Talented maths pupils from Chetwynde School have secured silver and bronze medals in a national competition.

The 15 students from Years 7 and 8 have achieved outstanding results in the UK Junior Maths Challenge, which recognizes the brightest young mathematical minds across the country.

The UK Maths Trust organises the event to encourage critical thinking, problem-solving, and mathematical creativity. It provides a platform for students to showcase their skills and compete at a national level.

Head of Maths at Chetwynde Stefan Olphert said all the students had showed exceptional mathematical prowess.

“These results reflect the dedication and hard work of our young mathematicians. We are thrilled to see their passion for mathematics rewarded,” he said.

Meanwhile Ava Dunseath’s performance caught the attention of the University of Liverpool and she was invited to complete its Mathematical Education on Merseyside Challenge at home during half term.

Mr Olphert said this had given Ava an opportunity to try additional problem solving and explore mathematical concepts beyond the classroom.

“Ava’s commitment to mathematics is truly commendable. We are thrilled that her hard work has been recognized by such a prestigious institution.”

Music students from Chetwynde School in Barrow will showcase an original soundtrack they have composed for a video game this week.

The senior school pupils have been working with the Manchester Video Game Orchestra to create a brand new piece of gaming music.

The piece, which they have penned and composed from scratch, will be performed as part of an event at the Coronation Hall in Ulverston on Thursday 23^rd May.

Katherine Parkinson, head of creative faculty at Chetwynde School which is part of South Cumbria Multi-Academy Trust, said it had been a brilliant project.

“Our children have loved working with composer Andy Smith and the professional orchestra over the past few months.

“The final piece is really impressive and they can’t wait for its premiere on stage.”

Tickets are available from the Coronation Hall website.

Pupils swapped their uniforms for an array of vibrant colours at a school’s first colour run.

Newbarns Primary and Nursery School in Barrow held the sponsored run on the playing fields.

They completed laps while being covered head to toe in colourful powder by teachers and parents.

Headteacher Gary Birkett said it had been brilliant fun and thanked staff and volunteers for organising and running the event, which is raising money for additional fun activities for the children.

“Our pupils are always happy but to see the joy on their faces at this event was a great end to the week. Especially for our Year 6 pupils who had worked so hard on their SATs.

“Our nursery and reception pupils also joined in with a bubble run in the morning, it was magical to see them dashing around the course through the bubbles.”

Newbarns Primary and Nursery School is part of South Cumbria Multi-Academy Trust.

Staff and pupils at South Walney Infant and Nursery School celebrated its milestone 70^th birthday in style.

They dressed up in 1950s clothing to put on a show for families and buried a time capsule to give future students a glimpse into life in 2024.

Each class penned a message for the time capsule so future generations can see how the school has continued to develop.

Performances including Maypole dancing, rock and roll moves and the school song and there were traditional games including hula hoops and hopscotch and a picnic for all to enjoy.

Visitors to the Amphitrite Street school were then treated to an afternoon of reminiscing and refreshments for the wider school community with photographs of past pupils and events on display.

Headteacher Becs Ensoll said it had been a wonderful and well-attended celebration with people who were connected to the school.

“We are delighted to see so many past pupils and former staff back at school to join in what is a very special day for South Walney Infant and Nursery School.

“We had some of the schools very first pupils come along and talking about their happy school days and even some who had gone on to get married.”

She said pupils had enjoyed creating the time capsule which sent hope from the past for a bright future.

“The time capsule references many things ranging from this as an Olympic year and taking about a pupil who is an excellent gymnast with her eyes set on future global success,” she said. “It also mentions the recent glowing Ofsted report praising the pupils love of reading, pride in the community and inspired and varied curriculum.”

A spectacular cake in the school’s colours was also made by a past parent Janette Currie and decorated with books named with each class and tiny handprints round the edge. The cake was cut together by three headteachers linking past and present together.

South Walney Infant and Nursery School has applied to join South Cumbria Multi-Academy Trust in Autumn 2024.

A popular infant and nursery school is expanding in order to meet the needs of its community.

From September 2024, Ramsden Infant and Nursery School will increase its nursery provision to offer lunch and afternoon sessions, alongside its current morning sessions.

