Norwich High School for Girls
Whole School Prospectus
Welcome to Norwich High School for Girls GDST, the award-winning school in Norfolk for girls aged 3 to 18.
For 150 years, Norwich High has pioneered girls’ education and, as the only all-girls school in the region, we are passionate about putting girls first.
We provide the ideal environment for every student to make the most of her education, achieving outstanding exam results while developing confidence and resilience.
We empower every girl to take risks, be creative and succeed on her chosen path, so our students grow into ambitious, passionate and unapologetic young women, ready to shape their futures.
is our way of celebrating the bold, curious and confident young women who make our school what it is.
We believe our role as a school is to provide the best possible environment for girls to be themselvesand that their successes are testament to what happens when they have a place of their own in which to thrive.
When they are supported by each other, celebrated by each other, pushed forward by each other. Where they can speak up without fear of judgement, play without fear of ridicule, learn without limits.
When you visit us we are sure you’ll feel the difference it makes to be in a place for girls, of girls, and
The GDST Family
With a network of 26 schools, the Girls’ Day School Trust is the leader in girls’ education. Our schools are centres of excellence, staffed by experts who understand how girls learn best.
The GDST difference is highlighted in our groundbreaking Girls’ Futures Report, based on a survey of 5,000 girls across both GDST and non-GDST schools, highlighting the transformational impact of a GDST education.
Through our family of schools, girls have access to a network of 100,000 alumnae, as well as one-of-a-kind events and experiences, including mathematics events at the University of Oxford, drama at Shakespeare’s Globe and sport with elite level athletes. GDST students are eligible to apply for a range of prizes and scholarships covering everything from poetry and writing to gap year travel.
Why choose a girls only education?
The Prep School Effect
The foundations for a bright future are built in the first years of education. From her very first day at Norwich High Prep School, your daughter will be empowered, encouraged and challenged to learn without limits.
Confidence
Our aim is to instill confidence in our girls which lasts through school and through life. Our outcomes speak for themselves:
• GDST Prep School girls are significantly more confident than their non-GDST peers.
• GDST girls at age nine are over 20% more likely to feel confident taking risks than their counterparts.
• Resilience levels are also self-reported as higher in GDST Prep School students than the national sample surveyed.
Senior School and Beyond
Choices
Ensuring all options, roles and subjects are available to our students is a given at a GDST Prep School. Thanks to this, our research found:
• Only 6% of GDST girls aged nine say they avoid some activities because of their gender, compared to 37% of girls in the national sample.
• At the age of nine, 79% of GDST students feel confident about their ability to overcome problems, compared to 58% of the national sample of girls.
Curriculum
A bespoke and girl-centred curriculum really matters in the Prep School years.
GDST Prep School pupils, more so than their nonGDST peers, are more likely to feel what they’re taught at school prepares them to:
• Communicate well with others
• Understand people who are different to them
• Understand what is happening in the world
• Make a difference in the world
• Be creative
• Manage money
Girls only secondary schools and sixth forms were originally established to equalise educational opportunities at a time when education was designed for and dominated by men. In a more equal world, we still need single-sex schools because, while society and co-educational schools are more gender-blind, they are still far from gender equal.
There is strong evidence that girls-only education leads to higher academic achievement, greater diversity of subject choice, stronger self-confidence and resilience and enhanced career progression.
In mixed-sex schools, girls often adopt roles that reflect others’ views of them and which tend to narrow their academic and non-academic choices.
Compared to their peers in non-GDST (and mainly mixed-sex) schools, GDST girls report that they feel more confident, less restricted by gender stereotypes, happy to take on leadership positions and more comfortable taking risks.
Early Years
For girls aged 3-5
At our Early Years Hub, creativity, curiosity and discovery shape every girl’s experience, ensuring she feels valued, supported and encouraged as she begins exploring the world.
Spaces Made for Girls
At Norwich High School for Girls, the Early Years Hub in our Prep School building, Stafford House, is designed with young learners in mind, offering:
• Light and airy indoor spaces for role play, small-world activities and creative expression.
• Dynamic outdoor areas with mud kitchens, playhouses and a tarmac track for bikes and scooters.
• Imaginative play opportunities, from creating magic potions to building castles.
• Specialist teaching spaces for music, art, STEM and cooking.
Whole School Environment
Our youngest learners are fully integrated into whole-school life, making the most of facilities such as the swimming pool, Forest School area and the library.
Set on a large woodland site, girls aged 3-18 thrive together, with younger pupils taking part in whole-school events such as House competitions and the Winter Arts Festival.
Older students, including House Captains, Year 6 play pals and Year 8 swim leaders, offer valuable leadership and support, enriching the Early Years experience and helping to foster a strong sense of community from the very beginning.
Starting their Learning Journey
Using the Early Years Framework as a foundation, our experienced team creates a child-centred, stimulating curriculum that balances exploration with guided learning.
By the end of Reception, most girls have a confident grasp of early reading, writing and mathematical skills, ensuring a smooth transition into Year 1.
Highlights include:
• A strong focus on phonics, early numeracy and independent writing skills.
• Weekly specialist sessions in swimming, dance, French, music and Forest Schools.
• Activities that encourage problemsolving, collaboration and creativity.
Pastoral Care and Wellbeing
Starting school is a big step, and we ensure it is a positive experience for every girl.
Our warm and nurturing environment is a real home-from-home and supports personal, social and emotional development, helping each child to build confidence and express herself, develop resilience and independence and to feel secure and valued. The Early Years Hub is a small, safe space, allowing us to really take the time to get to know your daughter and what makes her tick.
