Springwood High School students were put through their paces by the University of Cambridge when they took part in two annual competitions.

The sixth formers rose to the occasion, tackling a series of questions related either to Chemistry or Economics.

Annabel Owen is Chemistry Lead at our school, which is a member of the West Norfolk Academies Trust, and oversaw the Cambridge Chemistry Challenge.

“It involved completing a very challenging set of abstract Chemistry questions designed to stretch and challenge students,” she explained.

“It gives students a chance to apply their Chemistry knowledge to unfamiliar situations, gives them an insight into degree-level Chemistry, and can help give them exposure to styles of questions that can be in some university admission tests.”

Colleague Robin McGregor teaches Business and Economics at Springwood and led the Cambridge Economics Challenge, in which five Year 12 A-Level students took part.

“During a 75-minute exam, students were asked to combine their knowledge of Economics, a primarily written subject, with mathematical and problem-solving skills to answer difficult questions focused on a range of economic topics, like externalities, public goods, sixteenth-century currency debasement, and setting interest rates,” he said.

“This gives students who plan to study Economics beyond A-Level an opportunity to explore the mathematical side of Economics, which makes up so much of an Economics degree at university, preparing them for the step up to university-level study.”