It was time to celebrate all things literary, when our schools took part in this year’s World Book Day on Thursday 5 March.

At Clenchwarton Primary, children and staff alike dressed up as their favourite fictional characters.  Harry Potter met the Gruffalo and Hiccup Horrendous Haddock III at Gaywood Primary, where each class based their celebrations around a different children’s author.  The chips were down at Heacham Infant School, where the pupils drew inspiration from ‘Supertato’, the unlikely potato superhero from the series of the same name created by author-illustrators Sue Hendra and Paul Linnet.

Meanwhile, at Heacham Junior School, children concocted their own Harry Potter-style magical potions, and designed chocolate bars for Willy Wonka’s Factory. It was ‘booknic’ time at Snettisham Primary, when pupils held their own literary version of a picnic, where a tempting selection of books replaced more regular picnic fare.  Elsewhere, there was a mystery to be solved, when the children at West Lynn Primary rose to the challenge of the ‘Masked Reader’, which tasked them with discovering the identity of a series of disguised readers.

Celebrations also took place at Walpole Cross Keys, where teachers and pupils dressed up for the occasion.  Our high schools joined in the fun too, with a host of activities, competitions, and events taking place across the day and beyond.  Marshland school library became a hub of World Book Day activity with sessions including literary-themed quizzes and bookmark designing.

For the second year running, a group of students from St Clement’s spent time reading with children at Terrington St Clement Junior School, promoting a love of books and reading for pleasure.  Jilted bride Miss Havisham met Little Red Riding Hood at Smithdon, where staff and students dressed up for World Book Day, which was celebrated as part of the school’s annual, two-week Literary Festival.  Last but by no means least, Springwood held a week-long Reading Festival, which encompassed World Book Day, and saw students across all age groups take part in a variety of different events. 

Activities at Clenchwarton included book-led English lessons, as well as a ‘Masked Reader’ challenge.  “World Book Day is one of the days children look forward to the most, so we always enjoy taking part,” said Assistant Headteacher Billy Overton.  “We have a good culture of reading at Clenchwarton, and want to continue to promote our love of reading.”

At Gaywood, the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) children focused on traditional stories, while Years 1 and 2 enjoyed Julia Donaldson’s many popular books, and Year 3 took their pick from the vast selection of classics by Roald Dahl. The Year 4 children drew inspiration from Cressida Cowell, who is best known for the How to Train Your Dragon series starring Hiccup the Viking and his dragon, Toothless; while Warhorse author Michael Morpurgo influenced Year 5; and Year 6 chose JK Rowling, creator of Harry Potter.  “We continued our tradition of celebrating different authors,” said Writing Lead Chloe Sneath. "World Book Day is important because it celebrates the diversity of stories and voices. It’s a day that encourages a love of reading, allowing children to become completely immersed in an author’s imaginary world. “Whether it’s adventure, mystery, or fantasy, authors’ stories inspire creativity within children, giving them the opportunity to think outside the box.”  “It’s also a day full of fun, where we get to bring authors’ stories to life by dressing up as our favourite characters,” she added.  “More importantly, it can spark new interests, and inspires children to develop a love of reading.”

The youngsters at Heacham Infants enjoyed creative activities throughout the day, which ended with a Reading Cafe where they were joined by parents and carers – and had the opportunity to design their own superhero.  “This year’s theme was Supertato, bringing plenty of superhero fun to our classrooms,” explained Assistant Headteacher Claire Dack. “A highlight of the celebration was our ‘Design Your Own Supertato’, where, during the Reading Cafe, children created their very own superhero character using a real potato.”  “World Book Day is an important opportunity to promote and share a love of books and reading,” she added.  “At our infant school, we believe that fostering a passion for stories at an early age helps to build imagination, creativity, and essential literacy skills. “By celebrating together in such an engaging way, we hope to inspire our children to become lifelong readers.”

At Heacham Juniors, pupils and staff arrived for the day dressed as their favourite fictional characters, while teachers shared passages from their favourite children’s books during a special, whole-school assembly. “World Book Day is incredibly important, not least this year as it is the National Year of Reading, led by the National Literacy Trust,” said Assistant Headteacher Ashley Kirwan. “Our goal is to try to help children discover a book that unlocks their love of reading or, for many children, continues their love of stories or even non-fiction.” With perfect timing, the school had recently finished upgrading its library facilities ahead of the annual event.  “We have just upgraded our school library with a load of new fiction, non-fiction, poetry, and graphic novels – just in time for World Book Day,” added Mr Kirwan.

