We are always delighted to welcome visitors to our school. There are many occasions throughout the year to visit us and see the school in action, whether you are a current parent, alumna, prospective parent, or someone keen to partner with us.
To find out more about applying to our award-winning school, visit our website or contact our Registrar, Miss Ali Ready, via admissions@nor.gdst.net / 01603 453 265
You can keep up to date with all the latest events on our website at www.norwichhigh.gdst.net/events/
Photography: Katie Cox, Tile Media and Anna Jolly Creative
NORWICH HIGH LIGHTS
2025 Exam Results
Norwich High School for Girls GDST once again celebrated outstanding exam results across GCSE and A Level in 2025, reflecting the hard work and commitment of our students, as well as the dedicated support of our staff. At A Level, 96% of results were A*-C, with almost a quarter of grades at A* and 84% A*-B.
We are thrilled that 86% of students secured their first choice destination, which included exciting and varied destinations, including studying Artificial Intelligence, Illustration, Music Performance, Medicine, Fashion and much more, as well as one student who is going on to a prestigious Business Accounting and Finance Apprenticeship.
At GCSE, 99% of results were grade 9-4, with an incredible 30% of results a grade 9, the highest possible grade.
Well done to Sepideh, Paniz and Momina, who all achieved straight 9s.
We also saw exceptional results across a number of subjects, including 75% 9-8 in all of our Triple Science results and 73% of English Language students achieving grades 9-8.
Farewell Miss Sefton
This year, we bid a fond farewell to Miss Alison Sefton, who announced her departure after five years as Head. Having joined the school during the challenging period of the Covid pandemic, she has led with strength, energy and vision. Miss Sefton now heads to Scotland to take up an exciting new role at The Glasgow Academy, and she leaves with our heartfelt thanks and best wishes for the future.
We look forward to welcoming her successor, Ms Nicola Griffiths, who will take up the headship in April 2026. In the meantime, we are pleased to be joined by Mrs Jane Prescott as our interim Head. Recently retired after 13 successful years as Head of Portsmouth High School GDST, Mrs Prescott brings a wealth of experience and will help steer Norwich High confidently through this period of transition.
Prizegiving
We held our annual Senior School and Sixth Form Prizegiving on Wednesday 9th July in a marquee on the Big Pitch. The event brought together students, staff, families and distinguished guests, including the Lord Mayor, Sheriff and Lord-Lieutenant, to celebrate a year of outstanding achievements. Guest speaker Jo Słota-Newson, Class of 2002 alumna and accomplished venture capitalist, inspired the audience with insights on resilience and determination, drawing from her experiences as a research scientist and her 2024 English Channel swim - an achievement rarer than climbing Mount Everest!
Best Value School
Renovations
Norwich High School for Girls continues to evolve, with several exciting school refurbishments.
The Sixth Form common room received a fresh upgrade, now enjoyed by the largest Year 12 cohort in over a decade. Stafford House, home to our Prep School and Nursery, also saw major improvements, including a full external refurbishment and updated interiors. At Eaton Grove, two new learning spaces and a modernised café area have been added, incorporating the historic conservatory. These vibrant, accessible spaces near the main entrance offer state of the art facilities which act as multi function spaces for learning, events and meetings.
We’re proud to share that Norwich High School for Girls GDST has been named the best value independent school in Norfolk for the second year running by The Telegraph (July 2025). Their value for money national league table ranks schools based on metrics such as academic performance, facilities and fees, with our A Level fee-to-grade ratio rated as ‘Very Good’ - the highest in the region. This reflects our commitment to academic excellence and student experience whilst keeping fees as affordable as possible for our families.
Head Girl Team
Congratulations to our new student leadership team, who were announced at the end of March after a competitive process involving letters of application, hustings and interviews.
Congratulations to our new Head Girl, Daisy. She is joined by Deputy Head Girl Evie, Prep Lead Becca and Social Action Leads Saskia and Izzy.
Undivided Survey Results
This year we celebrated record breaking results from our annual Undivided Survey, which provides us with invaluable insight into how our students feel about diversity, equity and inclusion within our school community.
97%
of students feel that:
Their culture, faith and background are respected in school
All backgrounds and beliefs are valued equally
We have worked together to support diversity and inclusion in our school community
The results from the 2025 survey have once again reinforced that we are among the most inclusive schools within the Girls’ Day School Trust. What is particularly remarkable is that there was not a single data point that scored lower than the previous year, demonstrating that our commitment to inclusivity is not just steadfast, but continuously evolving and strengthening.
Prep School Awards
We are excited to announce that Norwich High Prep School has been honoured with two prestigious awards in the Spring/Summer issue of The Week Independent Schools Guide Best of the Best Prep Schools: Best for Creative Arts and Best for STEM.
This recognition places Norwich High Prep among the leading prep schools in the country, underscoring our ability to offer a truly innovative curriculum that goes beyond the limitations of the national curriculum.
