View all the latest news from Springwood High School here.
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.
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There was a bird’s-eye view for our students, after a competition gave them the opportunity to create and fly their own drones.
It was ‘mission possible’, when aspiring engineers at Springwood High School came together to design and create their own problem-solving robot.
It was around the world in 21 schools, when our dancers joined others from across the region for the West Norfolk School Sport Partnership (WNSSP) Dance Festival.
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’.”
It added up to a memorable occasion, when our students joined others from across the West Norfolk Academies Trust for the first ever WNAT Year 10 Maths Challenge.
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.”
There was something for everyone, when musicians from our school joined others from across West Norfolk for a performance at St Nicholas Chapel in King’s Lynn.
Organised by the West Norfolk Academies Trust, the WNAT Play Day event saw primary school pupils perform alongside older students from the Trust’s four high schools, which include Marshland in West Walton, St Clement’s in Terrington St Clement, Smithdon in Hunstanton, and Springwood in Lynn.
“The Play Day brought together students from across the feeder primary schools to the four WNAT high schools, spanning the breadth of West Norfolk, from West Walton through to Hunstanton and the surrounding areas,” said Benjamin Howell, who is Peripatetic Music Lead at the Trust and helped co-ordinate the event.
“The event featured primary school musicians alongside high school and sixth-form students, who came together to perform as a large Trust ensemble.”
The musical offering was equally wide-ranging, covering themes from television and film as well as classical pieces, while there were also guest performances from some of the schools’ music groups.
“The musical programme was varied and engaging, ranging from the dramatic theme from The Traitors, music from How to Train Your Dragon, Hungarian Dance No. 5, and both the ‘Habanera’ and ‘Toreador’s Song’ from Carmen,” continued Mr Howell
“In addition, we were delighted to feature performances from the Springwood Concert Band, the Sinfonia String Group, and the St Clement’s High School Band, whose performances further demonstrated the musical progression available to students across the Trust.”
Some 187 musicians were involved in the day, which concluded with a concert performance for WNAT staff, trustees, family members, and friends.
Support was provided by WNAT Peripatetic Team members Jo Kemp, Music Lead at St Clement’s; Mary-Ann Robertson; Emily Savage; David Maddison; Nic Bouskill; and Helen Johnson; along with David Stowell from the Norfolk Music Hub; while the event was organised by WNAT Director of Music, Robin Norman, with the assistance of Emma Pearman and Sam Johnson from the Trust.
“We are very appreciative of the Trust Administration Team, Senior Leadership, and Trustees for their support – particularly CEO Andy Johnson,” added Mr Howell.
“Our thanks also go to St Nicholas Chapel for hosting the event, and to the many parents, carers, families, and friends who attended the concluding performance.”
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It is time to get snap happy, with amateur photographers at our school invited to showcase their talents in a photography contest.
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.
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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.
World Book Day became a week-long celebration of all things literary, when we held our annual Reading Festival during the first week of March.
Success was multiplied, when almost 50 mathematicians at Springwood High School ranked among the highest scorers in a prestigious national competition.
The focus was on talent, when our young photographers joined others to showcase their work at Chequers House Gallery in King’s Lynn.
It was back to school for the Class of 2025, when they rejoined their old classmates, teachers, and governors for a Presentation Evening held at Springwood to recognise and celebrate their successes.
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.”
