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  • Clenchwarton Pupils Run a Rainbow

    Published 02/06/26

    There was a colourful end to the half term, when pupils at a WNAT school took part in a fun event to both celebrate their achievements and raise funds for the school.

    Around 110 children from Reception to Year 6 at Clenchwarton Primary joined in the Colour Run, which took place after school on the school field in front of spectating parents and carers.

    “This was the first time we’ve ever done a colour run at Clenchwarton,” said Assistant Headteacher Billy Overton. “The children and adults all had an excellent time, and the weather was perfect for the event too.

    “We had set up a course around the school field with teacher stations along the way. Every time the children ran past a station, the teachers were able to throw coloured powder on the children. We all got just as covered as the children.

    “Everyone had an absolutely brilliant time, both children and staff, with the parents luckily keeping out of the firing line!”

    The event was organised by Clenchwarton Parent Teacher Association (PTA), and raised more than £300 for the school.

    “I’d like to thank our amazing PTA,” continued Mr Overton. “They work so hard for the school, with this event raising over £300, which we can put towards some new iPads or a new sound and lighting system.”

    “It’s been a really busy time at school, with SATS finishing last week, and all of our staff and children working so hard over this half term,” he added. “This was a fantastic end to the half term, where we were all rewarded with some sunshine and fun.

    “It was a great event for the whole school community – children, staff, and parents all laughing together, just like primary schools should.”

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  • WNAT Pupils on Target for Success

    Published 01/06/26

    West Norfolk Academies Trust pupils were hitting all the right targets, when they tested their skills in an archery competition.

    The Upper Key Stage 2 event was organised by the Trust and saw 30 Year 5 and 6 children from across our six primary schools compete in teams in a series of challenges.

    Among the activities were a ‘pizza game’ where pupils had to hit coloured segments of a target representing ‘base’, ‘sauce’, and ‘toppings’ in the right order to build up a pizza, and a contest to score the highest points in a set time limit. Each participant received a certificate to mark their achievements.

    The event was hosted by WNAT member Heacham Junior School, while other participating Trust primaries included Clenchwarton, Gaywood, Snettisham, Walpole Cross Keys, and West Lynn.

    “Events hosted by our Trust are important because they help children build confidence, focus, and teamwork, while trying something new and inclusive,” said James Agate, who is Year 4 Class Teacher at Heacham Junior and oversaw the event.

    “They also give schools a chance to bring students together, encourage participation in sport, and support wellbeing and personal development. These events create positive experiences that can inspire children both in and outside the classroom.”

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  • Lynn Inspires Budding Artists

    Published 01/06/26

    From its market places to the Great Ouse, King’s Lynn provided the perfect inspiration when children at a WNAT school rose to the challenge of an art competition.

    All age groups at Gaywood Primary took part in the contest, which was run by Barratt & Wilson Homes, and tasked entrants to ‘Draw Your Favourite Thing in the Local Area’, in the run up to Children’s Art Week at the end of June.

    “The children had to create a piece of artwork inspired by King’s Lynn,” said Gaywood Art Lead Abigail King.

    “I gave each year group a theme based on King’s Lynn, and all the teachers and teaching assistants got involved helping the children achieve their full potential.”

    The Early Years children used collage techniques to depict the town’s markets; Years 1 and 2 created models of fishing and the Quayside from recycled materials; and the Year 3 pupils depicted the River Great Ouse in watercolour paints.

    Other themes included ‘Night Time at the Mart’, where Year 4 worked in chalk on black paper; while the Year 5 class sketched Lynn landmarks in pencil and charcoal; and Year 6 combined collage and sketching onto old maps for their topic on Historical King’s Lynn.

    The artwork will be displayed in an exhibition at the school at the beginning of June, so that visitors, friends, family members, and carers can enjoy the results of the children’s creativity.

    “It’s an exciting new competition,” added Miss King.

    “Wider community art competitions are really valuable for the children – not because every child needs to ‘win’, but because the experience connects creativity to the world outside school.

    “The children feel a sense of pride, and are given the opportunity to explore different ideas and styles within art.”

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  • Springwood Students Equal to Maths Challenge

    Published 01/06/26

    Mathematicians at Springwood High School were equal to the challenge, when they recorded impressive scores in a national maths competition.

    The 106 Year 7 and 8 students were put through their paces in this year’s UKMT Junior Mathematics Challenge, which tasked them with solving a series of reason and logic-based problems.

    “Students completed a one-hour assessment, which consisted of multiple-choice, problem-solving questions,” said Maths Teacher Lucy Edwards, who helped prepare the students for the event.

    Each year more than 650,000 students take part in competitions run by the UK Maths Trust, and they have become regular events at Springwood, which is part of the West Norfolk Academies Trust.

