An ancient foundation, the school was re-founded and granted a charter by Edward VI in 1547 and moved to its present site in the Cathedral Close a few years later. Its buildings are very handsome, in particular the early 14th-century Chapel which has delightful quirks and idiosyncracies. Overall, it is very well equipped with modern facilities - the most recent addition, a purpose-built sports centre. It has a Christian foundation and enjoys daily assemblies or services in the Cathedral, where pupils are encouraged to reflect upon important issues. The school will be fully co-educational from 2011, girls having been admitted to the sixth form since 1994. The school prides itself on creating a loving, compassionate environment in which pupils can learn and develop effectively. A broad, general education is provided, with a distinctive curriculum from age 11-14, which includes philosophy, Japanese, Hebrew, thinking skills and relaxation. Examination results are very good. Music is very strong and all pupils are encouraged to take part so a large number are involved in orchestras, choirs and bands. Drama is also strong. There are excellent facilities for sport and games and high standards are attained in rugby, cricket and hockey (numerous representatives at county and national level) as well as other games. Many clubs and societies cater for most conceivable needs. There is considerable emphasis on outdoor activities which include cycling, shooting, sailing, and rowing. There is a flourishing group of Sea Scouts and the Duke of Edinburgh's Award Scheme has been well supported over the years. Plentiful use is made of Norwich's cultural amenities.
Pupils: Total age range 7-18; 890 day pupils (751 boys, 139 girls). Senior department 11-18, 724 pupils (585 boys, 129 girls). Entrance: Main entry ages, 7, 11, 13 and 16. Common Entrance and own exam used. For sixth form entry, 6 GCSEs at least grade B including sixth form subjects. No special skills or religious requirements. State school entry, 60% main senior intake, plus 50% to sixth form.
Scholarships awarded, value 20% of fees; academic and music scholarships awarded at 11, 13 and 16; sport and arts (art, design or drama) at 16. Some financial support from the Worshipful Company of Dyers and the Ogden Trust for sixth-form entrants from the state sector. Also a number of means-tested bursaries, up to 100% of fees to help pupils who would not otherwise be able to attend the school. Parents not expected to buy textbooks; public exam fees are extra.
Head Master: Jim B Hawkins, appointed 2002. Educated at King Edward VI Camp Hill in Birmingham and Oxford University (mathematics). Previously Deputy Head of Chigwell. Teaching staff, 87.
GCSE: 85 pupils in upper fifth: 100% gained at least grade C in 8+ subjects. A-levels: 129 in upper sixth: 4% passed in 4+ subjects; 96% in 3 subjects.
99% of sixth form leavers go on to a degree course (8% after a gap year), 14% to Oxbridge. 13% take courses in medicine, dentistry and veterinary science, 24% in science and engineering, 41% in humanities and social sciences, 15% in arts subjects, 7% in vocational subjects such as business, management, physiotherpy, sports sciences. Others typically go on to retake A-levels or straight into jobs eg RAF.
GCSE, AS and A-levels. 24 AS-level subjects, 22 at A-level. Curriculum 11-16 includes philosophy, exotic languages (eg Hebrew, Mandarin, Hieroglyphics), thinking and relaxation skills alongside traditional range of subjects. Sixth form: Most sixth formers take 5 subjects at AS-level (many take critical thinking), 3 at A-level. 37% take science A-levels; 34% arts/humanities; 29% both. Vocational: Work experience available. Languages: French, Spanish and German offered at GCSE and A-level. Regular exchanges (to France, Germany and Liechtenstein). ICT: Taught both as a discrete subject and across the curriculum, eg data logging, spreadsheets and charts in science. 200 computers for pupil use (9 hours a day), all networked with email and internet access.
Music: 60% of pupils learn a musical instrument; instrumental exams can be taken. Some 16 musical groups including chamber groups, jazz bands, orchestras, guitar, recorder groups, choirs. Regular performances at all levels in school, the Cathedral and in the wider community. Regular entrants to read music at university, recent Oxbridge choral/organ scholarships. Drama: Many pupils are involved in school and house productions. 3 recent pupils have gone into professional theatre. Art and design: On average, 60 take GCSE, 20 AS and A-level. Design, pottery, photography also offered. A number of pupils have obtained direct entry to art degree courses.
Sport: Rugby, hockey, cricket compulsory major sports. Optional: athletics, badminton, cross-country, cycling, fencing, judo, netball, rowing, sailing, self-defence, shooting, soccer, squash, swimming, table tennis and tennis. National and regional achievements in badminton, squash, golf, hockey, fencing, tennis, sailing, shooting; regular county representation in hockey, cricket, rugby. Activities: Pupils take bronze, silver and gold Duke of Edinburgh's Award. Community service optional. Sea scout troop. Up to 30 clubs, including electronics, debating, philosophical discussion, politics, creative writing, Amnesty International, yoga, conservation, chess, cookery, film.
Uniform: School uniform worn throughout. Houses and prefects: Houses are pastoral units with some competitive games. Head of school, prefects, head of house and house prefects, appointed by the Headmaster. School consultative committee. Religion: Christian. Attendance at Cathedral assemblies and services compulsory; Chapel services are voluntary. Social: Debating, theatre, music, Young Enterprise with other schools. Language exchanges (to France, Germany, Liechtenstein); cultural, sporting or adventurous trips to eg Austria, Canada, China, Ecuador, Egypt, India, Israel, Turkey. Pupils allowed to bring own bike/motorbike. Meals self-service, including breakfast.
The School applies a graded sequence of responses to unacceptable behaviour or unsatisfactory work, the objective always being to get pupils back on track after their mistakes have been corrected. Parents are always informed of detentions; more serious offences may, at the discretion of the Headmaster, lead to suspension or expulsion.
is run by the Secretary, Old Norvicensian Club, c/o the school.
Sir John Quinton (former chairman of Barclays); Lord Blake (historian); Clive Radley (cricketer and MCC head coach); Lord Nelson (maritime hero); Christopher Andrew (professor of history, Cambridge University); Humphrey Repton (landscape gardener); Oliver Rackham (writer); Sir Edward Coke (political opposer of James I).
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