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.
The end of term was a literal rollercoaster ride, when our hard-working students saw their efforts rewarded with a day out at a theme park.
A group of 50 Year 11 students from Smithdon High School celebrated the term’s successes with a trip to Alton Towers in Staffordshire, where they had the opportunity to test their nerve on rides such as Nemesis Reborn, Toxicator, Oblivion, Galactica, and the world’s first 14-loop rollercoaster The Smiler.
“The trip was to reward the hard work that Year 11 students have put in so far this year in school, and a chance for them to relax before a busy exam season after the Easter break,” said our Assistant Head Dan Ward, who organised the event.
“They get the opportunity to go on thrill-seeking rides at one of the country’s best theme parks.”
The trip has become an annual fixture on the calendar at Smithdon, which is part of the West Norfolk Academies Trust.
“It is really important that we recognise the hard work and dedication of our students,” added Mr Ward.
“It gives the Year 11 students motivation to work hard, and gives them a sense of achievement by earning a place on the trip.”
There was magic in the air, when students from Smithdon High School enjoyed a theatre trip to London’s West End to see a spell-binding production of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child.
The 44 students ranged in age from Years 7 to 11, and were accompanied by our Head of Drama, Vicky Proctor, along with Drama Teacher Kayleigh Brown, and Learning Support Assistants John Britton and Heather Burrows.
“It was an opportunity to see live theatre at its best,” said Mrs Proctor. “Also, the production is finishing in late September and being amalgamated into one show, so this was a fabulous chance for students to see Cursed Child as it was originally intended, as a two-part production.”
Our school, which is part of the West Norfolk Academies Trust, organises regular theatre trips for students, with this one made possible thanks to support from Heacham Youth and Community Trust.
“For some students, this was their first time visiting our capital city, and so the experience was incredible for them,” added Mrs Proctor.
“The show itself is truly magical, and all the students were in awe and amazement. They also enjoyed the interval at McDonald’s!”
Our students flocked to meet the new arrivals, when their Smithdon High School welcomed three woolly visitors for the week.
We were hosting a mother sheep and her two lambs in the school grounds, as part of an initiative sent up by the Food and Farming Discovery Trust to increase young people’s awareness of the farming industry.
“The objective was to widen students’ knowledge on where their food comes from, farming as an industry, and to have the opportunity to see the animals close up,” said Teacher of Food and Nutrition Becky Dibble, who organised the event with the assistance of Assistant Headteacher Alysha Moat, as well as taking responsibility for the animals during their stay.
“We both attended the mandatory briefing at the Norfolk Showground to allow us to have the sheep at the school. They also then put together the Livestock Sheep Project sessions for our students to take part in.”
“The sessions were for Year 7 and Year 8,” she continued. “They were split into groups and spent a lesson learning all about sheep. The Livestock Sheep Project included four activity stations that were run by Year 10 students, which included activities like learning where the different breeds originate from around the UK, how sheep help with climate changes, to understanding where our food comes from, and being able to locate local produce on a large map of Norfolk.
“A select few students who are interested in animal care and farming as a career took charge of caring for the animals, by feeding them, checking on them, helping to move the pen, and making sure they had clean straw in their shelter.”
The students also spent time outside with the sheep, where Mrs Dibble was able to share her own farming experience, as she and her family have a flock of sheep.
It was the second time that our school, which is a member of the West Norfolk Academies Trust, had been involved in the project, with this year’s ewe and lambs provided by Dereham-based farmer Josh Hill.
“For some students, this was the first time they had been up close to a farm animal and also had the confidence to ask questions about them,” added Mrs Dibble.
“It gives them a chance to understand the importance of farming in the UK, discuss welfare standards, and understand how to care and be empathic towards another being.”
Easter equalled ‘eggstra’ caring at Smithdon High School, when our students marked the occasion by raising more than £200 for the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI).
Our Rotary Club Easter Egg Raffle saw students from all age groups encouraged to buy tickets in aid of the charity.