For the Snettisham Booknic, pupils were joined by family members, carers, and friends.  “We invited families in for a ‘booknic’, which was like a picnic but with books instead of food,” explained Reading Lead Marie Woodget.  There was also the chance for all year groups to get creative with those unneeded picnic plates – as well as the opportunity to dress up as their favourite book characters for the day.  “This year, as well as the usual dressing up, we held a book-character paper place competition,” continued Mrs Woodget. “Children and staff were given a paper plate to turn into a book character.” “World Book Day is important, because it is a reminder that books and stories are fun,” she added.  “It helps children enjoy reading and discover new stories, whilst building their vocabulary, imagination, and understanding of different characters and ideas.”

All age groups at West Lynn took part in the Masked Reader – and there was also the chance to dress up.  “The Masked Reader is widely loved by the children and staff,” said English Lead Chloe Cousins.  “Each year, I record members of staff as an emoji reading an extract from a book. The children then have to guess who the member of staff is. This is made slightly trickier by me altering their voices!  “All children were encouraged to dress as their favourite book or character, and staff decided to dress up as crayons this year, from the story The Day the Crayons Quit.”  “World Book Day is important as it gives the children the opportunity to share their favourite books to read, encourages children to try different genres, and enhances book talk within the school,” she added.  “On the day, there is a huge level of excitement around books and reading for pleasure across the whole school.  “It is a great way to celebrate the wide variety of books on offer, and introduce children to new authors or series which they may not have come across before.”

At Marshland, the celebrations were set to continue beyond World Book Day itself, with a return visit from guest author Pen Avey scheduled for the next week.  “Following the recent publication of her book, Project Human, Avey will be running a specialist creative writing workshop,” said Literacy Lead Joe Clark.  “A selected group of students will have the opportunity to work closely with her to develop their own storytelling skills and learn about the professional writing process.  “Participating students will also receive a signed copy of her latest book to further foster a love of reading among participants.”  “World Book Day is an essential part of our academic calendar, serving as a yearly reminder of the significant impact reading has on a student’s development,” Mr Clark added.  “By focusing on building positivity and celebrating success through books, we aim to ensure that every student feels connected to the world of literature.”

Back at St Clement’s, there was a choice of book-themed events for the students to enjoy.  “We ran a lunchtime quiz in the library, and we had a photo competition running with students sending in photos of them reading books in unique and interesting sessions,” said Librarian Jenny Ford.  “The junior school visit was the highlight, and was very successful last year too,” she added.

Among those entering into the World Book Day spirit at Smithdon was Librarian Marie Taylor, who dressed as Miss Haversham from Great Expectations, alongside Headteacher Amanda Gibbins as Little Red Riding Hood.  “This is a tradition we have proudly continued for five years, and it’s always a fantastic way to celebrate reading across the school community,” she said.  World Book Day has become part of a wider, annual Literary Festival at Smithdon, with activities taking place across the entire week.  “Events like World Book Day are important, because they hopefully promote a love of reading in an engaging and memorable way,” added Miss Taylor.  “They encourage creativity, spark interest in new books, and show that reading is valued across the whole school community.  “Events like this also build confidence, strengthen school spirit, and reinforce our commitment to literacy.” 

The Reading Festival at Springwood featured a readathon; a Great Big Form Quiz on World Book Day itself; ‘Daily Kahoots’ focusing on reading and books with prizes awarded each day; career workshops for writing, illustration, poetry, and journalism; an all-week book swap; and a ‘Guess the Bookworms’ challenge, where students had to estimate the total number of gummy worms in a jar.  This is the second year the Reading Festival has taken place,” said Senior Assistant Headteacher Rebecca Davies-Mays.  “The inspiration came from music festivals, and for us to put on a week of events to celebrate reading and to highlight its importance.” This year’s Festival was organised by the school’s Learning Resource Centre Manager, Alan Wisniewski, with the support of Mrs Davies-Mays. “This event is really important, especially in the Year of Reading,” she added. “It highlights to students that we value reading as a school, and it engages students with reading and potential career areas it could lead to.”

After guiding thousands of our youngsters through their first years of education during her 34-year career, one of our longest-serving headteachers has decided it’s time to retire.

Louise Jackson became Executive Headteacher of Heacham Infants, Heacham Juniors, and Snettisham Primary in 2018. She is also Lead for Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) and Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) across the West Norfolk Academies Trust, of which the three schools are part.

