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  • Pupils Head to Parliament

    Published 04/04/25

    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.

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  • West Norfolk Pupils Head To Duxford For Close Look At Flying Icons

    Published 04/04/25

    Flying icons from the Second World War were amongst the exhibits young visitors from West Norfolk primary schools were able to take a close look at when they saw planes of all types in the Duxford museum.

    Children from Walpole Cross Keys, Clenchwarton and West Lynn primary schools even had the chance to try on uniforms at the former base in Cambridgeshire, now part of the Imperial War Museum.

    Year 6 pupils at all three schools have been studying the Second World War and the Battle of Britain Gallery at the museum ensured they could see a Spitfire and Hurricane close-up. There is also a crash-landed Messerschmitt as part of the exhibition.

    “The children were really interested in finding out about the planes involved in the Battle of Britain and even some that featured in the Pearl Harbour attack. 

    “We saw all the big-name planes and quite a few more modern ones, including Concorde. The children also enjoyed trying on some RAF uniforms and using the interactive devices to find out more about the exhibits and listening to information on the telephones on different stations,” said Billy Overton, Assistant Headteacher at Walpole Cross Keys.

    The group visited a historic hangar, which houses the WWII exhibition, that was once home to the first operational Spitfires and the US 78th Fighter Group.

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  • Schools Welcome Woolly Visitors

    Published 03/04/25

    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.

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  • Broadway Comes To Hunstanton

    Published 01/04/25

    Music lovers are in for a treat, when Broadway comes to Hunstanton Town Hall on Thursday 3 April, courtesy of the young talents of Smithdon High School.

    Smithdon Salutes Broadway is a celebration of films and musicals, and will feature performances from students across Years 7 to 10 at the school, which is part of the West Norfolk Academies Trust.

    “Students will be performing songs from movies and musicals,” said Andrea Barnes, who is Head of Music at Smithdon, and organiser of the evening.

    “I believe this is the third or fourth year of our spring concert being a night celebrating music from film and stage.”

    Students will also be working behind the scenes to provide refreshments at the show, while supporting staff will include Deputy Headteacher Sarah Robinson, and peripatetic teachers Dan Ashby, Becky Harrington, and David Maddison.

    An audience of around 150 people is expected, with donations collected on the door.

    “Events like this are important to show the community all of the amazing work our students are doing here at Smithdon, and to give students an opportunity to develop their confidence, as they get up to perform for a large audience,” added Mrs Barnes.

    “Concerts are an amazing way to showcase our school values of ‘Work Hard, Be Kind, and Smile’.”

    Smithdon Salutes Broadway is at 6pm on Thursday 3 April in Hunstanton Town Hall.

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  • Springwood High School Offers Performance Space for Wider Community

    Published 31/03/25

    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.

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  • WNAT Students Step Out For Charity

    Published 27/03/25

    Although no ‘cake walk’, both cakes and walking featured when fundraisers at a West Norfolk Academies Trust secondary took part in this year’s Comic Relief, with the aim of raising more than £500 for the annual charity appeal.

    Students across all year groups at Smithdon High School in Hunstanton participated in Red Nose Day on Friday 21 March, which saw them sport non-uniform and undertake a sponsored fitness challenge – as well as enjoy some home-baked cakes.

    In 2024, the school raised over £400 for Comic Relief – a figure that they hope to have exceeded this year, with a target of £500 to beat.

    “We hope to have raised more than £500 from the non-uniform day and cake sale, and students were also challenged to see how many laps of the school field they could complete in one hour,” explained Alix Birks, who teaches Design Technology at Smithdon, and supported the School Council in organising the event.

    “This took place during students’ core PE lessons that week,” she continued. “We encouraged students to raise sponsorship donations from friends and family to raise money for Comic Relief.”

    Staff at Smithdon also dressed down for the day, while additional funds were raised by a group of students who worked together to run a charity Cake Sale at the school.

    “Our Year 10 and 11 ASDAN students organised a Cake Sale, which took place at break and lunch times in the Main Hall,” added Mrs Birks.

    “We asked students to bring cash to buy cakes and contribute to our fundraising effort."

    “There was no theme, just non-uniform – and students were encouraged to wear a Comic Relief red nose as well.”

    “With its theme of ‘Go Big’ this year, for 40 years of Comic Relief as a national charity offering important support to children and those in need in local communities in the UK and worldwide, we felt we needed to ‘go big’ too, and organise an additional event to try to beat last year’s fundraising,” said Headteacher Amanda Gibbins.

    “It’s great to see the students getting involved to support those less fortunate than themselves all around the world, and understanding the plight of others, including within our own community.”

    To donate to Comic Relief on behalf of Smithdon, go to: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/rnd25-smithdon-high-school

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  • School in the red for charity

    Published 26/03/25

    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.

