Our students and staff joined their peers across the West Norfolk Academies Trust in high-energy activities to raise money for the BBC Children in Need Appeal.

Classrooms and playgrounds across both schools were buzzing with fundraising efforts, seeing pupils and teachers trading their uniforms for costumes, baking treats, and participating in fun challenges.

The generosity shown by pupils, staff, and families at both schools has reinforced the Trust’s deep commitment to developing community responsibility among its pupils, ensuring a substantial donation is made to the annual appeal.

Across the West Norfolk Academies Trust, other schools like Gaywood Primary held a Dance-athon and West Lynn Primary focused on art and craft activities to raise money for the appeal.

The musical entertainment ranged from classical composers to fictional pigs, when pianists of all ages from across the West Norfolk Academies Trust came together to showcase their talents.

The WNAT Piano Recital was open to students from all 11 of the Trust’s primary and secondary schools, including Springwood High School, which hosted the event.

“These piano recitals are held twice a year, and rotate across the four high schools within the Trust,” explained Benjamin Howell, who is Peripatetic Music Lead at WNAT.

“They provide an invaluable opportunity for students to share their music, gain performance experience, and be inspired by one another in a supportive, informal environment.”

Besides Springwood, the Trust’s other high schools are Marshland, St Clement’s, and Smithdon; while WNAT primaries include Clenchwarton, Gaywood, Heacham Infant, Heacham Junior, Snettisham, Walpole Cross Keys, and West Lynn.

Performing to an appreciative audience of family members, carers, friends, and members of staff, around 20 students each took a turn at the grand piano in the Main Hall at Springwood.

“The Recital has grown significantly in popularity over the years,” said Mr Howell. “Previously held in our Recital Room, it has now outgrown that space.”

“We had a wide range of students participating from across the Trust’s primary and secondary schools, representing a variety of ages and abilities,” he continued.

“Performances featured an eclectic mix of repertoire, ranging from Mozart to the Peppa Pig theme, reflecting both our beginner and more advanced pianists, including some students performing at Grade 8 and beyond.

“One of the real highlights was seeing some of our primary pupils performing for the first time, alongside our more experienced high school musicians.”

Other staff supporting the event included WNAT Director of Music Robin Norman and Music Teacher Thomas Burt, alongside members of the Peripatetic Music Team.

“I would like to take this opportunity to thank the piano teaching team within the WNAT Peri Team for their continued commitment and support throughout the year in making these events possible,” added Mr Howell.

Music lovers enjoyed four nights of diverse entertainment when Springwood High School in King’s Lynn hosted this year’s West Norfolk Academies Trust Community Music Festival.

The popular annual event was taking place for the fourth time, and saw performers from our school join others from across the Trust, alongside a host of other music groups from across the region.

“Suffice to say we had a real mix of younger WNAT ensembles, alongside more experienced ensembles and professional musicians,” said Robin Norman, Director of Music at WNAT and organiser of the event. “There was a real mix of different styles and ages, with performers from all schools across the WNAT family, along with other community ensembles.

“There was, without doubt, something for everyone, with a wonderful range of instrumental and vocal ensembles.”

Besides Springwood, the participating Trust high schools comprised Marshland in West Walton, St Clement’s in Terrington St Clement, and Smithdon in Hunstanton, while member primaries taking part included Clenchwarton, Gaywood, Heacham Infant, Heacham Junior, Snettisham, Walpole Cross Keys, and West Lynn.

“Across the four nights, there were in excess of 500 performers from across all year groups from Reception through to Year 13,” explained Mr Norman. “These were spread across all the schools in the West Norfolk Academies Trust and beyond.

“Students from all WNAT schools were involved. However, we were also joined by community music groups including the West Norfolk Music Centre, West Norfolk Winds, and others – a real showcase of all the different types of music from across West Norfolk.”

Among the performers were musicians from the Trust’s Musical Instrumental Tuition Initiative (MITI) Programme, including a String Ensemble, a Wind Band, and individual piano and percussion students.

More than 900 people attended the Community Music Festival, which culminated in the WNAT Choral Spectacular, featuring choirs from all the Trust’s schools, along with special guest St Martha’s – a total of around 250 students, aged five to 18.

“The students of all ages coming together is a unique experience,” continued Mr Norman. “There is an overarching sense of camaraderie, and, whatever the age, the students joke, and laugh, and just enjoy making music together.

“There was a wide range of pieces on offer, from musical theatre to classic pop to rock. However, the highlight had to be the grand finale when all the children joined together to perform ‘This is Me’ from The Greatest Showman.”

“For the young people in our schools, this now-annual event is important in so many ways,” added Mr Norman. “The professional-level stage is just one aspect of this, as all performers have the joy of performing in front of appreciative audiences on equipment of such a high level.

“However, this is just the tip of the iceberg, as you cannot measure the good a series of events like this does on inspiring future musicians, who, in some cases, will be hearing advanced performances for the first time.

“This gives them the opportunity to perform and work with a whole range of musicians. This is something you cannot really measure as both an inspirational and aspirational tool.”

hildren from schools across the West Norfolk Academies Trust came together to showcase their talents at the annual WNAT Dance Festival, which this year took as its theme ‘Musicals’.