    “The event takes place every year, and there is also an Intermediate and Senior Maths Challenge yearly,” continued Miss Edwards.

    “All students who took part received a certificate, many of whom achieved a Bronze, Silver, or Gold Award.”

    Among the high achievers were three students who attained Gold. George, Charlotte, and Jan will now progress to the next round of the competition, which will take place in June.

    “These events are important to build resilience for students tackling challenging problems, as well as promote a love for Maths,” added Miss Edwards.

    “This also encourages the development of students’ reasoning, creative thinking, and deduction skills required for GCSE and A-Levels.”

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  • ‘Iconic’ Dance at Springwood

    Published 01/06/26

    It was an ‘iconic’ evening, when dancers from a West Norfolk Academies Trust school showcased their talents at Springwood Dance 2026.

    Around 150 students from Years 7 to 13 at Springwood High School took part in the annual show, which had the theme ‘Icons’ and played to a full house of 300 audience members in the school’s Peter Hopkins Hall.

    “The show is always a sell-out night, as it incorporates so many of our students,” said Head of Dance Dawn Paulo.

    “Our show encompasses extra-curricular Dance Club pieces, exam pieces, and competition pieces, and every student is welcome, no matter their experience.”

    The House Dance Competition also followed the icon theme, and included performances from the school’s four houses, each led by two designated leaders, who choreographed the pieces, as well as arranging music and lighting.

    Winners Holkham were led by Ellise Eggleton from Year 12, and Bella Guyatt in Year 10, who drew inspiration from pop legend Michael Jackson for their tribute piece. Featuring a mash-up of the singer’s well-known songs, it was performed by 14 dancers from Years 7 to 12, appropriately dressed in black, glittery outfits with white gloves.

    “I am really proud of the dancers from Holkham House,” said Ellise. “They all worked so hard, and I am excited to lead again next year.”

    Second place in the contest went to Sandringham, whose FAME performance referenced a host of icons from presenters Ant and Dec to Katniss Evergreen from The Hunger Games; Roxie Hart from Chicago; singer Cher; Mean Girls Regina George, Karen Smith, Gretchen Wiener, and Cady Heron; and Showman PT Barnum. Twenty-six dancers from Years 7 to 12 depicted the different characters.

    “Springwood Dance Show is an important event to celebrate and share work, but also to bring us together as a community within school, and with our friends and families,” continued Mrs Paulo.

    “The show included 27 pieces, including the finale which started with our boys leading in a routine inspired by icon John Travolta in Saturday Night Fever.

    “It’s great to see lots of students participating from all years, with a range of dance experience. For some students, this was their first time performing on stage, and others are experienced performers.”

    “What’s lovely about this event is that it caters for different abilities and opportunities,” she added.

    “Some pieces I have choreographed and told the dancers what to do, and in other pieces they have had creative freedom to merge ideas with me, or entirely by themselves.

    “The students love being part of the show – there’s so much energy and buzz in the room.”

    There will be another chance to see Springwood’s dancers when they perform at the Corn Exchange next month to open the West Norfolk Schools Sport Partnership Primary Dance Festival, and they will also open the Trust’s Primary Dance Festival in July.

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  • Heacham Pupils Build On Success

    Published 01/06/26

    A school hall was transformed into a metropolis, when children at Heacham Junior School took part in a Science, Technology, Engineering, and Maths (STEM) event that tasked them with designing and building their very own city.

    The KAPLA STEM Workshop saw pupils from Years 3 to 6 work together on the project, where they used small, wooden KAPLA blocks to construct a variety of giant structures within the city theme.

    “We created a miniature city, complete with a ten-metre-long train track, two eight-foot giraffes, and two palaces,” said Assistant Headteacher Ashley Kirwan.

    “The event was held by KAPLA, who deliver these workshops to children and adults alike across the country.”

    The event was taking place for the first time at the school, which is part of the West Norfolk Academies Trust, and was fully funded by a donation from the Heacham Poors Land Charity.

    “Some of the highlights included working together as class teams to construct these wonderful creations,” added Mr Kirwan.

    “I feel this event benefited the children by providing them with an opportunity to explore construction and balance. With thousands of blocks carefully placed to ensure these creations are stable, it was a great chance to practise skills outside the typical day in class at school.”

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  • Teacher and pupils raise more than £630 at charity run

    Published 12/05/26

    Clenchwarton Primary pupils followed in a teacher’s footsteps, when she inspired them to join her at the Great East Anglia Run (GEAR) to raise more than £630 for a good cause.

    Michelle Ryan, who is Year 4 Teacher at the school, was running to raise money for the East Anglia Air Ambulance (EAAA), along with more than 30 children from the school, who were keen to do their bit for the charity.

    Younger children were accompanied by adults in the Mini GEAR, while those from Years 3 to 6 ran on their own.

