Dance lovers in Lynn were in for a treat when talents from the Trust’s secondary schools competed in a dance contest which tested their musicality and choreography, as well as their technical skills.

The WNAT Dance Competition saw dancers from across our four secondary schools come together at Springwood High School for the show, where 38 students from Years 7 to 13 displayed their talents.

Dawn Paulo is Head of Dance at Springwood and organised the event.

“The Springwood Key Stage 5 Diploma Dancers opened and closed the show,” she explained. “Year 13s performed an ensemble piece entitled ‘Leave the Light On’, which was choreographed as part of their Ensemble Unit on the course.

“Year 13 dancer Ellise Eggleton closed the show with a contemporary solo. The show was presented by our Year 12 Dance Diploma students.”

The other Trust high schools taking part were Marshland, St Clement’s, and Smithdon.

Mrs Paulo continued: “Each of the four WNAT secondary schools entered dancers in four categories: Key Stage 3 Solo Choreography and Performance; Key Stage 3 Group Choreography and Performance; Key Stage 4 Solo Choreography and Performance; and Key Stage 4 Group Choreography and Performance.

“The students had to have choreographed this by themselves with no input from teachers in school or outside of school. The music had to be selected by students and edited by them in MP3 or Wav format. Lyrics had to be suitable for a family audience. Schools held auditions in each category in order to select their dance representatives.”

All competitors received certificates, while those placing first in each category were presented with a trophy.

Chosen by a judging panel drawn from across the four schools, the winners were: Ava Hicks from Springwood and Bonnie Little from St Clement’s as KS3 Soloists, and Bella Guyatt from Springwood as KS4 Soloist; while the KS3 group comprised Isis Ferreira Da Silva, Farrah Angus, Isabelle Morris, Sana Grimsby, Reilly Cartwright and Abigail Poucher from Springwood, and the KS4 group featured Bella Guyatt and Daisy Abrahams, also from Springwood.

It was the first time the competition had taken place – although more events of the kind are expected to follow.

Mrs Paulo added: “This is a new event and competition between the Trust and will help to raise the profile of dance in all four schools. Currently, Springwood is the only secondary school to offer Dance as a qualification at Key Stage 4 (and Key Stage 5).

“It helps to provide the opportunity for students to showcase their choreography and performance skills within a lively setting.

“We hope this will be the beginning of continuing dance projects within the Trust schools, after a successful running of our WNAT Primary Dance Shows.

Past inspired present when alumni from a WNAT school returned to share their knowledge and career advice with current pupils.

Speakers at the Springwood High School Futures Event included former students Adam Wren from Larking Gowen accountants; Nathan Poll from Inshore Fisheries; Ruby Goodchild from Brown & Co estate agency; Aaron Winters and Dan McNicol from Stephenson Smart Chartered Accountants; Ryan Lake from John Lake Shellfish; Owen Claydon-Nicol from the NHS East of England Ambulance Service; and Izzy King, who is a fourth-year veterinary student at Harper Adams University.

The school’s Careers Lead and Head of Year 12, Nicky Thompson, arranged the event with Head of Year 10 Oliver Denton, Head of Year 11 Pete Cuss, and Head of Year 13 Luke Rawling.

“There were more than 50 exhibitors from the world of work and education,” she explained. “A wide range of employment sectors were represented this year, with key employers being Bespak, Dodmans, British Sugar, QEH, BAE Systems, Cranswick Food, Mars, Stephenson Smart, and Ward Gethin.

“New this year were Searles, Pilgrim Foods, RMD Kwikform, MVV Environment, Eastern Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authority, and John Lake Shellfish.”

More than 1,000 students from Years 10 to 13 attended the day-long event, in which potential employers and education providers delivered workshops to help students make informed decisions about the future.

“It was a pleasure to meet the students at Springwood Sixth Form and talk to them about a career in accountancy,” said Tax Assistant Mr Wren. “They showed a real interest in the profession, and it was great to share some insight into the variety of work we do on a day-to-day basis.

“It was especially rewarding to speak with students as they explored their future career options, and to highlight the many opportunities available at Larking Gowen and within the wider profession, as well as the multiple routes that can be taken to pursue a career in accountancy.”

Conservation Officer Mr Poll agreed: “It was a real pleasure to return to my old school, this time representing Eastern IFCA.

“Having studied here before going on to pursue a career in marine conservation and fisheries management, it was great to share my experiences with students and show them some of the opportunities available in protecting our local seas and marine environment.”

Fellow alumnus Mr McNicol also enjoyed revisiting Springwood, saying: “It was great to return to my old school and speak to students about where a career in accountancy can take you.

“It was particularly rewarding to answer their questions and hopefully give them a better idea of the different opportunities and apprenticeships available at Stephenson Smart.”

Paramedic Operations Manager Mr Claydon-Nicol added: “As a former pupil of Springwood, it is always nice to come back and engage with the students.”

It was the third time the event had taken place.

