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. 

Opening the sold-out show at the Corn Exchange were performers from Springwood High School, who rose to the challenge of this year’s ‘Different Countries’ theme. The ten students from Years 8 to 12 danced to a variety of music, which included ‘Waka Waka’ by Shakira, ‘Let's Get Loud’ by Jennifer Lopez, Ricky Martin’s ‘Maria’, and ‘Mambo No.5’ by Lou Bega.  

“It’s an honour to be invited to perform at this event,” said Dawn Paulo, Head of Dance at Springwood, which is part of the West Norfolk Academies Trust. “It allows our dancers the opportunity to come together to perform in a professional venue, and to interact and support younger students in West Norfolk.

“It is lovely to see our Springwood students enjoying themselves on stage, but it’s also great to see our primary schools getting a chance to perform too.”

Among the 20 primary schools participating were fellow WNAT members Clenchwarton, West Lynn, and Walpole Cross Keys primaries, and Heacham Infant School.

Twenty-seven Year 3 pupils from Clenchwarton performed a routine to ‘Cheers to Life’, which had been choreographed by Dance Teacher Kate Whyborn.

“This was our third year taking part,” said Class Teacher Sophie Tarsey.

“It is a great opportunity for children to step outside their comfort zones and do something they have probably never experienced before.

“Many children expressed how much they enjoyed it and wanted to do it again, when they were really nervous about it at the start of the year.

“I hope it encourages more children to find opportunities for dance outside school, as well as inspiring other children in school.”

The Walpole Cross Keys dancers drew inspiration from America for their routine. The 16 pupils from Years 2 and 3 at the school performed to a medley which featured ‘Party in the USA’, ‘Hey Mickey’, ‘Everybody’s Surfing’, and ‘Achy Breaky Heart’.

“Events like this are vitally important, as the children get to take part in an activity and perform on stage,” said Class Teacher Carol Jones. “It shows them resilience through learning the routine, encouragement from other class members and adults.”

The Dance Festival takes place twice-yearly, each March and June.

“It’s definitely a highlight of the year, as it brings so many schools together to perform and celebrate one another’s work,” added Ms Paulo.

“Springwood will be performing once more at the next WNSSP Dance Festival in June. The theme for this event will be ‘Popstars’.”

Hosted by Springwood, the competition featured teams from all four of the Trust’s high schools, with the others including Marshland, St Clement’s, and Smithdon.

Each of the 17 participating teams consisted of four students, who worked together to solve a series of Maths problems, accruing points across several rounds.

“The students had to work as a team to compete in four different rounds named ‘Merry Go Round’, ‘Encryption’, ‘Practical Interlude’, and, lastly, a ‘Relay’ round, all aimed to extend the knowledge they have learnt in the classroom,” said Maths Teacher Lucy Edwards, who is Lead for Academic Progress and Enrichment in Maths at Springwood and organised the event.

“Throughout the rounds, the competition was extremely close, with only ten points separating all the teams. In the end, two Springwood teams gained the runners-up and winning positions.”

Winners Jack, Dylan, Prateek, and Theo narrowly edged ahead of second-placed Vanessa, Leya, Harriet, and Nicole, with both teams receiving certificates from WNAT Lead for Maths Connie Loizou.

“Sixth-form student volunteers ensured the event ran smoothly by supporting teams to have the correct materials and marking students’ work,” continued Miss Edwards.

“Maths teachers from visiting schools and Springwood were extremely supportive throughout the event, especially with the scoring for each of the teams.”

The success of the Year 10 Maths Challenge means it will become an annual event in the WNAT calendar, while the format will also be extended to younger year groups within the Trust.

“Events like this are extremely important to inspire students to not only study Maths to a higher level beyond secondary school, such as at sixth form or university, but also to have an enjoyment for the subject,” added Miss Edwards.

“It is so lovely to see students working as a team to engage with challenging Maths materials, which they will not have seen within the classroom, to push their learning even further.”

