Entries for the KLCC / WNAT Photographic Competition are now open!
Get your entries in for this year's OPEN themed photographic competition. Prizes for all finalists!
You have until Monday 1st June 2026 to submit your images to e.pearman@wnat.co.uk
See poster for full details along with a guide to photography to help you get some great shots.
History was brought vividly to life, when students from St Clement’s High School spent the day at RAF Marham.
The Year 8 and 9 group from the WNAT school received a tour of the Aviation Heritage Centre and Air Traffic Control Tower courtesy of curator Steve Roberts, MBE, who explained the history of the Royal Air Force from World War One to modern times.
“The tour allowed the students to view over 12,000 artefacts and memorabilia that reflect the history of the Royal Air Force in Marham, East Anglia, and beyond,” said St Clement’s Librarian, Jenny Ford, who accompanied them.
“The displays were arranged in chronological order to help the students understand the historical timeline from the Royal Flying Corps, the First World War, formation of the RAF, World War Two, Suez Canal Crisis, the Cold War, the Falklands conflict, and Gulf Wars, up to the present day.”
Organised by the school’s Head of History, Anton Modica, it was the first time the visit had taken place.
“The students were particularly interested in viewing armaments used by RAF Marham aircraft, including the Sidewinder and Brimstone missiles,” continued Mrs Ford.
“Another highlight was a WE177 Freefall nuclear bomb, a significant artefact from the Cold War era. Another item of interest on display was a Victor Bomber ejection seat and historic aircraft propellers.”
There was also an interactive element to the visit, with some students able to experience for themselves the drama of World War Two, thanks to a flight simulator which took them on a 1943 night raid over Berlin via Virtual Reality Headsets.
“The students could join the aircrew virtually and listen to communication over internal radios,” explained Mrs Ford. “This allowed the students a brief insight into the bravery and resilience of the personnel from Bomber Command.”
In addition to the Heritage Centre, the visitors toured the Air Traffic Control Centre at RAF Marham, where they met staff and saw a variety of aircraft monitoring equipment, as well as learning about airfield operations, and the role and functions of the Air Traffic Tower.
“We enjoyed the unique view of the airfield from the tower, and were very fortunate to observe a F35 fast jet taking off during the visit,” added Mrs Ford.
“Some of our students wish to pursue a role in aviation and the Armed Forces, and this visit was very beneficial to learn about the opportunities that are available to them.”
Curiosity was piqued, when pupils at Gaywood Primary enjoyed an immersive and hands-on science workshop, which took place during British Science Week.
The children were introduced to a range of scientific discoveries, concepts, and pioneers through a mix of fun activities at the Curious About Science event, which was delivered by Josh Ford from As Creatives.
“Curious About Science gives children the opportunity to discover the answers to some curious questions, and meet some extraordinarily curious people who made extraordinary advances, and changed the world in extraordinary ways,” said Gaywood Science Lead, Sarah Wilder, who organised the event.
“Creative Science workshops harness a range of immersive techniques, including drama and games, to cement prior learning, clarify difficult concepts, introduce new content, and extend thinking.”
It was the first time the workshop had taken place at Gaywood, which is a member of the West Norfolk Academies Trust.
“The workshop supported children’s classroom learning through asking questions, breaking stereotypical role models, and linking to all areas of the national curriculum,” added Mrs Wilder.
“Events like this are a very important part of enrichment at Gaywood, and promote STEM [Science, Technology, Engineering, and Maths] careers for all.”
Budding scientists were put through their paces, when students from Smithdon High School led a series of experiments as part of British Science Week.
The Year 9 group visited pupils at Flitcham, Snettisham, Ingoldisthorpe, Dersingham, and Hunstanton primary schools in turn over the course of the week, delivering workshops for the children which featured a range of different activities designed to promote a love of science.