“Tickets were sold to raise money for the Hunstanton RNLI,” said our Assistant Headteacher, Dan Ward, who organised the event with the help of School Council Lead Alix Birks.
“The main prize was a 1.5kg Easter egg, which was donated by the Rotary Club. There was a second prize of a £15 Amazon voucher, and some smaller Easter eggs which were donated by the school.
“£215 was raised in total, and this will be used by the Hunstanton RNLI to improve equipment and facilities at their base.”
The event was a new addition to the calendar at Smithdon, which is a member of the West Norfolk Academies Trust.
“This is the first year that the raffle has taken place,” added Mr Ward. “We are hoping for it to become a yearly tradition at school.
“Events like this are really important. One of our ‘Smithdon Seven’ values that we instil into our students is the sense of community, and events like this allow our school and student body to help raise funds and money for really important local organisations and charities that have such a big impact on our local community.”
Inclusivity was the name of the game, when a diverse mix of students came together for the inaugural West Norfolk Academies Trust Kinball Tournament.
Hosted by Smithdon High School, the event was open to players from Years 7 to 11 at the Trust’s four secondary schools, which also include Marshland, St Clement’s, and Springwood in King’s Lynn.
“Kinball is an inclusive sport that can be played by everyone,” explained Smithdon Head of PE Jamie Tilley, who organised the event with the support of his counterparts Paul Swinburn from Marshland, Anna Froswick from St Clement’s, and Tracey Honey from Springwood.
“We had players from Years 7 to 11, played by mixed genders. Overall we had 40 players across the Trust schools participating."
“Everyone who attended played. There were eight teams of six – two teams from each Trust school – all playing to score points. It was a race to see which team could score ten points first.”
“The objective of the game is, when attacking, a team must serve, or hit, the ball so that it lands and touches the ground before a nominated team can catch or control it,” he continued.
“When defending, the nominated team must stop the ball touching the floor. If the ball touches the ground, then all the other teams, including the attacking team, gains a point.
“We wanted to make sure that everyone went away from the event knowing that they had achieved something. Whether they worked in a team, showed leadership qualities, scored points, or even stopped the other teams from scoring, that was the biggest win of the competition.”
Although it was the first time the tournament had taken place, its success has meant that there are now plans to make it a regular fixture in the WNAT calendar.
“Having Trust schools coming together for fixtures of inclusive sports, as well as the traditional sports, supports the students to thrive and develop in sports,” added Mr Tilley.
“Trust schools have different facilities, sporting experience, and all-round positive knowledge within their PE Departments, which helps to improve PE and Sport across the schools.
“As Heads of Departments across the Trust, this is something that we are discussing and organising to do on a regular basis, to organise friendly development fixtures of inclusive and traditional sports to give sporting pupils the opportunity to shine.”
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 learned 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 of 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.”
It was the turn of literary great Roald Dahl to be lauded, when Smithdon High School chose an author to honour as part of our annual literary celebration.
Roald Dahl Day took place on Wednesday 11 March, during our two-week Literary Festival, and saw the school library undergo a transformation inspired by the writer’s enduringly popular books, including Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, The BFG, and Matilda.
“The library hosted a range of themed activities for students during lunch time including a Willy Wonka treasure hunt, BFG dream jar creation, and Matilda-inspired crafts, where students could decorate book bags, bookmarks, and pencil cases,” said our Librarian, Marie Taylor, who organised the event.
“The library itself was transformed to reflect his magical worlds, featuring a Chokey from Matilda, a Matilda-themed library corner, a BFG dream workshop, and the Gate to the Chocolate Factory,” she continued.
“We also invited all students and staff to dress as their favourite Roald Dahl characters. The English Department, including the Headteacher, led the way, with staff dressing as well known characters including the Grand High Witch, Veruca Salt, Matilda, Willy Wonka, Miss Honey, Violet Beauregarde, and Mrs Pratchett.”
Each year, Smithdon, which is part of the West Norfolk Academies Trust, selects a different author, book, or series to celebrate during the Literary Festival, with past favourites having included Harry Potter, The Hunger Games, and Alice in Wonderland.
