Ninety Key Stage 3 students, in Years 7, 8 and 9, received awards at the celebration, where certificates and trophies were presented for a wide range of outstanding achievements that had taken place across the year.

Subject progress awards, subject attainment awards, and awards for sports leaders and sports people of the year were presented in the form of certificates and trophies by Smithdon’s outgoing headteacher, John Hirst, and Andy Johnson, executive headteacher of the West Norfolk Academies Trust, of which Smithdon is a member.

There was also a special sporting award given to Anya Faithorn, in Year 7, for her unprecedented achievement in breaking three school records – for high jump, javelin and 100 metres – on sports day. 

Watched by an appreciative audience of families and friends, who had gathered for the occasion in the school’s hall, Mr Hirst, Mr Johnson, and Smithdon’s incoming headteacher, Amanda Gibbins, gave speeches expressing their pride in the students’ achievements and excitement about the school's future.

Mrs Gibbins said: “It was a lovely evening where not only were we able to celebrate our students’ hard work this year, but also, unlike recent years), invite parents in, and to see their smiles of pride at their children’s achievements.”