More than 21% of grades achieved were A*/A, which is a 5% increase on last year’s results, while 47% of Springwood’s students secured an A*, A or B and 75% of students gained A* - C grades, both higher than 2024’s results.

 

The school has also seen an improvement in the number of students gaining A* and A grades at A-Level alongside improvements in Distinction* and Distinctions in vocational subjects. 

 

In Further Maths, 43% of students achieved these highest grades whilst a third or more of students secured A* or A in Maths, Chemistry, Physics, English Literature and Religious Education. 

 

Some 71% of students gained Distinction* or Distinction in Health and Social Care, 64% achieved the same feat in Fashion and 55% in Applied Science.

 

“The students and staff have worked tirelessly to achieve these outstanding results," said Andy Johnson, Executive Headteacher of Springwood High School and CEO of the West Norfolk Academies Trust. "I am so proud of them all. I look forward to our students making their mark on the world via University, High level Apprenticeships and the world of work.”

 

Roger Livesey, Chair of Trustees and Springwood High School Local Governing Body, added: “This is an amazing year for our Sixth Form which serves all of our Trust Secondaries alongside all secondary schools in West Norfolk.”

 

Juan Camilo Cervantes Torres was the highest achiever from this year’s cohort with four A*s in Maths, Further Maths, Chemistry and Physics securing a place at Cambridge University for him to study Chemical Engineering.

 

“I wasn’t too confident when I came in to collect my results because I thought I didn’t do too well on my exams but I checked the UCAS website this morning so I knew that I’d got into Cambridge. However, I’m very happy with four A*s,” he said. “My parents are both chemical engineers so this field has always interested me because it’s making stuff that really benefits everyone.

 

“I’ve been at Springwood since Year 7 and when I think back to when I started here to today, I’m a completely different person. The school has been really good for me and my development.

 

“The staff are genuinely fantastic and I’ve been blessed to have such brilliant teachers. I’ve had to work hard to get these results but without them, I wouldn’t have done nearly as well. They always made the lessons engaging and I found all my teachers to be really knowledgeable about their subject. 

 

“They are always there if we need them and I’m going to miss my teachers. They are some of the best people I’ll ever meet and from my time here, they want nothing but the best for their students. They want you to succeed.

 

“Springwood has also given me opportunities that I wouldn’t have imagined, like I studied astronomy in Years 9 and 10 and that was really fun and sparked an interest and passion that I didn’t know I had.”

 

Harper Garrett is now off to study Mathematics and Physics at Warwick University after achieving three A*s in Maths, Further Maths and Physics, and an A in Chemistry.

 

“I was surprised when opening my results because I was expecting the A to be in Further Maths rather than Chemistry,” Harper said. “But I would say coming here, seeing everyone opening their results and how happy everyone was, has been a favourite memory of my two years at Springwood Sixth Form.”

 

Sean Seneviratne started at Springwood 18 months ago after moving to the UK from Sri Lanka and now has the option to study Computer Science at Cambridge after his 3 A*s in Maths, Further Maths and Physics and an A in Computer Science.

 

“These results were not what I was expecting at all but I’m delighted with what I’ve managed to achieve in my one and a half years at Springwood,” Sean said. “I really have to thank my teachers because they have always been very supportive - both inside and outside of the classroom - and friendly.

 

“During this time at Springwood, I think this school has helped me unlock my true potential and I’m excited for my future. I’m hoping to defer my place at Cambridge for a year and work for a year first. I’ve already spoken with one company in Cambridge and I have another coming up soon.”

 

Grace Ryan is looking forward to studying Psychology at Leeds University after gaining two A*s in Psychology and Sociology and an A in History.

 

“I was feeling so nervous when I came in to collect my results. Thankfully I’d checked I’d got my place at University before coming in because I don’t think I could’ve come in without knowing that first," she said. "I was worried about my History result because it wasn’t my strongest subject, even though I loved studying history, and I’d convinced myself that I’d done really badly. It was the first grade I looked at when I opened my envelope.

 

“I’m looking forward to studying Psychology at Uni but after that? I’m not sure. This is a subject that I like the most so I’m going to keep an open mind during this degree about what it might lead to.

 

“I came to Sixth Form after being at another West Norfolk Academies Trust school. It just felt like a natural progression to come here because they are part of the same Trust and it was nice to have the continuity because although it’s a different school, it feels very similar.

 

“Springwood has given me some incredible opportunities like a trip to Thailand. I have always wanted to travel and this was such a great experience. I also think when I arrived at Springwood, I was quiet and shy but now I’ve come out of my shell a lot more.

 

“The teachers and staff here are genuinely so nice. You’re treated like adults and I always enjoyed a nice relationship with everyone here. They have also given me a huge passion for Psychology because I didn’t know that was something I’d be as passionate about as I am now.”