“The most rewarding part of working within these school communities is seeing so many children grow and go on to become great, young adults – succeeding in what they do and making their own steps in the world,” said Mrs Jackson, who will stand down in December.

“It has been a privilege to work across our Trust schools to support learners in EYFS and with additional needs.

“All our staff are amazing, and work so hard to develop the environment, classrooms, resources, and curriculum to make sure every child can shine. It has been wonderful to be involved.

Mrs Jackson started her teaching career in London in 1992, before moving to Norfolk in 2002 and started working at Snettisham Primary in 2003. She has worked for WNAT since 2016.

“There have been so many memorable moments over the years working across the schools, where we all come together to do something special, such as community PTA events, carol singing at the local churches, beach visits, trips to London, competitions, and celebration assemblies,” she continued.

“It’s also been about those little moments of success too – someone cutting out a carefully drawn picture or spending time balancing bricks as high as themselves. Those small steps are so memorable.

“I will miss the chatting, smiles, and kindness that our families, pupils, and staff bring to school each and every day. Working in our schools is such a rewarding experience, and I feel very grateful to have had opportunities to contribute.

“I’m now looking forward to enjoying our beautiful location, reading all the books I have piled up, walking my dog, and enjoying the garden.”

Colleagues were keen to pay tribute to Mrs Jackson, as she announced her retirement plans.

“Louise has been an exceptional leader and a true cornerstone of our Primary Education Team at the West Norfolk Academies Trust,” said Trust CEO Andy Johnson. “Her dedication to the children of Heacham and Snettisham, alongside her tireless advocacy as our Trust Lead for EYFS and SEND, has left an incredible legacy.

“She has consistently ensured that every child, regardless of their needs, is given the best possible start to their education.

“While we will miss her expertise, leadership, and warmth immensely when she retires in December, we are deeply grateful for everything she has done for our schools. We wish her a very happy and well deserved retirement.”

The Chair of the Board of Trustees, Roger Livesey, added: “On behalf of the Trustees, I would like to extend our profound thanks to Louise for her outstanding dedication to the Trust. Successfully guiding three schools as an executive headteacher requires immense skill, resilience, and compassion – qualities Louise has demonstrated every single day.

“Her hard work has significantly enriched the educational landscape of West Norfolk, and positively shaped the lives of countless young people in our local communities.

“We congratulate her on a fantastic career, and wish her the very best in her next chapter.”

Success was multiplied, when almost 50 young mathematicians at a WNAT school ranked among the highest scorers in a prestigious national competition.

The Year 9 and 10 students from Springwood High School in King’s Lynn totted up some impressive totals in the UKMT Intermediate Mathematical Challenge, which tasks young people at secondary schools across the country with solving 25 multiple-choice maths problems within an hour.

“In the UKMT Intermediate Mathematical Challenge, students are tested on problem-solving and mathematical thinking, rather than just routine classroom maths,” explained Connie Loizou, who is Head of Maths at Springwood.

“Questions cover familiar topics, such as numbers, algebra, geometry, ratio, and probability, but in unusual and clever ways,” she continued.

“Most problems require logical reasoning, pattern spotting, and deduction – not long calculations. There is negative marking for incorrect answers, to discourage guessing, so students must think carefully.

“Questions get progressively harder, with the final few stretching even the strongest mathematicians.”

Of the 123 Springwood students taking on the challenge this year, 31 achieved Bronze Certificates, 14 attained Silver, and an outstanding four were awarded Gold, including Nichita A, Xavi S, David C, and Ava S.

In addition, three high-fliers were invited to take part in subsequent rounds of the competition, with Nichita A and Hartley E qualifying for the Grey Kangaroo, and David C going through to the Cayley Olympiad.

“High-scoring students can qualify for follow-on rounds, such as the Grey Kangaroo, Pink Kangaroo, or Cayley Olympiad, which involve even deeper problem-solving,” said Ms Loizou.

“As follow-on rounds to the Intermediate Maths Challenge, the Grey and Pink Kangaroos are 60-minute, 25 multiple choice challenges. The Cayley, Hamilton, and Maclaurin Maths Olympiads are two-hour challenges, consisting of six Olympiad-style problems.”

The contest has become a regular event at Springwood, with students rising successfully to the challenge every year.

