A free Trust community event has entertained King’s Lynn music lovers for the fifth year running, with almost 600 musicians, and more than 30 different groups, performing at Springwood High School across four consecutive nights.

The West Norfolk Academies Trust Community Music Festival was attended by around 1,000 people, and took place from 6 to 9 July at 6pm, with each evening featuring a different musical style or genre.

Trust high schools taking part included host Springwood, Marshland in West Walton, St Clement’s in Terrington St Clement, and Smithdon in Hunstanton; while the member primary schools involved in the event were Clenchwarton, Gaywood, Heacham Junior, Snettisham, Walpole Cross Keys, and West Lynn. There were also performances from community groups, bands, and orchestras from across the region.

The event kicked off on the Monday with a night of concert bands, big bands, and orchestras, where Springwood school bands were joined by the West Norfolk Music Centre, West Norfolk Reeds, Centre Stage Swing Band, and King’s Lynn Town Band; while Tuesday was ‘Rock and Pop’ evening with performances from up-and-coming rock and pop stars.

On Wednesday, it was the turn of more than 200 school choir singers to take to the stage, performing a medley of 1990s hits, before the event came to a close on Thursday with the ‘Springwood Spectacular’.

Our Director of Music, Robin Norman, organised the Festival, and was delighted with its ongoing success.

“The Festival has now been taking place for five years, and, year on year, the success and audience numbers grow,” he said.

“The vocal evening on the Wednesday is always a highlight, with 16 different schools, and a total of around 200 young people performing, aged eight to 18, including three combined items where everyone performed together.

“In terms of memorable performances, the Springwood Concert Band performed some disco classics, including the Village People classic ‘YMCA’. The sight of over 200 people in the audience getting involved in the actions is one that we will remember for a while!”

The diverse range of music was also enjoyed by an audience beyond those attending the Festival.

Mr Norman explained: “Each year we receive messages of support not only from those that are present, but also from people whose gardens back onto the school field, who just enjoy sitting in their gardens and enjoying the music.

“Springwood is a hive of music, with many of our facilities used on weekday evenings and weekends. It is wonderful that we can invite so many of them to get involved in what we are doing.”

He added: “ As a Lead School for the Norfolk and Suffolk Music Hub, we take our responsibilities very seriously, we are asked to liaise with other schools and local music groups.

“We are proud to be a part of our community, and to also work with community groups to provide opportunities to engage in music making, and to listen to live music, for all.”

A professional dancer returned to her old WNAT school to lead a high-energy workshop for those aspiring to follow in her footsteps.

Springwood High School alumnus Hannah Futter is currently a cruise ship performer, and shared some of her moves with dance students from Years 9 to 12 at the school, as well as offering advice on a career in the profession, and answering students’ questions.

Springwood Head of Dance Dawn Paolo organised the event with her former pupil.

“The session was fabulous and thoroughly enjoyed by students,” she said. “Hannah delivered a fast and upbeat session, starting with a technical warm up and corner work, including kicks and a turn and leaps phrase that’s found in most auditions in the professional industry.

“She then moved on to teach repertoire to a funky remix of ‘Roll Over Beethoven’ that she performed on a cruise ship. The pace was fast and energetic, putting the dancers to the test, and smiles were had all round.”

She continued: “The question-and-answer session was great, with Hannah giving top tips about the industry, and which colleges to look at for further training. She emphasised the importance of taking on board criticism, and being open and friendly to everyone, and being active in seeking out potential job opportunities.”

Miss Futter completed a Level 2 RSL Creative and Performing Arts Dance course at Springwood, before going on to achieve the RSL Level 4 Award in Performing Arts at Evolution Foundation College in Essex, and an honours degree in Dance at the London Studio Centre.

Mrs Paulo added: “Students attending the workshop with Hannah were those who have an interest in pursuing a career in dance, or, more particularly, as a cruise ship performer.

“The workshop she delivered entailed repertoire she had been taught at auditions and whilst on cruises, to allow our students to ‘flavour’ the style in which she’s had to perform.