 

Grace will be joined at Leeds by Finlay Hunter who got one A* in Business Studies and two As in Economics and Geography.

 

“I was looking for ABB so I feel like I’ve smashed it out of the park and now I’m going to the University of Leeds to study Business Management so that’ll be pretty solid,” Finlay said. “I felt most confident about my Business Studies grade and it was a close call between Geography and Economics as to what I felt least confident about.

 

“I have really enjoyed my time studying here at Springwood. I’ve been here since Year 7 and I think I’ve always been quite a confident person and got on well with others but this school has helped push me to work hard to achieve these results. If I were to have my time again, I’d encourage my younger self to knuckle down more and work harder when it matters and focus because then I would’ve done even better.

 

“Springwood has also given me opportunities like going to South Korea and that was such an incredible experience. It was cool to go there, see what it’s like and get a wider perception of the world and trips like this are, to me, what makes Springwood a great place to be.”

 

Jithindu Alahakoon has high hopes for his future after securing a place at Bath University to study Mechanical Engineering after achieving one A* in Maths and three As in Math, Chemistry and Physics.

 

“I was pretty calm coming in to collect my results,” Jithindu said. “I’d been onto the UCAS website before I left so it was just a matter of finding out my results and I wasn’t too stressed about them because I’d got into Bath, but my Maths grade surprised me because I got a B in my mocks.

 

“I came here from Sri Lanka in 2022 and Springwood has been excellent to me, everyone’s been so friendly, I have made so many friends and I have had so much support from the teachers. They gave me that push I needed because sometimes I didn’t believe in myself and they did.”

 

He added: “I’ve always been interested in engineering and I hope after studying mechanical engineering that I can work in Formula One and/or Aerospace.

 

Madeleine Smith hopes her A* in Biology and two As in Maths and Chemistry will have secured a place studying Dental Surgery at Plymouth University. 

 

“I didn’t really know how I did because I walked out of every exam thinking it could have gone either way for me and I was a bit worried about Biology, because I thought that might have dragged my grades down but I’m really, really happy with my results,” she said. “It has been tough over the past two years to get the balance right as I’ve had two jobs as well as studying for my A-Levels so I’ve had to be strict to not overwork myself and did enough to make sure I got good grades.

 

“I was at KLA before and decided to come to Springwood because I heard a lot of good things about this Sixth Form and what they do for their students, such as the trips abroad and other enrichment activities. And I know it sounds cliche but what I’ve enjoyed most about Springwood is the people I’ve met and all the friends I have now. 

 

“I’m excited about this course in Plymouth because we’ll see patients in the first year and it’s near the beach. I’m looking forward to moving to Plymouth, meeting loads of new people and discovering more about a different area. As for my long term goal in dentistry, I’m not sure I want my own practice. I hope to travel about and help people who don’t have access to dentists.

 

Harry Malton may be staying a bit closer to home as his four As in Maths, Further Maths, Biology and Chemistry meant he has a place at the University of East Anglia to study Biomedicine should he wish to accept.

 

“I’m feeling good about my results,” he said. “I didn’t know what my results would be. Of course, I had predictions of what they might be and I’ve done better in some and not as good as I’d hoped in the others but I’m happy.

 

“I’ve only been at Springwood for two years. I decided to come here because everything about here just seemed so much better compared to the other options and now, looking back, I definitely feel like I made the right decision.

 

“I’m looking forward to now studying Biomedicine because I want to have a career helping people and I think I’m going to enjoy everything about it. I’m hoping to maybe work towards doing a PhD after my degree and then maybe work in drug formulation, I quite like the sound of that. I’m also interested in being a cardiologist. I’ve got options."

 

Colby Wood was delighted that his three As in Biology, Chemistry and Maths secured a place at Birmingham University to study Medicine.

 

“I was quietly confident coming in to collect my results but there is always that thought in the back of your mind that you haven’t done as well as you’d hoped,” he said. “When I opened the envelope, the first result I wanted to look at was Biology because I felt it was the hardest.

 

“Now I’m looking forward to going to Birmingham to study because I want to go into the military with medicine and the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham has a designated floor for military personnel so it’s sort of a no brainer. It’s putting one foot in the door of what I’d like to do for my career.

 

“I’ve been at Springwood since Year 7 and to me, it’s always stood out compared to the others here. The style of teaching here is personal but professional and the relationship you are able to build with the teachers, especially in Sixth Form, ensured I had the best environment to learn in.

 

“Springwood gave me a passion for Medicine that I don’t think I would have been given if I’d gone elsewhere because the staff here opened my eyes to what a career in medicine is really like and that’s why I wanted to pursue it in the future."

 

He added: “I went on a school trip to Thailand last year and it was incredible to experience a different culture, a different way of doing things. The whole experience brought to my mind how lucky we are to have these opportunities at Springwood.

