Among the many celebrating exam successes at a WNAT school this year were a group of genuine ‘star students’.

The seven GCSE Astronomy students at Springwood High School in King’s Lynn attained impressive results in their subject, with one receiving an ‘out-of-this-world’ Grade 9.

High-achieving Grace Dickson was only the second student at the school, post-Covid, to be awarded a 9, while her classmates also did exceptionally well in the subject.

Antoni Ostasz, Cherry Yu, Methumless Kulasinge, and Hui Yu all achieved Grade 8s; while Jack Higgins received a 7; and Nyasha Tarungamiswa gained a Grade 5.

“Our first cohort began the course in 2019,” said Physics Teacher Garry Angus, who teaches the course alongside Springwood’s Head of Physics, Matt Adcock.

“They would have sat exams in June 2021, but the pandemic struck, so they got teacher-assessed grades. Our first set of genuine GCSE Astronomy results were awarded in 2022.”

“On average, around eight students sit the final exams each year,” he explained. “They start at the beginning of Year 9, and sit the two GCSE Astronomy exam papers at the end of Year 10, which adds extra challenge, since they don’t have the additional year of Maths and Science that most other students sitting those exams have.

“Many of the students who study GCSE Astronomy go on to study Physics and Maths at Springwood Sixth Form. Many have gone on to study Science at university.”

Topics covered in the syllabus include the history of Astronomy; different types of telescope; the evolution of stars and how the Sun will evolve; the surface of the Moon and phases of the Moon; the Milky Way and other galaxies; the evidence for the Big Bang and the evolution of the Universe; and the history of space missions and what the future might hold.

“It gives all students the chance to learn to appreciate some of the most interesting phenomena out there, like eclipses, comets, the seasons, and why the sky looks different from other places on the Earth,” continued Dr Angus.

“It also gives our high achievers a chance to grapple with something extremely challenging.

“Their incredible grades are a testament to their hard work and dedication to comprehend an immensely complicated series of topics.”

“I found doing the Astronomy GCSE a great way of exploring a subject I am very interested in,” said Jack. “It is also a great thing to have when applying for Oxford and Cambridge, as it makes you stand out.”

“I really enjoyed GCSE Astronomy,” agreed Methumlee. “It has given me valuable skills and confidence that will help me with the rest of my GCSEs.

“It was tough at times, but with support from my wonderful teachers, and a lot of hard work, I achieved more than I thought was possible. Overall, it was a brilliant experience.”

“I am forever grateful to have had the opportunity to study GCSE Astronomy,” added Hui. “It has opened my eyes to the universe we live in – learning about stars, galaxies, and cosmology has been very interesting and insightful.

“I believe it’s also given me an edge in university applications. I would like to thank Mr Adcock and Dr Angus for the support and guidance they have provided in every step of the journey.”

Staff and students at a WNAT school came together to celebrate the year’s successes at a special Prize Giving evening.

One-hundred-and-fifty students from Years 7, 8, and 9 at Smithdon High School in Hunstanton were joined by Senior Leadership, staff, friends, and family for the annual Key Stage 3 event, which saw the presentation of 250 prizes, including badges, certificates, plaques, and gift vouchers.

“Alongside awards for PE and subjects, there were rewards for meeting our ‘Smithdon Seven’,” said Mike Johnson, who is Assistant Head Pastoral Care at the school.

“The Smithdon Seven are the words we expect all our students to exemplify – ‘Self-Belief’, ‘Ambition’, ‘Responsibility’, ‘Community’, ‘Prepared’, ‘Respect’, and ‘Pride’.

“There was a badge and a certificate for each of the seven, for each of Years 7, 8, and 9.”

Three students were also honoured with ‘Smithdon Stars’, with Daisy in Year 7, Eloise in Year 8, and Jessica in Year 9, each receiving a badge and certificate from Headteacher Amanda Gibbins.

