An eight-year-old pupil from Barrow has become one of the youngest members to be accepted into Mensa after he was placed in the top two per cent nationally for his age group.

Sam qualified for membership after educational assessments showed he had an IQ of 130 – an unusually high score for a child of his age.

He was referred for private assessment after his parents noticed signs of advanced intellectual ability from an early age.

Although he is too young to sit the standard Mensa test, which is available from the age of 10, the findings from his educational psychologist’s assessment met the criteria for membership.

His mum Jennifer said Sam, who is a pupil at Newbarns Primary School, had always been advanced for his age using sophisticated vocabulary and showing a real curiosity about the world around him.

His dad Joshua added: “He actively researches his interests in depth, including Greek mythology and Shakespeare, by discussing topics with family members, using the internet and asking for books from the library.

“He was very happy to learn how unusually strong his abilities are and that he could join Mensa – an organisation which could help support his enthusiasm for learning.”

Sam’s parents hope his Mensa membership will help nurture his love of learning, create opportunities for further enrichment and allow him to meet other children with similar interests and abilities.

Sam said he loved learning and gave school and his teachers a big thumbs up.

“Being in Mensa makes me feel really proud because it’s like a club for really smart people.

“I like learning, especially history and science, preferably biology, and I love reading books like Harry Potter and The Way to the Impossible Island,” he said.

“Doing the tests had some easy questions and some harder ones, but overall they felt kind of medium to me.”

Newbarns Primary and Nursery School Headteacher Victoria Fitzgibbons congratulated Sam on his fantastic achievement.

“We are delighted to see Sam’s talents recognised in this way,” she said. “At Newbarns, we encourage every child to pursue their interests and reach their full potential and Sam’s success is inspiring to both pupils and staff alike.”

An inspiring primary teacher at Chetwynde School is in the running for a prestigious national award.

Lyndsay Venter has been shortlisted in the category of Outstanding New Teacher in the Pearson National Teaching Awards in recognition of her natural ability that shines through.

The award is given to early careers teachers who inspire pupils to love learning and achieve their best while showing openness to learn as a professional.

Lyndsay, who is currently teaching Year 3, has become known for creating a vibrant learning environment with a classroom filled with music, poetry and creativity.

She said she was surprised to be nominated but also felt very honoured.

“Children are at the centre of everything I do,” she said “I try to create a classroom that is a safe and welcoming space for all children so they feel happy and secure and can then reach their full potential. 

“It is important that children feel it is okay to make mistakes and aren’t afraid to have a go – it is all part of learning.

She thanked all the staff at Chetwynde, which is part of South Cumbria Multi-Academy Trust, for their support.

“I am lucky to have really wonderful colleagues who have been supportive and helpful through my training and first year of teaching, which has been invaluable,” she said.

Balancing the demands of family life, with two young children alongside a new career, Lyndsay secured her degree after studying in the evenings while working full-time as a teaching assistant. Her husband was also studying for a degree and they graduated on the same day.

She then successfully completed her postgraduate teaching apprenticeship before beginning her teaching career.

Chetwynde’s Head of Primary Reece Edwards praised Lyndsay’s professionalism and commitment.

“Lyndsay uses inventive approaches to make learning memorable for the children,” he said. “She has a fully inclusive classroom where the pupils feel valued and supported.”

“She’s really engaged in being the best practitioner that she possibly can and always wants to do her very best for the children,” he said.

“She is in the classroom and not just teaching as a new teacher but teaching really well – way beyond her experience.”

Year 3 pupil Lucia was full of praise for her teacher.

“Miss Venter is always, always happy and takes us on exciting trips. She also does gymnastics with us and reading and we’ve just read Oliver and the Seawigs.

“She likes Taylor Swift and uses music to make us work harder and make it more interesting – especially on a Friday.”

Parents also praised Lyndsay’s kind and compassionate nature during a ‘virtual visit’ by judges to the school this term.

She will find out if she is a silver award winner in June as part of National Thank A Teacher Day in June.

Pupils from across South Cumbria Multi-Academy Trust celebrated the 100th birthday of legendary broadcaster and natural historian Sir David Attenborough with a day of wildlife-inspired activities, creativity and outdoor learning.

Schools across the trust joined thousands of children nationwide in a live assembly hosted by wildlife presenter Steve Backshall, celebrating Sir David’s lifelong dedication to the natural world and environmental education.

At Chetwynde Primary School, pupils immersed themselves in a full day of nature-themed activities. Children created picture collages of animals, wrote animal-themed and acrostic poetry, and took part in an orienteering trail around the school grounds, following clues and collecting letters that eventually spelled out “Attenborough”.

Pupils also worked together to create a giant “100” using natural materials gathered from the environment, ahead of a special drone photograph. Artwork and poetry inspired by Sir David and the natural world were displayed in the school theatre for parents and visitors to enjoy.

Adding to the celebrations, Marion and Sally from Cumbria Wildlife Trust visited the school to deliver a talk about local coastal wildlife and introduced pupils to a variety of rock pool creatures.

The day concluded with parents viewing the children’s work and a cake sale to raise money for Cumbria Wildlife Trust.

Lyndsay Venter, teacher at Chetwynde Primary School, who helped to organise the event along with Katie Stepanian Head of Early Years and Key Stage 1 said it had been a brilliant day.

“The reason I wanted to organise it is because I love nature – David Attenborough is my hero – and I think we are in a unique position where we can inspire children to care about our planet and the things on it from a young age, which they will hopefully carry with them into adulthood.”

At Ormsgill Nursery and Primary School, parents and grandparents joined pupils for the celebrations as part of the school’s Family Friday initiative. Children created 3D birthday cards, wildlife-inspired watercolour paintings, pieces of writing about Sir David Attenborough’s life and even produced their own nature documentaries narrated in an Attenborough style.

Headteacher Mick Cull said: “It was great to link it to our Family Friday event so the pupils could not only showcase their skills but mums, dads and grandparents could all join in the celebration.”

At Cambridge Primary School, Year 4 pupils marked the occasion by creating double-page spreads about Sir David Attenborough after learning about his life and work.

Children also watched part of Sir David’s recent documentary Secret Gardens and explored the work of local BBC wildlife cameraman Lindsay McCrae, who filmed swallows in the Lake District for the series. Inspired by what they had seen, pupils visited the school’s wildlife area to try filming nature themselves.

Meanwhile, at Newbarns School, pupils celebrated with a special Forest School session, creating a large flower collage in the shape of “100”, producing nature drawings and singing “Happy Birthday” to Sir David.

Steve Jefferson, Chetwynde Headteacher and Acting Chief Executive of SCMAT, said events in schools had been a fantastic way to mark the milestone of such an inspirational figure.

“Across our schools there are great outdoor spaces to learn, a commitment to Forest Schools and a collective vision to encourage our pupils to think about their environments and care for the natural world.”