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  • Bright sparks bring science to life for Smithdon students

    Published 13/11/25

    Imaginations were fired and sparks flew, when Smithdon High School’s science workshop literally went with a bang.

    Appropriately taking place on Wednesday 5 November, the Key Stage 3 ‘Fireworks’ event at the Hunstanton school saw students from Years 7, 8, and 9 take part in a series of practical science experiments designed to explore the sounds, colours, and explosive nature of fireworks.

    “Students got to do flame tests, watch icing sugar exploding, listen to cannon fire, and do various other science experiments with the theme of fireworks,” explained Head of Science Claire Pike.

    Smithdon has been holding the co-curricular science events half termly for the last four years, with past themes including CSI, DNA, and ‘May the Force Be With You’. There is also an annual water rockets session which takes place every summer term, and features the popular and explosive combination of mints in coke.

    “Staff ensure students can take part safely but still enjoy doing practical work that they cannot do in normal lesson time,” continued Mrs Pike, who organised the fireworks event with the help of Trainee Teacher Chantelle Long and Learning Support Assistant Jeni Sutherland.

    “These events are very important to show students that science can be fun, and doesn’t just have to be what you learn in class,” she added. “They benefit students enormously in improving their practical skills and enjoyment of science.”

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  • Springwood holds poignant service to honour fallen heroes

    Published 12/11/25

    Students and staff gathered at Springwood yesterday to honour those who lost their lives in conflict during a poignant Remembrance Day service.

    The ceremony was held at the King's Lynn secondary school's memorial monument and led by Reverend Kyla Sorenson from St Faith’s. It was attended by 280 Year 7 pupils and 40 sixth formers, who came together to reflect and pay their respects, while students from other year groups joined in a two-minute silence from their classrooms.

    Several members of staff and special guests also laid a wreath in remembrance as part of the ceremony, including school governors Tim Allen, Peter Harris and Paul Bland as well as Springwood's Headteacher Andrew Johnson, Gary Walker from the RAF Association, and Pauline Petch.

    Abbie Rawlinson, Springwood's Year 7 Pastoral Manager, said: “It is so important to all at Springwood that we mark this occasion with the respect it deserves whilst also allowing our students to do the same. We also take the opportunity to educate our students on the meaning of Remembrance Day and what sacrifices were made.”

    Springwood, which is a member of the West Norfolk Academies Trust, has been commemorating Remembrance Day for many years, ensuring each new generation understands the importance of honouring those who served and sacrificed.

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  • WNAT school in tune with music award

    Published 11/11/25

    It was time to face the music, in the most positive of ways, when staff and students at a WNAT school discovered that they had won a prestigious award.

    Springwood High School was nominated for the Music Mark Recognition for Ambition and Quality Award by the Norfolk and Suffolk Music Hub, in appreciation of the breadth of the school’s involvement in music.

    “It is a recognition of commitment to Music Education, and also, for us, a recognition at a regional level of the work that we undertake not just in school, but in the wider community,” said Robin Norman, who is Head of Music at Springwood and Director of Music at WNAT.

    “With the award, it shows commitment to three key ‘pledges’: advocate for the importance of music education in the curriculum and creative life of our school; provide an equitable, diverse, and inclusive music education for every young person; and welcome opportunities to broaden our musical horizons by working with providers in our community and beyond.”

    “It was a nice surprise to receive the email to say that we had been nominated, and awarded, the recognition,” he continued.

    “This is a recognition given to us for all the work we do with the Norfolk and Suffolk Music Hub as one of their Lead Schools, and also in general in our local community.”

    Mr Norman was keen to acknowledge the efforts of everyone involved in achieving the accolade at the school in King’s Lynn.

    “This is a result of all the work that goes on week in, week out, at Springwood, and is testament to the hard work of all our Music staff, support of the school Senior Leadership Team, and, indeed, all our fantastic students,” he added.

    “Springwood continues to pride itself on our commitment to a musical education of the highest quality, where our students are given every opportunity, both in the classroom and with extra-curricular activities, to excel.

    “This is a legacy that goes back nearly 50 years, to around 1979, and we continue that legacy today, making sure that there is something for everyone to get involved in.”

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  • Inspirational rocket scientist visits students

    Published 10/11/25

    Rocket scientist and pilot Maleha Khan inspired students at St Clement’s High School which she visited recently thanks to help from RAF Marham.

    Maleha Khan’s world changed at the age of 15 when she first saw the world-renowned Red Arrows display team and decided the sky wasn’t going to be the limit. She has gone on an incredible journey to study rocket propulsion for her PhD while also learning to fly commercial planes.

