Springwood High School students celebrated the end of the year in style when they enjoyed their very own festival.

Open to all Year 8 students who had successfully completed the Endeavour Programme over the past academic year, 'Springfest' featured a wide range of entertainments, activities, and refreshments, from bouncy castles to barbecues.

Not only did the students attend the all-day festival, but they also helped to organise and fund it, raising money through a series of fundraising initiatives, which included cake sales, penalty shoot-outs, sports matches, and other sponsored events.

The Endeavour scheme comprises nine different challenges, and is designed to help young people to develop independent thinking and a balanced outlook. Participants are encouraged to expand their comfort zones, taking part in ventures such as article writing, performance reviewing, representing their school house, and leading an assembly – as well as organising a fundraising event.

Springfest provides the perfect way for students to celebrate their Endeavour achievements, and has become a popular annual event at our school, which is part of the West Norfolk Academies Trust.

Lynn music lovers enjoyed four nights of diverse entertainment when Springwood High School 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 the Trust’s 11 member schools take to the professional, outdoor stage, 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.”

Brothers and sisters often attend the same school, but as the new academic year begins, our school is welcoming a sixth sibling from the same family through its doors.

Nearly 200 Year 13 students from Springwood High School in King’s Lynn gathered at the Duke’s Head Hotel for an evening of celebration following “outstanding” A-level results.

Students and staff are celebrating another record year of results at Springwood High School Sixth Form.

Impressionist artist Vincent Van Gogh and punk icon Vivienne Westwood were among the inspirations at this year’s Springwood High School Summer Fashion Show.

The popular annual event, which took place on 8 July in the Peter Hopkins Hall, saw our fashion designers exhibit their creations, while fellow students took to the catwalk to model the clothes.

Themes for 2025 included ‘Nature and Humans’ for the Year 11 GCSE students, while the BTEC students focused on ‘Nature and Sustainability’ in Year 12, and on ‘Identity’ and ‘The Bold and Unexpected’ in Year 13. There was also a Staff Collection on the theme of ‘Glamour’.

“Year 11 key items of clothing included a green bodice made out of shimmery, sheer fabric, with delicate ruffled sleeves inspired by coral reefs,” said Emma Markwell, Fashion and Textile Course Leader at our school, which is part of the West Norfolk Academies Trust.

“There were also two outfits inspired by human hearts and the blood system, using embroidery, red pearl beads, and laser-cut acrylic embellishments, and Oscar Isherwood’s Year 11 tailored red jacket, skirt, gloves, and red velvet train.”

Among the Year 13 students showcasing their creations, Mollie Ashby was influenced by Vivienne Westwood in the design of her satin dress, which featured flowing, sheer blue fabric, and an outsized white bow; while Charlotte McLeish showed a white satin ballet dress; and Summer Hawkes drew inspiration from Van Gogh for her sculpted dress, and blue-and-gold skirt and top.

“The Year 13 collections were pushing the boundaries with many stunning, eye-catching creations,” continued Miss Markwell, who organised the event with the help of students from Years 7 to 13, both on and off the catwalk.

“Several members of staff were involved in a variety of roles, including modelling, but most of the jobs to bring the show to life were covered by students.

“One hundred and thirty students took part from all year groups, helping with modelling, hair and makeup, front-of-house and ticket sales, promotions, designing the poster, wardrobe and fittings.

“It’s nice to see the models’ confidence and sass develop, but some of the most rewarding parts involve students learning behind-the-scenes skills and developing their work ethic.

“The unseen work put into rehearsing, promoting, and generally getting the show on the road, is hard to put into words.”

The Mayor of King’s Lynn, Councillor Andy Bullen, was among the 300 guests attending the evening, while support was also provided by Fent Shop in Lynn, which offers a discount to all BTEC Fashion students.

“The Fashion Show has become a highlight of the school year, and is looked forward to by everyone,” added Miss Markwell.

“It encourages the students’ confidence, creativity, and self-belief, and provides work experience in a variety of roles in the production of the show.

“This year, the collections had the wow factor. I am so proud of all my participants, and especially the designers. I feel like a fairy godmother at times, when seeing the students’ transformation and growth.

“I wish all the best for the Year 13 designers who are progressing to university and apprenticeships to study Fashion and Textiles.”