the end of our students’ sixth-form journey,” said Luke Rawling, Head of Year 13 at our school, which is part of the West Norfolk Academies Trust.

    “The casino theme gave the night a real sense of glamour, with students arriving in their evening gowns and suits looking absolutely fantastic. It was such a joy to see them relaxing, laughing, and enjoying themselves after the hard work and dedication they have shown throughout their A-level studies.

    “The dance floor was full all evening, and there was a real sense of pride and togetherness in the room, as we marked not just the exams, but the friendships, resilience, and achievements that define their time at Springwood.”

    “I couldn’t be prouder of this year's group,” he added. “They have been an exceptional cohort, and this night was a fitting send off, as they now move on to exciting futures at university, in apprenticeships, and beyond.”

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  • Celebration at Springwood High School Sixth Form

    Published 14/08/25

    Students and staff are celebrating another record year of results at Springwood High School Sixth Form.

    More than 21% of grades achieved were A*/A, which is a 5% increase on last year’s results, while 47% of Springwood’s students secured an A*, A or B and 75% of students gained A* - C grades, both higher than 2024’s results.

    The school has also seen an improvement in the number of students gaining A* and A grades at A-Level alongside improvements in Distinction* and Distinctions in vocational subjects. 

    In Further Maths, 43% of students achieved these highest grades whilst a third or more of students secured A* or A in Maths, Chemistry, Physics, English Literature and Religious Education. 

    Some 71% of students gained Distinction* or Distinction in Health and Social Care, 64% achieved the same feat in Fashion and 55% in Applied Science.

    “The students and staff have worked tirelessly to achieve these outstanding results," said Andy Johnson, Executive Headteacher of Springwood High School and CEO of the West Norfolk Academies Trust. "I am so proud of them all. I look forward to our students making their mark on the world via University, High level Apprenticeships and the world of work.”

    Roger Livesey, Chair of Trustees and Springwood High School Local Governing Body, added: “This is an amazing year for our Sixth Form which serves all of our Trust Secondaries alongside all secondary schools in West Norfolk.”

    Juan Camilo Cervantes Torres was the highest achiever from this year’s cohort with four A*s in Maths, Further Maths, Chemistry and Physics securing a place at Cambridge University for him to study Chemical Engineering.

    “I wasn’t too confident when I came in to collect my results because I thought I didn’t do too well on my exams but I checked the UCAS website this morning so I knew that I’d got into Cambridge. However, I’m very happy with four A*s,” he said. “My parents are both chemical engineers so this field has always interested me because it’s making stuff that really benefits everyone.

    “I’ve been at Springwood since Year 7 and when I think back to when I started here to today, I’m a completely different person. The school has been really good for me and my development.

    “The staff are genuinely fantastic and I’ve been blessed to have such brilliant teachers. I’ve had to work hard to get these results but without them, I wouldn’t have done nearly as well. They always made the lessons engaging and I found all my teachers to be really knowledgeable about their subject. 

    “They are always there if we need them and I’m going to miss my teachers. They are some of the best people I’ll ever meet and from my time here, they want nothing but the best for their students. They want you to succeed.

    “Springwood has also given me opportunities that I wouldn’t have imagined, like I studied astronomy in Years 9 and 10 and that was really fun and sparked an interest and passion that I didn’t know I had.”

    Harper Garrett is now off to study Mathematics and Physics at Warwick University after achieving three A*s in Maths, Further Maths and Physics, and an A in Chemistry.

    “I was surprised when opening my results because I was expecting the A to be in Further Maths rather than Chemistry,” Harper said. “But I would say coming here, seeing everyone opening their results and how happy everyone was, has been a favourite memory of my two years at Springwood Sixth Form.”

    Sean Seneviratne started at Springwood 18 months ago after moving to the UK from Sri Lanka and now has the option to study Computer Science at Cambridge after his 3 A*s in Maths, Further Maths and Physics and an A in Computer Science.

    “These results were not what I was expecting at all but I’m delighted with what I’ve managed to achieve in my one and a half years at Springwood,” Sean said. “I really have to thank my teachers because they have always been very supportive - both inside and outside of the classroom - and friendly.