150th Birthday
This year was a momentous anniversary for Norwich High School for Girls, as we marked 150 years since the school opened its doors on February 22nd 1875.
We celebrated 150 years of pioneering girls’ education in the East with a year of exciting events, activities and initiatives.
Our 150th birthday fell on a Saturday this year, so we marked the anniversary in school on Monday 24th February with a day of celebration, reflection and community spirit. Students, staff and alumnae came together to honour the school’s rich history and enduring legacy.
Highlights included the unveiling of a timeline installation by Eaton Grove Hall, exclusive anniversary pin badges for students and staff, and a special archive exhibition curated by Tom Greenwood. In the afternoon, the whole school enjoyed an anniversary-themed carousel of activities, led by Senior School subject departments. We also welcomed back four alumnae, including Mary Edwards (Class of 1948), who shared their experiences and inspired current students.
150 Bursary Fund
As we celebrate 150 years of Norwich High School for Girls it feels more important than ever to ensure that talented young people are not prevented from achieving their full potential due to a lack of financial resources. This year we launched a fundraising campaign to support five new transformational bursaries, continuing the legacy of ‘girls first’ education championed by our founders.
You can read more about our 150 Bursary Fund by scanning the QR code
Events and Alumnae
Many of our school events enjoyed a special 150 twist this year and we were thrilled to welcome back some of our alumnae, who shared their time and talents with us.
A particular highlight was our Carol Service in December, where we were honoured to host internationally acclaimed soprano and alumna Elizabeth Watts (Class of 1997), who performed a breathtaking solo in O Holy Night. We are also excited to have commissioned a sculpture from renowned Norfolk artist and alumna, Rachael Long (Class of 1984). On our website, we have been delving into the lives of some of our trailblazing alumnae in a blog series, highlighting incredible women like suffragist Dr Ethel Williams (Class of 1882) and botanist Dr Joyce Lambert (Class of 1934).
Fundraising Dinner
In May, we held our first fundraising dinner at the historic Assembly House in Norwich. This location holds special significance for us, as it was home to the school from 1877 to 1931 before we moved to Stafford House and, a year later, Eaton Grove. We were delighted to welcome over 100 people from across our wonderful school community to celebrate our 150th year and officially launch our 150 Bursary Fundraising Campaign. It was a truly fantastic evening and we’re thrilled to share that we raised £10,000!
A note from our Development Officer, Elli Mitchelson:
“In my second year as Development Officer, it’s been a pleasure to gain deeper insight into our school community. I’ve been particularly inspired watching our alumnae come together, celebrating and recognising the vital importance of our bursary fundraising campaign. Looking ahead to next year, I’m excited to continue our work on the 150 Bursary campaign and to honour our wonderful donors by welcoming them into our newly established 1875 Society. I truly hope to meet even more members of our fantastic community at events throughout the year.”
STEM
F24 Team
The F24 team has gone from strength to strength this year, securing sponsorship from local businesses and the NHSA after a successful student-led pitch. A partnership with Specialist Control Systems also gave students valuable hands-on experience, including engineering testing in their workshop.
In April, five members enjoyed an exclusive test drive at the Lotus South Circuit, organised by Simon Hill and the Lotus team, providing vital track time ahead of the season. The team returned in May to compete in the Greenpower Lotus Heat, where their upgraded car and new kit helped Norwich Phoenix achieve fourth and fifth place finishes, securing fifth overall - an impressive leap from last year’s 16th place.
British Science Week
British Science Week 2025 was a celebration of curiosity and creativity across both Senior and Prep Schools. Highlights included ‘The Great Chemistry Bake Off’, fan-powered cars challenge, owl pellet dissection, DNA extraction and the particle zoo project. Sixth Formers also showcased unsung scientists in the GDST Undivided STEM competition. In the Prep School, pupils explored a wide range of activities, from a science scavenger hunt to bath bomb making and the camouflage challenge.
STEM Discovery Day
Hack-Her-Thon
In March, we hosted our third annual Hack-HerThon, welcoming students from nine schools for a full-day coding and problem-solving event. Designed to encourage girls’ participation in computing, the event provided an inclusive and collaborative environment for students to develop technical and transferable skills.
Throughout the day, participants worked in teams to tackle coding challenges, supported by mentors from Aviva, including alumnae Hannah Straight (Class of 2024) and Sophie Rowlands (Class of 2023). Keynote speaker Suzie Welby, an integration engineer from Stripe, delivered a talk on her career in tech, providing insights into industry pathways and the importance of diversity in STEM fields.
In May we hosted nearly 150 Year 5 pupils from local primary schools for a special STEM Discovery Day. Pupils from Lakenham, Cringleford, Little Melton, Sprowston and Eaton enjoyed a carousel of Maths, Science, Engineering and Outdoor Learning. A highlight was Ed from Mini Monsters, who introduced children to a bearded dragon, snake and tarantula! Visiting teachers praised the Norwich High student helpers, handson sessions, variety and warm welcome, noting how inspired and engaged the children were.