“This was particularly important, as it may help students to ascertain if this work and job role is suited to them. We have several students who are eager to dance professionally, and this information will be integral to their careers journeys.

“The Q&A session was particularly helpful, as they had so many questions about how to make it professionally in the dance industry.

 “Hannah also left her email address to students, so that they can continue to keep in contact should they or their parents have any other additional questions.”

A WNAT teacher is retiring after nearly five decades in the profession.

Hilary Johnson joined Smithdon High School in Hunstanton as a Maths Teacher in 1980 and has held a number of different roles during her varied career at the school.

“Over the 46 years, I have held many responsibilities, the first being Head of Careers in the eighties,” she said. “When the Headteacher, Doug Little, appointed me, he said I would have an interesting career, and he was right.

“When the Sixth Form opened at Smithdon, I was involved from the first year coordinating our link for vocational courses with the college in King’s Lynn. This led to my next role as GNVQ Coordinator, then Assistant Director of Sixth Form, and subsequently Director of Sixth Form.”

During her time at Smithdon, Miss Johnson witnessed the introduction of the GCSE exam system, as well as the arrival of a range of technology.

She continued: “I started with a blackboard and chalk and a textbook for each student, then along came overhead projectors and transparencies, whiteboards and marker pens, then eventually IT came into the classroom, with computers, screens, and interactive whiteboards.

“When I started teaching, there were two or three Commodore Pet computers in one classroom. This was followed by a suite of BBC computers and Archimedes, before eventually the PC arrived. It was the Maths Department who took this new technology on board, hence leading to me teaching Computer Studies and adult education night classes in word processing, spreadsheets et cetera.”

She has also been involved in extra-curricular activities, and has even had a brush with royalty.

She explained: “Lunchtime used to be one hour and twenty-five minutes, enabling great extra-curricular activities to take place. This gave me the opportunity to be involved in my second subject, Music, teaching guitar (folk and classical) to many young people. This also resulted in me being involved in school productions and concerts.

“I have valued the opportunities to develop in so many areas, as well as to teach Maths to so many young people.

“It was also a privilege to meet Queen Elizabeth II when she opened the new building in 2000.”

She added: “Every day and every day lesson is different. There have been so many memorable moments that it is hard to single one out. The Year 9 lesson when a sixth former had left some sheets on the desk, so the Year 9 students taught himself the A-Level work while keeping an eye on the lesson I was teaching. Opportunities like that do not arise now, as the school no longer has a Sixth Form.

“I will miss the teaching, the students, and my colleagues.”

Following her retirement, Miss Johnson hopes to spend more time with her grandchildren – and perhaps with her guitar.

Acting Headteacher Sarah Robinson said: “Words cannot do justice to the contribution that Hilary has made to Smithdon over her 46 years. The impact she has had on generations of students, families, staff, and the wider community is incredible.

“She has rightly been described as ‘Smithdon Royalty’, and we wish her all the best in her well-deserved retirement.”

Young mathematicians were put through their paces when 14 West Norfolk primaries came together at a WNAT school for an annual competition.

The Primary Maths Challenge at Springwood High School saw 16 teams of four Year 6 pupils test their problem-solving skills over a series of rounds that required both strategic thinking and speed.

Springwood Maths Teacher Sylvilyn Forbes-Clarke, who organised the event, was impressed by the children’s performance.

“The atmosphere was electric from the start,” she said. “Over four challenging rounds, pupils tackled problem solving, mental maths, and team challenges that tested both speed and strategy. The room was filled with focused faces, quick calculations, and lots of cheering, as teams supported one another.

“Students were competitive, but, above all, enthusiastic. Teachers watching on said it was inspiring to see such teamwork, resilience, and love for maths on display.”

The Challenge has been taking place for more than a decade at the school, and was won this time round by Fairstead Primary.

Mrs Forbes-Clarke continued: “After a closely fought contest, it was Fairstead Primary who came out on top, being crowned this year’s champions. Their teamwork, quick thinking, and calm under pressure set them apart.”