This will give parents the option to take up the Government’s 30 hours of free childcare offer. Parents will be able to access full wrap around care with breakfast and after school clubs.

Assistant Headteacher Jo Pooley said: “We recognise the need to increase our provision and we want parents to know their children can come to our school from age three and progress through infants to our junior school Greengate.

“We have had lots of new families join in this academic year and they always comment on how friendly and family focused we are, the approachable staff and chatty children and the amazing outdoor space, considering our town centre location.”

Children in the nursery currently enjoy taking part in Forest Schools and have recently had visits from the library through the Book Trust and a session with a midwife who has taught them how to care for themselves.

Families also have access to the on-site Ladybirds Nurture Unit, which provides a rich learning environment for children with additional needs, who want to be in a mainstream school. It includes a specialist Pod where the children can have a break from the stimulating environment of a classroom.

Ramsden Infant School is currently in the final stages of applying for the Primary Quality Science Mark, jointly with Greengate Junior School of which it is federated. The schools are applying to join South Cumbria Multi-Academy Trust in the next academic year.

Parents and their children can make an appointment to visit the school by emailing admin@ramsden.cumbria.ac.uk

A popular Walney school is marking a milestone 70 years of educating pupils this week by turning back the clock.

South Walney Infant and Nursery School will celebrate on Friday (May 17^th) with a family event in the afternoon where pupils and staff will dress in 1950s attire.

This is followed by an invitation to past pupils and staff to return to the Amphitrite Street school to catch up over a cup of tea and share memories from their time there.

Headteacher Becs Ensoll said everyone was looking forward to the occasion.

“Our pupils have always taken great pride in their community and this is a way of inviting everyone connected with the school in to see how we have changed over the decades.

“There have been many positive developments at our wonderful school, yet its ethos of providing a safe, welcoming and happy place where everyone is valued remains the same.

“Ofsted recently recognised how our children thrive in the ‘heart of this island community’ and it will also be a chance for us all to celebrate our special school together.”

“We hope as many people as possible can make it to the drop in from 3.30pm to 5.30pm.”

South Walney Infant and Nursery School is an associate member of South Cumbria Multi-Academy Trust.

Two Barrow schools at the heart of their communities will seek views on their plans to academise at a public consultation next week.

Greengate Junior School and Ramsden Infant School, which are federated, have applied to join South Cumbria Multi-Academy Trust.

Members of the community are invited to give their views at a public consultation at Greengate Junior School at 4.30pm on Wednesday (May 15th).

Headteacher Sue Jackson said it was the right time to move the school forward to ensure excellence in education continued for generations to come.

“Greengate School celebrated 150 years of education last year and we have been looking at the future to ensure this school is successful for the next 150 years,” she said.

“Our decision to academise has followed a series of in-depth meetings with Trust leaders, governors and our staff and we unanimously think that there are significant benefits to our pupils of being part of this collaboration.

“In addition, the Trust’s commitment to each school’s individuality fits with our ethos of maintaining what is very special about Greengate and Ramsden schools.”

Mrs Jackson will be joined by Professor Andrew Wren, who is Executive Head Teacher and CEO of the Trust, for the consultation.

There will be a short presentation and the chance to ask questions from senior SCMAT representatives and current member school headteachers.

People can ask questions in person at the event or submit them to be asked at the meeting here: https://forms.gle/m3LEVwzv75d2cCpYA

Professor Andrew Wren, CEO of SCMAT, said the Trust was also seeking views on a proposal to merge Ramsden Infant School and Greengate Junior School to become one school after they have completed their transition into South Cumbria Multi-Academy Trust.

“This would ensure that pupils have a seamless transition from infants to juniors, and would also remove the current requirements for parents and carers to apply for a place for their children who are heading into Year 3 at Greengate,” he said. “Parents and pupils would see little other change should this go ahead as the two schools are already federated under Sue Jackson, as Head Teacher, and one Governing Body. This would remain the case should the two schools formally merge.”

More information about South Cumbria Multi-Academy Trust is available at www.scmat.org.uk

Pupils from Ormsgill School were put through their paces by a top alpine skier and raised nearly £1,000 towards sports equipment for school.