Another high achiever was Brayden May, who was announced as winner of the school’s annual 500-word short story competition, and presented with the prize of a tablet. It was a particularly impressive achievement for the Year 9 student, as he had recently placed first in Cambridge University’s prestigious Cambridge Writers essay-writing competition.

“At Smithdon, we recognise the importance of rewarding all the great work of our amazing students and their excellent attitude towards their work and each other,” added Mr Johnson.

Besides Mrs Gibbins, staff involved in the presentation ceremony included Assistant Heads Alysha Moat and Dan Ward, and Deputy Head Sarah Robinson.

“The Key Stage 3 Prize Giving Evening is the culmination of the year’s student rewards programme,” added Mrs Gibbins.

“With a culture focused on positivity, rewards underpin everything we do – from the hourly-issued rewards points, R3 postcards, and daily recognition at Spotlight each morning, to the weekly Chocolate Friday, regular R4 Headteacher’s Recognition Letters, and termly rewards breakfasts and celebrations.”

The school’s Year 11 students will be next to have their achievements honoured, with a November Prize Giving scheduled to celebrate their exam successes.

Lynn music lovers enjoyed four nights of diverse entertainment when Springwood High School hosted this year’s West Norfolk Academies Trust Community Music Festival.

The popular annual event was taking place for the fourth time, and saw performers from our Trust’s 11 member schools take to the professional, outdoor stage, alongside a host of other music groups from across the region.

“Suffice to say we had a real mix of younger WNAT ensembles, alongside more experienced ensembles and professional musicians,” said Robin Norman, Director of Music at WNAT and organiser of the event. “There was a real mix of different styles and ages, with performers from all schools across the WNAT family, along with other community ensembles.

“There was, without doubt, something for everyone, with a wonderful range of instrumental and vocal ensembles.”

Besides Springwood, the participating Trust high schools comprised Marshland in West Walton, St Clement’s in Terrington St Clement, and Smithdon in Hunstanton, while member primaries taking part included Clenchwarton, Gaywood, Heacham Infant, Heacham Junior, Snettisham, Walpole Cross Keys, and West Lynn.

“Across the four nights, there were in excess of 500 performers from across all year groups from Reception through to Year 13,” explained Mr Norman. “These were spread across all the schools in the West Norfolk Academies Trust and beyond.

“Students from all WNAT schools were involved. However, we were also joined by community music groups including the West Norfolk Music Centre, West Norfolk Winds, and others – a real showcase of all the different types of music from across West Norfolk.”

Among the performers were musicians from the Trust’s Musical Instrumental Tuition Initiative (MITI) Programme, including a String Ensemble, a Wind Band, and individual piano and percussion students.

More than 900 people attended the Community Music Festival, which culminated in the WNAT Choral Spectacular, featuring choirs from all the Trust’s schools, along with special guest St Martha’s – a total of around 250 students, aged five to 18.

“The students of all ages coming together is a unique experience,” continued Mr Norman. “There is an overarching sense of camaraderie, and, whatever the age, the students joke, and laugh, and just enjoy making music together.

“There was a wide range of pieces on offer, from musical theatre to classic pop to rock. However, the highlight had to be the grand finale when all the children joined together to perform ‘This is Me’ from The Greatest Showman.”

“For the young people in our schools, this now-annual event is important in so many ways,” added Mr Norman. “The professional-level stage is just one aspect of this, as all performers have the joy of performing in front of appreciative audiences on equipment of such a high level.

“However, this is just the tip of the iceberg, as you cannot measure the good a series of events like this does on inspiring future musicians, who, in some cases, will be hearing advanced performances for the first time.

“This gives them the opportunity to perform and work with a whole range of musicians. This is something you cannot really measure as both an inspirational and aspirational tool.”

Students from a WNAT school got a taste of the world of employment when they took part in a week’s work experience.
The Year 10 cohort from Smithdon High School in Hunstanton chose a range of different professions to sample, with some travelling as far afield as Gloucester, Milton Keynes, and the West Midlands for their placements, while others stayed closer to home.