She added: “The event was a success because of all the schools, staff, and volunteers who made the day possible.

“It was not just about winning – it was about celebrating young minds, building confidence, and showing that maths can be exciting, challenging, and fun.”

Seals, starfish, sharks, and seahorses helped bring a classroom topic to life, when children from three West Norfolk Academies Trust schools enjoyed a day at the Sealife Centre in Hunstanton.

The outing involved 50 Reception pupils from Clenchwarton, Walpole Cross Keys, and West Lynn Primaries.

Clenchwarton Reception Teacher Jessica Williams accompanied her class on the trip.

“This half-term’s knowledge topic in Reception is ‘Under the Sea’,” she explained. “The trip allowed the children to see the animals we had talked about in real life, giving them a chance to ask questions and find out a bit more from the staff at the Sealife Centre too.”

She continued: “We had a self-guided trip, so we explored all the different tanks and displays in the Centre. The schools went around independently of each other, then met up at lunchtime.

“We saw various fish, seals, otters, turtles, sharks, rays, seahorses, penguins. Clenchwarton children heard a talk about seals and saw them being fed.

“All the schools had time to explore all the different displays and learn more about them. Some children had the opportunity to touch a starfish.”

Other members of staff taking part in the excursion included Reception Class Teachers Nikki Preston from Walpole Cross Keys, and Rebecca Dexter from West Lynn.

Mrs Williams added: “Out-of-school trips are important learning opportunities for children. They provide them with opportunities to consolidate their learning.

“Younger children particularly benefit from going on the coach and visiting places without their parents, as it gives them the chance to build their confidence and independence.”

Time travel was the theme, when children from across the West Norfolk Academies Trust came together for an annual celebration of dance, which featured music spanning decades from the 1940s to the modern era.

This year’s WNAT Dance Festival was held at Springwood High School on Wednesday 1 July and saw around 130 pupils from ten primary schools showcase their talents to an audience of some 200 people.

Besides host Springwood, whose dancers opened the event, Trust schools taking part included Clenchwarton, Gaywood, Heacham Junior, Snettisham, Walpole Cross Keys, and West Lynn. They were also joined by dancers from the Windmill Primary Federation schools of Terrington St John, Tilney St Lawrence, Walpole Highway, and West Walton.

‘Time Travel Through the Decades’ took the audience on a whistle-stop musical tour of the last eighty years, with dances performed to tracks such as ‘In the Mood’, ‘Rock Around the Clock’, ‘Surfin’ USA’. ‘You Should be Dancing’, ‘Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go’, a nineties mash-up, and ‘Zoo’.

Emma Hunt is Executive Headteacher at the Windmill Primary Federation, and worked with Trust Administrator Emma Pearman to coordinate the event, which was taking place for the fifth time.

“Some of the highlights of the Dance Festival were seeing primary school children embrace the opportunity to perform with enthusiasm, confidence, and pride in front of their families and communities,” she said.

“Another particularly rewarding aspect was bringing together students from many different schools to share a common experience together. As Helen Keller said, ‘Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.’”

Kate Whyborn and a team of choreographers from KLW Dance worked with the children on the routines, rehearsing with them in the weeks leading up to the performance.

Mrs Hunt continued: “Events like this play a vital role in providing students with opportunities to explore new interests, develop new skills, and challenge themselves in a supportive and encouraging environment.

“They inspire students to step outside their comfort zones, build self-confidence, and realise that they are capable of achieving things they may once have thought impossible. These experiences foster creativity, resilience, critical thinking, and an appreciation for teamwork, respect, and kindness.”

She added: “One of the most rewarding outcomes is watching students who may initially feel uncertain or reluctant, grow in confidence, take pride in their accomplishments, and enthusiastically share their talents with others.

“Beyond supporting individual growth, these events strengthen connections between the school and the wider community, creating opportunities to celebrate students’ achievements and the positive impact of working together.