There were celebrations across the board, when students at a WNAT school came together to mark the end of the academic year and their Key Stage 3 studies.

The Year 9 cohort from Springwood High School assembled at St Nicholas Chapel for the Presentation Evening, where they were joined by the Mayor of King’s Lynn, as well as Chair of Governors Roger Livesey, parents, department heads, and teachers.

There was also a special guest speaker, former Springwood pupil Mackenzie Whitehouse-Baker, who is currently reading Politics, Philosophy, and Economics at Oxford University, and spoke about his journey through the school.

Head of Year 9 Oliver Denton hosted the event, alongside Executive Headteacher Andy Johnson and Deputy Headteacher Richard Thompson.

“There were over 70 awards presented on the evening, most notably the subject awards, which acknowledged the best attainment and progress in every subject,” he said.

“We also acknowledged every Year 9 pupil with a certificate to mark their completion of Key Stage 3 at Springwood High School.

“A range of other certificates and acknowledgements were made, for attendance, transition leaders, school councils, and highest achievement points.”

Among those receiving accolades were Adrianna Lee with an impressive 100 per cent attendance record for the full three years, and Elodie Blackmore, who won the award for Contributions to Extra-Curricular Activities.

The annual ceremony was organised by Year 9 Manager Sam Kempton.

Mr Denton added: “Events like this are so important to the pupils of Springwood High School. This particular occasion is a moment for pupils to reflect and take stock of their achievements to date.

“They also get the opportunity to be proud of completing another phase of their education, whilst also looking ahead to their future educational and career pathway.

“Taking moments like this to recognise our wonderful young people is so important to building and maintaining the amazing culture our youngsters have built along their journey so far. It is a great way to close one chapter and prepare for the next.”

Students at a WNAT school celebrated the end of the academic year at their very own fun-filled festival, which involved a range of activities, as well as music and refreshments.

Open to all Year 8 students at Springwood High School who had successfully completed the Endeavour Programme over the course of the year, ‘Springfest’ featured a variety of entertainment, from a bouncy castle and climbing wall, to a bucking bronco.

As well as attending, the students had helped organise and fund the all-day festival, raising money through a series of initiatives, which included bake sales, penalty shoot outs, sports matches, and other sponsored events.

The Endeavour Scheme comprises nine different challenges, and aims to develop young people’s independent thinking. Participants are encouraged to try new experiences, such as article writing, performance reviewing, representing their school house, and leading an assembly – as well as organising a fundraising event.

Springfest has become a popular annual event on the calendar at Springwood, with around 270 students joining the celebration.

Some very big cats were among the patients, when a former WNAT student honed her veterinary skills at the Kruger National Park in South Africa.

Izzy King, who has just finished the third year of a five-year degree at Harper and Keele Veterinary School, completed a two-week placement at the world-famous reserve as part of a conservation project.

“I did the Kruger Vet Project in South Africa, which is one of the Worldwide Vets projects,” she explained.

“I found the poisons course lecture focusing on vultures and their role in the prevention of disease spread interesting, and enjoyed treating some of Africa’s iconic wildlife – rhino, hippo, lion, buffalo, and wildebeest.”

Overseen by some of the country’s leading wildlife vets, the programme covered how to tranquilise animals on the ground and from helicopter; capture and release species; monitor anaesthesia; and apply treatments in the field. There were also discussions on conservation, wildlife medicine, animal management, and veterinary procedures.

Miss King attended Springwood High School in King’s Lynn from 2016 to 2023. The 21-year-old credits the school – and Headteacher Andy Johnson – with preparing her for life as a vet.

She continued: “My biggest challenge was going to South Africa on my own. I would never have done it without going on the Challenges Abroad trips with Springwood Sixth Form to Cambodia in Year 12 and Peru in Year 13.

“Springwood gave me countless opportunities to develop beyond the classroom, from taking part in Challenges Abroad and completing my Duke of Edinburgh Award, to working as a Midday Supervisory Assistant, supporting a child with learning difficulties.

“One memory that has always stayed with me is from Year 8. Mr Johnson asked a small group of us to research a university degree that interested us, explore the entry requirements, and write an essay about it. I chose astrophysics.

“At the end of the task, he left us with a piece of advice: ‘Don’t just open doors for yourself – knock them down so they can never be closed again.’ It was a simple message, but one that encouraged me to aim high.”

She added: “In addition, I have been part of Girlguiding UK since the age of four, and am now a qualified leader. Looking back, it has been one of the most valuable extracurricular activities I have been involved in.

“My advice to any sixth former aiming for a competitive career like veterinary medicine is to look beyond your grades. Work experience, volunteering, extracurricular activities, and showing genuine commitment, does not only strengthen your application, but helps you grow as a person, build confidence, and develop valuable skills.