Smithdon Science Teacher Veronica Roper, who accompanied the students, explained: “We took five different activities, including a moss safari using microscopes to look at the moss and organisms living in it; a mini light show using coloured ray boxes, lenses, and screens; making a compass and investigating magnetism; using static electricity to make straws spin; and building electrical circuits to test the conductivity of different materials, as well as drawing graphite circuits to light an LED.”
WNAT member Smithdon has been taking part in British Science Week for more than a decade, and there were plenty of other events taking place this time round.
“The theme this year was ‘Curiosity: What’s Your Question?’,” said Head of Science Claire Pike, who kicked off the week with a whole-school assembly on the theme.
“We took part in a poster competition, researched what it’s like to live and work in the Antarctic, and used microscopes to look at things like cobwebs and pet hair to see what they look like.”
Ten Year 8 students also attended a WNAT Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) ‘Race to the Line’ challenge at Springwood High School, which tasked participants with designing, building, and racing their own CO2-powered model cars.
“We have promoted British Science Week at Smithdon for over ten years, and it is always fascinating to be able to look at science outside of the curriculum,” added Mrs Pike.
“We also focus on Science careers during the week, to promote where Science can take you.”
Young musicians showcased their talents, when they performed in the regional final of a national piano contest, which took place this year at Springwood High School in Lynn.
The European Piano Teachers Association (EPTA) UK Piano Competition was held courtesy of the West Norfolk Academies Trust, of which Springwood is a member, and was supported by our CEO, Andy Johnson, and our Director of Music, Robin Norman.
“There were 41 participants from across the county of Norfolk, including 11 students from West Norfolk Academies Trust schools,” said Benjamin Howell, who is Trust Peripatetic Music Lead, as well as Regional Organiser for EPTA UK.
“There was an excellent turnout from parents, families, and friends who attended to support the performers. The standard of performance was extremely high, and the atmosphere was both supportive and celebratory.”
The annual competition features a range of categories based on level and grade, with winners from each progressing to the next round, which will take place this month at the Royal Academy of Music.
Among those finalists heading to the Royal Academy were two students from WNAT schools – Savannah at Elementary level and Daniel at Intermediate.
Other winners included Theophilus (Preparatory); Nyle (Elementary); Sofia (Intermediate 1); Elaine (12 Years and Under); Audrey (15 Years and Under); and Glang and Benedict (Advanced 2).
“I am particularly pleased that Savannah and Daniel represented West Norfolk Academies Trust among the prize winners,” continued Mr Howell, who was joined on the day by EPTA members Matthew Preston, Anne Preece, and adjudicator Patricia Romera.
“Events such as this play an important role in supplementing students’ preparation for graded examinations,” he added.
“They provide an alternative performance goal, a clear target to work towards, and the opportunity to participate in a nationwide initiative supported by EPTA UK, which promotes excellence in piano teaching and performance.”
The importance of reading for pleasure was just one of the topics under discussion, when pupils from schools across our Trust came together for a literary-themed, public-speaking event.
The WNAT Primary Literary Event is staged annually to coincide with World Book Day, and was taking place for the sixth time.
Held at the King’s Lynn Corn Exchange on Wednesday 4 March, the celebration of reading featured teams of Year 5 children from primary schools which included Trust members Clenchwarton, Gaywood, Heacham Junior, Snettisham, Walpole Cross Keys, and West Lynn, along with Terrington St John, Tilney St Lawrence, Walpole Highway, and West Walton from the Windmill Primary Federation.
“Teams of three pupils are asked to speak for five minutes,” explained organiser Emma Hunt, who is Primary English Lead at WNAT. “The first pupil introduces the speaker to provide the audience with a little background; the main speaker then has approximately three minutes to deliver their views on the team’s chosen topic; the final team member then delivers the vote of thanks.”
Among this year’s topics were: whether children should be encouraged to reread favourite books or always try new ones; whether stories help children understand real-world issues better than facts alone; whether illustrations still matter in books for older children; whether it is important for children to see themselves represented in the books they read; and whether reading for pleasure improves creativity more than structured reading at school.
