ADMISSIONS GUIDE
Introduction
Contents
We aim to make the admissions process as straightforward as possible for prospective families. This guide will provide all the information you need to apply for your daughter to join Norwich High School for Girls. For additional details and a glimpse of our vibrant, happy school, please visit our website at www.norwichhigh.gdst.net.
Introduction – 2 Visits and Open Days – 3 Admissions – 4 Values & Ethos – 5 About the GDST – 5
Prep School Admissions
Scholarships and Bursaries – 6
Whilst the main entry point for the Prep School is Nursery (age 3), a number of pupils join other year groups throughout the academic year if places are available. We recommend contacting us directly to check the availability for your preferred year group.
Fees – 8
Senior School Admissions
GCSE Options – 11
The main entry points for the Senior School are:
Sixth Form Subjects – 11
Age 11 (Year 7) Age 13 (Year 9) Age 16 (Year 12)
Our Wider Community – 13
Term Dates – 9 Form Groups – 9 Before and After School Care – 10
Transport and Travel – 12 School Policies – 13
We also welcome applications for other year groups, subject to availability. We understand that relocations or family circumstances may require a different admissions timeline, and we are happy to accommodate such cases.
What to do next – 14
Norwich High Prep pupils leaving Year 6 (Lower 3), are offered a place automatically at the Senior School without formal assessment. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us. We look forward to hearing from you. Best wishes,
Miss Ali Ready Admissions Registrar 01603 453 265 admissions@nor.gdst.net
2
Visits and Open Days Important Dates for 2026-27
We are always delighted to welcome visitors to our school. Throughout the academic year, there are numerous opportunities for you and your daughter to visit, meet our students and staff, and experience the school in action.
Open Morning: Saturday 26th September 2026 Sixth Form Open evening Thursday 1st October 2026
Additionally, for individual visits, we will be happy to work with you to arrange a suitable time for you and your daughter to visit.
Year 9 Taster Event: Monday 2nd November 2026
Application deadline
Year 7 Taster Event: Thursday 19th November 2026
There is no application deadline for the Prep School and Nursery.
Early Years Open Event: Thursday 19th November 2026
In the Senior School and Sixth Form, if you are not applying for a bursary or a scholarship, applications for September 2027 entry should be received by Thursday 31st December 2026. Any applications after this date are dependent on availability of places. See below for detailed deadlines.
Prep School ‘Tours and Tasters’: Wednesday 25th November 2026 Assessment Morning: Saturday 16th January 2027
Senior School entry for September 2027
Sixth Form entry for September 2027
Senior School Scholarship & Bursary Deadlines Scholarships:
Sixth Form Scholarship & Bursary Deadlines Scholarships:
Art & Design, Drama, Music & Sport (Stage 1)– Monday 30th November 2026 Academic – Thursday 31st December 2026 (all girls are considered for this award from the entrance assessment)
Art, Drama, Music, Sport & Textiles scholarships – Saturday 31st October 2026 Academic scholarship – Wednesday 4th November 2026 Bursaries: Wednesday 4th November 2026
Bursaries: Applications to be received by Monday 30th November 2026
Sixth Form Scholarship Assessments
Senior School (11+ and 13+) Scholarship Assessments - Stage 2
Sixth Form academic scholarship assessment: Thursday 12th November 2026.
January 2027 - Dates to be confirmed on application.
All other scholarship assessments will take place w/c 16th November 2026. Dates to be confirmed on application.
3
Admissions Entry into the Sixth Form
Norwich High School for Girls is a selective school where students can thrive academically in a safe, supportive, and happy environment. We offer a broad range of enrichment opportunities alongside academic success.
We expect Sixth Form students to have achieved a minimum of six Grade 6s at GCSE with their highest grades in the subjects they wish to study in the Sixth Form.
Places are awarded based on merit and potential throughout the school. Our assessments are designed to help girls feel at ease so they can perform their best and enjoy the experience.
Applicants are invited for an interview, typically held in the Autumn Term, and offers are conditional on GCSE results. Scholarship examinations are optional—please refer to the Scholarships and Bursaries section on our website for more details.
For late applications, where spaces are available, assessments are conducted on an individual basis.
Continuity of Education We expect that most students will naturally progress from one phase of their education to the next—moving from the Prep School to the Senior School and from Upper 5 (Year 11) to the Sixth Form.
