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.

“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 conversations 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.”

A talented singer-songwriter and performer has plenty to be thankful for after starting a coveted place at a prestigious London university this month.

Formerly a student at Springwood High School, Iamyrl Falculan was delighted to be accepted to study Music at Royal Holloway.

“I love to compose and I love to song-write,” she said. “I also like performing as well, so what’s good with the degree is I can do a mix of those. I can do performance stuff, composition modules, and also theory – I love music theory as well.”

The 18-year-old honed her musical skills during her time at Springwood.

She continued: “Extra-curricular at Springwood, I did concert band, I did sinfonia, and also played the violin. I’ve done stuff like piano recitals, singing recitals, and I had my violin, piano, and singing lessons here too.

“I was part of a musical theatre production. I also went to Disneyland with the school and performed there, which was nice, and I had lots of memorable moments with my friends.”

She added: “I’m a particularly shy person, but I’ve grown in confidence when it comes to performing, so even if I do get nervous, it doesn’t ruin the performance entirely, and I know how to be brave and just focus on the performance rather than the people watching.

“I think I’ve also grown a lot in musical skill as well, because obviously I’ve had to practise. I’ll miss my friends and some of the teachers at Springwood, but I’m looking forward to new experiences and meeting new friends.”

A former Springwood High School student is celebrating an impressive set of A-Level results and a place at Oxford University, despite being a year younger than the rest of her class.

Zion Noble skipped Year 3 of primary school and was just 15 when she joined Springwood’s Sixth Form in Year 12.

The 17-year-old achieved A*s in English Literature and History and an A in Chemistry, securing her a coveted place at Oxford University, where she plans to study English Literature from 2027.

Zion has decided to take a gap year before beginning her university studies, giving her the opportunity to work and travel before starting the next stage of her education.

Her mother, Cindy Noble, explained: “She’s an academic year ahead. That’s why she’s going on a gap year.

“If she did go to university this year, she wouldn’t be able to do any of the first three months’ partying. It’s so important for her to be with her cohort. I’m so proud of her.”

Zion said she had become more conscious of being a year ahead as she began making plans for university.

“I never really thought about being a year ahead until this year, as I was so used to it,” she said. “Then I just thought, woah, I don’t really want to go to university at 17. So I decided to have a gap year.

“I’m going to work, and then I’d like to go interrailing around Europe – probably Spain, Italy and France.

“I’m going to be doing English Literature at Oxford in 2027. I might then do a Law conversion course. If not, maybe teaching, maybe writing. I’m not sure yet.”

Alongside her academic achievements, Zion also made a positive contribution to the Springwood community during her time at the school, including taking on a lunchtime role supporting a pupil with special educational needs.

“My lunchtime job that I had last year was particularly memorable,” she said. “I worked with an SEN child at lunchtimes, and it was really good. I’d just sit with her, talk to her, and play games on the computer.”

Reflecting on her time at Springwood, Zion said she would remember the teachers and friendships she made during her time at the school.

“I’ve enjoyed being at Springwood. The teachers are great, and I’ve made some really good friends.”

It was party time when graduating students from a WNAT sixth form gathered to celebrate their exam successes - and the end of their school years - at The Duke’s Head in King’s Lynn.

The Class of 2026 from Springwood High School 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, a dance machine, and 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 Springwood.

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.”

From high-vis corsetry to upcycled evening wear, there was a range of innovative fashion on display at a WNAT school’s annual showcase event.

Springwood High School Fashion Show featured original designs from students across Years 7 to 13, while around 170 students took part on and off the catwalk, and some 300 audience members attended, including the Mayor of King’s Lynn.

The school’s Fashion and Textiles Lead, Emma Markwell, organised the Show.

“Over the past 11 years, I have seen the show grow significantly, becoming larger, more ambitious, and more expressive each year,” she said. “While previous shows have focused on flamboyance and spectacle, this year I wanted to create something more sophisticated and closer to the atmosphere of a university-level fashion show.

“My aim was to elevate the show, giving students the opportunity to experience the professionalism and creativity of the wider fashion industry.”

Designers participating in the evening included members of the Year 8 Fashion Club, as well as GCSE students and sixth formers. Alumni also returned to help at the show, including Lily-Mai Gosling, and Grace Steward, who runs her own bridal hair company.

Among the many highlights were Ruby Neal’s flora-and-fauna-themed upcycled evening dress, and fellow Year 8 student Amaya Twell’s neon, health-and-safety-inspired corset and skirt.

Other stars of the show included Poppy Golding in Year 12, who explored the use of batik; Freya Samalburo in Year 13, who created a bubble-textured dress; and Poppy Patnell, also Year 13, with her pink-and-green, Frankenstein-inspired ‘Heart Dress’. Both leavers will be going on to study fashion in September, with Freya heading to Nottingham Trent and Poppy to the Norwich School of Arts.

Staff also took to the runway, modelling eighties-style outfits sourced from charity shops.

Miss Markwell continued: “Many of these students begin with little or no practical experience, making it incredibly rewarding to see their confidence, creativity, and technical skills develop.

“Seeing their ideas evolve from initial concepts into finished creations, through their hard work and dedication in lessons, is a truly rewarding part of my role.”

The Fashion Show was supported by the Fent Shop, who offered student discounts, donated fabric, and gave over their shop window to students’ creations, while Tesco sponsored the event, and funds were also raised by Springwood PTFA.

Students Rachel-Lee September and Hemi Grimsby were MCs on the night, and were joined by Year 8 photographer Daniel Wagg, Sound and Lighting Technician Matt Austin with his Year 7 assistant Josh Downey, and teacher and professional make-up artist Phoebe Auker, who helped style the models.

Miss Markwell added: “I have models and designers from all backgrounds, personalities, and experiences. Seeing their confidence grow, whether they are working as a designer, a model, or as part of the behind-the-scenes team, makes me feel incredibly proud.

“And, yes, every year at the show, I do cry – they are tears of happiness, because I am so proud of every single student and everything they achieve.”

The academic year came to a sticky end for four teachers in King’s Lynn, when students at Springwood High School rounded off the term with a different kind of fundraising bucket.

The Year 7 cohort held a ‘Gunge the Teacher’ event to raise funds for the Springfest festival next summer, with students donating money to see their chosen teachers ‘gunged’ with a bucket of green goo.

Victoria Mann is Head of Year 7 at the school, which is part of the West Norfolk Academies Trust, and was one of the staff members to receive a gunging. She was joined by Year Manager Abbie Rawlinson, Maths Teacher Finlay Hewson, and Teaching Assistant Freddie Reed.

“At the end of the day, as the first part of fundraising for next year’s Springfest, Year 7 students were invited to enjoy watching some of their teachers get a thorough gunging,” she said.

“Much to students’ delight, and that of other staff that had come out to watch the event, we all finished our day very sticky and very much greener than when we had started it!”

She added: “We are hoping to make the 2027 Springfest the best yet, and will be looking for other fundraising opportunities, and local companies to help support the event throughout the next 12 months.

“If local businesses would be interested in sponsoring or donating towards the event, please do get in touch with the school.”