The audience included fellow pupils, teachers, and trustees, as well as our CEO and Deputy CEO, while staff from across all schools supported the teams in writing their speeches and rehearsing for the event.
“Literary events that involve public speaking are so important, as they give children valuable opportunities to build confidence and communication skills,” continued Mrs Hunt.
“Preparing and delivering a presentation encourages pupils to organise their ideas clearly, structure their thoughts, and express them in a way that engages an audience. Through this, they learn how to communicate effectively and share their ideas with clarity and purpose.”
“Taking part in events beyond the school environment, alongside pupils from other schools in the Trust and Federation, also offers valuable social and personal benefits,” she added. “It allows children to meet new people, experience different perspectives, and learn from others.
“Engaging with a wider group of students can broaden their horizons, build resilience, and encourage a healthy sense of collaboration and friendly competition. Such experiences help pupils develop confidence in unfamiliar settings, and strengthen the interpersonal skills that will support them throughout their education and beyond.”
The spotlight was on the world of literature, when Smithdon High School in Hunstanton staged its annual Literary Festival this month.
The popular event took place during the first two weeks of March, and included a diverse range of activities, talks, and competitions for all year groups.
Incorporating World Book Day on Thursday 5 March, the Festival also featured a visit from author Lisa Thompson; a 500-word short story competition; Roald Dahl Day; ‘Blind Date with a Book’; Journalism Day; and a ‘Masked Reader’ challenge, where students were tasked with uncovering the identities of disguised readers.
“The Festival provides an opportunity for students of all ages to engage with literature creatively, whether through writing, performance, or discovering new books,” said Smithdon’s Librarian, Marie Taylor, who organised the events with the support of the English Department and English Teacher Keziah Howlett.
“The fortnight includes a range of events designed to celebrate reading and writing in different forms,” she continued.
“It has become a highlight of the school calendar, and a wonderful way to promote a love of reading across the school community.”
It was the fifth year that the celebration had taken place at Smithdon, which is part of the West Norfolk Academies Trust.
“The Smithdon Literary Festival is important because it places reading, writing, and creativity at the heart of school life,” added Headteacher Amanda Gibbins. “It shows students that literature is not just something studied in lessons, but something to be enjoyed and celebrated.
“Through events such as Roald Dahl Day, the 500-Word Story Competition, and our author visit, students build confidence, develop communication skills, and engage with a wide range of texts.
“The festival strengthens our reading culture across Smithdon, and nurtures a strong sense of community, making it a valued and inspiring part of the school calendar.”.
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It was time to celebrate all things literary, when our schools took part in this year’s World Book Day on Thursday 5 March.
At Clenchwarton Primary, children and staff alike dressed up as their favourite fictional characters. Harry Potter met the Gruffalo and Hiccup Horrendous Haddock III at Gaywood Primary, where each class based their celebrations around a different children’s author. The chips were down at Heacham Infant School, where the pupils drew inspiration from ‘Supertato’, the unlikely potato superhero from the series of the same name created by author-illustrators Sue Hendra and Paul Linnet.
Meanwhile, at Heacham Junior School, children concocted their own Harry Potter-style magical potions, and designed chocolate bars for Willy Wonka’s Factory. It was ‘booknic’ time at Snettisham Primary, when pupils held their own literary version of a picnic, where a tempting selection of books replaced more regular picnic fare. Elsewhere, there was a mystery to be solved, when the children at West Lynn Primary rose to the challenge of the ‘Masked Reader’, which tasked them with discovering the identity of a series of disguised readers.
Celebrations also took place at Walpole Cross Keys, where teachers and pupils dressed up for the occasion. Our high schools joined in the fun too, with a host of activities, competitions, and events taking place across the day and beyond. Marshland school library became a hub of World Book Day activity with sessions including literary-themed quizzes and bookmark designing.
