A former Springwood High School student is settling into life at one of the country’s top academic institutions after securing a coveted place at Oxford.

Merry Enters has started reading Philosophy, Politics, and Economics (PPE) at the world-renowned university with a view to a possible career in Economics.

“I think Oxford is the best university in the world,” he said. “For what I want to go into, I think it’s a really strong foundation for that – maybe going into Economics, consulting, an analyst role maybe, or going into academics and being a writer or something. I’ll have to see.”

The 18-year-old was awarded an A* in Physics, an A in Maths, and a B in Music Technology in his A-Levels.

He continued: “When I started A-Levels I was interested in pursuing Music, but I pretty quickly realised that actually debating and thinking about broader ideas has always been something that I’m really interested in.

“I’ve played guitar all my life, and I want to keep that going, but more as a hobby rather than a career.”

The high achiever enjoyed his time at Springwood, which is a member of the West Norfolk Academies Trust.

He added: “Overall there were many individual teachers that really stood out and really supported me in my journey and believed in me when I wanted to apply for Oxford. I applied very late so I was kind of, ‘Is there any point?’ There were two teachers in particular that were ‘Yeah, just go for it.’

“What helped me was the exposure to lots of different kinds of people at Springwood, and the ability to have conversions with people all the time about different things, in lessons and outside lessons.

“I made some great friends, and exposure to those kinds of people really helped me decide actually it was more of a speaking role I might want to go into in the future.”

Graduating students from Springwood Sixth Form gathered at The Duke’s Head in King’s Lynn to celebrate their exam successes and the end of their school years.

The Class of 2026 walked the red carpet dressed in a dazzling array of evening wear, from suits to ballgowns and cocktail dresses, to find the venue had been transformed into a casino for the night.

As well as blackjack and roulette, there were arcade games and a dance machine, along with a DJ. There was also a photo booth where the partygoers could create lasting mementoes of the occasion.

Refreshments on offer included a hot buffet and brownies, and the leavers were joined by members of staff from our school, which is part of the West Norfolk Academies Trust.

The event was organised by Jess Cuss and her fellow Head of Year 13, Nicky Thompson.

“Prom was more than a night of music and dancing,” she said. “It was a celebration of friendship, memories, and the unforgettable journey of the Class of 2026.”

A Springwood sixth former has been inaugurated as a member of the Norfolk Youth Parliament, at a ceremony which took place at County Hall

Our female mathematicians showed off their talents when they were invited to attend an elite three-day course at Cambridge.

The Year 10 students from Springwood High School won coveted places on the Girls Enjoy Maths (GEM) Summer School, which is held annually at Cambridge Maths School.

Connie Loizou is Head of Maths at our school, which is part of the West Norfolk Academies Trust, and was impressed by the wide range of events and activities on offer to the girls.

“Over the course of the three days, they explored exciting mathematical ideas, completed experiments, took an inspiring trip to the University of Cambridge, and listened to female speakers in the field,” she said.

“Activities were designed to provide challenge and opportunities for collaboration. They worked together to share and build on each other’s ideas, developing their mathematical communication and reasoning, as well as enhancing their problem-solving skills.

“They also explored how Mathematics is applied within other STEM [Science, Technology, Engineering, and Maths] subjects, such as Biology, Chemistry, Physics, and Computer Science, and gained insight into the applications of Mathematics post-16, at university and beyond.”

Challenges included a Maths Relay, and there was also an in-depth mathematical analysis of the card game Dobble.

“There were a variety of activities over the three days,” said one participant. “One included looking at Maths that is embedded into the three Sciences – this was really useful to us, as we are studying Triple Science.”

Another said: “We got to meet college lecturers. This was really useful for future application prospects, and knowing what the admission process involved.”

A classmate added: “Overall, this experience gave us a new perspective on Maths, even relating it to worldly issues like gender, racism, epidemics, and politics.”

The Summer School is open to female Year 10 students from across the region each year, with places limited to a select 60.

Mrs Loizou continued: “These events are valuable, as they enable students to recognise the relevance of Mathematics beyond the classroom.

“By showcasing its role across different industries, they inspire students to pursue STEM pathways, and raise their aspirations for higher education and future careers.”

There was a twist on the traditional format, when our sixth formers enjoyed a sports day with a difference.