The exceptional support given to caregiver students at a West Norfolk Academies Trust school has been recognised by a prestigious national award.

Springwood High School in King’s Lynn received the Friendly Tick Award from the charity Caring Together, which acknowledges schools that support young carers.

“The award celebrates the school’s work throughout the academic year to support students who balance education with the responsibility of caring for a family member,” explained Matt Scoles, who is Personal, Social, Health and Economic Education (PSHE) Lead at Springwood.

“Young carers often face challenges that are not typically encountered by their peers, from household tasks, to providing physical and emotional care for loved ones.  Springwood High School has made significant strides in ensuring these students feel supported, understood, and valued within the school community.”

Measures taken include the introduction of a support group; the creation of a special agreement; and the provision of extra training for staff.

“This academic year, Springwood High School established a dedicated group to identify and support young carers,” continued Mr Scoles. “The group meets regularly and has a Google Classroom where students can access important updates, share information, and stay connected with others in similar situations.

“A pivotal moment of this year was the development of a Young Carers Agreement, created by students and approved by the Senior Leadership Team. This agreement outlines the support students can expect to receive from teachers and staff, ensuring that young carers receive the understanding and flexibility they need.

“In response to the unique challenges faced by young carers, the school has provided additional training to staff to help them better understand the pressures these students face. This includes offering greater flexibility with homework deadlines to accommodate their responsibilities at home.”

Springwood also held a Young Carers Action Day celebration, where WNAT CEO Andy Johnson commended the caregivers for their commitment to both their families and their studies.

“As a young carer, I feel like we are kept in the loop of what’s going on,” said a Year 9 student at the school. “I feel that the support for us young carers is always there when we need it, and the teachers are always very understanding when it comes to handing homework in, or not being very awake after having a stressful night at home due to helping out with siblings or parents.”

“We are keen at Springwood High School to celebrate the achievements of our young people in all areas of their lives,” added Mr Scholes. “Many of our young carers don’t seek recognition, but they do all deserve it – they are not only carers but leaders, role models, and an inspiration to us all.

“We are delighted that the support we provide for our young carers has been recognised by the Friendly Tick Award. This award reflects the hard work and dedication of both the students and staff in making Springwood a supportive environment for all.

“The Friendly Tick Award recognises schools that go above and beyond to support their young carers, and Springwood High School is proud to join a network of schools that are committed to this important cause.”

One of our teachers will be heading to the start line for this year’s GEAR run in King’s Lynn, after witnessing the East Anglian Air Ambulance in action.

And she will be cheered-on by pupils as they will also be taking part in the mini-GEAR on Sunday (4).

Michelle Ryan, who has been a teacher at Clenchwarton Primary  for 24 years, signed up for the 10k to raise money for the charity after seeing it's work first hand when a parent was taken ill near to the school.

The air ambulance’s response saved a life, and Mrs Ryan is raising money for the organisation, which relies on donations.

“A medical emergency happened near the school at pick-up time in 2023. Some Clenchwarton school staff responded by providing immediate and life-saving CPR and the EAAA arrived very quickly, took over, and transported the patient to a specialist hospital where they made their recovery,” she said.

The children in her class are working towards the EAAA Challenge Badge and recently held a cake sale where they decorated tables, put up bunting and sold cakes to raise £134.20 towards the charity.

Although it is the third time she has run the 10k, it has been a few years, and Mrs Ryan (47) has been training hard for the weekend’s event.

“I have tried to juggle work, family and training - it’s been difficult to fit it all in, but my main aim has been to follow the Couch to 10k training plan. Over the Easter break I have been fortunate enough to run every other day and I feel great!” she said.

Mrs Ryan has already raised more than £300 from sponsorship - but is aiming for more and she has her own fundraising page on the JustGiving website. The link is here.

Each mission for the air ambulance costs an average of around £4,250 and the EAAA relies entirely on donations to keep providing the 365-day, 24-hour service for Norfolk, Suffolk, Cambridgeshire and Bedfordshire.

Members of our schools’ Junior Leadership Teams from three primary schools made the trip to London recently to find out more about the workings of government.

Children from Walpole Cross Keys,  Clenchwarton and West Lynn Primary Schools were led on the trip by Assistant Head Billy Overton.

The group was treated to a guided tour of the historic building and discovered how laws have been created by those who work in both houses and how they are shaped by people from the past and the present.

The Junior Leadership Teams are elected at each of the primary schools.

“They have a role in making decisions as to how our schools may be improved through a range of initiatives including learning walks and they also help celebrate our schools’ achievements,” said Mr Overton.

“The trip to Parliament showed the children how our system works and enabled them to see the political system at work. Our leadership teams are encouraged to acquire skills and knowledge that, it is hoped, will encourage them to consider taking an active role in leading people in the future,” he added.

It’s not every day a new pupil called Gromit arrives at your school fresh from Wensleydale and with a mum called Ethel.

But then it’s not every day your school has a purpose-built sheep pen on the playing field and an army of volunteers waiting for their turn to meet the new stars of the show.

Ethel and Gromit, both Wensleydale sheep, spent a week at Clenchwarton Primary School as part of its Learn About Livestock topic which enabled the children to see first-hand what life is like when you have animals depending on you.