“Take every opportunity you can, stay curious, and don’t be afraid to go the extra mile – it will be worth it.”

As students across West Norfolk Academies Trust celebrate their GCSE results, many are also taking the opportunity to reflect on their time at their schools and the people, experiences and opportunities that have helped shape them.

While Results Day is naturally about grades and the next steps in education, the comments from students across Springwood High School, Smithdon High School, Marshland High School and St Clement’s High School reveal something broader about their secondary school experience.

From supportive teachers and friendships to sport, performing arts and opportunities to discover new interests, students have described their schools as places where they have grown in confidence, developed new passions and prepared themselves for the future.

For many, the relationships they have built with teachers have been one of the most important parts of their school experience.

At Springwood High School, Grace Dickson, who achieved an outstanding 11 Grade 9s, one Grade 7 and one A, said she had particularly valued the supportive environment at the school. “I really like Springwood and the teachers here – it’s really supportive,” she said.

Her fellow high achiever Hagar Abdelgawad, who achieved nine Grade 9s, two Grade 8s and one D*, is now preparing to stay at Springwood Sixth Form as she works towards her ambition of studying Medicine.

“I’ve really enjoyed my time at Springwood and I’m happy to be staying here for two more years,” she said.

For Antoni Ostasz, who achieved five Grade 9s, four Grade 8s, two Grade 7s, one Grade 6 and one Grade A, the support available at Springwood has helped him feel confident about the next stage of his education.

He will now study Maths, Further Maths, Physics and Chemistry at A-Level, with ambitions to go on to Oxbridge and pursue a career linked to Physics or engineering.

“I think the support's amazing here for getting through GCSEs and getting onto further education with apprenticeships, colleges, or the sixth form, as well as just looking for careers in general – it’s been great,” he said.

At Smithdon High School, students also spoke warmly about the experiences they had enjoyed during their time at the school.

Freya Whiting, one of the school’s top achievers, is moving on to Sixth Form to study A-Levels, with ambitions of working in Sports Science. She said her time at Smithdon had been about much more than what happened in the classroom.

“My time at Smithdon has been amazing,” she said. “All the lessons are put together so well, and I’ve enjoyed all the extracurricular sports stuff outside of school. I’ll miss the teachers. It’s been a really good experience.”

For Freya, the combination of academic lessons, extracurricular opportunities and relationships with staff had made her school experience a memorable one.

George Ince, who achieved one Grade 9, four Grade 8s, one Grade 7, two Grade 6s and two Grade 5s, was surprised by how well he had performed when he opened his results.

“I feel really good about the results,” he said. “I didn’t think they’d be this good. Although I’d worked really hard, I didn’t think I did this well.”

He was particularly proud of achieving a Grade 9 in Chemistry.

For Amelie Witley, her time at Smithdon has helped her identify the direction she wants to take in the future. After achieving two Grade 9s, three Grade 7s, four Grade 6s and one Grade 5, she will now study Art, Photography and Media Studies at A-Level.

She is hoping eventually to work in animation and film. “I did so much better than I expected,” she said. “I’m absolutely gobsmacked, to be honest. I was terrified when I came in this morning. I don't even know what to say – I’m just so shocked.”

But it was her future ambition that really demonstrated how her interests had developed during her time at school. “I'd really like to go into animation and film. I'd love to be able to create my own films one day.”

For Oscar Tidd, who is also planning to continue his studies at Sixth Form, Smithdon helped him discover which subjects genuinely interested him. “I’ve really enjoyed my time at Smithdon,” he said. “It’s been nice. The subjects are available to help you discover what you really enjoy.”

Oscar now plans to study History and Media Studies, with the ambition of eventually going into documentary film-making.

For Geo Anness, meanwhile, school helped uncover a passion for performing.

Geo, who achieved one Grade 9, two Grade 8s, two Grade 7s, two Grade 6s and three Grade 5s, has starred in a number of school productions and hopes to pursue a career in Musical Theatre.

“I just love being on stage,” she said. “I love singing and acting, and I am working right now on my dance skills, as I started a bit later with that. I love Musical Theatre, but I’d love to do screen as well. It just depends.”

She also highlighted the impact of the teachers who had supported her. “Springwood has been a positive experience, and I’m definitely going to miss the teachers – they’ve really helped me to get where I am.”

For Daisy May, one of Smithdon’s Head Girl team, her memories of the school are similarly positive. “I’ve loved it at Smithdon – it’s been brilliant,” she said.

Meanwhile, Miles Harris, who has already started a two-year apprenticeship as an apprentice architect technician with Vertex Architects, is taking the skills and experiences he gained at Smithdon directly into the workplace.