Maths Challenge Success
We saw a lot of success in the UK Maths Trust competitions across the Senior School and Sixth Form. 10 students achieved a Junior award, 26 achieved an Intermediate award and 12 students achieved a Senior Award.
It was an outstanding year for sisters Poppy (Year 11) and Lara (Year 13), who both achieved Gold awards and the best results in the school. Lara went on to qualify for the European level of the competition, which is a highly impressive feat.
Product Design Trips
This year, Product Design students enjoyed a series of inspiring and educational trips.
In April, Year 12 A Level students visited alumna and sculptor Rachael Long at her Norfolk workshop, where they explored the processes behind her large-scale steel sculptures and admired a finished piece featuring three intricately crafted otters. In February, Sixth Form students joined the Textiles department in London to tour the Design Museum, V&A, Natural History Museum and Science Museum, gaining fresh perspectives on the evolution of design, particularly from the V&A’s striking 20th-century collections.
Meanwhile, as part of Big Skies Week 2025, Year 7 students travelled to Warner Brothers Studios in Watford for a hands-on set design and modelling workshop, linking classroom learning to real-world applications in the film industry.
Visit from Andrew Hanson
Ahead of British Science Week, in March we were delighted to welcome Andrew Hanson MBE from the National Physical Laboratory to the Senior School. As Head of Outreach, Andrew has dedicated his career to promoting STEM, earning an MBE for services to science education. His talk, “It’s All Science to Me”, explored how measurement has evolved over time and its critical role in everything we do - from everyday life to groundbreaking scientific advancements. Students from Year 7 to Year 11 attended a lunchtime session, while Sixth Formers enjoyed a dedicated afternoon session, both filled with fascinating insights.
LANGUAGES AND HUMANITIES
Holocaust Memorial Day: For a Better Future
A highlight of this year’s Holocaust Memorial Week was a powerful evening of reflection hosted by Mr Emerson-Moering in the DBS, attended by over 70 guests. The event combined personal testimonies, historical insight and music to mark the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau. Guest speakers included Deputy Head Academic Matt Bradshaw, who explored Norwich High’s historical links to the Jewish community; Bee Korn, who reflected on her work with the Council of Christians and Jews; Diana Cook, who shared the story of her mother, Holocaust survivor Margot Hodge; and Roxanne de Bastion, who spoke about preserving the musical legacy of her grandfather, pianist and Holocaust victim Stephen de Bastion. Musical performances by Year 12 students Bella, Hannah, Eleanor and Ava, supported by Mr Hall, added moments of reflection and tribute throughout the evening.
World Book Day
This year’s Senior School World Book Day celebrated classic and historical fiction, introduced by A Level English Literature students in a whole school assembly. Students and staff dressed as literary characters to raise funds for the National Literacy Trust and a highlight of the day was the costume competition, featuring impressive handmade outfits. The themed lunch menu brought books to life with dishes inspired by The Witches, The Great Gatsby, The Secret Garden and Little Women. In the Prep School and Nursery, pupils embraced the theme of ‘Word Games’, exploring the magic of language through puzzles, poetry and storytelling.
Cranmer Awards
Amelia in Year 10 won first prize in the Norfolk heat of the 2025 Cranmer Awards and progressed on to the National Finals in February. This prestigious competition encourages young people to engage with the 1662 Book of Common Prayer by reciting passages of their choice.
Hannah Gold Author Visit
In October, we welcomed author Hannah Gold into school to speak to students in Years 3-6 about her life as an author, some facts about animals featured in her books and how students can help contribute to saving the planet. It was great to work with Waterstones to make this event possible and even better to welcome students from three local primary schools on site to share the experience.
Cathedral by Mia (Year 12)
My seat like a gun and my head. We put echoes in the crypt and laid ourselves in it for a while. Along altars all wiped that we don’t stand beside, for fear of phantom ridicule. Minor! Miner! Give me a promise of faith! A halo for a finger on our wraith. Carved blossoms in stone like how blush carved your skin. I crave the carving of your voice, seeping in somehow taking no space in the build, but all in my dollar eyes. Your name black but gold and piercing. A name carries more tons than the cart of crag to encompass the choir stand. I kneel, I weep at an angel’s feet. I look to beg the heavens, to divine light. and there your eyes have wings. The beads on your neck I feel tighten on mine and, rejoice! The hymn is sung.
Creative Writing Success
Mia (Year 12) won the Causley Trust’s Young Person’s writing competition in 2024, with her beautiful poem, The Purple Beach Mia also won the Young Norfolk Writing Prize for 2025 with her poem entitled Cathedral.
