Pupils from across South Cumbria Multi-Academy Trust (SCMAT) were celebrated for their outstanding achievements and everyday brilliance at the SCMAT Superstars Awards.

The special event recognised children from six SCMAT schools who consistently live out the Trust’s values of excellence, respect, innovation, celebration, ambition and support in their daily school lives.

Guests heard inspiring stories of upstanding, kind and thoughtful pupils who are succeeding in their studies, sometimes against the odds. Among the winners were children for whom English is an additional language but who are making remarkable progress, pupils who continue to excel despite medical challenges and those whose positive presence brings joy and encouragement to everyone around them.

In total, 36 pupils were recognised from Chetwynde, Ormsgill, Vickerstown, South Walney Juniors, Cambridge and Newbarns Primary and Nursery schools.

Trustees attended the ceremony, including Chair of Trustees John Burgess who presented awards to the pupils. He told the audience how proud he was that his own children attend a SCMAT school alongside such inspiring role models.

“You are amazing young people and you have been chosen because you shine every single day. Not just in your classrooms, but in the corridors, on the playground and often in your wider community too,” he said.

“By living our values, you are the children who go the extra mile. You help others, you set a great example and you are role models for all children across our Trust.

“Our values help us decide how we treat others, how we respond when things are tricky, and how we keep going when something feels hard. Living these values isn’t about being perfect – it’s about trying your best and doing the right thing, even when no one is watching.”

Each school nominated pupils for a specific value, with children from nursery age upwards eligible for an award. Winners were joined by their families and school staff in a packed theatre at Chetwynde School.

Acting CEO of SCMAT Steve Jefferson, who is also Headteacher at Chetwynde School, said the awards ceremony was a highlight of his year.

“Seeing all our schools together in such a vibrant mosaic of colour and talent and sharing pupils’ achievements is so uplifting,” he said.

“Each of our schools is unique, yet every one carries the values of our Trust each day, and everyone should be incredibly proud of what they have achieved.”

To read more about a pupil’s success in the face of adversity and for a full list of winners click here: https://www.scmat.org.uk/pupil-wins-double-honour/

Pupils on the School Council at Chetwynde Primary School have been busy brainstorming creative ideas to transform breaktimes.

They consulted with classmates across all their year groups to gather ideas for making playtimes more fun, engaging and inclusive as part of the OPAL Primary Programme

OPAL (Outdoor Play and Learning) is a nationally recognised, mentor-supported initiative that helps schools develop rich outdoor play environments where children can be active, creative and social.

The ideas put forward by pupils reflect a wide range of interests and ages. Suggestions include dinosaurs, trains and bubbles outside for Year 1 children, while older pupils in Year 6 proposed dens, outdoor art spaces and opportunities for tree climbing.

Deputy Head Girl Nusayba said she hoped to see more sheltered and warm areas created, including spaces where art equipment could be used, as well as a quiet bench for children who need time to relax.

Year 2 pupils Koa and Ottie suggested a mud kitchen, toy cars with tracks and even an outdoor bookshelf to encourage reading during playtime.

Reece Edwards, Head of Primary at Chetwynde School which is part of South Cumbria Multi-Academy Trust, praised the pupils’ enthusiasm and imagination. “They have talked through what they want to do with their classes and everyone has brought forward some excellent ideas,” he said. “This scheme could make a real difference to how our children learn through play. We have plenty of space to work with across our site, including ideas to transform the banking from a muddy patch into a play area and to create a slide near the tennis courts.”

Phase 1 Lead and reception teacher Katie Stepanian said the project had already encouraged children to think more carefully about how they play outside and to instil responsibility in them as to how any new equipment should be respected and looked after.

“Research shows that OPAL playtimes lead to happier children, improved social skills and more effective learning time in the classroom. We are excited to begin this journey and look forward to seeing the benefits for our whole school community,” she said.

Over the next 12 to 18 months, OPAL will work with the school to improve playtime culture at its Rating Lane site. Representatives from the programme are due to visit later this month to carry out a site visit alongside pupils.

Through OPAL, children will be encouraged to lead their own play using a wide range of often low-cost, open-ended resources. The approach promotes imagination, teamwork and problem-solving, while reducing unnecessary adult intervention and supporting positive behaviour, resilience and wellbeing.

Once they have finalised their plans, the pupils will be fundraising to bring their ideas to life.

Former pupils of Chetwynde School were encouraged to embrace the possibility of ‘zig-zag’ careers at the annual prizegiving.

Guest speaker Claire Aindow from the University of Cumbria congratulated the Year 11s who left in the summer on their GCSE success.

Claire, who is the Pro Vice Chancellor of Growth and Development at the university and soon to be appointed a Governor at the school on Rating Lane, said there was a growing trend of non-linear career paths.