Held in conjunction with the King’s Lynn and District Camera Club (KLDCC), the West Norfolk Academies Trust (WNAT) Photographic Competition is open to staff and pupils across the Trust’s member schools, as well as those within the Windmill Federation.

“It is open to all students from the Trust who are in Key Stages 2, 3, 4 and 5,” explained WNAT Confidential Administrator Emma Pearman. “It’s also open to school staff. There are five categories – each of the Key Stages, plus a Staff category.

“This year we will also be inviting students and staff from the Windmill Federation Schools to take part.”

The annual competition is taking place for the third year running, with past themes having included ‘Our Environment’ and ‘My Community’.

“There is an open theme this year, covering any subject the student or staff member thinks would make an interesting picture,” said Mrs Pearson.

WNAT high schools taking part include Marshland in West Walton, St Clement’s in Terrington St Clement, Smithdon in Hunstanton, and Springwood in Lynn; alongside Trust primaries Clenchwarton, Gaywood, Heacham Junior, Snettisham, Walpole Cross Keys, and West Lynn.

Initial judging will be carried out by the WNAT Senior Leadership Team, with ten entries chosen from each category to go through to the final at Springwood on 25 June, where winners will be chosen by a panel from KLDCC.

“There were 147 images submitted last year,” continued Mrs Pearman. “It is expected that there will be more this year, with it increasing in popularity year on year, and also with the fact that the Windmill Federation Schools are invited to take part this year.”

Each category winner will receive £20 of Amazon vouchers, while one overall winner will be awarded the Dave Ashfield Cup, which last year went to Year 13 Springwood Sixth Form student, Ava.

“The Trust places a huge importance on extra-curricular activity for all of our students, alongside excellent relationships with our community including the KLDCC,” added WNAT CEO Andy Johnson.

To enter, send a jpeg format photograph, no larger than A4, and a maximum of 3600 x 2400 pixels, to e.pearman@wnat.co.uk before the closing deadline 1 June.

Our former Year 11 students came together in the Peter Hopkins Hall for the event, where over 100 graduates were presented with their GCSE certificates, as well as additional subject prizes and school awards.

“The event took place in our newly refurbished main hall, utilising the new tiered seating, lighting, and stage to make the event particularly special for our returning students,” said Victoria Mann, who was Head of Year for the cohort during their time with us.

“Celebrating the students’ success at this event were the school's Senior Leadership Team, governors, and parents, all of whom were delighted to begin the evening listening to Ethan Soong providing some wonderful, welcoming musical pieces on the piano.”

Our Executive Headteacher, Andy Johnson, was on hand to congratulate the students and present certificates and prizes, with the help of a special guest.

“We were delighted that we were also able to have Abi Pawsey join us as our guest speaker,” continued Mrs Mann.

“She currently specialises in working with children and young people as practice manager in a Child Protection Team, and talked about the journey she has made from her time studying in King’s Lynn to now, including an 11-year career in the Prison Service, holding positions from being a prison officer through to a governor at HMP Norwich; time as a charity director; and her current career in social work.

“Abi’s talk reminded students that there are many ways they can serve their community, that they cannot know where their own journey might take them, and that they will have many opportunities in the future – the key is saying ‘Yes’.”

Besides subject prizes for those deserving special recognition for their efforts and achievements in particular areas, trophies were awarded to students demonstrating key characteristics and outstanding achievement across the board at Springwood, which is part of the West Norfolk Academies Trust.

Among the high achievers acknowledged at the ceremony were Aritra Kar and Sara Mohammed, who were named joint top performers in the year group, both having attained impressive Grade 9s across all of their chosen subjects.

Other award winners included Poppy Hayes, who received the Jessica-Mae Prior Shield for Inspirational Courage, and Jaxon Walford, who was given the Governors’ Plate for service to the school.

“Many of our students do continue into our Sixth Form on completion of their GCSEs, while others have taken on the challenge presented in different courses offered by other Key Stage 5 providers,” added Mrs Mann.