The children – from reception to Year 6 – enjoyed a fitness circuits session with Isla Ward who is a national junior champion.

Isla, who is from Glasgow, gave an inspirational talk about her sporting achievements and posed for photos with pupils in the initiative called Sports for Champions.

The children also got to quiz her with questions including how cold it was, if she gets tired, who inspires her and if she can speak other languages.

She explained that she gets up at 3am to get the perfect icy conditions she needs but goes to bed very early, it’s sometimes minus 20 when she skies and she gets to travel the world with her skiing and speaks some French. She said other skiers and her little sister inspire her with their dedication.

They then challenged her by asking to see her unicycling and juggling at the same time, which she says helps her balance and calms pre-race nerves.

Isla said it was her first visit to Barrow and had really enjoyed meeting the pupils at Ormsgill School, which is part of South Cumbria Multi-Academy Trust.

“Most children do a sport and I want to show them that if you enjoy it and keep pushing anything is possible. This applies to any sport but it would be lovely if I could inspire one to give skiing a go,” she said.

“Athletes need to work hard and be dedicated and these skills are needed in every area of life. I want them to see the journey I have been on and to encourage their enjoyment of sport.”

Isla brought her medals, including the English Alpine Champion medal she secured in Italy and a medal from the New Zealand National Championships.

Ormsgill School’s PE lead Chloe Taylor, who organised the event, said the children had raised a fantastic amount of money for the school.

“They have been so enthusiastic about the visit and I will be meeting with the sport leaders in Year 5 and Year 6 who will conduct a survey of what new equipment they want.

“Pupils should be doing at least 30 minutes of activity a day outside PE so they are thinking of getting some new items to use in our playground.”

Pupils raised more than £2,000 in sponsorship for the event with a percentage of the money going towards new equipment for the school and the rest to support athletes with training and competition costs.

Pupils from South Walney Junior School have put the beauty of their island into words and pictures in the latest edition of a much-anticipated book.

Lost Words of Walney is a compilation of poetry and watercolour illustrations to celebrate the unique wildlife and plants of Walney Island.

It has been created by Year 6 pupils at the school on Amphitrite Street under the guidance of deputy headteacher Michelle Banks and is the third edition.

She said the project had been inspired by The Lost Words by best-selling author Robert Macfarlane, who aims to keep alive words from nature in the language of children. It combines nature and its wonders through spell poems and illustrations by artist Jackie Morris.

Mrs Banks said the project had first started in lockdown when children were confined to their home or local area.

“We were looking for opportunities to keep them engaged with writing and, as they were being encouraged to go for walks, it was a brilliant way of getting them interested in the local area and to write for a purpose.

“At first the children didn’t understand what a special place Walney is but you can see how that changed through the phenomenal poetry and artwork they produced so we decided to continue the project each year.”

The book includes poems about grey seals, oysters, the ringed plover, egrets, shelduck, Walney geranium, viper’s bugloss and protected natterjack toads. Artist Hannah Willetts helped the children with their watercolours.

Following its publication, Mr Macfarlane saw the book on social media platform X saying: “What magic you make together with the children Mrs Banks. This is so beautiful to see; the attention, imagination and creativity is thrilling.”

Since it was published, the school has been contacted by award-winning gardener and landscape designer Nicola Hills who invited them to get involved in her latest project to develop a garden at YMCA Lakeside.

Mrs Banks said there is now an after-school club for Lost Words of Walney which was so popular it had to be split into two groups.

Mary, who takes part in the club, wrote a poem about oysters for the latest publication.

“When I found out about the project I thought I would give it a go. I was flabbergasted that many words we use for nature are not in the English dictionary and this helps children to learn them.”

Max, who penned a poem on his favourite grey seals, said: “My family is very interested in nature and I really love wildlife so this was a great project for me.”

The children will be working on the YMCA south campus project over the next year helping develop ideas for a new garden in the woodland to celebrate species native to Windermere including marsh marigold, artic char, turkey tail mushrooms and golden saxifrage.

South Walney Junior School is a member of South Cumbria Multi-Academy Trust.