Hosted by WNAT member Springwood High School in King’s Lynn, the event featured Year 4 pupils from all six Trust primary schools, including Clenchwarton, Gaywood, Heacham Junior, Snettisham, Walpole Cross Keys, and West Lynn.

Kate Whyborn from KLW Dance and Dance Wize choreographed the children’s performances, spending time at each of the schools in the run up to the show to help the pupils to prepare.

“Kate worked with the children weekly in each school,” said Emma Hunt, who is Executive Deputy Headteacher at Heacham and Snettisham.

“She chose the songs, choreographed the dances, led the rehearsals, and oversaw the final production.”

In keeping with the ‘Musicals’ theme, the dancers performed to a range of popular show tunes, which included ‘Juicy’ from Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, ‘Step in Time’ from Mary Poppins, ‘All in This Together’ from High School Musical, ‘Dancing Through Life’ from Wicked, ‘Friend Like Me’ from Aladdin, ‘Zero to Hero’ from Hercules, and ‘Revolting Children’ from Matilda.

“Events like this are important because they give students the chance to explore new skills and hobbies in a supportive environment,” added Mrs Whyborn. “They encourage students to step outside their comfort zones, build confidence, and discover that they are capable of doing hard or unfamiliar things.”

“These experiences also promote creativity, critical thinking, and the value of kindness and teamwork,” she continued.

“One of the most rewarding aspects is seeing students who may start off unsure or hesitant, grow into performers who are proud of their efforts and excited to share their achievements on stage.

“Events like this not only enrich the students’ personal development, but also bring schools and the wider community together in celebration and support.”

Our pupils were put through their sporting paces at Smithdon High School during this year’s Primary School Sports Festival.

Around 260 Year 3 and 4 children from Smithdon Primary Cluster schools took part in the annual event at Smithdon in Hunstanton, where more than 100 of the school’s Year 10 Sports Leaders were involved in planning, organising, and delivering a range of different sports.

“Sports activities were delivered by our Year 10 Leaders, such as archery, gymnastics, football, netball, rugby, golf, lacrosse, athletics, rounders, and tennis,” explained Jamie Tilley, Head of PE at Smithdon, which is part of the West Norfolk Academies Trust.

“All planned small-sided games for engagement, to learn new skills, and to have fun.

It was the seventh time the event had taken place, with participating Smithdon Cluster primaries including fellow WNAT members Snettisham and Heacham Junior, as well as Dersingham, Docking, Flitcham, Hunstanton, and Sandringham and West Newton.

“Although I organise the invitation of the primary schools, and transport so that the schools can attend the festival, really, on the day, the Sports Festival is run by the Year 10 Leaders,” continued Mr Tilley. “Myself and the PE Team just oversee, and observe the Sports Leaders shine.”

“The PE Department at Smithdon High School are proud of our Sports Leaders and how far they have all come as growing as young people, developing lots of transferable skills that they can take with them for the future,” he added. “They work so hard, from supporting sporting events to actually running a festival.

“We want to build links with our Primary School Cluster schools and show what Smithdon High School has to offer. The Sports Festival has a positive impact on those who participate, as our Year 10 Sports Leaders still remember when they took part.

“Every year the Sports Festival gets bigger and better, and outdoes previous years with the engagement and enthusiasm of all involved.”

Pupils from our school joined others from across the West Norfolk Academies Trust to test their spelling skills at the third annual WNAT Spelling Bee.

Children from each of the Trust’s six primary schools gathered for the final of the event, including host Gaywood Primary. The other participating schools comprised Clenchwarton, Walpole Cross Keys, West Lynn, and Snettisham Primaries, and Heacham Junior.

Eighteen pupils from Years 3 to 6 made it through to the closing stage, having qualified through previous rounds held within their respective year groups and schools.

“There were three pupils for each primary school taking part from across Key Stage 2,” said Emma Hunt, who is Executive Deputy Headteacher at Heacham Junior and oversaw the competition.

“Round One was a class round, Round Two a school round, then three pupils from each school reached the final.”

Caller for the spelling contest was Amanda Wright, Head of English at fellow WNAT member Smithdon High School, who dressed as a bee for the occasion.

“Pupils picked a number from a hat,” continued Mrs Hunt. “This matched a chair for competitors to sit on. Spellings were called and individuals answered. They remained in the competition until they spelt a word incorrectly, then they sat down until a winner was found.”

Amongst the words posed to the contestants were ‘pronunciation’, ‘accommodate’, ‘convenience’, and ‘environment’ – none of which foxed George B from Clenchwarton, who correctly spelt ‘acquaintance’ to win the contest.

He was presented with a Kindle Fire tablet, while all the finalists received certificates and chocolate.

“The event is part of a calendar of events throughout the academic year organised by the Trust,” added Mrs Hunt. “The aim of these events is to boost confidence, provide opportunities for our pupils to interact and socialise with peers from across the Trust, to provide pupils with a range of new skills, and, most importantly, to have fun.

“The Spelling Bee is important as it helps pupils to develop a profound understanding of the English language and improve their vocabulary. It is not about merely memorising spellings – it develops skills in planning and preparation.”