Applying to Norwich High School for Girls is simple. Just complete the online application, which you can find on our website.
Accessibility Entry into our Nursery
Norwich High School for Girls is dedicated to ensuring that all students can participate fully in school life and activities. We are committed to adapting our curriculum so that no student is disadvantaged.
Girls may join our Nursery after their third birthday. A place is offered following an informal play session, which helps us determine if learning in our Early Years Hub is the right fit for your daughter.
We welcome applicants with special educational needs or disabilities and would advise parents to discuss this with our Registrar at the point of application so that we can ensure that appropriate support is in place for the entrance assessments.
Entry into the Prep School All girls applying to join the Prep School are assessed individually. Prospective pupils are invited to spend a day with their future class, giving them the chance to meet their peers and experience life at Norwich High. During their visit, they will participate in age-appropriate tasks with a member of staff to help us assess their fit within the current cohort and whether we can meet their needs. We focus on academic potential and enthusiasm for learning rather than the attainment of specific standards.
View our full Admissions Policy on our website here:
Entry into the Senior School All candidates will complete the following: an online placement test an observed group-based practical activity (Year 7 & 8 entry only) Candidates will have an Interview with the Head. A report will also be requested from your daughter's current school.
4
Values & Ethos Additional Needs
At Norwich High School for Girls we have the following values:
Although we are a selective school, we recognise that each student is unique and may have individual needs. Parents of students with disabilities or additional needs should discuss these with us so we can work together effectively from the outset.
Girls first. Our girls are known and valued as individuals.
We are ambitious for every student. Our students are intellectually curious,
equipped to meet academic challenge
Places will be offered where needs can be met, with reasonable adjustment, within the context of the schools’ availability of resources.
and innovate.
Our education is about more than exams. Our students fulfil their potential.
We are committed to delivering the highest quality education for each student. To support this, we have designated staff members in all sections of the school who liaise with both staff and parents regarding special educational needs. This support is a key part of our curriculum and pastoral care.
Community matters to us. Our students
contribute to and benefit from the unique community fostered by staff and students.
Transfer arrangements between GDST schools
The GDST
If a student needs to move home mid-course or has other special circumstances and wishes to transfer to another GDST school, we aim to support such transfers, subject to the availability of a place and the school’s resources to meet additional needs, if applicable.
At the heart of the GDST is a single purpose: helping every girl fulfil her potential and ambition at every stage of her school journey.
It is important to note the curriculum provision may vary between GDST schools, for example GCSE and A Level options.
Backed by the scale, resources and 150-year+ stability of a 26-school national network, our students enjoy an enriched educational experience that extends far beyond the classroom.
International Admissions We are a Tier 4 Sponsor, so for more information about International admissions, please contact our Registrar by calling 01603 453 265 or emailing admissions@nor.gdst.net
From Trust-wide sports tournaments, creative arts festivals and collaborative trips to specialised higher education preparation and lifetime membership in a 100,000-strong alumnae career network, the GDST equips young women with the academic strength, practical confidence and lifelong connections to lead in a changing world. Find out more at www.gdst.net
5
Scholarships and Bursaries A limited number of bursaries and scholarships are available. We are committed to providing access to talented girls who will benefit from an outstanding education at Norwich High Senior School. Many of our bursaries and scholarships are funded through charitable partnerships, as well as donations and legacies from our alumnae, their parents, and other friends of Norwich High School, as well as centrally from the GDST.
Scan QR code for information
Explanation of terms
Definition
Scholarships
Bursary
Scholarships are awarded based solely on student merit, regardless of family financial circumstances.
If your daughter would benefit from a Norwich High School for Girls education but your family cannot cover the full fees, you may be eligible for a bursary.
These scholarships recognise outstanding talent, whether in academics, art, performing arts or sport. They are awarded through open competition and based entirely on merit. While the monetary value of scholarships may vary, they are generally modest and are more about the prestige of the award than the financial amount. Scholarships are available to both current and prospective students. Please see below for a list of available scholarships by year group.