“I’ve got an apprenticeship from Vertex Architects,” he explained. “I’m an apprentice architect technician, so I’m just drawing up houses and helping them.”

At Marshland High School, students also reflected on the support they had received and the way their experiences had helped them overcome challenges and develop confidence.

Emelia Cook achieved an exceptional ten Grade 9s, one Grade 8 and a B in Additional Maths, and will now study Biology, Chemistry and Maths at Springwood Sixth Form with ambitions of becoming a doctor.

But one of the results she was proudest of was in History, a subject she had initially struggled with. “History was the result that surprised me the most because when I started it, I just felt like I couldn’t do it,” she said.

After achieving a six in her mocks, Emelia worked hard to improve, taking advantage of the additional support available to her. “I really had to work hard for it, and took up every offer the school offered me, including tutoring. I’m so proud of myself.”

Her experience demonstrates how a student's school journey can be about more than simply achieving the highest possible grade. It can also be about identifying a weakness, accepting help, putting in the work and ultimately proving to yourself what you are capable of.

For Nikolay Nedyalkov, who achieved two Grade 9s, six Grade 8s, two Grade 7s, a Grade 6 and a B in Additional Maths, the key lesson from his GCSE experience was to believe in himself. “I did my best and that’s all I asked of myself,” he said. “I worked really hard to get these results and I believed in myself.”

Nikolay was particularly proud of his Science results and will now study Computer Science, Maths, Further Maths and Physics at Springwood Sixth Form.

He was also keen to recognise the role played by his teachers. “I’ve loved my time here at Marshland. The teachers here have always been very helpful, they are experts in their fields, and I couldn’t have asked for more, and looking at my results, I’m very happy.”

Eaden Nunnerley, who achieved seven Grade 9s, two Grade 8s and one Grade 7, described her time at Marshland as “an amazing journey”.

“I’ve had a brilliant time at Marshland,” she said. “It’s been an amazing journey. I’ve really loved this school and I’m really going to miss it here, especially the brilliant teachers.”

Eaden will now move on to Springwood Sixth Form to study Biology, Chemistry and Maths, with hopes of pursuing a career in Medicine.

Her comments capture one of the bittersweet elements of Results Day: the excitement of moving on to the next stage of life alongside the realisation that a familiar part of life is coming to an end.

At St Clement’s High School, students similarly spoke about the support they had received from staff and the sense of community they had experienced.

Imogen Garrett, one of the school's top achievers, achieved three Grade 9s, three Grade 8s, two Grade 7s and two Grade 6s. She will now move on to Springwood Sixth Form to study History, Politics and Spanish, with ambitions of eventually attending Oxbridge.

Despite her excellent results, Imogen admitted that she had been nervous before opening her envelope. “I was really scared coming to collect my results today, I didn’t know how I was going to do,” she said.

But once she opened her results, there were plenty of positive surprises. “I was really shocked, in particular, about my science results, and I would say that I’m most proud of my History result. I felt like I put a lot of work into that GCSE but I do love history.”

For Imogen, however, the most important part of her reflection was what she had to say about St Clement’s itself. “I’ve loved my time here. The school has always been really supportive. All the staff here really care and all the teachers are really good at what they do.”

She enjoyed her time at the school so much that she plans to return to give something back to the younger students. “I’ve enjoyed it so much that I’m going to come back to do some mentoring.”

Ethan Ward, another of St Clement’s highest achievers, achieved six Grade 9s, three Grade 8s and one Grade 7 and will also progress to Springwood Sixth Form.

He was particularly pleased with his Grade 9 in PE, as well as his results in History, Maths and Science.

“I think this school has been really good for me,” he said. “I’ve really enjoyed my time here. The teachers are great, super supportive, and they are always there to help whenever we need it.”

For Ruby De-Gol, her time at St Clement’s helped her reach a significant personal milestone in passing the Maths GCSE she had feared she might not be able to achieve.

“I’d say I’m most proud of my Maths GCSE because I just felt like I wouldn’t be able to pass it but I did,” she said. “I’m amazed at what I’ve achieved.”

Ruby will now study Travel and Tourism at the College of West Anglia as she works towards her dream of becoming cabin crew.

“I’m going to the College of West Anglia now to study Travel and Tourism and then hopefully get a job somewhere as air cabin crew. That’s my dream – just not for Ryanair.”

Across the four West Norfolk Academies Trust schools, the students' reflections provide a picture of school life that goes well beyond examination results.

For some, it has been the support of teachers that has made the biggest difference. For others, it has been discovering a passion for sport, drama, musical theatre, film, media or a particular academic subject. 

Some have valued the extracurricular opportunities available to them, while others have found confidence through friendships, school productions, sporting activities or simply having adults around them who believed in their potential.

There is also a recurring theme of students discovering things about themselves that they did not necessarily know when they first arrived at secondary school.