“Roald Dahl was chosen because his stories remain some of the most imaginative, humorous, and memorable children’s books ever written,” explained Miss Taylor.
“What makes his work especially significant for us is that our students are still actively choosing to read and enjoy his books today, showing that his books have stood the test of time and continue to inspire a love of reading across generations.”
“Days like this play a vital role in building a strong reading culture within our school,” she added.
“Celebratory events create excitement around books, and help students see reading as something enjoyable and social, rather than just academic. By immersing themselves in stories through activities, creativity, and dress up, students develop a deeper connection to literature.
“Importantly, events like this are also fully inclusive. They can engage all of our students, regardless of reading ability, allowing everyone to take part through art, drama, teamwork, and imagination.”
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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.
Aspiring writers were put through their creative paces, when an author visited Smithdon High School as part of our annual Literary Festival.
The two week celebration was brought to an appropriate close on Friday 13 March when Year 7 and 8 students were joined by Lisa Thompson, whose popular novels include The Goldfish Boy, The Day I Was Erased, The Boy Who Fooled the World, and Owen and the Soldier.
“During her visit, Lisa delivered an author talk in the school hall, sharing insights into her writing journey and creative process,” said Marie Taylor, Librarian at our school, which is a member of the West Norfolk Academies Trust.
“Following this, she ran a small writing workshop for a group of our most talented young writers. There was also an opportunity for students to have books signed.”
Co-organised by Miss Taylor and our Head of English, Amanda Wright, the Literary Festival takes place each year at Smithdon, and features an author visit, as well as encompassing World Book Day, and a range of other events and activities themed around all things literary.
“Events like our annual author visit are an important part of building a strong reading culture in school,” continued Miss Taylor. “Meeting a writer such as Lisa Thompson helps students see that books are created by real people, making reading feel more relevant and inspiring.
“Hearing about novels like The Goldfish Boy encourages enthusiasm for reading. Experiences like this can hopefully spark a lasting interest in books and creativity, supporting both literacy development and confidence. They also inspire creativity.”
“Hearing about the writing process, including drafting, editing, and overcoming challenges, can help our students to understand that writing is a skill that develops over time,” she added. For aspiring writers, workshops can provide valuable encouragement.
“After Dan Freedman visited last year, demand for his books in the school library increased significantly, with many students keen to read his books.
“This demonstrated the powerful impact that author visits can have on reading engagement, enthusiasm, and library use across the school.”
Budding scientists were put through their paces, when students from Smithdon High School led a series of experiments as part of British Science Week.
The Year 9 group visited pupils at Flitcham, Snettisham, Ingoldisthorpe, Dersingham, and Hunstanton primary schools in turn over the course of the week, delivering workshops for the children which featured a range of different activities designed to promote a love of science.
Our Science Teacher, Veronica Roper, who accompanied the students, explained: “We took five different activities, including a moss safari using microscopes to look at the moss and organisms living in it; a mini light show using coloured ray boxes, lenses, and screens; making a compass and investigating magnetism; using static electricity to make straws spin; and building electrical circuits to test the conductivity of different materials, as well as drawing graphite circuits to light an LED.”
Smithdon, which is a member of the West Norfolk Academies Trust, has been taking part in British Science Week for more than a decade, and there were plenty of other events taking place this time round.
“The theme this year was ‘Curiosity: What’s Your Question?’,” said our Head of Science, Claire Pike, who kicked off the week with a whole-school assembly on the theme.
“We took part in a poster competition, researched what it’s like to live and work in the Antarctic, and used microscopes to look at things like cobwebs and pet hair to see what they look like.”
Ten Year 8 students also attended a WNAT Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) ‘Race to the Line’ challenge at Springwood High School, which tasked participants with designing, building, and racing their own CO2-powered model cars.
“We have promoted British Science Week at Smithdon for over ten years, and it is always fascinating to be able to look at science outside of the curriculum,” added Mrs Pike.
“We also focus on Science careers during the week, to promote where Science can take you.”