    English Lead at our school, Eliza Bennell said students asked a wide range of questions, including why hydrogen was a good fuel for a rocket and what was Maleha’s favourite plane to pilot.

    “Her story was so inspirational to the students, especially a young female involved in the UK space industry, as a pilot - someone who has accomplished despite a lot of barriers.

    “All the students and staff were captivated by her achievements and she is such a positive female role model in areas which are male-dominated."

    Maleha joined the Air Cadets, despite coming from a family of doctors, and took her first flight within the organisation. She won four flying scholarships and learnt to fly five different types of plane to achieve her pilot’s licence in 2022.

    She also studied her master’s degree in Spacecraft Engineering and went on to teach rocket science to women in Saudi Arabia and she also worked for the UK Space Agency. As if that wasn’t enough, Maleha also made it to the semi-finals of Miss England this year.

    Her amazing story was revealed to almost 200 students at the school, a member of the West Norfolk Academies Trust, when she arrived thanks to connections at RAF Marham and Wing Cmdr Martin Williamson who facilitated the event.

    “He introduced Maleha to the school and she very kindly agreed to deliver a seminar and engage with the students about her education, career and experiences in the space industry,” said Librarian Jenny Ford.

    “RAF Marham is a key source of career opportunities for students in engineering, logistics and aircrew. Maleha is passionate about international collaboration and empowering the next generation of students, particularly women, to thrive in the Science, Technology, Education and Maths (STEM) and the space industry,” she added.

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  • Future twice as bright for WNAT students

    Published 06/11/25

    The workforce of tomorrow had twice the advice on offer, when a WNAT school’s annual careers fair doubled in size.

    The Futures Event 2025 at Springwood High School in King’s Lynn expanded to comprise an Employment Zone in the Peter Hopkins Hall and an Education Zone in the Sixth Form Hub, with over fifty exhibitors from the worlds of work and education represented.

    “The event took place for the first time in this format last year and was a great success,” said Nicky Thompson, who is Careers Lead and joint Head of Year 13 at the school. “We doubled the space this year."

    “The majority of exhibitors returned, and we had some new businesses joining us, including SaxonAir, Marsh Insurance Brokers, Ford and Slater, Dodman Ltd, Mars Ltd, and Cranswick Country Foods.

    “We were delighted to welcome back a wide range of employers from the local area, including the Borough Council of King’s Lynn and West Norfolk, QEH, Lovell, BAE Systems, Mapus-Smith and Lemmon, and Hayes and Storr.”

    “A wider range of employment sectors were represented this year, and many of the exhibitors brought interactive activities to give students a taste of different career options,” she continued. “For example, SaxonAir brought a flight simulator, and Lovell brought a range of have-a-go construction activities.

    “Uniformed services were also well presented, with Norfolk Police, the Army, and the RAF in attendance.”

    More than 1,000 students from Years 10 to 13 spent the day off-timetable at the event, which was organised by Miss Thompson with the assistance of Co-Head of Year 13 Jessica Cuss, along with Head of Year 12 Luke Rawling, Head of Year 11 Rebecca Davies-Mays, and Head of Year 10 Pete Cuss.

    “It was specifically aimed at 14 to 18-year-old students, who are making important decisions about their post-16 and post-18 choices,” she explained.

    “Heads of Year for different age groups put together an itinerary of tailored careers activities before students attended the careers fair. These involved employers and education providers – including further education colleges and universities – delivering workshops to help students make informed decisions about their next steps.”

    Year 10 students heard from the College of West Anglia, Springwood Sixth Form, and the Apprenticeship Service about post-GCSE choices; while Year 11 were guided through the ‘Help You Choose’ application process; Year 12 learnt about the benefits of securing work experience; and Year 13 practised their interview techniques with Dodman Managing Director Tim Skerritt, and heard from Springwood alumnus Ruby Goodchild, who is currently completing an apprenticeship with Maxey Grounds.

    “Springwood High School is committed to providing high quality Careers Education, Information, Advice, and Guidance (CEIAG) for all students, encouraging them to aim higher, and explore engaging and rewarding careers,” added Miss Thompson.

    “The school’s Careers Plan ensures that every student has opportunities to learn from employers about work, employment, and the skills that are valued in the workplace. The Futures Event brings together students and multiple employers to do just that.”

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  • Success times seven for WNAT maths stars

    Published 06/11/25

    Maths whizzes at a WNAT school were put through their paces, and found very much equal to the challenge, when they entered a new maths competition aimed solely at girls.

    The sixth-form students from Springwood High School in King’s Lynn were among the first to take part in the inaugural UK Maths Trust (UKMT) Mathematical Competition for Girls (MCG) – where they also ranked amongst the highest scorers.