Amelie discovered a passion for animation and film. Geo found a love of Musical Theatre. Oscar discovered an interest in documentary filmmaking. Freya developed ambitions of working in Sports Science. Others are now preparing for careers in Medicine, Physics, engineering and architecture.

And while the students are excited about what comes next, many are also conscious that they are leaving behind schools and people who have played an important part in their lives.

“I’ll miss the teachers,” said Freya. 

“I’m definitely going to miss the teachers,” said Geo.

“I’m really going to miss it here, especially the brilliant teachers,” said Eaden.

For Imogen, that connection is strong enough that she intends to return to St Clement’s as a mentor.

The comments also show the importance of confidence. Students have talked about being terrified before opening their results, not expecting to do as well as they did, or struggling with particular subjects, only to discover that their hard work had paid off.

As George put it, he was surprised by how well he had done despite working hard. Emelia proved to herself that a subject she once thought she could not do was one in which she could ultimately achieve a result of which she was immensely proud. Ruby achieved a Maths pass she had feared was beyond her.

These are stories of achievement, but they are also stories of growth.

As the Class of 2026 leaves Springwood, Smithdon, Marshland and St Clement’s, they take with them more than their GCSE results. 

They leave with memories of school productions, sporting activities, friendships, supportive teachers, challenging subjects, new interests and the confidence that comes from discovering what they are capable of achieving.

And perhaps most importantly, they leave with a clearer idea of where they want to go next.

For West Norfolk Academies Trust, the students' reflections are a reminder that successful schools are not simply places where young people achieve qualifications. 

They are places where young people discover who they are, what they enjoy, what they are capable of and what they might achieve in the future.

The Class of 2026 have certainly made their mark on their schools. And, judging by what they have said about their experiences, their schools have made a lasting mark on them too.

Students from a WNAT school experienced the authentic Greek lifestyle when they spent a week at TYPET Sani Chalkidiki Camp in Sani in Greece.

A group of 41 Year 9 Springwood High School students took part in the Mediterranean adventure, which included a range of different sports and activities, as well as plenty of time for exploration, rest, and relaxation.

PE Teacher Paul Donovan co-led the trip with the school’s Head of Technology, Steph Beech.

“The students got to experience camp life, which for the Greek children at the camp was part of their normal school year,” he said. “They had the opportunity to take part in camp sports, arts and crafts, dance, along with swimming, and beach visits.

“We also spent a day on a boat trip along the peninsular towards Mount Athos, learning about the Greek monasteries, from when they were built and who lives in them, to how many Greek Orthodox monks live there.

“The pupils particularly enjoyed the beach visits, and spending time in the sea.”

It was the second time that the trip had taken place, following its successful introduction to the school’s calendar last year.

Mr Donovan continued: “I think the trip is massively important, and opens their eyes to a different way of life and cultural norms.

“When pupils go on holidays, they visit tourist spots, and enjoy hotels and their amenities; however, this trip is more like you are living within the community and away from tourism.”

He added: “There aren’t many trips that encompass nearly every subject in school, from sports to food, languages to all of the humanities subjects, as well as PSHE [Personal, Social, Health, and Economic Education], while developing their soft skills in leadership, resilience, and independence.

“The pupils leave with great memories, but also a new outlook on life in a different country.”

Students saw their creative talents recognised when a WNAT school held its annual Arts Awards Evening.

The event at Springwood High School in King’s Lynn involved more than 60 students, from Years 7 to 13, and covered such diverse subjects as Music, Drama, Dance, Art and Photography, Media and Music Technology, and Technical Theatre.

Pete Cuss is Head of Arts Faculty at the school, and hosted the ceremony.

Among the many presentations were prizes in each subject category for ‘Highest Achievement’ and ‘Biggest Contribution’, as well as several additional awards.

Winners included Amelie Hayward and Eleanor King as Young Musician of the Year and Junior Musician of the Year, respectively, while Josie Draper was honoured for her Contribution to Multiple Arts Subjects, and Technician Awards went to Josh Downey for Key Stage 3 and Aretas Koldobenkas for Key Stage 4.

Handing out the prizes were Department Heads Lee Eveson for Art/Photography, Dawn Paulo for Dance, Matt Smart for Media, Robinson Ellis for Drama, and Robin Norman for Music, along with Theatre Manager Matt Austin.

It was the third year running that the Awards had taken place.

“Events like this are important as they recognise the hard work and achievement our students have put into their studies and extracurricular over the last academic year,” said Mr Cuss.

“This is also an opportunity to thank the parents for their support, in particular getting students to and from rehearsals and extracurricular groups.

“We host events like this to encourage and keep the profile of Arts-based subjects at the forefront of student life at Springwood.”