There was a need for speed, when students from across the West Norfolk Academies Trust came together to test their skills in a Science, Technology, Engineering, and Maths (STEM) challenge.

The WNAT Race to the Line competition tasked the aspiring engineers with designing, building, and racing their own CO2-powered cars.

The final took place at Springwood High School in Lynn, and saw teams from Springwood compete against fellow Trust members Marshland High School in West Walton and Smithdon High School in Hunstanton.

“Following two successful years of Race to the Line events for Year 7 students across the Trust, we were delighted to hold a Trust final for the competition,” said Victoria Mann, Head of Year 7 at Springwood.

“The best teams, now in Year 8, were brought together to compete at Springwood High School, recreating their CO2-powered cars, to find the fastest racers in the West Norfolk Academies Trust.

“During the event, students had to design and create their racers, fix wheels, and ensure their car would be both eye-catching and aerodynamic. They went head-to-head along racing lines, powered by small CO2 canisters that sent the cars flying along the track.”

The Race to Line initiative was co-ordinated by Springwood Science Teacher Isabel Colley, supported by staff from each of the competing Trust schools. First place went to a team from Springwood, who narrowly pipped Marshland to the post.

“This is the first time we have held a Trust final for this event,” added Mrs Mann. “We hope to repeat it annually going forward.

“We are also looking forward to again repeating the whole year group event for our Year 7's at the end of term, which is supported by the generous sponsorship of local businesses.

“We are delighted to continue to offer opportunities like this to our younger pupils, helping them to gain practical experiences in STEM, apply creativity and problem solving via hands-on events.

“It is also a wonderful opportunity to bring our Trust schools together to share in the success of programmes like Race to the Line.”

There was a colourful end to the half term, when pupils at a WNAT school took part in a fun event to both celebrate their achievements and raise funds for the school.

Around 110 children from Reception to Year 6 at Clenchwarton Primary joined in the Colour Run, which took place after school on the school field in front of spectating parents and carers.

“This was the first time we’ve ever done a colour run at Clenchwarton,” said Assistant Headteacher Billy Overton. “The children and adults all had an excellent time, and the weather was perfect for the event too.

“We had set up a course around the school field with teacher stations along the way. Every time the children ran past a station, the teachers were able to throw coloured powder on the children. We all got just as covered as the children.

“Everyone had an absolutely brilliant time, both children and staff, with the parents luckily keeping out of the firing line!”

The event was organised by Clenchwarton Parent Teacher Association (PTA), and raised more than £300 for the school.

“I’d like to thank our amazing PTA,” continued Mr Overton. “They work so hard for the school, with this event raising over £300, which we can put towards some new iPads or a new sound and lighting system.”

“It’s been a really busy time at school, with SATS finishing last week, and all of our staff and children working so hard over this half term,” he added. “This was a fantastic end to the half term, where we were all rewarded with some sunshine and fun.

“It was a great event for the whole school community – children, staff, and parents all laughing together, just like primary schools should.”

From its market places to the Great Ouse, King’s Lynn provided the perfect inspiration when children at a WNAT school rose to the challenge of an art competition.

All age groups at Gaywood Primary took part in the contest, which was run by Barratt & Wilson Homes, and tasked entrants to ‘Draw Your Favourite Thing in the Local Area’, in the run up to Children’s Art Week at the end of June.

“The children had to create a piece of artwork inspired by King’s Lynn,” said Gaywood Art Lead Abigail King.

“I gave each year group a theme based on King’s Lynn, and all the teachers and teaching assistants got involved helping the children achieve their full potential.”

The Early Years children used collage techniques to depict the town’s markets; Years 1 and 2 created models of fishing and the Quayside from recycled materials; and the Year 3 pupils depicted the River Great Ouse in watercolour paints.

Other themes included ‘Night Time at the Mart’, where Year 4 worked in chalk on black paper; while the Year 5 class sketched Lynn landmarks in pencil and charcoal; and Year 6 combined collage and sketching onto old maps for their topic on Historical King’s Lynn.

The artwork will be displayed in an exhibition at the school at the beginning of June, so that visitors, friends, family members, and carers can enjoy the results of the children’s creativity.

“It’s an exciting new competition,” added Miss King.

“Wider community art competitions are really valuable for the children – not because every child needs to ‘win’, but because the experience connects creativity to the world outside school.

“The children feel a sense of pride, and are given the opportunity to explore different ideas and styles within art.”

It was an ‘iconic’ evening, when dancers from a West Norfolk Academies Trust school showcased their talents at Springwood Dance 2026.

Around 150 students from Years 7 to 13 at Springwood High School took part in the annual show, which had the theme ‘Icons’ and played to a full house of 300 audience members in the school’s Peter Hopkins Hall.

“The show is always a sell-out night, as it incorporates so many of our students,” said Head of Dance Dawn Paulo.

“Our show encompasses extra-curricular Dance Club pieces, exam pieces, and competition pieces, and every student is welcome, no matter their experience.”