    “It is a new opportunity designed to inspire and challenge young female mathematicians from across the UK,” said Springwood’s Key Stage 5 Maths Lead, Ben Coote.

    “The paper consisted of five, difficult, problem-solving questions. The top 25 per cent of students received a Certificate of Distinction, and the next 40 per cent a Certificate of Merit. Students who scored below the Merit threshold, received a Certificate of Participation.

    We had five students competing – two achieved Merit, and three got Distinction."

    The Springwood highfliers, who are all in Years 12 and 13, included Cadence Fordham, Rachel Chalmers, and Holly MacGowan with Distinctions; and Sara Mohammed and Sydney Hipwell with Merits.

    As the leading British charity for the promotion of mathematical education in young people, UKMT runs a series of maths competitions and challenges throughout the year, including the Mathematical Olympiad for Girls (MOG), which attracted almost 5,000 entries in 2024.

    Matching their classmates’ performances in the MCG, Springwood students also reached the upper regions of the MOG leaderboard, with Emily Adcock in Year 12 and Nastia Kliuchnyk in Year 13 both achieving Merits.

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  • Black history takes centre stage at WNAT school celebration

    Published 05/11/25

    It was Carnival time when students at a WNAT school came together to celebrate Black History Month.

    The lunchtime event at Springwood High School included music and Jamaican food, as well as scavenger hunts with clues to identify key people who have contributed to Black British history.

    Students also designed their own Carnival costumes, and composed slogans to help counter racism.

    “The Diversity Council helped to create, organise, and run the event,” said Alice Betts, who is the school’s Diversity Lead.

    “There are about 15 students from across all year groups on the Council. The event was open to all students from across the school.”

    Introduced in the United States of America more than 50 years ago, Black History Month was first observed in the UK in 1987, and the occasion has been regularly marked by Springwood.

    “We’ve always recognised Black History Month through Personal, Social, Health, and Economic Education (PSHE) activities, but this was our first lunchtime event,” continued Miss Betts. “It was a great success, and I can’t wait to build on it for next year.”

    “Events like these are crucial,” she added. “We live in a multicultural society, and students need to be exposed to the involvement of all backgrounds to the development of Britain.

    “It helps our school create a more inclusive environment and combat misconceptions around racism and inequality.”

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  • Young voices drive change through Springwood's new councils

    Published 04/11/25

    The environment, health, and inclusivity were just some of the topics on the agenda when students applied to become council members at their WNAT school.

    As the new academic year got fully underway, it was time for Springwood High School to choose members for its five councils, which cover Environment; Student Wellbeing; Equality and Diversity; Embracing School Life; and Teaching and Learning.

    “We have 80 students, across Years 7 to 13,” said Rebecca Davies-Mays, who is Senior Assistant Head at Springwood.

    “All students were invited to apply to be part of the school council. They were then chosen based on their applications. Each year we open it up again to all students – some will reapply for the same council.”

    The councils are concerned with a diverse range of activities, from the Environment Council’s litter picking, rewilding, and beach cleans, to the sexual, ethnic, and gender inclusivity promoted by the Equality and Diversity Council.

    Council members involved in Student Wellbeing work to boost mental and physical health at Springwood; while Embracing School Life includes helping with clubs and inter-house competitions; and the Teaching and Learning Council evaluates what works for students in the classroom, and considers how things might be improved.

    The new councillors were each awarded a School Council badge, and the five groups will meet regularly throughout the year to discuss what they want to achieve.

    “The School Council is really important,” added Mrs Davies-Mays. “It gives students a voice on key areas within the school, and enables them to have an impact, make change, and improve Springwood High School and the experience that students have whilst they are here.”

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  • Mozart meets Peppa Pig at WNAT Piano Recital

    Published 23/10/25

    The musical entertainment ranged from classical composers to fictional pigs when pianists of all ages from across the West Norfolk Academies Trust came together to showcase their talents.

    The WNAT Piano Recital was open to students from all 11 of our Trust’s primary and secondary schools, including Springwood High School in King’s Lynn, which hosted the event.

    “These piano recitals are held twice a year, and rotate across the four high schools within the Trust,” explained Benjamin Howell, who is WNAT Peripatetic Music Lead.

    “They provide an invaluable opportunity for students to share their music, gain performance experience, and be inspired by one another in a supportive, informal environment.”

    Besides Springwood, our other high schools are Marshland, St Clement’s, and Smithdon; while our primaries include Clenchwarton, Gaywood, Heacham Infant, Heacham Junior, Snettisham, Walpole Cross Keys, and West Lynn.

    Performing to an appreciative audience of family members, carers, friends, and members of staff, around 20 students each took a turn at the grand piano in the Main Hall at Springwood.