“The whole school took part and had the opportunity to learn about farming, food production, and the importance of feed and how wool is used. The children also spent time sketching the sheep,” said Charlie Howells, Assistant Headteacher.

Clenchwarton was joined by West Lynn and Walpole Cross Keys Primaries in hosting guests from a Swaffham farm as part of the special project.

“Staff received training on how to care for sheep and established a relationship with the farmer. We are extremely excited to take part in this project and have the sheep stay with us,” added Mrs Howells.

Sophy Tarsey, Head of Year 3, spent the week in her wellies and looking after the school’s newest arrivals with the aid of excited children, as she was the designated person to be in charge of the visitors.

Betty and her lamb Flora were the guests at West Lynn Primary School, also a member of the West Norfolk Academies Trust, while Walpole Cross Keys Primary School hosted Donna and Minty for the week.

The Learn about Livestock initiative is now in its fifth year and is organised by the Food and Farming Discovery Trust, Rare Breeds Survival Trust, Royal Norfolk Agricultural Association and Chapelfield Veterinary Partnership.

A total of 20 schools across the county took part in the scheme this year by hosting livestock.

“The project is the most rewarding I think I have ever been involved with. From the initial pilot scheme in 2019, it has grown significantly in reputation and reach,” said Gail Sprake, of Rare Breeds Survival.

“To have a ewe and her lambs on the school site for one week provides an opportunity for the entire school to get up close to the animals, and to take responsibility for their animals. So many of the pupils have never been up close to farm livestock,” she added.

With King’s Lynn’s historic St George’s Guildhall closed for refurbishment, Springwood High School has stepped up to offer its newly improved facilities to performers in the area – thanks to funding from the council’s Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL).

Both the Drama Studio and Peter Hopkins Hall at Springwood have benefited from extensive makeovers, which included the installation of new, state-of-the-art lighting, costing more than £80,000, to bring the performance spaces up to the standard of the town’s theatres.

“The new lighting has been funded by the borough council’s Community Infrastructure Levy, with support from the school’s PTFA,” explained Matt Austin, Art Technician.

“The total spend, including the school’s contribution, was £82,000 all told, with £70,000 of that coming from CIL. This provided all-new, high-spec, LED lighting for both of the main performance halls, as well as work on the electrical infrastructure of both halls to facilitate the use of those lights.

“The lighting costs to the school will be reduced in total between five and ten-fold, with the drastically reduced bills for electricity, maintenance, and consumables that LED brings over tungsten lighting.

“In addition, audiences will be far more comfortable than when sharing a room with hot, tungsten lights, and the quality of the lighting will be on a par with the town’s theatres.”

The upgraded facilities have already attracted performers from the community, with the King’s Lynn Players recently staging a production in the Springwood Drama Studio.

“We staged King’s Lynn Players’ The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, which was the first use of our new lighting,” continued Mr Austin. “They were the first local dramatics society to benefit from the newly refitted space.

“Others are set to follow, as Springwood offers to fill the gap left by the Guildhall’s absence over the next few years.

“Including our own events, we have Battle of the Bands, a dance show after Easter, several concerts (including our outdoor festival), a school play, a fashion show, a KLODS play (King’s Lynn Operatic and Dramatic Society) , an independent panto from local entrepreneur Jordan Winn, and we welcome in 2026 with our production of Les Miserables.”

Other improvements include refurbishment of the retractable seating in the Drama Studio, along with the installation of similar seating in the Peter Hopkins Hall, again with help from King’s Lynn and West Norfolk Borough Council’s CIL.

“The school has long sought to bring the local community together through performance, be it with music, drama, dance, even fashion shows,” added Mr Austin, who planned and oversaw the work on both venues.

“Equipment deficiencies had been laid bare, and, as a result, demands had spiralled. Covering these costs was no longer possible within the school budget, and the school’s involvement in the community would have suffered as things were scaled back. This fresh investment means we can now continue to offer that support, even extending it.

“Without an affordable venue like Springwood, and with the town struggling generally for venues, the entertainment available to the community, and the opportunities to perform, could dwindle.

“As a performing arts status school, this outlet for creativity has always been at the forefront of what we do.”

Believed to be the country’s oldest working theatre, the Guildhall, in King Street, is undergoing a massive £20m renovation project designed to secure the future of the 600-year-old venue. Medieval floorboards believed to have been walked on by no less than Shakespeare himself have already been uncovered.

Even the snacks were themed when children at a West Norfolk Academies Trust school took part in this year’s Comic Relief fundraiser.

Pupils across all age groups at Heacham Junior School helped to raise money for the annual event, which took place this year on Friday 21 March.

“All the children and staff took part,” said Executive Deputy Headteacher Emma Hunt.

“The Friends of Heacham Junior School had red apples, smiley faces on bananas and Baby Bel on their snack trolley.  Pupils enjoyed painting with watercolours too.”

Other Comic Relief activities included watching a video about the charity, which was followed by a question-and-answer session where the children were able to find out more about the organisation and its importance.

Staff and pupils also dressed for the occasion.

“It was a non-uniform day, with everyone wearing bright-coloured clothes,” added Mrs Hunt. “Some of the children chose to wear red and wore red noses or Red Nose Day merchandise.”

Fellow WNAT schools participating in the fundraising included Smithdon High School in Hunstanton, Clenchwarton Primary, Walpole Cross Keys Primary and West Lynn Primary.