“The event serves as a wonderful opportunity to bring students back together and remind them that they remain part of our school community. It also recognises the hard work and effort that has allowed them to achieve and progress.

"I'm delighted to recognise again what an outstanding cohort of young people I have had the pleasure of working with over the last few years. They were not only academically strong, but also a demonstration of the passionate, hard-working, and caring young people that we hope leave us at the end of five years at Springwood.”

The Year 12 and 13 students were victorious in the first-ever Norfolk Schools RFU Under-18 State Cup, beating Wymondham High 12-7 in the final, which was held at Wymondham College.

City of Norwich School, Notre Dame High School, Reepham High School, Easton College, and host Wymondham College were also represented in the competition.

“Lukas M, our captain, scored two tries in our final match against Wymondham High in the final, which was a very tense match after we had watched them play and defeat Easton College,” said our Head of Health and Social Care, Chloe Lister, who coached the team alongside external staff member Seth Charlesworth.

“Our forwards were able to put forward a strong scrum against their pack, whilst our backs were able to form a strong defence line.”

Among the other major players in the contest were Maxwell M, who scored a try in the first match to put Springwood ahead of Wymondham College, and James S, who scored a try against City of Norwich School in the second match to secure Springwood’s place in the final.

The winning Springwood team also included Callum B, Rocky D, Will H, Thomas L, Tom L, Kuba L, Finn MN, Theo M, Bramley P, Ollie R, Finn R, Finn S, Ben T, Chris T, and Robin W.

“The team received the Norfolk Schools RFU UNder-18 State Cup, and medals each for winning that they could take home,” continued Miss Lister, who treated the players to a celebratory pizza lunch.

“On the drive home, the players had a sing-along to their chosen playlist and took selfies with the Cup.”

While it was the first time that the event had taken place, Springwood, which is part of the West Norfolk Academies Trust, hopes to have the opportunity to defend the trophy.

“School competitions play an important role in strengthening the school community and advancing student development in multiple ways,” added Miss Lister.

“First, they serve as a unifying force by bringing different schools together to compete in a spirit of healthy rivalry. These events attract an enthusiastic audience of parents, staff, and students, whose shared interest in the contest helps create a lively atmosphere that fosters school pride and community engagement.

“Competitions also contribute to raising the sport’s overall profile. When school-level events connect with or mirror the excitement of elite competitions, they help cultivate a pathway for aspiring athletes and build a stronger sporting culture.

“From a skill perspective, participation in a competition accelerates player development. The pressures and demands of match play require students to practise and apply technical abilities, as well as cognitive skills such as decision-making, concentration, and discipline.

“Regular exposure to competitive situations trains young athletes to think strategically, manage stress, and prioritise teamwork – traits that transfer beyond the sport into academic and personal contexts.”

This year’s Sixth Form Prize Giving Ceremony saw around 100 of our former Year 13 cohort assemble to receive their certificates, while a number of other awards were also presented during the evening.

“Each department presented a subject award, so 35 in total, reflecting the large amount of subjects available at Springwood,” said Head of Year 13 Luke Rawling, who gave out the prizes, alongside Deputy Head Jamie Warner-Lynn. “We also had 53 County Scholars.”

The high achievers were joined for the celebration by former student Lauren Greengrass, who is currently studying for a Masters in Australia, and returned to the school to share her experiences of working in the field of Marine Biology.

Among those receiving additional accolades were Juan Camilo Cervantes Torres, who won the Queen’s Prize; Melissa Knight, who was given the Rotary Citizen Award; Reece Mann who was awarded the Peter Hopkins Goblet for Determination and Commitment; and Josie Draper and Rachel-Lee September who were joint winners of the Hanover Prize for Contribution to the Arts.

Around 250 parents, governors, staff members, and students gathered in the Peter Hopkins Hall for the annual event at our school, which is part of the West Norfolk Academies Trust.