“Whatever it is that you’re doing now, even if it doesn’t end up being the thing you want to do, doing something will give you experiences, will give you knowledge.

“It will give you something that will take you in a direction that you never thought of later down the line.

“Don’t be afraid of those zig-zags, they are opportunities,” she said. “Somebody said to me once, it doesn’t matter which way you go, just go. You can turn left, you can turn right – there’s adventures either way.”

She presented the awards to the students in front of an audience of staff, family and friends in the school’s theatre saying she was delighted to be part of the celebration, particularly in the light of the opening of the university’s new Barrow Campus. Prizes were given for hard work, effort and contribution to school as well as academic success.

Top academic student was Riya Kale whose amazing results made her the highest achiever. Riya, who has been at Chetwynde since kindergarten, also received two subject awards, including the award for geography with her tutors praising her hard work and dedication to her studies.

Jacob Moyse received the Holmes Prize for best academic improvement after excelling in his GCSEs. He secured green indicators across the board for his results after smashing his targets by up to three grades. He also picked up the awards for design and technology and chemistry after he worked solidly moving from the bottom set in Year 9 to the top and achieving a grade 7.

Jorja Turner won the Governor’s Prize for Student of the Year for her excellent achievement across the board. She also won the awards for history and art and was described as an ‘outstanding student who always tried to do her best’.

Head Girl Sophie Ackred was also among the winners picking up the Les Rigg Trophy for Outstanding Achievement in Sports and the prize for French. She also picked up the Glenn Morris cup for GCSE Maths after achieving a grade 9 at a score that was one of the highest seen in the school since the 2016 changes to the curriculum – dropping only ten marks over three papers.

Kian Ng won the awards for physics and computer science after achieving top grades in both subjects. Ben Hodgson won the SCMAT Award for Outstanding Contribution for his work in the wider community.

Imogen Jones secured a top mark in performing arts – equivalent to a grade 9 – and won the Chas Kendall Trophy for Drama & Theatre Studies and a form award for achievement. Presenting her with her award Head of Creative Faculty Katherine Parkinson said she had ‘maturity and determination and commitment, politeness and positive attitude’ that had made her an absolute pleasure to teach over the years.

“I really miss her in school, but I’m really glad that is now doing some teaching herself at South Lakes Rock School,” she said.

Speaking to the students, Headteacher Steve Jefferson said this year group had collectively achieved some of the best results the school had had in a very long time.

“English and maths GCSE results were among the highest in the county so well done to you all, it shows hard work and effort do pay off,” he said. “Now you have achieved this, do not sit back but follow your goals and keep achieving.”

Head of School’s Award for best results at GCSE		Riya Kale
The Holmes Prize for best academic improvement		Jacob Moyse
The Governor’s Cup – Student of the Year	Achievement across the school	Jorja Turner
The Simon Spencer Award for Current Affairs		Thomas Colquhoun
The Billingham Cup – Awarded for Perseverance		Hannah Caldwell
The Computer Science Award	Hard work and effort	Kian Ng
The Les Rigg Trophy for Outstanding Achievement in Sports	Hard work and effort	Sophie Ackred
The Martin Pears Trophy for Outstanding Achievement in Sport	Hard work and effort	Lucy O’Connor
The GCSE English Prize	Hard work and effort	Charlie Heigh
The French Prize for GCSE	Hard work and effort	Sophie Ackred
The Dr Glenn Morris Cup for GCSE Mathematics	Hard work and effort	Sophie Ackred
The BDAE Stem Award for GCSE	Hard work and effort	Ryley Griffiths
The GSK Design & Technology Trophy	Hard work and effort	Jacob Moyse
The Cornelius Kelliher Trophy for GCSE Geography	Hard work and effort	Riya Kale
The Evans History Trophy for GCSE	Hard work and effort	Jorja Turner
RS Prize for GCSE	Hard work and effort	Riya Kale
The Chas Kendall Trophy for Drama & Theatre Studies	Hard work and effort	Imogen Jones
The SJL Art Award	Hard work and effort	Jorja Turner
The GCSE Biology Award	Hard work and effort	Nyla Lightfoot
The GCSE Chemistry Award	Hard work and effort	Jacob Moyse
The GCSE Physics Award	Hard work and effort	Kian Ng
SCMAT Award for Outstanding Contribution	Wider community contribution	Ben Hodgson
The 11SOL Form Achievement Award	Academic achievement across all subjects	Imogen Jones
The 11ELA Form Achievement Award	Academic achievement across all subjects	Sophie Biddulph
The 11SBE Form Achievement Award	Academic achievement across all subjects	Nyla Lightfoot