A bursary is a means-tested fee reduction based on both a student’s merit and the family’s financial circumstances. It may be awarded in addition to a scholarship. Our usual entry point for those looking for a bursary is into Year 7 or 12. In exceptional cases, bursaries may be offered to current students whose family circumstances change. Eligibility is assessed using a range of objective criteria, including the family’s income and capital resources. As a guide, please see the following parameters as an example: Families with assessable income and resources below £102,000 per year may qualify for some support. Families with assessable income below £44,000 per year may be eligible for a full bursary. There is a finite fund for bursaries. We aim to prioritise support for students for whom a Norwich High School education would be a transformative, life-changing opportunity.
Means tested
No
Yes
Fee remission
5-10%
30-100%
Summary of Scholarship Awards Available Entry Point
11+ (Y7)
✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
Academic
Art and Design Drama Music Sport
Fine Art or Textiles
X
13+ (Y9)
✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ X
16+ (Y12)
✓ X
✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
If your daughter has been awarded a scholarship in Year 7 or Year 9 and would like the award to be continued through to the Sixth Form, she will be invited to reapply in the autumn term of Year 11.
6
Bursary case study Meet Phoebe (Bee)
Class of 2025 student and member of the Head Girl Team Bee joined Norwich High on a bursary. She said: “I was overjoyed to receive a bursary to attend Norwich High. Being in a girls-only school is the best. There’s no one you have to impress and you can just be completely outwardly yourself. I love chemistry and go home everyday and tell my mum, what sounds like gobbledygook to her, about the things I have been learning. It’s my hardest A Level and I have to put effort into every lesson but it’s addictive. I love the subject and my teachers. They invest so much time and effort in us that it feels like we’re more than just a job to them. “I really enjoy rowing and public speaking and have put myself forward for several opportunities. I’ve not only improved my confidence but also developed a love for it that I would never have expected.”
Bee’s mum, Jess added: “Being awarded a bursary for Bee to attend Norwich High honestly felt life changing. We all cried! It was exceptional. When we read the letter offering my daughter a place with a bursary I knew in that moment her opportunities for academia, extra-curricular and self development had grown exponentially. Obviously the life she cultivates will be one of her own making but I knew she was going to get closer to fulfilling her potential with a Norwich High education. Delighted is an understatement. “Norwich High gives students levels of ambition, aspirations, confidence, guidance and experiences that I could never give them myself. What feeds into their mind in these crucial years they will carry with them in their spirit forever. School is such a significant part of that for many children but even more so for bursary students.”
7
Fees Extras
Our fees are designed to be as inclusive as possible, covering not only exceptional academic tuition but also many aspects of school life. Fees can be paid by Direct Debit, either termly or monthly. A deposit is required upon accepting a place.
2026/27 Fees Termly school fees - inclusive of VAT
School lunch per term
Nursery
£4,024*
£215
Reception Y6
£5,522
£287
Year 7 Year 11
£7,272
£300**
Year 12 Year 13
£7,272
n/a
Additional charges may apply for trips, visits, some paid clubs, exam fees and other related services. *Please note, we offer the Early Years Free Entitlement Scheme. For eligible parents, morning sessions (8:00am to 12:30pm) are charged at our normal rate and afternoon sessions (12:30pm to 3:30pm) are covered by three hours of Early Years funding. This allows for up to 15 hours per week of free childcare entitlement. Nursery fees are also not subject to VAT. If you wish your child to attend only the funded 15 hours per week, please contact admissions@nor.gdst.net to discuss options. ** Year 11 lunches charged at £235 per term to allow for their period of study leave.
Item
Fee
Registration fee
£120 (inclusive of VAT)
Refundable deposit
£500
Music lessons
Charges by visiting music teacher* (around £200 per term)
Hire of musical instruments
From £30 per term for up to 2 years
After school care in the Prep School
£3 per half an hour from 4-6pm. A 25% discount for using 20+ full 2 hour sessions in any one half term period
Public exam fees e.g. GCSEs and A Levels
Exam fees are based on the number and type of exams taken by the student and will be itemised on the Yr 11/13 summer term invoice**
*please note that visiting music teachers set their own fees and these may fluctuate at any time. ** or at other times where a student sits a public examination.
Fees for the academic year 2026-27 will be confirmed and shared with prospective parents around Easter 2026.
What do fees cover?