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  • Scientists inspire WNAT pupils

    Published 26/03/25

    Budding scientists drew inspiration from some famous names when a WNAT school celebrated Science Day.

    Children of all ages at Heacham Junior School took part in the event, which involved a range of different activities, each based around a well-known scientific figure.

    “The school was split up into five groups with children from all year groups,” explained Hannah Greenhalgh, Primary Science Lead at the Trust, and organiser of the day. They rotated around different activities delivered by the teachers.

    “The activities were based on a famous scientist. They included the Leonardo da Vinci Zipline; the Helen Sharman Rocket; Greta Thunberg potato plastic (making biodegradable plastic from potato starch); Marie Curie’s Chemistry Lab; and Delia Derbyshire’s Super Sound Testing.”

    “The pupil’s voice was all really positive,” continued Miss Greenhalgh. “They enjoyed working with different children across the school.

    “The older children provided excellent role models and supported and encouraged the younger ones.”

    British Science Day was also celebrated by the Trust’s other primary schools, including Clenchwarton, Gaywood, Snettisham, Walpole Cross Keys, and West Lynn.

    “Our aim for the day was to crush science stereotypes, making it fun and accessible for all children,” added Miss Greenhalgh. “Furthermore, it enhances the practical element of our science curriculum, which the children love so much.”

    The event followed British Science Week, where Heacham Junior received a visit from student ‘Science Ambassadors’ from fellow WNAT member Smithdon High School in Hunstanton, who put the younger pupils through their scientific paces during a series of experiments and activities.

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  • Star student receives award from King

    Published 26/03/25

    A former Springwood High School student was recognised for her impressive academic achievements when she was invited to Sandringham to receive an award from King Charles III.

    Vinethmi Kulasinghe attained the highest A-Level results at the school last year, which saw her nominated for the Queen Elizabeth Prize for Academic Excellence, a prestigious accolade awarded annually to our high achievers.

    The star student received top A* grades in Chemistry, Further Maths, Maths, Physics, and EPQ while with us and is now studying Robotics and Artificial Intelligence at University College in London.

    Accompanied by her family and Springwood Headteacher and Trust CEO Andy Johnson, the former Head Girl enjoyed an audience with The King, who presented her with a leather-bound copy of The Complete Works of Shakespeare.

    “Leading up to the day, I was very nervous, as it felt like a monumental occasion,” said Miss Kulasinghe. “But, on top of that, I was also incredibly proud of myself and the A-Level results I’d achieved.

    “The prospect of them being recognised by His Majesty King Charles III himself was quite hard to believe. It was amazing that all my hard work was rewarded in such a unique manner.”

    “On the day, the nerves were quickly replaced by excitement, and it was quite a surreal experience to be stood in the magnificent ballroom at Sandringham House, receiving the prize from His Majesty," she continued. “He then came over to us and had a very friendly chat with myself, my family, and Mr Johnson. 

    “It was such a huge occasion for me. I very much enjoyed the entire event, and would say it marked an unforgettable feat in my academic career and my life.”

    Her mother Lanka Udahawatta, father Sanjaya Kulasinghe, and sister Methumlee Kulasinghe also had the opportunity to meet King Charles at the prize-giving ceremony.

    “We were overjoyed when Mr Johnson informed us on A Level Results Day that our daughter had achieved the best results in the school and that her name would be nominated for this year’s award,” said the proud parents.

    “We believe it is a great tradition of Springwood High School to recognise academic excellence with such a prestigious prize. We are very thankful to the school for the excellent education it provides to students.”

    “It was a dream-come-true moment to be able to personally witness our daughter receiving the prize from His Majesty,” they added. “It was indeed a great honour to be invited to Sandringham House for the Prize Giving. It was a memorable moment in our lives.

    “We were able to meet His Majesty in person, and we had the privilege of having a brief chat with him. He was very friendly and made us feel very comfortable. He did not forget to speak personally to each and every member of our family. We are very grateful for His Majesty’s kindness.”

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  • Clenchwarton pupil Marnie is donating her hair to charity.

    Published 21/03/25

    A kind-hearted pupil at our school is ready to lose her long curly locks to help children who are undergoing treatment for cancer.

    Marnie-Rae Hornsby celebrated her sixth birthday today (20) and is having her hair cut later this year for the Little Princess charity.

    Marnie is also raising money for the charity and had hit £375 this week via a page on the Just Giving website which was created for her by dad Shaun Hornsby.

    Her proud mum Chelsea Owen said Marnie was inspired to help after her aunt lost her hair while receiving treatment for cancer before she died last year.  

    “Marnie has been asking me for a while to cut her hair to her shoulders, and I’ve been putting it off as it’s so beautiful and long,  and not wanting her hair to go to waste and be thrown straight in the bin,” she said.

