Alumni

SVA Sixth Form Alumni

Below are just a few examples of testimonies from past SVA sixth form alumni. We are extremely proud of the work our ex-students do and we love to hear from students. If you would like to provide a testimonial, please email hweightman@sawtryva.org.

Julia Palos 2019

I attended Sawtry sixth form from 2017 till 2019 choosing; History, Business and Psychology as my A Level subjects. Having realised that Business is an amazing facilitating subject, I chose the route of proceeding onwards with my education at Nottingham Trent University to study Business Management and Marketing. I have thus far successfully passed my first year earning a 2.1 overall and am onto my second year of studies having also decided that I’d like to change my current ‘full time’ 3 year course to a 4 year ‘sandwich’ course which enables me to put my education into practice during my placement year.

We are pleased to have received this update from Julia Feb 2025

‘I attended Sawtry sixth form from 2017 till 2019 having studied; History, Business and Psychology as my A Level subjects. I proceeded onwards with my education, at Nottingham Trent University to study BA (Hons) Business Management and Marketing, graduating the course with an exceptional A First-Class Joint Honours degree.

During my time at Sawtry Village Academy I was part of multiple student groups which made me realise the importance of hearing the student voice. This is why during my final year studying I became a Student Mentor, a member of the Course Representative committee for my year group and a member of the Events Committee, which aimed to celebrate the success students allowing them to attend events to mingle and network with other students. For this, I combined my part-time job at Slug and Lettuce and my role at uni to put on a sold out twice event with over 300 students!

Since leaving Sawtry Village Academy, I have been fortunate to achieve a number of professional milestones, namely my placement during my sandwich year at University, gaining a job in the City of London as Marketing Intern at a RegTech company, which, coupled with my longstanding interest in psychology, creativity, and consumer behaviour, solidified my passion for marketing. Shortly after graduating, i applied to many many many MANY jobs, and finally, interviewed for an Executive Education Institute in Cambridge, as part of the University of Cambridge – bridging my interest of continuous development, education and marketing all in one. On a daily basis i am able to meet global world leaders and academics whilst creating content alongside them to spread awareness of the importance of education and learning development opportunities.

Other than this, I have also, alongside an ex student created a marketing agency which itches my other marketing interests more centered around beauty, wellbeing, make up and fashion which has been a great success thus far and I am very excited to see what the business will flower into!’

Savannah Lunn –  2017

My time at Sawtry provided me with the necessary qualifications and skills to apply to different Universities aspiring to study Primary Education. Whilst studying the Level 3 CACHE Diploma in Early Years and Education this taught me the valuable knowledge I needed to take to University. 

I applied to The University of Huddersfield which is a TEF Gold rated University. With a very limited course intake of 22 students I felt proud to have passed the initial exams and interview which Sawtry Sixth Form supported me with. 

The course was 3 years and on my final block assessed placement of 15 weeks, the Principle of the school approached me to offer me a permanent job in a mixed Year 1 and 2 class beginning September 2020. Alongside this, I was also an Academic Rep and a Student Ambassador throughout my three years at University. These opportunities supported me in my development as a trainee teacher and ultimately getting my dream job! 

I was awarded a First Class Honours Degree with Outstanding in my Teaching Standards in July 2020. 

I am enjoying being a Key Stage 1 Teacher and many new and exciting opportunities have already been offered to me at such an early stage, so I am really looking forward to my future working in Education!

Charles Almond 2020

Sawtry Village Academy’s Sixth Form has aided me in pursuing a career I have always wanted to do, had it not been for the excellent teaching across all of my subjects, it is likely I would not be in the same position. The tutors here did not give up on helping my despite my endless ability to get on their nerves! The non-contact hours we had been given during my time at the sixth form has set me up perfectly for the similar experience I am receiving here at university, I feel that very few other Key Stage 5 facilities would offer the same level of support and guidance.

So far the course has been everything I had hoped for, my studies began with the module “introduction to criminal justice” and I feel that my teachings prior, particularly in History, and even sociology at GCSE level, have set me up for this module. I am used to the type of learning that is required for this course and this is valuable preparation I would not have received if not for Sixth Form at Sawtry Village Academy.

My time at the sixth form was a rollercoaster to say the least, but I would like to thank each and every one of the staff members for treating me the way they did, as it helped to ground my situation and keep me moving forward.

Callum Ward 2017

I left Sawtry in 2017 and what a three year’s it has been! After I finished Sixth Form, I went to the University of York to study Film and TV production. I wasn’t too sure what I wanted do after Sixth Form, or whether University was for me, but with the help of the Sixth Form advisors I was able to find a course that really interested me.

On results day I didn’t quite get the grades I was hoping for, and I felt quite defeated, but yet again the Sixth Form advisors – and Mrs Ellis from the Media Department, – picked me up and talked me through the options going forward. Their encouragement prompted me to reach out to York to show them a film I had made as part of my A-Levels – and they loved it! They offered me a place, and I began my University journey. It’s fair to say that without the support of Sawtry, I would not have ended up  at my dream university.

I really enjoyed my time at York and would recommend its film course to anyone looking to study in this field. It was very practical, which makes it quite unique as most universities still focus more on the academic side of things.  Over the duration of the course, I got the chance to make several short projects and learnt a lot about film production. This culminated in my final year with a short film about men’s mental health called Tin Pan Alley.

I devised this story and pitched it to my cohort, who then voted for it. As the Producer for the project, I then recruited crew members for the film as well as organising the funding amongst many other tasks.  Tin Pan Alley recently won the Gala Award for Fiction at the LUMA Film Festival in York, which has been an incredible launchpad for myself, the film and the rest of my team.

After this, I am now working on an experimental film called Absent Sitters for the York Mediale Festival.

I’ve come a long way since I left Sawtry, but the skills I began to develop here really shaped my path for the past three years and for going forward with my career.

Thank you to everyone who helped me at Sawtry, in particular the Media Department and the Sixth Form advisors, as without their support I would not be where I am now.

Tin Pan Alley  https://youtu.be/9hEnu5siPLc