Miss Thompson continued: “Springwood High School is committed to providing high quality Careers Education, Information, Advice and Guidance (CEIAG) for all students – encouraging them to aim higher and explore engaging and rewarding careers.

“The School's Careers Plan ensures that every student has opportunities to learn from employers about work, employment and the skills that are valued in the workplace – the Futures Event brought together students and multiple employers to do just that.”

Students at a WNAT school were put through their paces by the University of Cambridge when they took part in two annual competitions.

The sixth formers from Springwood High School rose to the occasion, tackling a series of questions related either to Chemistry or Economics.

Chemistry Lead Annabel Owen oversaw the Cambridge Chemistry Challenge.

“It involved completing a very challenging set of abstract Chemistry questions designed to stretch and challenge students,” she explained.

“It gives students a chance to apply their Chemistry knowledge to unfamiliar situations, gives them an insight into degree-level Chemistry, and can help give them exposure to styles of questions that can be in some university admission tests.”

Robin McGregor teaches Business and Economics at the school and led the Cambridge Economics Challenge, in which five Year 12 A-Level students took part.

“During a 75-minute exam, students were asked to combine their knowledge of Economics, a primarily written subject, with mathematical and problem-solving skills to answer difficult questions focused on a range of economic topics, like externalities, public goods, sixteenth-century currency debasement, and setting interest rates,” he said.

“This gives students who plan to study Economics beyond A-Level an opportunity to explore the mathematical side of Economics, which makes up so much of an Economics degree at university, preparing them for the step up to university-level study.”

There were poppies all round when WNAT students were joined by representatives from St John’s Ambulance, scouts, and cadet groups, as well as Mayor of King’s Lynn Steve Bearshaw, for their school’s annual Remembrance Service on Wednesday 11 November.

The event at Springwood High School saw the Year 7 cohort and sixth formers take part in a Remembrance Day Parade, which was followed by a ceremony where Executive Headteacher Andy Johnson laid a wreath.

Rebecca Davies-Mays is Deputy Head at the school.

“Our cadets led a parade that included representatives from other groups,” she said. “We then had a reading and two minutes’ silence.

“Mr Johnson laid a wreath, and the King’s Lynn Mayor also laid a poppy. Members of the Governing Body were also present.”

The occasion has been marked annually by Springwood for more than 15 years.

Mrs Davies-Mays added: “It provides a historical understanding of local history, community memorials, and family stories. It fosters gratitude, respect, and a sense of responsibility by exploring concepts like selflessness and courage.

“It also brings together multi-generational groups – including school staff, families, local veterans, and community leaders – through shared rituals like two-minute silences and assemblies.”

Scientists, engineers and mathematicians at a WNAT school saw their successes celebrated at a special ceremony held in their honour.

Around fifty students from Years 8 to 12 at Springwood High School attended the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) Celebration Evening, where awards and certificates were presented in recognition of their achievements over the past academic year.

Isabel Colley is a Science Teacher at the school, and helped to organise the event.

“The evening celebrates the STEM achievements from the previous school year with certificates and awards from school and regional competitions,” she explained.

The event was also supported by the school’s STEM Lead and Assistant Head, Victoria Mann, and Science Teacher and Deputy Head Rebecca Davies-Mays, while guest speaker Professor Abby Onencan from the University of East Anglia shared her experience in STEM and explained why the field is so important.

Miss Colley added: “It is a chance to celebrate the success of the pupils with them and their parents. It shows all the contributions to STEM from across the school, and inspires pupils that STEM is accessible for all pupils at Springwood High School.”

Self-expression was on the timetable when pupils at a WNAT school swapped their uniforms for something brighter to promote mental health awareness.

Children across all age groups at Clenchwarton Primary took part in the annual Hello Yellow campaign in support of the charity Young Minds, wearing yellow on Friday 9 October for World Mental Health Day and donating to the cause.

Billy Overton is Assistant Headteacher at the school.

“Clenchwarton take part in Hello Yellow every year,” he said. “Staff join in too, and there was an assembly to mark the day, as well as some linked activities in class based around supporting our wellbeing and mental health.

“These included drawing posters, making kindness chains with positive messages, or class discussions around how we look after our mental wellbeing.”

Other participating Trust schools included West Lynn Primary, St Clement’s High School, and Smithdon High School.

Mr Overton continued: “It’s important for us, and lots of children suffer from problems with confidence, anxiety, and self-esteem issues. Often these children try to hide or mask what’s really going on inside.

“Wearing yellow helps to raise this issue and let everyone know there are people you can talk to and websites to visit for advice – nobody is on their own.

“The children really enjoy dressing up in yellow and parents are able to donate to help support the cause.”

He added: “This gives us an opportunity to share how we feel and to see that we all go through similar things or have worries at different times in our lives – we shouldn’t be ashamed of it.

“We should own our own situations and be positive – work with others, share how we feel, and know that we’re not alone.

“The more children see positivity like this, the more we share, and the better the support and advice we can offer.”