GDST Chrystall Prize
This year the English department of Norwich High School for Girls hosted the semi-final of the GDST Chrystall Prize Public Speaking Competition. Sepideh (Year 11) represented our school and chose to write her speech on the topical issue of abortion: ‘Can we afford to be complacent about a woman’s right to choose?’. Sepideh was highly commended by the judges after delivering her speech with impressive clarity and answering questions with confidence. Two speakers from our sister schools in London joined us for the event, which was judged by playwright and academic Professor Steve Waters from UEA, and poet and educator Dr Elizabeth Lewis Williams.
Languages and Cultures Week
In February, Norwich High School for Girls celebrated Languages and Cultures Week with a vibrant programme of events led by the Modern Languages Department and the Diversity and Inclusion Group. The week highlighted the rich cultural and linguistic diversity within the school through assemblies, performances, workshops and discussions.
Students took part in language taster sessions, a Grammar Bee competition and alumnae talks on the value of language learning. Cultural activities included henna art, an Islamic faith Q&A and a traditional prayer session. A European Arts Song Evening showcased music and poetry from across the continent, featuring a performance and masterclass by alumna and mezzo-soprano Lucy Thalange.
Classics Talks
Sixth Form students have written and delivered a range of engaging and educational lunchtime talks on topics including ‘Heroes in Ancient & Modern Literature’ by Saskia, ‘Music in the Ancient World’ by Bella and ‘Punishment in Greek Myth’ by Mia. As part of the Academic Scholars’ symposium series, Sixth Form Classics student Ivy delivered a riveting talk about the tragedy Medea and the main character’s influence on women in media to 84 Academic Scholars and staff.
Miss McMenamin on Mastermind
Congratulations to Miss Aine McMenamin, our Classics teacher, who reached the semi-finals of BBC’s Mastermind. Her specialist subject in the first round was pop star Taylor Swift, showcasing impressive depth of knowledge and earning 19 points. In the semi-finals, she took on a more classical topic - The Tragedies of Euripides.
Languages and Humanities Trips
We are delighted to be able to offer our Languages and Humanities students such a wide range of inspiring trips and visits. These opportunities play a vital role in bringing learning to life, allowing students to immerse themselves in new cultures, environments and perspectives. By stepping beyond the classroom, they not only deepen their academic understanding but also develop invaluable skills, independence and memories that will stay with them for years to come.
Destinations this year have included Geography trips to the Peak District and Ranworth Broad in Norfolk; Philosophy and Religion trips to the London Mandir, Cambridge Central Mosque and a specialist A Level conference in Cambridge; a Classics trip to the Cambridge Museum of Classical Archaeology and the Fitzwilliam Museum and many more! There have also been several unforgettable overseas trips...
USA
History students enjoyed an unforgettable trip to Washington D.C. and New York, exploring key landmarks such as the Lincoln Memorial, Arlington Cemetery, the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. Alongside visits to the 9/11 Memorial, the United Nations and the National Museum of African American History, they also experienced cultural highlights including a Broadway show, a Harlem tour, a basketball game and time in Central Park.
Granada
Iceland
A standout trip this year was the Geography trip to Iceland, where students explored tectonic, coastal and glacial landscapes to enhance their fieldwork skills and understanding, as well as getting a glimpse of the magical Northern Lights.
During October half term, 26 students from Years 10 to 13 took part in the culture and language immersion trip to Granada, Spain, staying with local host families to practise Spanish and experience daily life. Mornings focused on language lessons, while afternoons featured visits to the Alhambra, the Moorish Albaicín quarter and other historic sites.
CREATIVE AND PERFORMING ARTS
Showstopper
Our annual Senior School and Sixth Form performing arts showcase, Showstopper, returned for a spectacular sold out display of talent in July. Featuring everything from high energy musical theatre and slapstick comedy to beautiful classical music and diverse dance styles, it was a truly breathtaking evening of entertainment from close to 100 students.
Prep Winter Arts Festival
This year’s Prep School Winter Arts Festival was themed around ‘Time’ to tie in with our 150 anniversary celebrations. Pupils journeyed through past, present and future, beginning each day by stepping through a sparkling ‘time machine’ entrance to discover what surprises awaited. Each day focused on a different era, from futuristic robots and prehistoric dinosaur encounters to fashion and dance moves.
Highlights included a retro sweet shop, photography workshops, virtual reality experiences and a visit from TeachRex and their unforgettable T-Rex, Jam. The week also placed emphasis on wellbeing, with Take Time sessions exploring self-worth and mindfulness.
Young Voices
Young Voices is always a highlight of the Prep School year and 2025 was no exception. 74 pupils from Years 3 to 6 headed to the OVO Arena for the world’s largest children’s choir concert. Highlights included medleys from Hairspray and Bob Marley, and guest appearances from Tommy Blaize, MC Grammar and Urban Strides.