 

“My standout memory of my time here at Springwood was making the County Cup Final last year. It’s something you’ll never get the chance to do again but to win it as well, being with all your mates that you’ve grown up with, and sharing something collectively, was incredible."

 

After securing an A* in Fine Art, two As in Chemistry and Maths and a B in Further Maths, Lily Rolfe will take a gap year before studying Fine Art at Liverpool John Moores University.

 

“I’m so pleased with my results because I didn’t check the UCAS website beforehand so I sat at home scared, and there was definitely a fear about what would happen if my results were bad.

 

“I’ve decided to defer my place so I can spend my time learning to drive, get more life skills and work on my art. The Head of Art here is going to mentor me for a year and I’d like to enter art competitions so although I’ll be leaving Springwood, I’m sure I’ll feel like I’ve not completely left.

 

“I have been at Springwood for the past two years and I feel like everyone here is willing to go out of their way to help you, always doing more than necessary to make sure you’re on the right track. I also got to enjoy a trip to Seoul which was my first time abroad and was a brilliant experience, something Springwood offers that others don’t."

 

Millie Eveson’s A* in Economics and As in Maths and History confirmed her place at Nottingham University to study Economics.

 

“I was curious to see what my grades were because I’d see on the UCAS website that I’d got enough to get into Nottingham but I was really hoping that I’d got an A* in Economics as that’s what I’m studying at University

 

“It’s hard to explain why I have this passion for Economics but it just feels right. I really like Maths and I did politics at GCSE so I think all my interests, academically, sort of merged and this is the path that I’m on now.

 

“I’ve only been at Springwood for two years but during my time here, I feel like I’ve really come out of my shell and I think that’s a combination of the students here but also the teachers. Everyone’s so lovely here”

 

Ashhad Naqavi’s three As in Physics, Maths and Further Maths means he is moving to Scotland to study Theoretical Physics at Edinburgh University.

 

“I’m really looking forward to this course. I’d seen that Edinburgh was high up on the rankings list for physics so that was a major motivator for me deciding to apply. I’m also looking forward to moving to a new part of the world. I’ve never been to Scotland before and I think I’m really going to enjoy living and studying in Edinburgh. 

 

“I’ve been at Springwood since Year 7 and when I look back to how much I’ve changed as a person in that time, I’ve changed quite substantially. I’m a whole new person. I’m more confident. I am going to miss this place and I’m going to miss my friends.”

 

Other High Achievers included Nolan Parker-Davey, who achieved two A*s and an A and is off to study Mathematics at Warwick, Amelie Dockerty, who achieved one A* and two As and will next month be studying English Literature at Durham University, and Imogen Hopps, who will study Law at Cardiff University after securing three As.

 

It was also another strong year at Springwood for both local and national Higher and Degree Level Apprenticeships.

 

After impressive results, Jessa Joshy will be doing a Government Economic Service Degree apprenticeship with the Department for Business and Trade after achieving A-Levels in Chemistry, Maths and Further Maths.

 

“My results could have been better but I think the fact that I’ve got what I need for this apprenticeship, it feels like it’s job done. I’m relatively happy because whilst it could have been better, it could have been worse.

 

“The apprenticeship appealed to me because there’s the option of going to London. Originally, I was looking at London Unis but I just knew it would be too expensive to live in London if I didn’t have a job so if I can live there and work at the same time, then I still get to go to London and I still get an apprenticeship and a degree. 

 

“I’ve been here since Year 7 and when I first came here, I pushed myself to work as hard as possible but once I got to Sixth Form, I realised it was OK to step back a little and enjoy my time here as well. I think I’ve learned how to manage that work/life balance better now.

 

“During my time at Springwood, I’ve also discovered a passion for teaching because before starting in the Sixth Form, I had a tuition job to help the younger students and I found it to be really enjoyable because you could see the progress that each student was making.”

 

Ruby Hopgood is looking forward to starting her apprenticeship with AstraZeneca as a lab scientist in oncology after securing an A, B and C.

 

“I’ve loved my time at Springwood. I’ve only been here for the Sixth Form but I’ve made a lot of new friends,” she said. “I decided to go down the apprenticeship route because this role is what I wanted to do after university. 

 

“I was planning to study chemistry and then move into pharmaceuticals but then I saw this opportunity and I thought I’d go for it because AstraZeneca is an amazing company, and there was a lot of support from Springwood to pursue this opportunity.”

 

Alec Balmforth is looking forward to starting his Technical Operator apprenticeship at Nestle Purina in Wisbech after securing three Cs in Photography, Music Technology and Business Studies.

 

“I feel like I got what I expected to be honest but I’ve had a really good time at Sixth Form so I’m not disappointed or anything like that, and now I’ve got a start date for next month to start this new chapter in my life.