    “The children covered 1.9km, and they said they loved running with lots of people cheering around them,” said Mrs Ryan, who was taking part for the fourth time, and completed the course in a personal best of under one hour four minutes.

    “A few of the children I started running with were really engaged with the music and the warm up to get everyone in the mood to run. There was a lot of excitement on the starting line!

    “The total is currently at £634 and will go directly to the EAAA. They will use this for life-saving resources, such as equipment, fuel for the air ambulance, staffing, and training.”

    Clenchwarton, which is part of the West Norfolk Academies Trust, regularly fundraises for the EAAA.

    “My last three classes have all been involved in organising cakes on a cake sale to raise money for the EAAA,” continued Mrs Ryan. “The children take responsibility for it, which opens up ideas and discussions about preparation, organisation skills before and on the day, and selling skills, including using their maths facts to take payment and give change.

    “I fully believe the children in the rest of the school now look forward to joining my class, knowing they will be learning about the EAAA throughout the year and raising money for them.

    “The awareness and money raised by the school community obviously helps people in the local community and Norfolk area in emergency situations, and long may it continue.”

    There are plans for Clenchwarton pupils and staff to take part in GEAR again next year for the charity.

    “I am planning to run again next year, obviously to raise more for the EAAA, but hope to make more momentum in school by encouraging more children to take part in a bigger school team, and encouraging staff to create a staff team for 2027,” added Mrs Ryan.

    “I would like to say that I have done this completely off my own back, as a teacher wanting to inspire children. It has not been linked to a Trust or school initiative. I would, however, like to see this sort of thing continue to thrive in schools, and to become more of a normal practice within education, not an add-on.

    “It really means a great deal to raise money and awareness for such a great charity.”

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  • Springwood Gold Award

    Published 08/05/26

    Creativity was golden, when a WNAT school saw its extensive Arts offering recognised with a prestigious national award.

    Springwood High School received the Gold Artsmark Award from Arts Council England, following a two-year process in which the school demonstrated its commitment to creative subjects ranging from Music, Dance, and Drama, to Art, Photography, Design, and Philosophy.

    “We had to submit a Statement of Commitment, which outlined all of the areas we, as a school, wanted to develop for our students within the Arts,” said Pete Cuss, who is Head of Year 10, and led the application process.

    “My role was co-ordinating the areas for development, and communicating this to staff and students. I also wrote the reports that were submitted to Artsmark.

    “All of the Arts faculty staff were leaders in the operational aspects of our journey, hosting workshops, collaborating with industry professionals, organising trips, and enhancing the Arts provision in their own department.”

    Wider school involvement was also introduced through a new Cultural Touchstone Initiative, which has included popular topics such as GameBoy design, with sessions delivered by form tutors. The scheme has proved so successful that there are plans to extend it to our other high schools.

    “Each form tutor in the school has played a part in the Cultural Touchstone curriculum that we have designed as part of our journey,” continued Mr Cuss. “This was designed to enrich the wider knowledge of our students in the Arts, but delivered in form time.”

    Other introductions have included a new Key Stage 4 Music Technology course, and an annual Arts Award Evening, while students have also enjoyed a visit from the Detective Theatre Company, as well as more than 25 hours a week of extracurricular groups, and Art/Photography trips to Seoul and Korea, en route to achieving the Gold Artsmark accreditation.

    “This is an important award, as it is nationally recognised,” added Mr Cuss.

    “It is a good way for us to review, reflect, and refine what we do at Springwood within the Arts, and keeps us up to date for our students.”

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  • Smithdon students celebrate successes at theme park

    Published 05/05/26

    The end of term was a literal rollercoaster ride, when hard-working students from a WNAT school saw their efforts rewarded with a day out at a theme park.

    The group of 50 Year 11 students from Smithdon High School celebrated the term’s successes with a trip to Alton Towers in Staffordshire, where they had the opportunity to test their nerve on rides such as Nemesis Reborn, Wicker Man, The Curse, Toxicator, Oblivion, Galactica, and the world’s first 14-loop rollercoaster The Smiler.

    “The trip was to reward the hard work that Year 11 students have put in so far this year in school, and a chance for them to relax before a busy exam season after the Easter break,” said Assistant Head Dan Ward, who organised the event.

    “They get the opportunity to go on thrill-seeking rides at one of the country’s best theme parks.”

    The trip has become an annual fixture on the calendar at Smithdon.

    “It is really important that we recognise the hard work and dedication of our students,” added Mr Ward.

    “It gives the Year 11 students motivation to work hard, and gives them a sense of achievement by earning a place on the trip.”

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  • WNAT school welcomes all

    Published 05/05/26

    There’s a warm welcome for all at Springwood High School – and that’s official!

    Springwood, which is part of the West Norfolk Academies Trust, has been awarded School of Sanctuary status by City of Sanctuary UK, for its work in supporting refugees and asylum seekers.