    “The Recital has grown significantly in popularity over the years,” said Mr Howell. “Previously held in our Recital Room, it has now outgrown that space.”

    “We had a wide range of students participating from across the Trust’s primary and secondary schools, representing a variety of ages and abilities,” he continued.

    “Performances featured an eclectic mix of repertoire, ranging from Mozart to the Peppa Pig theme, reflecting both our beginner and more advanced pianists, including some students performing at Grade 8 and beyond.

    “One of the real highlights was seeing some of our primary pupils performing for the first time, alongside our more experienced high school musicians.”

    Other staff supporting the event included WNAT Director of Music Robin Norman and Music Teacher Thomas Burt, alongside members of the Peripatetic Music Team.

    “I would like to take this opportunity to thank the piano teaching team within the WNAT Peri Team for their continued commitment and support throughout the year in making these events possible,” added Mr Howell.

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  • From rubbish to responsibility: WNAT students clean up the coast

    Published 16/10/25

    If life’s a beach, then it’s a rubbish-free one, thanks to students from a WNAT school who joined volunteers from the Coastal Debris Campaign and other organisations to take part in a Beach Clean at Old Hunstanton.

    “The school’s Environmental Committee advertised and promoted the Beach Clean to all students,” said Agnieszka Munns, who is Environmental Lead at Springwood High School in King’s Lynn.

    “We had students, parents, and siblings taking part, plus myself and other volunteers not associated with the school.”

    The event was organised by ocean conservation charity The Captain Paul Watson Foundation UK, and saw 20 kilograms of litter collected, including plastic bottles, old beach toys, and plastic bags.

    “Our beaches are often polluted, both by rubbish left by visitors, and by flotsam and jetsam brought ashore by tides,” continued Mrs Munns. “Such litter is not only unsightly, but can pose a danger to people and wildlife.

    “The Beach Clean not only removed plastic items that do not deteriorate, but also dog faeces, which could pose a significant health risk to visitors, especially children.”

    “I felt that I accomplished something, by helping the environment and taking part in this event,” said one Springwood student who participated in the Beach Clean; while another agreed: “It is good to be helpful. It does not matter how long you commit yourself, but you can make even a significant  difference by applying small effort.”

    A third said: “It was great to see many people volunteering their help and making a stand for the environment.”

    It was the first time that Springwood had taken part in the event.

    “Clean beaches are an important indicator of a seaside resort’s attitude towards its environment,” added Mrs Munns. “They provide a major criteria for judging whether or not a beach should be awarded a Blue Flag Award, awarded by the Foundation for Environmental Education – an internationally recognised award.

    “This year, Heacham Beach was even recognised as a ‘Brown Flag’ beach for being particularly dirty. The Beach Clean is therefore especially important here, as is any effort to raise public awareness concerning this important issue.

    “Highlighting the benefits of keeping a harmonious and balanced relationship with our sometimes fragile surroundings is a vital lesson to try and impart to schoolchildren, nearly all of whom will be visiting beaches for many years to come.”

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  • Hello Yellow fun

    Published 16/10/25

    Everything yellow, from princesses and Minions to Pudsey and Winnie the Pooh could be found at a group of West Norfolk primary schools last Friday.

    Staff and children at Walpole Cross Keys, West Lynn and Clenchwarton primaries were in every shade of yellow to raise awareness of the Young Minds charity behind the Hello Yellow mental health awareness day.

    “It was great to see so many children supporting the charity,” said Assistant Head at Walpole Cross Keys Billy Overton.

    At West Lynn there were some tasty yellow cookies to enjoy and at Clenchwarton Winnie the Pooh could be found alongside football fans sporting Canary shirts for Norwich City.

    Under the Hello Yellow slogan, the annual event is designed to focus on the Young Minds charity which was raising awareness of young people’s mental health. It is a global event and was first held in 1992.

    Young Minds campaigns to ensure young people who need support with their mental health receive timely intervention and care.  According to the charity, there was a ten per cent increase of referrals to emergency mental health care for children and young people between 2023 and 2024. 

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  • Great gift to help Clenchwarton children

    Published 16/10/25
    Pupils at Clenchwarton Primary School have been making good use of a gift from the King’s Lynn Rotary Club and learning new words has been just part of the fun.

    Members of the Rotary Club visited and presented each of our Year 4 children with an illustrated dictionary.

    “They have been so excited about using them and even spent some of their wet playtime reading them,” said Mrs Ryan, Senior Leader.

    “They will be used in lessons to look up new words and help with improving their writing skills. They will use them in class for the year and then they will be allowed to take them home.”

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