Art Workshops
The Art Department have continued to run a series of art workshops throughout the year for Senior School students. This year, Year 7 students explored different textile techniques and worked on a group project, whilst Year 8 students explored Lino printing and batik.
Art Trips
Art and Textiles students enjoyed a variety of exciting trips throughout the year, including textiles trips to the Design Museum, V&A and the Fitzwilliam Museum, and a day learning about typography and letterpress printing at the Print Hub in Norwich. Fine Art students also enjoyed exploring contemporary art at the Design Centre in Islington.
Choral Concert
This year’s Choral Concert, held at the Cathedral of St John the Baptist, showcased over 100 talented performers.
Highlights included Vivaldi’s Gloria, with soloists from Years 9 to 13 and alumna Daisy Pinching (Class of 2016), and a moving oboe concerto by Lara (Year 13). The programme ranged from Tavener and Poulenc to Rihanna and Adele, with a powerful finale in Will Todd’s Mass in Blue, featuring standout solos by Izzy (Year 13) and Hannah (Year 12).
Fashion Show and Art Exhibition
The annual end-of-year Art Exhibition and Fashion Show was a celebration of the incredible talent and hard work of our Senior School and Sixth Form students. The Art Exhibition showcased creations from our GCSE and A Level Fine Art and Textile students, whilst the Fashion Show featured inspirational work from students across all year groups, from Year 7 to Sixth Form.
Prep Productions
Prep pupils impressed audiences this year with their energetic and fun-filled productions.
This year, Years 3 and 4 lifted the lid on a Sherwood legend with ‘Robin and the Sherwood Hoodies’, while Year 5 took us on a magical journey to the mysterious alpine village of Stumbledorf in their musical, ‘Dragon Days’. Finally, Year 6 closed the year with their final Prep School production, taking us on a heartwarming journey down the Yellow Brick Road in their performance of ‘The Wizard of Oz’.
Prep Summer Concert
In June, girls from Years 1-6 took to the stage in Eaton Grove Hall to perform for their families in our Prep School Summer Concert. Each year group delighted the audience with a song and reprised their popular decades dance from the Winter Arts Festival, before closing the concert with an energetic whole school finale. The concert also featured musical performances from ensembles such as the Suzuki Group, Young Voices choir and the Orchestra.
Carol Service
Our annual Carol Service at Norwich Cathedral continues to be a highlight of the school calendar. Students from across the school delivered outstanding performances, including exceptional solos and a stunning rendition of O Holy Night featuring alumna and soprano Elizabeth Watts (Class of 1997).
Music Tour
Performance Opportunities
In the Senior School and Sixth Form, our talented Music Scholars took to the stage each term to showcase their talents and develop their performance techniques, this year performing in venues including The Garage and Anteros Arts Centre.
In the Prep School, parents were treated to lots of opportunities to see their daughters perform at our regular Coffee Concerts throughout the year. It was particularly impressive to see confident performances from some of our youngest girls.
At the end of the summer term, 15 of our choral musicians toured Barcelona and the surrounding areas for an unforgettable music tour, performing in incredible settings.
Senior and Sixth Form Drama
It was another extremely busy and successful year for our drama students, with performances including the gripping Senior Play, Antigone; an emotive A Level Devised piece, The Pied Piper; and an original production from Year 12 student Mia, Kalon Kakon. Lower down the school, our Year 7s starred in a medieval play and this year’s Intermediate Play was A Midsummer Night’s Dream.
Antigone
Antigone
A Midsummer Night’s Dream
A Midsummer Night’s Dream
Kalon Kakon
Year 7 Medieval Play
The Pied Piper
SPORT
During the summer term, we saw some great progress in cricket across softball and hardball and all age groups. Our senior team reached the U18 100 Ball Cup quarter-final v Haileybury in June, while the U15 team were runners up in county indoor cricket and reached the county cup semi final.
Hockey
Netball
Netball successes included our U16 and U14 teams successfully qualifying for the county tournament with both teams placing third in the county. There were notable achievements outside of school too, with students Hope (Year 11) and Ivy (Year 12) qualifying for the U19 Mavericks PDP Squad. It was also great to take so many enthusiastic U13 netball players to Condover Hall in March where they enjoyed playing lots of netball as well as taking part in outdoor adventure activities.
Congratulations to our U14 and First Team squads who represented the county at the Regional Hockey Finals. Other notable successes were gained by the U13s, who were Cup runners up in the GDST tournament. The U11 team played fantastically to come second in the IAPS plate competition. Finally, our U9A hockey team won the County Prep Schools tournament at Beeston School in November.
Prep Football Tournament
Our Prep Football Tournament in April was another great success, welcoming nine local primary schools for a day packed with energy and enthusiasm. Over 100 pupils took part in 60 matches, displaying fantastic teamwork, skill and sportsmanship throughout. Our Norwich High girls were outstanding, topping their morning group and finishing a brilliant fourth place overall.
