Tom Cann

Ipswich musician and drummer Nandi Bushell achieved five GCSE grade 9s in English literature, English language, Philosophy and Religious Studies, History and Music, along with two grade 7s in combined science and two grade 6s in Mathematics and French. She shared a video of opening her results, attracting praise from Red Hot Chili Peppers bassist Flea and Annie Lennox. The report also highlights her music career, including the single “Sweet Nightmares,” her book The Life-Changing Magic of Drumming, appearances with major musicians and a BBC documentary, as well as her role as an ambassador for Ipswich’s City of Culture 2029 bid.

Students across Suffolk are receiving their GCSE results, which will help determine their next steps into sixth form, college, apprenticeships, training or employment. The East Anglian Daily Times is covering results from schools across the county through a live blog, additional stories and a photo gallery. Schools may release results from 8am, subject to their own collection and online-publication arrangements.

Aldeburgh Carnival is set to conclude with its traditional Monday parade after a weekend of family entertainment, live music, sports and community activities. Decorated floats, costumed participants, community groups and performers are expected to join the procession, while organizers have urged spectators to arrive early and account for road closures and temporary traffic changes.

Woodbridge School student Fergus Gathorne-Hardy achieved a perfect 200 out of 200 in his Art A Level, reportedly the highest result in the country. He discovered the result while on pilgrimage in northern Spain and said the recognition was especially meaningful because art is subjective. After drawing extensively around Woodbridge and receiving support from teacher James Hutcheson, he plans to study Fine Art and History of Art in Edinburgh, with interests in architecture, gallery work and creative direction.

Oliver Downes of Thomas Mills High School in Framlingham achieved three A*s and an A on his birthday and will study Natural Sciences at the University of Cambridge. The report highlights strong A-Level and vocational results across Suffolk schools and colleges, including Woodbridge School’s record results and 100% pass rate, Saint Felix School’s high first-choice university placement rate, and improving outcomes at West Suffolk College. Several schools also reported strong proportions of top grades and successful university destinations.

21 Young Hearts Café in Martlesham Heath is preparing to celebrate its first anniversary with a community event and fundraising activities on August 23. Founded by Stuart and Sharon Hobbs, the café provides hospitality training, volunteering and employment opportunities for young adults with disabilities. It has expanded to seven-day opening and developed a substantial TikTok following. Organisers are seeking raffle-prize donations from local businesses to raise funds for the café’s ongoing work.

A petition launched by Ipswich resident Chloe Hickman in memory of her mother Louise has surpassed 60,000 signatures. Louise’s Law would require a second opinion for scans initially classified as benign, aiming to reduce missed cancer diagnoses and improve patient safety. The campaign followed Louise’s death from ovarian cancer after an earlier tumour diagnosis was reportedly deemed non-malignant. Hickman plans to continue campaigning toward the 100,000-signature threshold, at which point a parliamentary debate may be considered, though it is not guaranteed.

Approval has been granted for a major redevelopment of Hadleigh High School in Suffolk, enabling demolition of outdated buildings and construction of new teaching facilities, a sports hall and modern outdoor areas. Delivered through the Department for Education’s School Rebuilding Programme by contractor Bowmer + Kirkland, the project incorporates net‑zero operational design, improved access and safeguarding features, and phased construction to keep the school operational. Capacity will increase slightly while providing upgraded facilities for students and the community, marking a significant investment in the school’s future.