    “During this time at Springwood, I think this school has helped me unlock my true potential and I’m excited for my future. I’m hoping to defer my place at Cambridge for a year and work for a year first. I’ve already spoken with one company in Cambridge and I have another coming up soon.”

    Grace Ryan is looking forward to studying Psychology at Leeds University after gaining two A*s in Psychology and Sociology and an A in History.

    “I was feeling so nervous when I came in to collect my results. Thankfully I’d checked I’d got my place at University before coming in because I don’t think I could’ve come in without knowing that first," she said. "I was worried about my History result because it wasn’t my strongest subject, even though I loved studying history, and I’d convinced myself that I’d done really badly. It was the first grade I looked at when I opened my envelope.

    “I’m looking forward to studying Psychology at Uni but after that? I’m not sure. This is a subject that I like the most so I’m going to keep an open mind during this degree about what it might lead to.

    “I came to Sixth Form after being at another West Norfolk Academies Trust school. It just felt like a natural progression to come here because they are part of the same Trust and it was nice to have the continuity because although it’s a different school, it feels very similar.

    “Springwood has given me some incredible opportunities like a trip to Thailand. I have always wanted to travel and this was such a great experience. I also think when I arrived at Springwood, I was quiet and shy but now I’ve come out of my shell a lot more.

    “The teachers and staff here are genuinely so nice. You’re treated like adults and I always enjoyed a nice relationship with everyone here. They have also given me a huge passion for Psychology because I didn’t know that was something I’d be as passionate about as I am now.”

    Grace will be joined at Leeds by Finlay Hunter who got one A* in Business Studies and two As in Economics and Geography.

    “I was looking for ABB so I feel like I’ve smashed it out of the park and now I’m going to the University of Leeds to study Business Management so that’ll be pretty solid,” Finlay said. “I felt most confident about my Business Studies grade and it was a close call between Geography and Economics as to what I felt least confident about.

    “I have really enjoyed my time studying here at Springwood. I’ve been here since Year 7 and I think I’ve always been quite a confident person and got on well with others but this school has helped push me to work hard to achieve these results. If I were to have my time again, I’d encourage my younger self to knuckle down more and work harder when it matters and focus because then I would’ve done even better.

    “Springwood has also given me opportunities like going to South Korea and that was such an incredible experience. It was cool to go there, see what it’s like and get a wider perception of the world and trips like this are, to me, what makes Springwood a great place to be.”

    Jithindu Alahakoon has high hopes for his future after securing a place at Bath University to study Mechanical Engineering after achieving one A* in Maths and three As in Math, Chemistry and Physics.

    “I was pretty calm coming in to collect my results,” Jithindu said. “I’d been onto the UCAS website before I left so it was just a matter of finding out my results and I wasn’t too stressed about them because I’d got into Bath, but my Maths grade surprised me because I got a B in my mocks.

    “I came here from Sri Lanka in 2022 and Springwood has been excellent to me, everyone’s been so friendly, I have made so many friends and I have had so much support from the teachers. They gave me that push I needed because sometimes I didn’t believe in myself and they did.”

    He added: “I’ve always been interested in engineering and I hope after studying mechanical engineering that I can work in Formula One and/or Aerospace.

    Madeleine Smith hopes her A* in Biology and two As in Maths and Chemistry will have secured a place studying Dental Surgery at Plymouth University. 

    “I didn’t really know how I did because I walked out of every exam thinking it could have gone either way for me and I was a bit worried about Biology, because I thought that might have dragged my grades down but I’m really, really happy with my results,” she said. “It has been tough over the past two years to get the balance right as I’ve had two jobs as well as studying for my A-Levels so I’ve had to be strict to not overwork myself and did enough to make sure I got good grades.

    “I was at KLA before and decided to come to Springwood because I heard a lot of good things about this Sixth Form and what they do for their students, such as the trips abroad and other enrichment activities. And I know it sounds cliche but what I’ve enjoyed most about Springwood is the people I’ve met and all the friends I have now. 