Cross Country
In Cross County this year, nine of our students were county qualifiers, with Tessa (Year 9), Camilla (Year 8) and Sophie (Year 10) producing excellent performances to also become regional qualifiers. Further congratulations go to Camilla, who went on to represent Norfolk at the English Schools Cross Country.
Tennis
Well done to our U13 and U15 tennis teams who remained unbeaten all season winning their respective leagues and being crowned County champions.
We also had several students take part in the Play Your Way to Wimbledon competition. Well done to Charlotte (Year 7), Isla (Year 10) and Miyu (Year 10) who all reached the final of the competition. Charlotte went on to win the regional qualifier in the U18 doubles category and qualified to play the national finals at Wimbledon in August, representing the Norfolk and Cambridgeshire region.
Swimming
At the GDST Gala in Guildford, eight students qualified for finals, with Annika (Year 8) (Breaststroke) and Catherine (Year 8) (Freestyle) both taking third place, and Annika also claiming third in the U14 individual medley. The U14 team of Lena (Year 7), Amelia (Year 7), Eleni (Year 7), Catherine (Year 8) and Annika (Year 8) secured an impressive third overall.
In the IAPS competition, our U10 and U11 swimmers performed brilliantly, with Freya (Year 5) qualifying for the U10 50m breaststroke at the London Aquatics Centre, where she placed tenth in the national finals, an amazing achievement!
Rowing
Equestrian
Our Equestrian team produced another year of strong performances. At the end of the season, Year 12 student Kate produced some particularly incredible results at the British Showjumping Just For Schools Summer Championships taking the top spot in the 1m individual final, delivering a flawless round on Marley’s Clover in 25.73 seconds. Her winning form continued in the 1.10m individual final, producing another flawless round in 30.09 seconds. Kate followed this up with a win in the Advanced 1/10m Individual Academy Final.
It was a busy season of racing for our rowers, where collectively the rowing club raced in more events than ever before and garnered more wins. In June, a group of five Year 10s ventured to the Welsh U19 Beach Sprint Championships in Fishguard. Despite facing tough competition and challenging conditions, our students made a strong debut. As the youngest and least experienced competitors on the sea, they showed significant improvement throughout the day. This first taste of beach sprint racing sets them up for an even more successful season next year.
Athletics
It’s been an exceptional year for athletics. Students travelled to the Eastern Area Prep Schools championships in Bedford and the GDST Athletics Rally in Nottingham, showcasing their talents against tough competition. We’re especially proud of Year 6 student Phoebe and Year 10 student Eleri for their outstanding performances. Phoebe won a silver medal in discus at the Prep Schools championships, qualifying for the national finals, and followed up with a gold in the ball throw at the GDST rally. Eleri successfully defended her discus title at the GDST rally, retaining her crown as the GDST champion.
Sports Days
Sports Awards Dinner
This year’s Sports Awards Dinner, our annual celebration of sporting achievement, took place at Carrow Road and featured special guest cricketer May Drinkell, who inspired guests with her story. Over 150 awards were presented throughout the evening, showcasing the impressive depth of talent and enthusiasm for sport at Norwich High.
This year’s Sports Days were packed with impressive performances, high participation and plenty of House spirit. Martineau House triumphed at both the Prep School and Nursery and Senior and Sixth Form Sports Days - well done! With scorching temperatures on the day of the Senior Sports Day, track events were moved to the morning to help manage the heat, but that didn’t dampen the competitive spirit. Across all age groups, students gave it their all, and several long-standing records were broken in a brilliant display of athletic talent.
CHARITIES AND PARTNERSHIPS
150 Acts of Service
To celebrate our 150th birthday, Norwich High School for Girls launched the ‘150 Acts of Service’ initiative - an ambitious project that inspired students, staff and families across both the Prep and Senior Schools to give back to the community. What began as a goal of 150 acts soon doubled, with an incredible 310 acts of service completed over the year. From fundraising and volunteering to environmental efforts and creative donations, the project reflected the school’s strong spirit of compassion and community.
Prep School win Young Fundraisers Award
Our Prep School and Nursery won Norfolk and Norwich Hospital Charity’s ‘Young Fundraisers Award’ 2024, recognising their tireless efforts to raise money for Jenny Lind’s Children’s Hospital over the previous year. Together, pupils had raised an impressive £1,837.68 for the charity during the 2023/24 academic year.
Partnerships with Primary Schools
Our Sixth Form students partnered with local primary schools throughout the year, including leading playground games at lunchtimes. One of the most impactful projects was our music partnership programme with The Clare School, a specialist school for children with complex physical and learning needs. A group of Year 12 musicians led musical activities and performed alongside pupils at the school, giving many of the young participants their first experience of making music with others.