The West Norfolk Academies Trust event was held at Smithdon High School, and the Year 7 and 8 students had to come up with the correct spelling for a range of tricky words.

Among them were antidisestablishmentarianism, martyr, mnemonic and conscientious – but all the students rose to the challenge.

It was a close contest with teams from Marshland, St Clement’s, Springwood and Smithdon High schools all concentrating hard during a tough session of serious spelling.

Springwood High School took first place with Shanjana in Year 8 taking the title of the WNAT Spelling Bee Winner, and she was presented with the prize of an Amazon Kindle Fire and a trophy.

English Lead for the Trust, Sarah Murkin, organised the annual event which was the culmination of a round of heats within each school.

“All four schools competed with outstanding team spirit and integrity. Springwood secured the win, closely followed by Marshland, St Clement’s and Smithdon. Every team delivered a fantastic performance, making the event a true celebration of talent and sportsmanship,” said Amira O’Neill, English teacher at St Clement’s High.

Each of the Trust’s secondary schools take it in turn to host the annual finals and this year was Smithdon’s turn just before the Christmas break.

Don't miss your chance to see our most ambitious project yet. With a cast of around 70 students and a live 18-piece Orchestra and some of the best-known songs in Musical Theatre, this is one not to be missed!

Very limited tickets remaining for Thursday, best availability is Tuesday and Wednesday.

Performances are on Tuesday 27th, Wednesday 28th & Thursday 29th January 2026 at 6.30pm. 

To purchase tickets, click here

Please note that ticket sales for each night will be suspended at 4.30pm

The Thread Exhibition features art from students at Springwood in King’s Lynn, Smithdon in Hunstanton, Marshland in West Walton and St Clement’s in Terrington St Clement.

More than 60 students from Year 11 and 13 have used a wide range of media from painting and drawing to sculpture, digital art and photography. It is on show at Chequers House Gallery, King Street,  and is open to the public from 11am to 4pm on Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays to December 28.

“There is no specific theme, but students respond from a range of starting points for their exam and coursework projects and build this into their own style and practice,” said Lee Eveson, Head of Art and Photography at Springwood.

He organised and curated the exhibition with Phil Bennell, Head of Art at the West Norfolk Academies Trust.

“Even as a 50-year-old artist and teacher, every painting that you start is an adventure. Sometimes it’s a trial of wits between you and the artwork and, as a creative, you are always evolving. For this reason, I thought Thread was an apt name for the exhibition,” said Mr Eveson.

This year is the eleventh that Mr Eveson has run the event, which often welcomes 500 visitors during the course of the month.

“We have been lucky enough to work with Chequers House Gallery in doing this. They have been amazing, and offered us their new gallery, which I can’t thank them enough for,” he said.

“This exhibition shows students what their work looks like in a professional setting. It raises aspirations, confidence and contribution to the creative arts.

“Creative arts is the second biggest economic provider in the UK. Creative industries are such an important part of our education system and society. We are very lucky to receive the support we do from our senior leadership teams and the community as a whole.

“I feel very lucky to be an art teacher here, not only because of this but because we have outstanding students at our schools,” added Mr Eveson.

The Year 7 students had been taking music lessons at their respective primaries before joining our school, and each successfully auditioned for Director of Music Robin Norman to receive one of the coveted scholarships.

“For the audition, each had to perform a piece on their chosen instrument, and then face an interview where their musical journey so far was discussed, and also their hopes for getting involved in the extensive musical opportunities at the school,” explained Mr Norman.

The full instrumental scholarships entitle the talented youngsters to free, weekly lessons on their instruments throughout Years 7 and 8 at Springwood, followed by a 50 per cent reduction on tuition costs during Year 9 – which continues all the way through to Year 13, should they choose to take Music qualifications at GCSE and A-Level.

“Springwood has a rich musical history going back to the 1970s, and this has always been about nurturing musicians, and also providing opportunities to get involved in music at a local, regional, and national level,” continued Mr Norman.