    “I’m excited about this course in Plymouth because we’ll see patients in the first year and it’s near the beach. I’m looking forward to moving to Plymouth, meeting loads of new people and discovering more about a different area. As for my long term goal in dentistry, I’m not sure I want my own practice. I hope to travel about and help people who don’t have access to dentists.

    Harry Malton may be staying a bit closer to home as his four As in Maths, Further Maths, Biology and Chemistry meant he has a place at the University of East Anglia to study Biomedicine should he wish to accept.

    “I’m feeling good about my results,” he said. “I didn’t know what my results would be. Of course, I had predictions of what they might be and I’ve done better in some and not as good as I’d hoped in the others but I’m happy.

    “I’ve only been at Springwood for two years. I decided to come here because everything about here just seemed so much better compared to the other options and now, looking back, I definitely feel like I made the right decision.

    “I’m looking forward to now studying Biomedicine because I want to have a career helping people and I think I’m going to enjoy everything about it. I’m hoping to maybe work towards doing a PhD after my degree and then maybe work in drug formulation, I quite like the sound of that. I’m also interested in being a cardiologist. I’ve got options."

    Colby Wood was delighted that his three As in Biology, Chemistry and Maths secured a place at Birmingham University to study Medicine.

    “I was quietly confident coming in to collect my results but there is always that thought in the back of your mind that you haven’t done as well as you’d hoped,” he said. “When I opened the envelope, the first result I wanted to look at was Biology because I felt it was the hardest.

    “Now I’m looking forward to going to Birmingham to study because I want to go into the military with medicine and the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham has a designated floor for military personnel so it’s sort of a no brainer. It’s putting one foot in the door of what I’d like to do for my career.

    “I’ve been at Springwood since Year 7 and to me, it’s always stood out compared to the others here. The style of teaching here is personal but professional and the relationship you are able to build with the teachers, especially in Sixth Form, ensured I had the best environment to learn in.

    “Springwood gave me a passion for Medicine that I don’t think I would have been given if I’d gone elsewhere because the staff here opened my eyes to what a career in medicine is really like and that’s why I wanted to pursue it in the future."

    He added: “I went on a school trip to Thailand last year and it was incredible to experience a different culture, a different way of doing things. The whole experience brought to my mind how lucky we are to have these opportunities at Springwood.

    “My standout memory of my time here at Springwood was making the County Cup Final last year. It’s something you’ll never get the chance to do again but to win it as well, being with all your mates that you’ve grown up with, and sharing something collectively, was incredible."

    After securing an A* in Fine Art, two As in Chemistry and Maths and a B in Further Maths, Lily Rolfe will take a gap year before studying Fine Art at Liverpool John Moores University.

    “I’m so pleased with my results because I didn’t check the UCAS website beforehand so I sat at home scared, and there was definitely a fear about what would happen if my results were bad.

    “I’ve decided to defer my place so I can spend my time learning to drive, get more life skills and work on my art. The Head of Art here is going to mentor me for a year and I’d like to enter art competitions so although I’ll be leaving Springwood, I’m sure I’ll feel like I’ve not completely left.

    “I have been at Springwood for the past two years and I feel like everyone here is willing to go out of their way to help you, always doing more than necessary to make sure you’re on the right track. I also got to enjoy a trip to Seoul which was my first time abroad and was a brilliant experience, something Springwood offers that others don’t."

    Millie Eveson’s A* in Economics and As in Maths and History confirmed her place at Nottingham University to study Economics.

    “I was curious to see what my grades were because I’d see on the UCAS website that I’d got enough to get into Nottingham but I was really hoping that I’d got an A* in Economics as that’s what I’m studying at University

    “It’s hard to explain why I have this passion for Economics but it just feels right. I really like Maths and I did politics at GCSE so I think all my interests, academically, sort of merged and this is the path that I’m on now.

    “I’ve only been at Springwood for two years but during my time here, I feel like I’ve really come out of my shell and I think that’s a combination of the students here but also the teachers. Everyone’s so lovely here”

    Ashhad Naqavi’s three As in Physics, Maths and Further Maths means he is moving to Scotland to study Theoretical Physics at Edinburgh University.