 

“I decided to do an apprenticeship because I didn’t want to go to University and that narrows down your options and from there, I chose to do an apprenticeship because I thought it was the best way to go about taking the next step in life, and then I wanted to choose something that was more hands on and futureproof, as much as it can be.

 

“I’ve been at Springwood since Year 7 and I’ve really enjoyed my time here. The teachers are really nice and in my time here, I’d say I’m much more confident now compared to when I first arrived.”

 

After achieving an A in Maths and two Bs in Physics and Geography, Dylan Green will be starting an Environmental Consultant apprenticeship at JBA Consulting.

 

“I’m very happy with my results. I needed BBC to get in so I felt fairly confident that I would be alright but I did want to push myself to get an A, although I didn’t think I’d get it in Maths.

 

“I came here just for Sixth Form because I knew Springwood is a very good school for their outcomes for students and whilst I’ve worked really hard, what I’ve loved about being here is having fun. Don’t get me wrong, A-Levels are tough but it was fun working towards this goal with your friends. 

 

“I also got to go on a trip to Thailand and I loved that trip. It’s cool to have this as a possible bonus for coming to Springwood. I’m really going to miss seeing everyone because we’re all going on different paths now.

 

“My starting point that led me to this apprenticeship was that I liked Maths and someone asked if I wanted to be an accountant and I didn’t. But I wanted to use this passion to go out and challenge myself. Maths is problem solving and there will be lots of problem solving in this apprenticeship and it actually can make a huge difference to people’s lives, which really excites me.”

 

Meanwhile, Joe Hipkin is gearing up to begin his degree apprenticeship in Manufacturing Engineering with Peterborough-based Caterpillar after securing two Bs in Physics and Photography and a C in Maths.

 

“I was a little bit disappointed with Maths because I was so close to getting a B but I got worse grades in my mocks so this is an improvement and I was pleased with a B in Physics because I feel like that’s the hardest A-Level you can do.

 

“I’ve got to say the teaching is brilliant, particularly the Maths department. When I came here, it was noticeable how good the Maths students were who had been at Springwood from Year 7 compared to students like me who’d come from another school.

 

He added: “After I complete my apprenticeship, I’d really like to McLaren or Aston Martin."

 

Dylan Oakley will start working full time as Parliamentary and Constituency Assistant for James Wild MP after achieving A-Levels in History, Economics and Politics.

 

“I’ve always been interested in politics and I was thinking about going to University but as I’d done some work experience with other MPs, I thought I wouldn’t mind working in an MP’s office," he explained. "I saw a job advertised on Linkedin, I applied thanks to the support and advice of a former Springwood student who had worked with James Wild and I was offered the job."

 

He added: “What I’ve really enjoyed about my time at Springwood is the trips we’ve been on. I’ve visited Vietnam, Italy and Auschwitz."

 

Other Springwood leavers looking forward to starting an apprenticeship included Jessica Beck, who will be doing a Podiatry apprenticeship with the NHS, along with Melia Dunn, Nancy Harvey and Jack Parker who are all heading to Mapus, Smith & Lemmon to do Accountancy apprenticeships.

 

“We are incredibly proud of our A Level students and the outstanding results they have achieved this year,” said Luke Rawling, Head of Year 13. "We are particularly delighted with the record number of national and local apprenticeship offers – a key focus for our school. 

 

"With apprenticeships being highly competitive and difficult to secure, this success is a testament to the talent, determination, and hard work of our students.”

 

This year also saw 52 students obtaining Norfolk Scholar status, an increase of nine students from last year.

 

These students were;

Alex Miguel

Aleyna Oter

Amelie Dockerty

Amy Howard

Ashhad Naqavi

Ashiq Mampilly

Barnaby Kivlin

Caitlin Minns

Charlize Mana-ay

Colby Wood

Dilara Zasada

Dylan Green

Eleanor Curtis

Elizabeth Drew

Elyn Lauder

Emma Ashby

Finlay Hunter

George Osborne

George Stevenson

Grace Ryan

Grace Thompson

Hannah Howes

Harper Garrett

Harry Malton

Harvey Kingston

Imogen Hopps

Jacob Taylor

Jensen Fox

Jeremy Mathew

Jessa Joshy

Jithindu Alahakoon

Joshua Parker

Juan Camilo Cervantes Torres

Keira Naish

Kelvin Yu

Lily Rolfe

Louie Latay

Madeleine Robinson

Madeleine Smith

Maggie Bartrum

Millie Eveson

Nolan Parker-Davey

Oskars Pilmanis

Owen Cavill

Poppy Frammingham

Reece Mann

Rhianna Clayton

Rhiannon Lawrence-Wrenn

Ryder Upcraft

Sean Seneviratne

Tahlia Clovis

Vara Patel