Founded in 1875 as a member of the Girls' Day School Trust. It occupies a single site 1½ miles from the city centre. The senior school is partly housed in a fine Regency house, set in spacious wooded grounds and beautiful gardens. There are numerous purpose-built extensions and facilities are excellent. It enjoys a wide social spread of pupils drawn from Norfolk and north Suffolk. Non-denominational, it provides a sound education in the grammar school tradition and examination results are very good. Strong science links with schools in Europe through British Council projects (and holder of International Schools Award). Tremendously strong in music (most are involved) and also in drama and art (the school has been awarded an Artsmark). It achieves high standards in sport and games and has an outstanding record in the Duke of Edinburgh's Award and Young Enterprise schemes. Full advantage is taken of the city's cultural amenities. It is well served by public transport and provides a minibus service to and from Norwich station. It has a good local reputation and is well supported.
Pupils: Total age range 3-18; 850 day girls. Junior department 3-11, 250 girls. Senior department 11-18, 600 girls. Entrance: Main entry ages 3, 7, 11, 14 and 16. Own entrance assessment used. All-rounders welcome; no religious requirements. State school entry, 33% at 11, plus 25% of intake to sixth form. Many senior pupils from own junior department.
Scholarships (at age 11 and 16), academic and music, value 5%-20% fees. Also means-tested bursaries available from 11+. Parents not expected to buy textbooks; lunch is the only extra.
Headmistress: Mrs Valerie Bidwell, in post from 1985. Educated at Harrogate Ladies' College and at universities of Newcastle and London (French and German). Previously Senior Mistress and Head of Modern Languages at Framlingham. Teaching staff: 55 full time, 19 part time.
GCSE: 89 pupils in upper fifth, 99% gaining at least grade C in 8+ subjects. A-levels: 75 in upper sixth, 96% passing in 4+ subjects with an average final point score of 467 (including general studies).
96% of sixth form leavers go on to a degree course (15% after a gap year), 10% to Oxbridge. 17% take courses in medicine, dentistry and veterinary science, 14% in science and engineering, 40% in humanities and social sciences, 12% in art and architecture, 5% in drama, 12% in vocational subjects eg teaching, business, marketing.
GCSE, AS and A-levels. 25 AS/A-level subjects. Sixth form: Most sixth formers take 4 subjects at AS-level (mostly a mix of arts and sciences), 3 at A-level; in addition, all take A-level general studies; extended project qualification offered in lower sixth. 10% take science A-levels; 45% arts/humanities; 45% both. Key skills: Compulsory ICT unit in lower sixth leads to ECDL; communication integrated in general studies. Vocational: Work experience available. Languages: French (from age 11), German (from 12) and Spanish (from 14) offered at GCSE, AS and A-level; also Italian and Greek GCSE. Regular exchanges (France, Germany and Spain). ICT: Taught both as a discrete subject and across the curriculum. 150 networked computers for pupil use (9 hours a day); all pupils have access to email and internet. All lower sixth take ECDL; GCSE short course at end of Year 9. Laptops provided for all sixth formers and for class use.
Music: Over 50% of pupils learn a musical instrument; instrumental exams can be taken. Some 14+ musical groups including orchestras, wind bands, chamber ensembles, choirs, brass group, percussion ensemble etc. Regular concerts and tours abroad. Drama and dance: Both offered. GCSE, AS and A-level drama and theatre studies may be taken. Some pupils are involved in school productions and majority in house/other productions. ESU regional finalists. Art and design: On average, 50 take GCSE, 12 A-level. Awarded Artsmark.
Sport: Lacrosse, hockey, netball, swimming, gym, rounders, athletics, dance, tennis compulsory. Optional: badminton, lifesaving, fencing. Sixth form only: volleyball, self-defence, fitness, aerobics. RLSS exams may be taken. Regular county and national representation; community sports' leader award offered in Year 12. Activities: Pupils take bronze, silver and gold Duke of Edinburgh's Award (several golds each year). Community service optional. Up to 30 clubs, including rowing, chess, debating, Christian Union, trampolining, fencing, life-saving, Cosmos (science) group.
Uniform: School uniform worn except in the sixth form. Houses and prefects: Competitive houses. Prefects, head girl, head of house and house prefects, elected by staff and sixth form. Religion: Non-denominational. Morning assembly (parents may withdraw their children on religious grounds). Social: Debates, Young Enterprise, theatrical productions. Organised trips abroad; science department encourages exchange visits with schools across Europe. Pupils allowed to bring own bike to school. Meals self-service. School opens early for breakfast, late for tea. School shop sells second-hand uniform.
High standard of self-discipline expected; range of sanctions imposed where necessary.
is run by the Treasurer, Mrs Sue Prutton (01603 413890).
Pat Barr, Anne Weale and Stella Tillyard (authors); Raffaella Barker (author and journalist); Jane Hissey (children's artist and author); Jane Manning and Elizabeth Watts (sopranos); Jenny Lane (BBC); Ann Tyrell (dress designer); Dr Jennifer Moyle (scientist); Diana Burrell (composer); Hannah Waterman (actress); Emma Pooley (Olympic cyclist); Edith Cavell (nurse and humanitarian, executed in WW1); Evelyn Collishaw (former Lord Mayor of Norwich) .
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