“We introduced two scholarship programmes at Springwood 12 months ago to help with these beliefs – one for existing musicians who have had lessons, and the other is open to students who have obtained one of the Arts Places through audition.

“I am thrilled that these six young people have been successful, and I look forward to them progressing further during their time here at the school.”

The scholarship winners are Ella D (piano); Imogen S (viola); Callie-May S (trombone); Edward W (trombone); Max M (trumpet); and Oreoluwa O (flute).

They follow in the footsteps of last year’s scholarship students Verity O, Mika V, Elizabeth R, Sophia D, Noah C, Amaya T, Isla M, Frances H, Fidan A, Gracella H, Amelia K, and Bridie D, who are all now in Year 8 at Springwood, which is part of the West Norfolk Academies Trust. Their chosen instruments included piano, cello, clarinet, flute, saxophone, and violin.

“At a time when many schools are restricting their Music and Arts provision, it is wonderful to see Springwood continuing to increase opportunities for young people in the town,” added Mr Norman, who is also Director of Music at WNAT.

“We currently have over 200 students choosing to learn an instrument or singing within the school, with even more getting involved in Music extra-curricular activities.

“I’m pleased to say that the same scholarships are also available across all four secondary schools within the West Norfolk Academies Trust – something we are incredibly proud of.”

Marshland High School hosted the event and teams from Springwood and St Clement’s High Schools all recently competed for the coveted winners’ trophy. There had been a number of internal rounds before the final teams were chosen for the event.

Each group had three members, a proposer, opposer and chair. The winners on the night were from our school and the team chose the topic ‘is TikTok responsible for poor mental health amongst teenagers?’

“We are incredibly impressed and proud of the commitment the students have shown in researching their topics and preparing their speeches using their own time. They showed great confidence in speaking so eloquently in front of their peers and judges, well done!” said Judy Webb, KS3 Coordinator at Marshland High School, West Walton.

“The idea is to celebrate the power of ideas and the art of persuasive communication. We want students to develop their ability to express oneself fluently, confidently and to be able to articulate a clear argument, challenge ideas respectfully and think critically.”

The judging team was Neil Mindham, executive Headteacher of Gaywood Primary and Tony Yates, a trustee from the West Norfolk Academies Trust.

Trophies were presented to the winning team and certificates were given to everyone who took part in the event.

All the teams, along with one from Smithdon High School, will be taking part in the annual Rotary Youth Speaks Competition which is being organised by the King’s Lynn Trinity Rotary Club.

Featuring almost a hundred Year 4 pupils from ten different primary schools, the evening included poetry and narration, as well as wartime classics such as ‘A Bicycle Made for Two’ and ‘It’s a Long Way to Tipperary’ – which had the audience members singing along and waving flags. There was also a standard bearer, and a moving rendition of ‘The Last Post’.

Among the participating schools were Clenchwarton Primary, Gaywood Primary, Heacham Junior, Snettisham Primary, Terrington St John Primary, Tilney St Lawrence Primary, Walpole Cross Keys Primary, Walpole Highway Primary, West Lynn Primary, and West Walton Primary.

“Events like this enable children to build confidence, communication, and teamwork, as they learn to express themselves and work with others,” said Emma Hunt, who is Executive Headteacher at Terrington St John, Tilney St Lawrence, and Walpole Highway, and led the event alongside Snettisham Teacher Helen LeStrange and WNAT Administrator Emma Pearman.

It was the sixth time the event had taken place, with this year’s performance attracting around 300 family members, staff, and trustees, as well as war veterans and members of the armed services.

“I believe it is so important for children to learn about Remembrance, so that they can understand the sacrifices made by soldiers and civilians during times of war, appreciate the value of peace, and develop gratitude for the freedoms they enjoy today," added Mrs Hunt.

“Learning about this day helps them connect with history, show respect for those who served, and carry forward the tradition of remembrance, ensuring the lessons of the past are never lost.”