Springwood has been doing its bit to put a smile on people’s faces and a dinner on their plate this Christmas after the whole school got involved in a donation drive for the Purfleet Trust.

Many schools have struggled to keep music going over the last few months. For many students, music is at the very heart of what makes them tick, and not being able to play in bands and orchestras and sing in choirs has been very hard.

With the world of work beset by talk of job losses, redundancies and economic crisis, it may seem like a perilous time to be entering the world of employment, but some of our former pupils are getting used to post-school life having taken up apprenticeships. 

The National Anthem is likely to be played with particular enthusiasm by our young musicians after a £2,000 grant with royal connections will further help support music teaching in our schools.

Would-be chef Lily Edwards has gone back to school to start her catering career after earning a food qualification certificate working in the kitchens of Springwood High.

Teenagers cooking dinners for their family, others helping out in their garden, and some working out with Joe Wicks - these were just some of the innovative steps Springwood students took to ensure they completed their next stage of their Duke of Edinburgh Awards.