Regular curriculum tuition (other than in optional extra subjects) 1-2-1 device from Year 1 (iPad or Chromebook depending on age) Many lunchtime and after-school activities Text books, exercise books and scientific materials Some curricular trips and field studies Choral music Physical education and swimming
Lunch The school provides a compulsory nutritious lunch from Nursery to Year 11.
8
Form Groups
Term Dates
Form
Autumn Term
Age (on 1st Sept)
Year
Prep School Term starts:
Friday 3rd September 2027
Nursery
3+ years
Kindergarten
5+ years
Year
7+ years
Year 3
Reception Half term:
Monday 18th October - Friday 29th October 2027
Lower 1
Upper 1 Term ends:
Lower 2
Wednesday 15th December 2027 (3pm)
Upper 2 Lower 3
Staff Study Days:
4+ years 6+ years 8+ years 9+ years
10+ years
1
Year 2 Year 4 Year 5 Year 6
Wednesday 1st and Thursday 2nd September 2027
Senior School
Spring Term Term starts:
Half term:
Upper 3
11+ years
Year 7
Upper 4
13+ years
Year 9
Lower 4
Thursday 6th January 2028
Lower 5 Upper 5
Monday 14th February - Friday 18th February 2028
12+ years 14+ years 15+ years
Year 8 Year 10 Year 11
Sixth Form Term ends:
Lower 6
Friday 31st March 2028 (3pm)
Upper 6 Staff Study Day:
16+ years 17+ years
Year 12 Year 13
Wednesday 5th January 2028
Upon arrival at Norwich High School, your daughter will be assigned to a Form Group.
Summer Term Term starts:
Wednesday 19th April 2028
May Bank Holiday
Monday 1st May 2028
Half term:
Friday 26th May - Friday 2nd June 2028
Term ends:
Friday 7th July 2028
Staff Study Days:
Tuesday 18th April 2028 and Friday 2nd June 2028
The Form Tutor will have direct pastoral responsibility, providing both academic and social support.
9
Before and After School Care Prep School and Nursery
Senior School and Sixth Form
Before school care:
The Senior School day starts at 8.30am and finishes at 3.40pm.
Time
Provision
7.30- 8am
Breakfast club in the Early Years Hub (Nursery & Reception) and in the Eaton Grove Dining Hall (Year 1 to Year 6) with a variety of breakfast options for sale
8am
8.30am
Breakfast club escorted to Stafford House School day begins
End of school day and after school care:
Class
Times
Nursery and Reception
3.10pm
Years 1 and 2
3.10pm
Years 3 to 6
3.50pm
After-school clubs are available for these year groups, and girls can also take advantage of our after-school care provision. Those with a place on one of the after-school minibuses are escorted to the bus by a member of the Prep School staff. After school care: After-school care is charged per half hour from 3:30pm to 6:00pm, except for those with an older sibling finishing at 3.50pm, where charges begin at 4:00pm. Girls enjoy outdoor playtime, as well as indoor activities like arts and crafts or time in the Library. A light tea of sandwiches and fruit, included in the price, is served around 4:30pm.
10
Time
Provision
7.30- 8.15am
Breakfast club in the Dining Hall with snacks and drinks for sale
8.00am8.30am
Form rooms open with registration at 8.30am
3.50pm - 6pm
Library and Hub open for quiet working
Sixth Form Subjects
GCSE Options
Art - Fine Art Art - Textile Design Biology Business Chemistry Classical Civilisation Computer Science Drama Economics English Literature Extended Project Qualification French Further Mathematics Geography German History Latin Mathematics Physics Politics Product Design Psychology Spanish
Core Subjects
English English Literature Mathematics Separate Science: Biology Chemistry Physics Or, Combined Science (Double Award)
Humanities
Classical Civilisation Geography History Philosophy and Religion
Languages French German Latin Spanish
BTEC Sport BTEC Performing Arts
Practical/Creative Subjects
Students will also have Personal, Social and Health Education (PSHE) and Enrichment activities in the Sixth Form.
Art and Design Computing Drama Music Physical Education Product Design Textiles
Please note, all GCSE and A Level subject options are offered subject to demand and availability, and may be subject to change.