£4,777.91
15 raised this year for different charities
Active Travel
We were honoured to receive a £5,000 Active Travel grant from Norfolk County Council, selected among local schools for our commitment to safe and sustainable travel. This funding enables us to actively assess, monitor and strengthen our travel initiatives, benefitting our students, staff, parents and the wider community. As well as raising awareness for road safety and good travel habits, we also ran an exciting road safety poster competition for local schools, with winning entrants being awarded a bike voucher.
GoGoDiscover
We were excited to be part of Break Charity’s GoGoSafari trail, raising money for young people on the edge of care, in care and leaving care across East Anglia.
Our special hand decorated giraffe, Yallop, was part of a herd of 65 Mini G’s crafted by schools and community groups.
Financial Empowerment Evening
In January, we were joined by Aviva, Succession Wealth, RBC Brewin Dolphin and The Financial Wellbeing Academy for our inaugural Financial Empowerment event for parents. The evening began with a panel discussion demystifying key aspects of personal finance, followed by expert-led workshops on Financial Education in the Curriculum, Demystifying Pensions and Planning for the Unexpected and Longer Term.
NARS - Prep School Charity
This year’s Prep School charity was Norfolk Accident Rescue Service (NARS), who are a team of dedicated volunteer clinicians providing life-saving emergency care across Norfolk. Jamie and Chris from the team visited the Prep School for an assembly in March to share more about their vital work.
Nelson’s Journey School Friend
We were honoured to become a Nelson’s Journey ‘School Friend’, recognising our commitment to creating a safe space for children to talk about bereavement and grief and having staff attend professional training on bereavement.
Salvation Army Christmas Present Appeal
This year our Prep School once again took part in the Salvation Army’s annual Christmas Present appeal, helping to spread the joy of Christmas to families whose children would otherwise not receive a gift. We were blown away by the generosity of our families who donated so many amazing toys.
Chiswick House Care Home
Our Performing Arts departments continued to work with local care homes this year, including a Year 7 production of Snow White, performed to residents of Chiswick House Care Home in the autumn term. Two of our Sixth Form students, Alex and Rose, volunteered weekly at Chiswick House Care Home, playing games and reading with residents. Once a term they also performed a concert for residents.
An Evening in Never Never Land
In October, over 40 students from Years 7-13 took to the stage for ‘An Evening in Never Never Land’, organised by Bella in Year 12 to raise money for Great Ormond Street Hospital Charity. Students performed a variety of songs from beloved children’s films and musicals and also ran a raffle to raise more money during the evening. The night raised over £1,200, an amazing contribution to the important work of Great Ormond Street Hospital Charity.
BEYOND THE CLASSROOM
Reception: ‘People Who Help Us’
Our Reception class had a fantastic time exploring their ‘People Who Help Us’ topic, learning all about the different people who play such an important role in our society. They were fortunate to have lots of visiting speakers come to the classroom, including parents who shared their professions with the class. One of the highlights had to be a trip to Carrow Fire Station to learn all about fire safety and get a close up look at the fire engines and even have a go with the powerful water hose!
House Days
Senior School and Sixth Form students unleashed their creativity and teamwork skills across themed House Days throughout the year. In December, each House took to the stage in Eaton Grove Hall to perform a different classic Christmas tune with a unique Norwich High twist, featuring an impressive range of dance moves and costumes and a few special teacher cameos. At the end of Summer Term, our game-themed House Afternoon saw the four Houses battling it out in a variety of challenges before unveiling their homemade mascot outfits and theme songs to the school.
Beyond
In September 2024, we launched our new ‘Beyond’ enrichment programme, pioneered by our Director of Co-Curricular, Mrs Marie Hood. Students took part in weekly timetabled Beyond lessons, designed to broaden their learning beyond the classroom and enrich their experiences beyond the curriculum. This year, the programme was based on three main strands: Academic Enrichment, Personal Development and Life Skills and Health and Wellbeing. Activities undertaken included first aid, cookery, financial awareness, forest school sessions and public speaking.
Diversity and Inclusion
We continue to work hard to celebrate diversity and inclusion across the school to make sure that every student knows they are accepted and valued. As well as our record breaking Undivided Survey results this year, highlights have included our annual Holi colour throw and the unveiling of our whole school inclusion poem on the stairwell in Eaton Grove. In February, Languages and Cultures Week was a brilliant way to celebrate student individuality and cultural diversity, with a non uniform day and international food market on the Friday to mark Culture Day.
Big Skies Week
Our annual Big Skies Week was a resounding success and featured a plethora of enriching trips, activities and opportunities that go beyond the regular curriculum. As well as excursions across Norfolk, highlights from this year included the Year 12 residential to Amsterdam, Year 7 residential to London and the annual Year 8 trip to Normandy. Year 10 also enjoyed an in-school ‘Beyond’ day, which featured CPR training, self defence skills and outdoor learning.