    The school was required to meet a range of criteria to achieve the award, with the application process spearheaded by Personal, Social, Health, and Economic (PSHE) Lead Matt Scoles.

    “I witnessed the work that staff were doing supporting Ukrainian children who had sought sanctuary in King’s Lynn and started at Springwood High School, with so much uncertainty about their home and family and friends who were still there,” he explained.

    “Over the last two years, we have worked towards this Award, listening to our pupils’ needs, adapting our induction process, and providing support to integrate students into the main school, so they could complete GCSEs with their peers.

    “When we applied for the School of Sanctuary Award, Springwood had 518 EAL [English as an Additional Language] students from 31 countries, speaking 44 different languages. Many of them will sit a GCSE in their other language, alongside their normal GCSEs.”

    Springwood has become one of around 1,100 nurseries, primaries, secondaries, and sixth forms in the UK to have gained School of Sanctuary status since the scheme was launched in 2004.

    Students were actively involved in the process, with the school’s Diversity Council playing a leading role.

    “Our Diversity Council met regularly to raise awareness of School of Sanctuary amongst our students, by speaking in assemblies and producing a video of welcome that is now on our website,” continued Mr Scoles. “They also produced resources for the annual Refugee Week and National Day of Welcome.

    “Students also support new starters in a buddy system, helping them find their way around the school and to each lesson. This is particularly important for students who speak English as an additional language.”

    In addition, refugee and migration themes have been embedded into assemblies and curriculum projects at Springwood, while events such as Black History Month and Pride have helped to promote a culture of diversity and inclusivity across the school.

    “This is a nationally recognised award that supports vulnerable children who are starting school in a strange country where they may have very little knowledge of the language,” added Mr Scoles.

    “I want every pupil to feel welcome at Springwood, and have the opportunity to succeed and be happy.”

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  • Schools in tune at Springwood

    Published 30/04/26
    Musicians from WNAT member schools were well represented, when Springwood High School in King’s Lynn hosted this year’s Music for Youth Festival.

    “Every year we organise the Regional Festival for the Music for Youth organisation,” said our Head of Music, Robin Norman. “Each group is assigned a ten-minute slot and performs three pieces. There was everything from Hamilton through to How to Train Your Dragon, and many more styles.”

    Springwood entered five musical groups, with the Concert Band, Cantabene, Kingsmen, Year 7 Choir, and The Gliders all taking part in the event, making a total of around 150 students from across Years 7 to 13.

    Other participating Trust schools included Clenchwarton Primary, Heacham Junior, Senttisham Primary, Walpole Cross Keys Primary, West Lynn Primary, and St Clement’s High School, while there was also a performance from pupils from the Windmill Federation.

    “Music for Youth as a whole goes back as far as the 1980s, but the Regional Festival at Springwood has been taking place since circa 1995,” continued Mr Norman, who helped organise the event, as well as directing some of the Springwood groups.

    “Entries are open to all schools and youth music groups from across the region. In total on the day, there were more than 20 different groups that took part from different schools. Anyone can enter through the Music for Youth programme.”

    Regional winners will progress to the National Music for Youth Festival, which is due to take place in Birmingham in July.

    “We are currently awaiting the outcome of the Regional Festival,” added Mr Norman. “We are keeping our fingers crossed that one of our groups will be invited, as we have a rich history of being asked to represent East Anglia over the years.

    “Personally, I feel events such as this are really important. Not only does it give important performance opportunities to the young people, from which they receive invaluable feedback on how to improve, but it also gives an opportunity for them to hear other young people perform throughout the day – a truly inspirational activity.”
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  • WNAT student is ‘one of top young physicists in country’

    Published 30/04/26
    Outstanding results in a physics competition earned a WNAT student a sought-after place in the final stage of the prestigious British Astrophysics Olympiad.
     
    Rionne Endaya, who is in Year 12 at Springwood High School, scored very well in all three rounds of the annual contest, making him one of just 24 entrants to be invited to attend training camp for the British Astrophysics Olympiad team.
     
    “He has been invited to attend two residential camps at Oxford and Cambridge where students will be chosen to represent the UK at the International Astrophysics Olympiad in Vietnam in September,” said Head of Physics Matt Adcock.
     
    “This is a fantastic achievement that places him as one of the top young physicists in the country. He competed in three rounds of challenging physics competitions, achieving Gold in both Physics and Astrophysics, and was selected from over 9,000 students who took part.”
     
    Launched in 2015, the British Astrophysics Olympiad is open to sixth formers across the UK, while the international stage of the event brings together young physicists from around 50 different countries, with teams of five competing to complete challenging physics tests.
     
    This year was the first time Springwood had taken part.
     
    “We’re incredibly proud of Rionne,” added Mr Adcock.
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