For the second year running, a group of students from St Clement’s spent time reading with children at Terrington St Clement Junior School, promoting a love of books and reading for pleasure. Jilted bride Miss Havisham met Little Red Riding Hood at Smithdon, where staff and students dressed up for World Book Day, which was celebrated as part of the school’s annual, two-week Literary Festival. Last but by no means least, Springwood held a week-long Reading Festival, which encompassed World Book Day, and saw students across all age groups take part in a variety of different events.
Activities at Clenchwarton included book-led English lessons, as well as a ‘Masked Reader’ challenge. “World Book Day is one of the days children look forward to the most, so we always enjoy taking part,” said Assistant Headteacher Billy Overton. “We have a good culture of reading at Clenchwarton, and want to continue to promote our love of reading.”
At Gaywood, the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) children focused on traditional stories, while Years 1 and 2 enjoyed Julia Donaldson’s many popular books, and Year 3 took their pick from the vast selection of classics by Roald Dahl. The Year 4 children drew inspiration from Cressida Cowell, who is best known for the How to Train Your Dragon series starring Hiccup the Viking and his dragon, Toothless; while Warhorse author Michael Morpurgo influenced Year 5; and Year 6 chose JK Rowling, creator of Harry Potter. “We continued our tradition of celebrating different authors,” said Writing Lead Chloe Sneath. "World Book Day is important because it celebrates the diversity of stories and voices. It’s a day that encourages a love of reading, allowing children to become completely immersed in an author’s imaginary world. “Whether it’s adventure, mystery, or fantasy, authors’ stories inspire creativity within children, giving them the opportunity to think outside the box.” “It’s also a day full of fun, where we get to bring authors’ stories to life by dressing up as our favourite characters,” she added. “More importantly, it can spark new interests, and inspires children to develop a love of reading.”
The youngsters at Heacham Infants enjoyed creative activities throughout the day, which ended with a Reading Cafe where they were joined by parents and carers – and had the opportunity to design their own superhero. “This year’s theme was Supertato, bringing plenty of superhero fun to our classrooms,” explained Assistant Headteacher Claire Dack. “A highlight of the celebration was our ‘Design Your Own Supertato’, where, during the Reading Cafe, children created their very own superhero character using a real potato.” “World Book Day is an important opportunity to promote and share a love of books and reading,” she added. “At our infant school, we believe that fostering a passion for stories at an early age helps to build imagination, creativity, and essential literacy skills. “By celebrating together in such an engaging way, we hope to inspire our children to become lifelong readers.”
At Heacham Juniors, pupils and staff arrived for the day dressed as their favourite fictional characters, while teachers shared passages from their favourite children’s books during a special, whole-school assembly. “World Book Day is incredibly important, not least this year as it is the National Year of Reading, led by the National Literacy Trust,” said Assistant Headteacher Ashley Kirwan. “Our goal is to try to help children discover a book that unlocks their love of reading or, for many children, continues their love of stories or even non-fiction.” With perfect timing, the school had recently finished upgrading its library facilities ahead of the annual event. “We have just upgraded our school library with a load of new fiction, non-fiction, poetry, and graphic novels – just in time for World Book Day,” added Mr Kirwan.
For the Snettisham Booknic, pupils were joined by family members, carers, and friends. “We invited families in for a ‘booknic’, which was like a picnic but with books instead of food,” explained Reading Lead Marie Woodget. There was also the chance for all year groups to get creative with those unneeded picnic plates – as well as the opportunity to dress up as their favourite book characters for the day. “This year, as well as the usual dressing up, we held a book-character paper place competition,” continued Mrs Woodget. “Children and staff were given a paper plate to turn into a book character.” “World Book Day is important, because it is a reminder that books and stories are fun,” she added. “It helps children enjoy reading and discover new stories, whilst building their vocabulary, imagination, and understanding of different characters and ideas.”