Careers Workshops
Our Careers programme provides students with numerous opportunities to explore different pathways and careers and we were delighted to welcome a whole host of guest speakers throughout the year to share their experiences with our students in the Senior School and Sixth Form. We are particularly grateful to RWE and the East of England Energy Group for their continued input this year, highlighting careers in engineering and STEM. Year 9 enjoyed a Skills for Energy Workshop with them in March, which gave them hands-on experience with key roles in the energy and renewables sector.
154 awards actively underway
100 enrolments onto awards this year
1027 volunteering in the community HOURS
Year 6 Ski Trip
In March, 16 pupils from Year 6 joined with pupils from three other GDST schools for an unforgettable ski trip to Aprica, Italy. The girls made the most of every moment, with some of them even venturing to the highest point, Colle Passo, at an impressive 2,300 metres.
£6,571 with a societal value of 44 completed awards celebrated at our presentation evening
Bramley Lakes
As is traditional at the beginning of the school year, Year 7 headed to Bramley Lakes for a day of outdoor activities and team building exercises. They tackled challenges like high ropes, rock climbing, crate stacking, raft building and archery.
NHSA
We are so grateful to our amazing parent association, the NHSA, for all they contribute to school life throughout the year. As well as fundraising and supporting initiatives throughout the school, they organise fantastic events for our school community.
In December, the NHSA Ye Olde Christmas Shoppe brought festive joy to the Prep School, as pupils thoughtfully chose and wrapped gifts for their families. After lunch, pupils discovered that Father Christmas had made a surprise visit to the playground, joined by his elf and two very adorable miniature ponies!
In February, Prep School girls lit up the dancefloor at the NHSA’s Neon Disco, featuring colourful outfits and special UV face paint.
The highlight of the NHSA’s 2024/25 event schedule was undoubtedly the incredible Longitude Festival in July, celebrating 150 years of Norwich High with a family festival held on site. With over 700 tickets sold, it was amazing to see the school community come together for such a memorable day. The festival included a funfair, face painting, volunteer-run bar, comedy, music, photobooth and much more.
Prep School Residentials
This year, Prep School pupils threw themselves into an exciting range of residential adventures. Year 5 embraced the great outdoors at Hilltop in September, taking on thrilling challenges by day and campfire songs by night. In November, Year 4 headed to Burwell House, building confidence through orienteering and mastering everyday life skills. Year 3 enjoyed their first overnight stay at Eaton Vale in May, tackling activities like canoeing, archery and climbing. Meanwhile, Year 6 rounded things off with a brilliant trip to Northern France in May, exploring local towns, canoeing on Lake Conchil, and even visiting a snail farm!
Opportunities with the GDST
Norwich High School for Girls is proud to be part of the Girls’ Day School Trust (GDST), a unique family of 26 all girls’ schools across England and Wales. Being a part of the GDST gives our students a wealth of opportunities beyond life at Norwich High, from trips and workshops to scholarship funds and a worldwide alumnae network.
EXAM RESULTS
Results in Focus: GCSE
Our students once again achieved outstanding GCSE results, reflecting their dedication and passion for learning across a wide range of subjects.
STEM subjects shone particularly brightly, with Triple Science securing an impressive 75% at grades 9–8. Computer Science also saw excellent outcomes, with half of all grades at 9–8, while nearly half of students taking Product Design achieved top grades.
Beyond STEM, students continued to excel across the curriculum. Languages and Music bucked national trends, with 52% of French students achieving grades 9–8 and 50% of Music entries gaining a 9. Humanities subjects also thrived, with top grades awarded in Classical Civilisation (55% 9–8), History (52% 9–8) and Geography (50% 9–8). In English Language, results were particularly impressive, with 73% at grades 9–8.
This year also marked the school’s first cohort completing the Level 2 Cambridge National Certificate in Enterprise and Marketing. Taken as an additional twilight course, all ten students demonstrated tremendous commitment and achieved excellent outcomes.
Results in Focus: A Level
This year’s outstanding A Level results were a result of a culmination of two years of commitment, perseverance and ambition from our students and the unwavering support of our staff.
Creative subjects were a particular strength this year. At a time when the arts are under pressure nationally, Norwich High is proud to continue to champion creativity - and the results speak volumes. In Art, 60% of grades were awarded A*–A, with 33% at A*–A in Textiles.
These successes have opened doors to an inspiring range of future pathways. Students are taking up places on courses in Fashion, Film and Moving Image Production, Media Content and Communications, and Games Art, as well as Illustration, Product Design, Music Performance, Drama and Creative Writing. Their achievements highlight both academic excellence and a spirit of creativity, innovation and independence that will carry them into exciting futures.
Year 13 Destinations
We are thrilled that a fantastic 86% of our Class of 2025 secured their first choice destination, reflecting their hard work and determination. This includes a remarkable 50% of students heading to Russell Group universities. Furthermore, an impressive 7% of our students are going on to pursue demanding courses in medicine, veterinary science and dentistry, while 4% have successfully gained places at Oxbridge universities.