    “I’m really looking forward to this course. I’d seen that Edinburgh was high up on the rankings list for physics so that was a major motivator for me deciding to apply. I’m also looking forward to moving to a new part of the world. I’ve never been to Scotland before and I think I’m really going to enjoy living and studying in Edinburgh. 

    “I’ve been at Springwood since Year 7 and when I look back to how much I’ve changed as a person in that time, I’ve changed quite substantially. I’m a whole new person. I’m more confident. I am going to miss this place and I’m going to miss my friends.”

    Other High Achievers included Nolan Parker-Davey, who achieved two A*s and an A and is off to study Mathematics at Warwick, Amelie Dockerty, who achieved one A* and two As and will next month be studying English Literature at Durham University, and Imogen Hopps, who will study Law at Cardiff University after securing three As.

    It was also another strong year at Springwood for both local and national Higher and Degree Level Apprenticeships.

    After impressive results, Jessa Joshy will be doing a Government Economic Service Degree apprenticeship with the Department for Business and Trade after achieving A-Levels in Chemistry, Maths and Further Maths.

    “My results could have been better but I think the fact that I’ve got what I need for this apprenticeship, it feels like it’s job done. I’m relatively happy because whilst it could have been better, it could have been worse.

    “The apprenticeship appealed to me because there’s the option of going to London. Originally, I was looking at London Unis but I just knew it would be too expensive to live in London if I didn’t have a job so if I can live there and work at the same time, then I still get to go to London and I still get an apprenticeship and a degree. 

    “I’ve been here since Year 7 and when I first came here, I pushed myself to work as hard as possible but once I got to Sixth Form, I realised it was OK to step back a little and enjoy my time here as well. I think I’ve learned how to manage that work/life balance better now.

    “During my time at Springwood, I’ve also discovered a passion for teaching because before starting in the Sixth Form, I had a tuition job to help the younger students and I found it to be really enjoyable because you could see the progress that each student was making.”

    Ruby Hopgood is looking forward to starting her apprenticeship with AstraZeneca as a lab scientist in oncology after securing an A, B and C.

    “I’ve loved my time at Springwood. I’ve only been here for the Sixth Form but I’ve made a lot of new friends,” she said. “I decided to go down the apprenticeship route because this role is what I wanted to do after university. 

    “I was planning to study chemistry and then move into pharmaceuticals but then I saw this opportunity and I thought I’d go for it because AstraZeneca is an amazing company, and there was a lot of support from Springwood to pursue this opportunity.”

    Alec Balmforth is looking forward to starting his Technical Operator apprenticeship at Nestle Purina in Wisbech after securing three Cs in Photography, Music Technology and Business Studies.

    “I feel like I got what I expected to be honest but I’ve had a really good time at Sixth Form so I’m not disappointed or anything like that, and now I’ve got a start date for next month to start this new chapter in my life.

    “I decided to do an apprenticeship because I didn’t want to go to University and that narrows down your options and from there, I chose to do an apprenticeship because I thought it was the best way to go about taking the next step in life, and then I wanted to choose something that was more hands on and futureproof, as much as it can be.

    “I’ve been at Springwood since Year 7 and I’ve really enjoyed my time here. The teachers are really nice and in my time here, I’d say I’m much more confident now compared to when I first arrived.”

    After achieving an A in Maths and two Bs in Physics and Geography, Dylan Green will be starting an Environmental Consultant apprenticeship at JBA Consulting.

    “I’m very happy with my results. I needed BBC to get in so I felt fairly confident that I would be alright but I did want to push myself to get an A, although I didn’t think I’d get it in Maths.

    “I came here just for Sixth Form because I knew Springwood is a very good school for their outcomes for students and whilst I’ve worked really hard, what I’ve loved about being here is having fun. Don’t get me wrong, A-Levels are tough but it was fun working towards this goal with your friends. 

    “I also got to go on a trip to Thailand and I loved that trip. It’s cool to have this as a possible bonus for coming to Springwood. I’m really going to miss seeing everyone because we’re all going on different paths now.

    “My starting point that led me to this apprenticeship was that I liked Maths and someone asked if I wanted to be an accountant and I didn’t. But I wanted to use this passion to go out and challenge myself. Maths is problem solving and there will be lots of problem solving in this apprenticeship and it actually can make a huge difference to people’s lives, which really excites me.”