All age groups at West Lynn took part in the Masked Reader – and there was also the chance to dress up. “The Masked Reader is widely loved by the children and staff,” said English Lead Chloe Cousins. “Each year, I record members of staff as an emoji reading an extract from a book. The children then have to guess who the member of staff is. This is made slightly trickier by me altering their voices! “All children were encouraged to dress as their favourite book or character, and staff decided to dress up as crayons this year, from the story The Day the Crayons Quit.” “World Book Day is important as it gives the children the opportunity to share their favourite books to read, encourages children to try different genres, and enhances book talk within the school,” she added. “On the day, there is a huge level of excitement around books and reading for pleasure across the whole school. “It is a great way to celebrate the wide variety of books on offer, and introduce children to new authors or series which they may not have come across before.”
At Marshland, the celebrations were set to continue beyond World Book Day itself, with a return visit from guest author Pen Avey scheduled for the next week. “Following the recent publication of her book, Project Human, Avey will be running a specialist creative writing workshop,” said Literacy Lead Joe Clark. “A selected group of students will have the opportunity to work closely with her to develop their own storytelling skills and learn about the professional writing process. “Participating students will also receive a signed copy of her latest book to further foster a love of reading among participants.” “World Book Day is an essential part of our academic calendar, serving as a yearly reminder of the significant impact reading has on a student’s development,” Mr Clark added. “By focusing on building positivity and celebrating success through books, we aim to ensure that every student feels connected to the world of literature.”
Back at St Clement’s, there was a choice of book-themed events for the students to enjoy. “We ran a lunchtime quiz in the library, and we had a photo competition running with students sending in photos of them reading books in unique and interesting sessions,” said Librarian Jenny Ford. “The junior school visit was the highlight, and was very successful last year too,” she added.
Among those entering into the World Book Day spirit at Smithdon was Librarian Marie Taylor, who dressed as Miss Haversham from Great Expectations, alongside Headteacher Amanda Gibbins as Little Red Riding Hood. “This is a tradition we have proudly continued for five years, and it’s always a fantastic way to celebrate reading across the school community,” she said. World Book Day has become part of a wider, annual Literary Festival at Smithdon, with activities taking place across the entire week. “Events like World Book Day are important, because they hopefully promote a love of reading in an engaging and memorable way,” added Miss Taylor. “They encourage creativity, spark interest in new books, and show that reading is valued across the whole school community. “Events like this also build confidence, strengthen school spirit, and reinforce our commitment to literacy.”
The Reading Festival at Springwood featured a readathon; a Great Big Form Quiz on World Book Day itself; ‘Daily Kahoots’ focusing on reading and books with prizes awarded each day; career workshops for writing, illustration, poetry, and journalism; an all-week book swap; and a ‘Guess the Bookworms’ challenge, where students had to estimate the total number of gummy worms in a jar. This is the second year the Reading Festival has taken place,” said Senior Assistant Headteacher Rebecca Davies-Mays. “The inspiration came from music festivals, and for us to put on a week of events to celebrate reading and to highlight its importance.” This year’s Festival was organised by the school’s Learning Resource Centre Manager, Alan Wisniewski, with the support of Mrs Davies-Mays. “This event is really important, especially in the Year of Reading,” she added. “It highlights to students that we value reading as a school, and it engages students with reading and potential career areas it could lead to.”
World Book Day expanded to encompass a range of different events, when Marshland High School in West Walton took part in the annual literary celebration.
The school library became a hub of World Book Day activity on Thursday 5 March, with students gathering to take part in a range of different sessions.
“All Key Stage 3 students took part in a variety of sessions, including literary-themed quizzes, bookmark design and interactive challenges that encouraged them to explore different genres and texts within the library’s collection,” said Literacy Lead Joe Clark, who led the events.
The celebrations were set to continue beyond World Book Day itself, with a return visit from guest author Pen Avey taking place the following week.
“Following the recent publication of her book, Project Human, Avey will be running a specialist creative writing workshop,” continued Mr Clark.
“A selected group of students will have the opportunity to work closely with her to develop their own storytelling skills and learn about the professional writing process.
“Participating students will also receive a signed copy of her latest book to further foster a love of reading among participants.”
Marshland takes part in World Book Day events every year.