The House Dance Competition also followed the icon theme, and included performances from the school’s four houses, each led by two designated leaders, who choreographed the pieces, as well as arranging music and lighting.

Winners Holkham were led by Ellise Eggleton from Year 12, and Bella Guyatt in Year 10, who drew inspiration from pop legend Michael Jackson for their tribute piece. Featuring a mash-up of the singer’s well-known songs, it was performed by 14 dancers from Years 7 to 12, appropriately dressed in black, glittery outfits with white gloves.

“I am really proud of the dancers from Holkham House,” said Ellise. “They all worked so hard, and I am excited to lead again next year.”

Second place in the contest went to Sandringham, whose FAME performance referenced a host of icons from presenters Ant and Dec to Katniss Evergreen from The Hunger Games; Roxie Hart from Chicago; singer Cher; Mean Girls Regina George, Karen Smith, Gretchen Wiener, and Cady Heron; and Showman PT Barnum. Twenty-six dancers from Years 7 to 12 depicted the different characters.

“Springwood Dance Show is an important event to celebrate and share work, but also to bring us together as a community within school, and with our friends and families,” continued Mrs Paulo.

“The show included 27 pieces, including the finale which started with our boys leading in a routine inspired by icon John Travolta in Saturday Night Fever.

“It’s great to see lots of students participating from all years, with a range of dance experience. For some students, this was their first time performing on stage, and others are experienced performers.”

“What’s lovely about this event is that it caters for different abilities and opportunities,” she added.

“Some pieces I have choreographed and told the dancers what to do, and in other pieces they have had creative freedom to merge ideas with me, or entirely by themselves.

“The students love being part of the show – there’s so much energy and buzz in the room.”

There will be another chance to see Springwood’s dancers when they perform at the Corn Exchange next month to open the West Norfolk Schools Sport Partnership Primary Dance Festival, and they will also open the Trust’s Primary Dance Festival in July.

Clenchwarton Primary pupils followed in a teacher’s footsteps, when she inspired them to join her at the Great East Anglia Run (GEAR) to raise more than £630 for a good cause.

Michelle Ryan, who is Year 4 Teacher at the school, was running to raise money for the East Anglia Air Ambulance (EAAA), along with more than 30 children from the school, who were keen to do their bit for the charity.

Younger children were accompanied by adults in the Mini GEAR, while those from Years 3 to 6 ran on their own.

“The children covered 1.9km, and they said they loved running with lots of people cheering around them,” said Mrs Ryan, who was taking part for the fourth time, and completed the course in a personal best of under one hour four minutes.

“A few of the children I started running with were really engaged with the music and the warm up to get everyone in the mood to run. There was a lot of excitement on the starting line!

“The total is currently at £634 and will go directly to the EAAA. They will use this for life-saving resources, such as equipment, fuel for the air ambulance, staffing, and training.”

Clenchwarton, which is part of the West Norfolk Academies Trust, regularly fundraises for the EAAA.

“My last three classes have all been involved in organising cakes on a cake sale to raise money for the EAAA,” continued Mrs Ryan. “The children take responsibility for it, which opens up ideas and discussions about preparation, organisation skills before and on the day, and selling skills, including using their maths facts to take payment and give change.

“I fully believe the children in the rest of the school now look forward to joining my class, knowing they will be learning about the EAAA throughout the year and raising money for them.

“The awareness and money raised by the school community obviously helps people in the local community and Norfolk area in emergency situations, and long may it continue.”

There are plans for Clenchwarton pupils and staff to take part in GEAR again next year for the charity.

“I am planning to run again next year, obviously to raise more for the EAAA, but hope to make more momentum in school by encouraging more children to take part in a bigger school team, and encouraging staff to create a staff team for 2027,” added Mrs Ryan.

“I would like to say that I have done this completely off my own back, as a teacher wanting to inspire children. It has not been linked to a Trust or school initiative. I would, however, like to see this sort of thing continue to thrive in schools, and to become more of a normal practice within education, not an add-on.

“It really means a great deal to raise money and awareness for such a great charity.”

The end of term was a literal rollercoaster ride, when hard-working students from a WNAT school saw their efforts rewarded with a day out at a theme park.

The group of 50 Year 11 students from Smithdon High School celebrated the term’s successes with a trip to Alton Towers in Staffordshire, where they had the opportunity to test their nerve on rides such as Nemesis Reborn, Wicker Man, The Curse, Toxicator, Oblivion, Galactica, and the world’s first 14-loop rollercoaster The Smiler.

“The trip was to reward the hard work that Year 11 students have put in so far this year in school, and a chance for them to relax before a busy exam season after the Easter break,” said Assistant Head Dan Ward, who organised the event.

“They get the opportunity to go on thrill-seeking rides at one of the country’s best theme parks.”

The trip has become an annual fixture on the calendar at Smithdon.

“It is really important that we recognise the hard work and dedication of our students,” added Mr Ward.

“It gives the Year 11 students motivation to work hard, and gives them a sense of achievement by earning a place on the trip.”