    “She loves to have pretty hairstyles and I’m sure she still can with short hair. Marnie has a really kind nature and helps others.”

    Marnie,  has been watching her list of sponsors increase on the web page and Chelsea said her daughter was ‘very grateful for every pound she has received.’

    Her hair will be cut in June or July and donated to the Little Princess Trust which was established 20 years ago. It provides free, real hair wigs to children and young people aged up to 24 who lose their hair through cancer treatment or other conditions.

    It also raises money to help fund childhood cancer research and for the last nine years has been funding scientists in the field of paediatric cancer. It has paid for 152 research projects in a bid to find a kinder and more effective treatment for childhood cancer.

    Search ‘Marnies fundraiser for Little Princess Trust’ on justgiving.com to make a donation.

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  • Celebrating all things literary​​​​​​​

    Published 21/03/25

    A fortnight of looking at all things literature has seen students at Smithdon High School learn more about the various forms of the written word.

    With days set aside to concentrate on specific themes, students had the opportunity to take part in a range of activities designed to encourage a love of reading.

    It all came to an end on Friday with an Alice in Wonderland Day when staff at the school dressed as characters from the famous book by Lewis Carroll.

    Amanda Wright, Head of English and co-organiser of the festival said: “Lunchtime activities included teacup painting, Mad Hatter hat-decorating, Pin the Crown on the Flamingo, bag or pencil-case art decorating, and riddle writing. Chess was also available, and Claire Pike, our Head of Science, demonstrated a ‘Drink Me’ potion.

    “The themed day brings books alive. It can show students that reading can indeed be fun. With costumes, and decorating the library in that theme, it gives students a visual of the story and brings the characters off the page. We hope that it inspires the students to actually pick up the book, if they haven’t read it before.”

    Author Dan Freedman was among special guests to Smithdon during the festival and he worked with Year 7 and 8 students. A sports journalist by profession, Dan was able to share tales of interviewing soccer stars including Ronaldo.

    He is a Sunday Times bestselling author and his hugely popular series of Jamie Johnson football novels - which have been adapted by the BBC for television. He is also a motivational speaker.

    “Having a published author visit and talk to those in the early years of high school about how they succeeded is important – it can motivate and inspire those that perhaps have little confidence in themselves,” said Ms Wright.

    There was also a special ‘press conference’ held by Headteacher Amanda Gibbins during journalism day when the school hosted local reporter Chris Bishop.

    Cambridge University professor Claire Wilkinson was also on the Smithdon guest list and she led a discussion with Year 9 and 10 students for the school’s Poetry Day.

    “She also talked to the students about life beyond school, and how cool it is to go to uni, and that Cambridge isn’t as out of reach as they think – everyone has a chance if they put their minds to it,” said co-organiser Marie Taylor, school Librarian.

    The school's annual 500-word short story competition was also featured among events at the school’s fourth Literary Festival, along with a book swap and masked reader sessions.

    Donations taken throughout the festival are going to both the school library and the Tapping House Hospice.

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  • WNAT students support younger pupils for British Science Week

    Published 19/03/25

    Science students from a WNAT school put younger pupils through their paces as part of British Science Week, which ran from 10 to 14 March this year.

    The ‘science ambassadors’ from Smithdon High School in Hunstanton spent the week visiting children at five nearby primaries, where they led a series of scientific experiments designed around a particular theme.

    “A group of students from Year 8, Year 9, and Year 10 planned and delivered their six experiments, all linking to this year’s theme ‘Change and Adapt’,” explained Veronica Soper, Science Teacher at Smithdon.

    “They included investigating bird beak shape adapted to different types of seeds; seed shape and dispersal method; the effect of lenses on the image production; static electricity; and the voltage supplied by coin batteries.”

    The primary schools participating in the programme were Hunstanton, Dersingham, and Ingoldisthorpe, along with fellow WNAT members Heacham Junior, and Snettisham.

    “We have been doing this for around eight years, I think,” continued Mrs Soper.

    “During British Science Week, I take a different group of about 12 Smithdon students to a primary school each morning and help them set up and run their activities.

    “It’s a great opportunity for our students to act as science ambassadors and role models for the younger students, and also for primary school children to meet and engage with those who are already at the secondary school many of them will attend in a few years’ time, supporting their transition.

    “Many of those who get involved remember when we visited them in Year 3 and Year 4, and can even tell all the experiments we did that year.”

    There were also British Science Week activities taking place within Smithdon, where the ‘Change and Adapt’ theme took centre stage over the course of the week.

    “In school there was an assembly on how scientists adapt and change to new ideas, along with the changing careers in science – for example, more green careers, such as careers in renewable energy, electric cars et cetera,” said the school’s Head of Science, Claire Pike.

    “Within lesson time, there were experiments to do with changes seen in chemicals, how animals are adapted to change, and how our climate is changing.”

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