“World Book Day is an essential part of our academic calendar, serving as a yearly reminder of the significant impact reading has on a student’s development,” Mr Clark added.
“By focusing on building positivity and celebrating success through books, we aim to ensure that every student feels connected to the world of literature.”
After guiding thousands of our youngsters through their first years of education during her 34-year career, one of our longest-serving headteachers has decided it’s time to retire.
Louise Jackson became Executive Headteacher of Heacham Infants, Heacham Juniors, and Snettisham Primary in 2018. She is also Lead for Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) and Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) across the West Norfolk Academies Trust, of which the three schools are part.
“The most rewarding part of working within these school communities is seeing so many children grow and go on to become great, young adults – succeeding in what they do and making their own steps in the world,” said Mrs Jackson, who will stand down in December.
“It has been a privilege to work across our Trust schools to support learners in EYFS and with additional needs.
“All our staff are amazing, and work so hard to develop the environment, classrooms, resources, and curriculum to make sure every child can shine. It has been wonderful to be involved.
Mrs Jackson started her teaching career in London in 1992, before moving to Norfolk in 2002 and started working at Snettisham Primary in 2003. She has worked for WNAT since 2016.
“There have been so many memorable moments over the years working across the schools, where we all come together to do something special, such as community PTA events, carol singing at the local churches, beach visits, trips to London, competitions, and celebration assemblies,” she continued.
“It’s also been about those little moments of success too – someone cutting out a carefully drawn picture or spending time balancing bricks as high as themselves. Those small steps are so memorable.
“I will miss the chatting, smiles, and kindness that our families, pupils, and staff bring to school each and every day. Working in our schools is such a rewarding experience, and I feel very grateful to have had opportunities to contribute.
“I’m now looking forward to enjoying our beautiful location, reading all the books I have piled up, walking my dog, and enjoying the garden.”
Colleagues were keen to pay tribute to Mrs Jackson, as she announced her retirement plans.
“Louise has been an exceptional leader and a true cornerstone of our Primary Education Team at the West Norfolk Academies Trust,” said Trust CEO Andy Johnson. “Her dedication to the children of Heacham and Snettisham, alongside her tireless advocacy as our Trust Lead for EYFS and SEND, has left an incredible legacy.
“She has consistently ensured that every child, regardless of their needs, is given the best possible start to their education.
“While we will miss her expertise, leadership, and warmth immensely when she retires in December, we are deeply grateful for everything she has done for our schools. We wish her a very happy and well deserved retirement.”
The Chair of the Board of Trustees, Roger Livesey, added: “On behalf of the Trustees, I would like to extend our profound thanks to Louise for her outstanding dedication to the Trust. Successfully guiding three schools as an executive headteacher requires immense skill, resilience, and compassion – qualities Louise has demonstrated every single day.
“Her hard work has significantly enriched the educational landscape of West Norfolk, and positively shaped the lives of countless young people in our local communities.
“We congratulate her on a fantastic career, and wish her the very best in her next chapter.”
A “warm and friendly” West Norfolk Academies Trust school has attained the Expected standard across all areas in its latest Ofsted Report.
Inspectors described Gaywood Primary as providing a “warm and friendly environment”, and also highlighted the bond between staff and pupils at the school.
“There are warm and caring relationships between staff and pupils at Gaywood Primary,” they stated. “Pupils are greeted warmly each morning as they arrive for school.
“The school provides strong pastoral support for pupils. Staff know the pupils well and act quickly to support those who require extra help with their wellbeing.
“They provide support tailored to children’s needs, including those with additional barriers such as special educational needs and/or disabilities and those who are disadvantaged.”
The “close-knit” environment at Gaywood was found to benefit staff as well as pupils.
“Teachers appreciate the professional learning provided by the school and trust, and how this helps them develop in their roles,” continued the report. “They value the close-knit networks between staff across different trust schools, as well as the focused training they receive within school.”