“We are delighted to celebrate their excellent achievements,” added Ms Loizou. “It demonstrates their resilience, logical thinking, and strong problem-solving skills in a very challenging national competition.

“These results reflect the students’ hard work, determination, and enthusiasm for mathematics. Well done to everyone who took part.”

It was back to school for the Class of 2025, when they rejoined their old classmates, teachers, and governors for a Presentation Evening held to recognise and celebrate their successes.

The former Year 11 students from Springwood High School in King’s Lynn came together in the Peter Hopkins Hall for the event, where over 100 graduates were presented with their GCSE certificates, as well as additional subject prizes and school awards.

“The event took place in our newly refurbished main hall, utilising the new tiered seating, lighting, and stage to make the event particularly special for our returning students,” said Victoria Mann, who was Head of Year for the cohort.

“Celebrating the students’ success at this event were the school's Senior Leadership Team, governors, and parents, all of whom were delighted to begin the evening listening to Ethan Soong providing some wonderful, welcoming musical pieces on the piano.”

Executive Headteacher Andy Johnson was on hand to congratulate the students and present certificates and prizes, with the help of a special guest.

“We were delighted that we were also able to have Abi Pawsey join us as our guest speaker,” continued Mrs Mann.

“She currently specialises in working with children and young people as practice manager in a Child Protection Team, and talked about the journey she has made from her time studying in King’s Lynn to now, including an 11-year career in the Prison Service, holding positions from being a prison officer through to a governor at HMP Norwich; time as a charity director; and her current career in social work.

“Abi’s talk reminded students that there are many ways they can serve their community, that they cannot know where their own journey might take them, and that they will have many opportunities in the future – the key is saying ‘Yes’.”

Besides subject prizes for those deserving special recognition for their efforts and achievements in particular areas, trophies were awarded to students demonstrating key characteristics and outstanding achievement across the board at Springwood, which is part of the West Norfolk Academies Trust.

Among the high achievers acknowledged at the ceremony were Aritra Kar and Sara Mohammed, who were named joint top performers in the year group, both having attained impressive Grade 9s across all of their chosen subjects.

Other award winners included Poppy Hayes, who received the Jessica-Mae Prior Shield for Inspirational Courage, and Jaxon Walford, who was given the Governors’ Plate for service to the school.

“Many of our students do continue into our Sixth Form on completion of their GCSEs, while others have taken on the challenge presented in different courses offered by other Key Stage 5 providers,” added Mrs Mann.

“The event serves as a wonderful opportunity to bring students back together and remind them that they remain part of our school community. It also recognises the hard work and effort that has allowed them to achieve and progress.

“I'm delighted to recognise again what an outstanding cohort of young people I have had the pleasure of working with over the last few years. They were not only academically strong, but also a demonstration of the passionate, hard-working, and caring young people that we hope leave us at the end of five years at Springwood.”

Meeting the King to receive a royal award has been a ‘once in a lifetime’ experience for a former student at Springwood High School.

Camilo Cervantes and his family travelled to Sandringham at the weekend and met King Charles III when he was presented the Queen Elizabeth Award for Academic Excellence, the complete works of William Shakespeare.

Camilo is currently studying chemical engineering at Cambridge University having achieved outstanding A Level results at Springwood’s Sixth Form last year when he received four A*s, making him the year’s highest achiever.

“I felt nervous as I’ve not met someone with as much standing as the King before. We had a nice chat about my A Level exams and my course at Cambridge, as I go to the same college, Trinity, that he did,” said Camilo.

“We also talked about my ambitions as a future engineer and which sort of sectors I was thinking of going into,” he added.

Alongside Camilo on his special appointment was his mum Ivonne Torres Galvis, dad Juan Sebastian Cervantes, step-dad Marc Skeldon and younger brother Georger. Both his parents work in the field of Chemical engineering and have senior roles with international organisations.

Andy Johnson, Executive Head Teacher at Springwood was also at the presentation and said Camilo was very deserving of the award.

 "Camilo is an outstanding student and worked hard throughout his whole school career. I can think of no one more worthy of this prestigious award. Camilo and his family had a fantastic experience meeting King Charles. His father Juan, travelled all the way from Mexico to see his son receive his award from the King."

Camilo said that Cambridge was great fun as well as being challenging academically, which he expected, and he was enjoying his time at the world-renowned university.

“It was an amazing experience getting to receive my award from the King and this truly was a once in a lifetime experience. The King was very kind and really took his time with each group of people who were there,” said Camilo.