    Meanwhile, Joe Hipkin is gearing up to begin his degree apprenticeship in Manufacturing Engineering with Peterborough-based Caterpillar after securing two Bs in Physics and Photography and a C in Maths.

    “I was a little bit disappointed with Maths because I was so close to getting a B but I got worse grades in my mocks so this is an improvement and I was pleased with a B in Physics because I feel like that’s the hardest A-Level you can do.

    “I’ve got to say the teaching is brilliant, particularly the Maths department. When I came here, it was noticeable how good the Maths students were who had been at Springwood from Year 7 compared to students like me who’d come from another school.

    He added: “After I complete my apprenticeship, I’d really like to McLaren or Aston Martin."

    Dylan Oakley will start working full time as Parliamentary and Constituency Assistant for James Wild MP after achieving A-Levels in History, Economics and Politics.

    “I’ve always been interested in politics and I was thinking about going to University but as I’d done some work experience with other MPs, I thought I wouldn’t mind working in an MP’s office," he explained. "I saw a job advertised on Linkedin, I applied thanks to the support and advice of a former Springwood student who had worked with James Wild and I was offered the job."

    He added: “What I’ve really enjoyed about my time at Springwood is the trips we’ve been on. I’ve visited Vietnam, Italy and Auschwitz."

    Other Springwood leavers looking forward to starting an apprenticeship included Jessica Beck, who will be doing a Podiatry apprenticeship with the NHS, along with Melia Dunn, Nancy Harvey and Jack Parker who are all heading to Mapus, Smith & Lemmon to do Accountancy apprenticeships.

    “We are incredibly proud of our A Level students and the outstanding results they have achieved this year,” said Luke Rawling, Head of Year 13. "We are particularly delighted with the record number of national and local apprenticeship offers – a key focus for our school. 

    "With apprenticeships being highly competitive and difficult to secure, this success is a testament to the talent, determination, and hard work of our students.”

    This year also saw 52 students obtaining Norfolk Scholar status, an increase of nine students from last year.  These students were; Alex Miguel, Aleyna Oter, Amelie Dockerty, Amy Howard, Ashhad Naqavi, Ashiq Mampilly, Barnaby Kivlin, Caitlin Minns, Charlize Mana-ay, Colby Wood, Dilara Zasada, Dylan Green, Eleanor Curtis, Elizabeth Drew, Elyn Lauder, Emma Ashby, Finlay Hunter, George Osborne, George Stevenson, Grace Ryan, Grace Thompson, Hannah Howes, Harper Garrett, Harry Malton, Harvey Kingston, Imogen Hopps, Jacob Taylor, Jensen Fox, Jeremy Mathew, Jessa Joshy, Jithindu Alahakoon, Joshua Parker, Juan Camilo Cervantes Torres, Keira Naish, Kelvin Yu, Lily Rolfe, Louie Latay, Madeleine Robinson, Madeleine Smith, Maggie Bartrum, Millie Eveson, Nolan Parker-Davey, Oskars Pilmanis, Owen Cavill, Poppy Frammingham, Reece Mann, Rhianna Clayton, Rhiannon Lawrence-Wrenn, Ryder Upcraft, Sean Seneviratne, Tahlia Clovis, Vara Patel

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  • Year 5 Pupils Enjoy a Hands-On High School Taster at Smithdon

    Published 22/07/25

    Primary school pupils got a taste of the next stage in their education when a WNAT secondary school opened its doors for the day on Friday 11 July.

    Smithdon High School in Hunstanton welcomed around 130 pupils to its Year 5 Experience Day, with participating primaries including fellow Trust members Heacham Junior and Snettisham, along with Hunstanton, Docking, Brancaster, Sandringham and West Newton, Flitcham, and Dersingham.

    “During the day, they took part in three activities,” said Smithdon Deputy Headteacher Sarah Robinson, who organised the event. “These ranged from creating a collaborative artwork, to the Egg Drop Challenge, to a workout in Smithdon’s Fitness Suite.

    “We also had some drama activities happening, and some great coding work going on in ICT.”