Gaywood’s curriculum also won praise, with inspectors noting: “The school has a carefully sequenced and planned curriculum which starts in the early years and is built upon year on year.
“Teaching across the curriculum is generally very effective. This supports pupils, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities, to access tasks successfully.
Further honourable mention went to pupil behaviour.
“The school has high expectations for behaviour and pupils typically rise to meet these,” maintained the report. “Playtimes are happy and harmonious occasions when pupils interact respectfully and show care for one another.
“The school has a clear and consistent approach to managing behaviour. This is based on the school values and is well understood by staff and pupils.”
Executive Headteacher Neil Mindham was delighted with the results.
"We are incredibly proud that Ofsted has recognised Gaywood Primary School as meeting the Expected standard across all areas,” he said, “The inspectors highlighted the warm, kind, and caring relationships between our staff and pupils, which is a true testament to the dedication of our entire team. I am particularly pleased that our carefully sequenced curriculum and the swift, effective support provided by our pastoral team were both heavily praised.
“While we are taking the time to celebrate this fantastic outcome, we are already looking ahead. We remain fully committed to working closely with our families to further improve attendance, particularly for our disadvantaged pupils, and to provide even more opportunities for our children to stretch their thinking and reach the highest possible standards before they move on to secondary school."
Roger Livesey, Chair of the Board of Trustees for WNAT, added: "This report is a wonderful milestone for Gaywood Primary School. As a Trust, we are deeply passionate about the school and incredibly proud of the pupils' achievements. We are also incredibly appreciative of the hard work and dedication of the Headteacher and his staff.
“It is highly encouraging to see Ofsted acknowledge the value of the close-knit networks between staff across our trust schools, as well as the positive impact of our shared professional learning. The Board of Trustees will continue to provide the right balance of expertise and challenge to support school leaders, ensuring Gaywood Primary School continues on its upward trajectory."
Success was multiplied, when almost 50 young mathematicians at a WNAT school ranked among the highest scorers in a prestigious national competition.
The Year 9 and 10 students from Springwood High School in King’s Lynn totted up some impressive totals in the UKMT Intermediate Mathematical Challenge, which tasks young people at secondary schools across the country with solving 25 multiple-choice maths problems within an hour.
“In the UKMT Intermediate Mathematical Challenge, students are tested on problem-solving and mathematical thinking, rather than just routine classroom maths,” explained Connie Loizou, who is Head of Maths at Springwood.
“Questions cover familiar topics, such as numbers, algebra, geometry, ratio, and probability, but in unusual and clever ways,” she continued.
“Most problems require logical reasoning, pattern spotting, and deduction – not long calculations. There is negative marking for incorrect answers, to discourage guessing, so students must think carefully.
“Questions get progressively harder, with the final few stretching even the strongest mathematicians.”
Of the 123 Springwood students taking on the challenge this year, 31 achieved Bronze Certificates, 14 attained Silver, and an outstanding four were awarded Gold, including Nichita A, Xavi S, David C, and Ava S.
In addition, three high-fliers were invited to take part in subsequent rounds of the competition, with Nichita A and Hartley E qualifying for the Grey Kangaroo, and David C going through to the Cayley Olympiad.
“High-scoring students can qualify for follow-on rounds, such as the Grey Kangaroo, Pink Kangaroo, or Cayley Olympiad, which involve even deeper problem-solving,” said Ms Loizou.
“As follow-on rounds to the Intermediate Maths Challenge, the Grey and Pink Kangaroos are 60-minute, 25 multiple choice challenges. The Cayley, Hamilton, and Maclaurin Maths Olympiads are two-hour challenges, consisting of six Olympiad-style problems.”
The contest has become a regular event at Springwood, with students rising successfully to the challenge every year.
“We are delighted to celebrate their excellent achievements,” added Ms Loizou. “It demonstrates their resilience, logical thinking, and strong problem-solving skills in a very challenging national competition.
“These results reflect the students’ hard work, determination, and enthusiasm for mathematics. Well done to everyone who took part.”