11
Transport and Travel Directions
its existence. It is essential that drivers do not arrive early when picking up children after school. It is equally important to vacate your parking space as quickly as possible to allow other drivers to park. It is important that no parking takes place on the High School side of Albemarle Road, especially on the footpath. Do not obstruct driveways or park in the “RESIDENTS ONLY” bays – Norwich City Council Parking Attendants have been instructed to consider issuing Fixed Penalty Notices to vehicles left in these locations. If vehicles are left on yellow lines for over five minutes, Attendants may again issue Fixed Penalty Notices. This five minute period is not to be interpreted as the time drivers can stop – if you can arrive and leave in a shorter period, please do so. Do not park in the “COACH BAY” in Christchurch Road. Attendants may issue Fixed Penalty Notices.
By car: The school is situated on Newmarket Road - the A11 London-Norwich road. Travelling from London into Norwich, the main entrance is on the left hand side after the traffic lights at the Christchurch Road/Lime Tree Road junction. Girls can be dropped off for school at the Albemarle Road and Christchurch Road gates only. For safety reasons, girls are not to walk up the main drive from Newmarket Road. By train: All trains arrive at Norwich Railway Station. Walk along Prince of Wales Road, into Castle Meadow where you will find the bus stop. By bus: There are a number of buses which stop along Newmarket Road, near the school entrance. For the most up-to-date bus timetables, please visit www.firstgroup.com (First Buses), www.konectbus.co.uk (Konectbus) and www.sanderscoaches.com (Sanders).
A copy of this parking advice has been sent to residents in the area in order that they are aware of my requests. I would ask that due courtesy and consideration is given to residents and their guests at all times.
By Park and Ride: Buses travelling from the Thickthorn and Costessey Park and Ride sites to Norwich City Centre stop on Newmarket Road, near the school entrance.
The traffic lights at Newmarket Road/Christchurch Road/Lime Tree Road provide a safe place for your children to cross the road. Please encourage them to use these facilities. Drivers are allowed to stop on the school side of Newmarket Road for up to two minutes to drop off children. Stop on the road, not on the footpath. The safety of the children must be the main priority.
Cycling Both the Prep and Senior Schools have cycle racks and we encourage girls to cycle or walk where possible. Please note that cycling is not permitted in the school grounds.
Parking
Minibus Routes
From Norfolk Police Traffic Department (Tel: 01603 276662):
We run a fleet of minibuses for our pupils. Information of routes and pricings are available at norwichhigh.vectare.co.uk
We seek co-operation from all drivers using roads in the area of Norwich High School in adopting a voluntary one-way system in Albemarle Road and Mount Pleasant. The system has been a success, making the area safer for the children and easier for drivers and I would like this system to continue. I must stress, however, that this is a purely voluntary scheme and many drivers will not know of
For the latest information, please visit our website or scan the QR code:
12
Our Wider Community Norwich High School Association (NHSA) Our parents’ association organises a variety of social, educational, and fundraising events throughout the year. Recent events have included a Spring Quiz, Summer Ball, and November Market. The NHSA also manages the Second Hand Uniform Shop. We hope you find events of interest and enjoy participating in the activities. Representatives of the NHSA are available to discuss how you can get involved. You will be notified of upcoming events through the school.
GDST Alumnae Network The Alumnae Network is a valuable resource for all Sixth Formers, as well as former students and staff of the Girls’ Day School Trust schools. Membership is automatic for girls in Year 12 and is free. With around 100,000 active members across over 60 countries, the network offers excellent opportunities for networking and professional connections.
School Policies
The network is widely used by Sixth Form students, who can arrange work experience days and other career-related activities through it. Alumnae also have the chance to share their knowledge and expertise with current pupils through our SIX+ Lectures programme.
For information on school policies, please visit our website or scan the QR code
13
What to do next To proceed with your application for your daughter to be assessed for a place at Norwich High School for Girls, please complete the online application form available on our website. Once your daughter is registered, the process will begin, and you will be notified about any upcoming Taster Events. Upon acceptance of a place, you will receive our Parents’ Handbook, which provides detailed practical information.
Useful contacts Registrar admissions@nor.gdst.net Main School Office: 01603 453 265 www.norwichhigh.gdst.net Find us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and YouTube: @norwichhigh / Norwich High School for Girls
14
Norwich High School for Girls 95 Newmarket Road Norwich, Norfolk NR2 2HU United Kingdom t: +44 (0)1603 453 265 e: admin@nor.gdst.net www.norwichhigh.gdst.net