    Other Smithdon staff members meeting the visitors included Headteacher Amanda Gibbins, and Alysha Moat, who is Assistant Head of Key Stage 3. The children were also joined by some of the school’s Year 9 students, who offered additional support during the visit.

    “We have run a Year 5 transition event for well over ten years,” continued Mrs Robinson. “It is well established in our calendar and one of the key events in collaboration with our primary partners.”

    “This is part of our wide-ranging transition programme, where we work with all our feeder primary schools to build links and make the transition process at the end of Year 6 as smooth as possible,” she added.

    “By the time the students come up to us for our Year 5 day, they have already been up to Smithdon in Year 4 for a sports event, and have met a lot of our teachers during Art, Science, and Reading outreach activities held in the primary schools.

    “Transition to high school is a huge event in a child’s life, so the more comfortable we can make our students feel by running events like these, the better.”

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  • Rock Bands, Choirs, and a Preview of Sister Act Wow Summer Audience

    Published 22/07/25

    Hunstanton music lovers were in for a treat when Smithdon High School staged its annual Summer Concert.

    Performers from all age groups across the school took part in the show at Hunstanton Town Hall – including some Year 11 students, who had left following completion of their GCSEs, but returned especially for the event.

    “Students performed a range of pieces, from solo singing to rock bands to the choir,” said Sarah Robinson, Deputy Headteacher at Smithdon, which is a member of the West Norfolk Academies Trust.

    “Highlights were Lyra playing the violin accompanied by her grandad on the piano, our resident Year 8 rock band, The Unknown, and a showpiece preview of next year’s musical, Sister Act.”

    The popular annual event has become a regular fixture in the school’s calendar, and was attended by around 150 people, including friends, family members, staff, and members of the community.

    Guest of honour this year was Andrea Barnes, Head of Music at Smithdon, who spent all day at the Town Hall helping the students to prepare, despite being heavily pregnant and currently on maternity leave.

    “We run a concert at the end of every term to celebrate our musical talent across the school,” continued Mrs Robinson, who also helped to support the students on the day, along with peripatetic music teachers Dan and Becky.

    “Events are so important to showcase the wide-ranging talent that we have at Smithdon,” added Headteacher Amanda Gibbins.

    “We continue to see the students’ progress in their musical skills from concert to concert and are so proud of their achievements.”

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  • WNAT Pupils Shine at Dance Festival

    Published 21/07/25

    Children from schools across the West Norfolk Academies Trust came together to showcase their talents at the annual WNAT Dance Festival, which this year took as its theme ‘Musicals’.

    Hosted by WNAT member Springwood High School in King’s Lynn, the event featured Year 4 pupils from all six of our primary schools, including Clenchwarton, Gaywood, Heacham Junior, Snettisham, Walpole Cross Keys, and West Lynn.

    Kate Whyborn from KLW Dance and Dance Wize choreographed the children’s performances, spending time at each of the schools in the run up to the show to help the pupils to prepare.

    “Kate worked with the children weekly in each school,” said Emma Hunt, who is Executive Deputy Headteacher at Heacham at Snettisham.

    “She chose the songs, choreographed the dances, led the rehearsals, and oversaw the final production.”

    In keeping with the ‘Musicals’ theme, the dancers performed to a range of popular show tunes, which included ‘Juicy’ from Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, ‘Step in Time’ from Mary Poppins, ‘All in This Together’ from High School Musical, ‘Dancing Through Life’ from Wicked, ‘Friend Like Me’ from Aladdin, ‘Zero to Hero’ from Hercules, and ‘Revolting Children’ from Matilda.

    “Events like this are important because they give students the chance to explore new skills and hobbies in a supportive environment,” added Mrs Whyborn. “They encourage students to step outside their comfort zones, build confidence, and discover that they are capable of doing hard or unfamiliar things.”

    “These experiences also promote creativity, critical thinking, and the value of kindness and teamwork,” she continued.

    “One of the most rewarding aspects is seeing students who may start off unsure or hesitant, grow into performers who are proud of their efforts and excited to share their achievements on stage.

    “Events like this not only enrich the students’ personal development, but also bring schools and the wider community together in celebration and support.”

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