“Each student is given a work contract which they have to sign before they attend their placement,” explained Smithdon Careers Lead, Sam Fairweather, who organises Work Experience Week. “This gives them details of working hours (start and finish times and breaks), uniform, and an outline of the tasks they will be undertaking, along with a risk assessment.

“There is a real range of companies involved, and each student replicates the role of the employee they are working with. Some students in larger companies were given the opportunity to work with different departments each day within the same company, whilst others working with sole traders got a real taste of what employment in that industry really entails.”

Among the companies offering placements this year were Henrys, Oasis, SilverSands, Snettisham Farm Park, the YMCA, the RSPCA Shop, and Flemmings, as well as Searles, Palm Papers, and a number of hotels, cafes, restaurants, and schools in the area.

“I think every local primary school had some new classroom assistants, helping the younger students with their learning,” continued Miss Fairweather. “We had students in local cafes, restaurants and hotels, learning how the hospitality industry works.

“Searles are always very supportive and took 15 of our students across a huge range of departments, including events, leisure and hospitality, grounds and maintenance, at both the Searles Hunstanton and Heacham Manor site.

“We had students at Palm Papers working on the CHP and steam raising systems, plumbers, electricians, and landscape gardeners.”

The work experience students were also supported by Year 10 Form Tutors Jamie Tilley, Head of PE; Andrew Corder, Head of History; Science Teacher Veronica Soper; and Maths Teacher Sam Plant; as well as Headteacher Amanda Gibbins.

“Work experience is more than just a week away from the classroom,” added Miss Fairweather. “It’s a vital opportunity  to prepare for the future. Whether students are aiming for university, an apprenticeship, or going straight into the workforce, hands-on experience in a real job setting provides invaluable lessons that go far beyond textbooks.

“Work experience helps students develop key employability skills, such as communication, teamwork, time management, and problem solving. It also gives them a taste of what different careers are really like, helping them make more informed decisions about their future paths. For many, it’s the first step in discovering  what kind of work they enjoy – or don’t.

“Ultimately, work experience gives students confidence to step outside their comfort zone and see what lies beyond the school gate. It’s a valuable part of education that helps turn ambition into direction, and gives young people a stronger start in life.”

Intrepid adventurers from a WNAT school tested their mettle when they spent three days at Caythorpe PGL Centre.

The Year 7 students from Smithdon High School in Hunstanton took part in a series of challenging activities which included high ropes, a giant swing, raft building, laser tag, Jacob’s Ladder, Survivor, Disc Golf, and trapeze.

They slept in tents to enhance the outdoor experience, and also enjoyed a silent disco, as well as spending time relaxing around the camp fire.

“Students worked with amazing instructors whilst on the trip that encouraged and helped students with their confidence,” said Alysha Moat, who is Assistant Head of Years 7 and 8, and accompanied the group, along with Maths Teacher Sam Plant, Year 7 and 8 Pastoral Manager Sally Collins, Year 7 Tutor and Science Teacher Vanessa Bartosova, and Year 7 Tutor and Drama Teacher Kayleigh Brown.

“Staff all took part as well, showing students we are also human and have our fears of things, such as heights and water,” she continued.

“Both staff and students had an amazing time. We were all challenged and learnt a lot about ourselves and each other. It has definitely made the students that went much closer and tighter as a year group.”

The trip has become a regular fixture in the Smithdon calendar.

“Trips like this are very important,” added Ms Moat. “They help students communicate, learn how to work as a team, build resilience, perseverance, problem solving, work under pressure, learn how to deal with emotions, and push outside their comfort zone.

“We try to develop and embed the ‘Smithdon Seven’ when on the trip – ‘Pride’, ‘Community’, ‘Respect’, ‘Prepared’, ‘Self-Belief’, ‘Ambition’, and ‘Responsibility’.”