We value close partnerships with parents, offering regular communication through:
• Secure online journals to share daily experiences.
• Informal chats during drop-off and pick-up times.
• Planners and email access for additional updates.
Beyond the Classroom
Nursery and Reception girls participate in a variety of lunchtime clubs, including art, yoga and photography, with additional activities available after school, such as ballet, gymnastics and Rainbows.
There are also opportunities to explore beyond the classroom, with trips to exciting local destinations, including the zoo, the beach and various museums and galleries.
Joining Early Years
Your daughter can join the Nursery after her third birthday and progress seamlessly into Reception.
Our Little Caterpillars Stay and Play group for children aged 2-4 is a great way to explore our Early Years spaces and help girls transition into Nursery or Reception.
Wraparound care is available from 7:30am until 6:00pm each day to provide peace of mind for working parents and there is no need to book in advance.
Admissions are open all year-round, and we invite you to visit us to experience the Early Years Hub first-hand.
Your daughter will be invited to a play session as part of the admissions process, allowing her to explore the environment while we get to know her.
To learn more, contact our Registrar:
Prep School
For girls aged 5-11
Our Prep School is a warm and nurturing environment where girls thrive from their earliest years through to the transition into Senior School. Every girl is valued, challenged and encouraged to explore her full potential in our close-knit community.
A School Designed for Girls
Stafford House is the home of our Prep School, from Nursery through to Year 6. Here, girls enjoy a dedicated, vibrant space designed to inspire curiosity and creativity.
Light, airy classrooms with plenty of collaborative spaces are complemented by specialist facilities including a spacious Art Studio, dynamic STEM Lab and a fully equipped Food Technology Room.
Prep pupils are very much part of the wider Norwich High community. They benefit from the use of our full 14-acre site, shared with our Senior and Sixth Form students.
This includes access to exceptional sports facilities, such as our on-site swimming pool and Sports Hall. Our Prep School also includes a woodland playground and polytunnel, creating endless opportunities for exploration and imagination.
At its heart, Norwich High Prep School is designed to bring out the best in every girl.
Our forward-thinking curriculum nurtures essential skills and character, equipping girls to meet the future with confidence.
In our classrooms, mistakes are celebrated as opportunities to learn, resilience is built through challenge, and independence flourishes. Learning is easy without distractions and the deliberate collaborative atmosphere in classrooms suits the learning style of our girls.
In an environment designed for girls, our pupils thrive as learners and grow in confidence. Without the pressure to grow up quickly, they have the freedom to be themselves and are valued as individuals.
“The school helped us to understand more about how girls learn differently to boys and we were really impressed by how much value the school places on providing a nurturing and supportive environment which allows girls to truly be themselves.”
- Prep School Parent
Academic Foundations
Our Prep School offers a dynamic curriculum that balances breadth and depth, ensuring each student excels in some areas while developing resilience in others. Strong core skills in English and Maths are reinforced through engaging, hands-on activities. Specialist teaching enhances learning across subjects like French, music and art, while the bespoke Global Perspectives curriculum integrates geography, history and RE.
Technology plays a key role, with each student receiving an iPad from Year 1 to develop digital literacy. The school’s innovative STEM curriculum encourages problem-solving and engineering skills through practical challenges.
As classroom behaviour is so good, teachers can be adventurous and creative in the lessons they plan and this makes learning fun and memorable for pupils. When surveyed, 96% of pupils found learning at the school engaging and enjoyable.
Pastoral Care and Wellbeing
Pastoral care is at the heart of everything we do. Our approach prioritises the girls’ wellbeing, from fostering strong moral values to providing a listening ear for everyday concerns.
We use our mental health backpack to help the girls monitor and understand their wellbeing and emotions. Explicitly teaching tools such as positive self talk and the worry-filter has made talking about mental health normal.
Dedicated staff offer continuous support, greeting students each morning, maintaining open communication with parents and providing tailored guidance when needed. Our goal is to help every girl thrive.
Core to our pastoral programme is our Compass Approach, which consists of four strands that underpin all we do as a school community:
• Building Community
• Nurturing Confidence
• Embracing Challenge
• Inspiring Change
These strands guide our school culture, reinforcing key values through assemblies, form times and learning.
Beyond the Classroom
Norwich High Prep School offers a vibrant clubs and activities programme, with options ranging from music and sports to photography and street dance, as well as Rainbows and Brownies.
Exciting day trips, as well as residential visits in Years 3-6, inspire learning, build confidence and strengthen friendships. Events such as whole school House Days and the annual Winter Arts Festival foster community and team work across year groups.
As part of the Girls’ Day School Trust (GDST), pupils connect with peers nationwide through special events, competitions and trips to prestigious institutions like Oxford University and the Globe Theatre. We also join with three of our sister schools for an annual ski trip in Upper Prep.
Community engagement is central to school life, with pupils actively participating in charity initiatives and social responsibility projects.
Keeping Active
Sport is an integral part of the curriculum and the girls develop their skills in hockey, netball and cricket. From football to cheerleading, there are plenty of sporting clubs as well as numerous fixtures and tournaments throughout the year. With a full size swimming pool on site, the girls enjoy weekly lessons throughout the year as well as clubs and galas.
Outdoor learning is very important in all age groups and classes can often be found outside involved in practical tasks; whether planting and growing their own fruits and vegetables in the polytunnel or making rope swings in a Forest Schools session.
Nurturing Creativity
At Norwich High Prep School, we value creativity as a vital part of every child’s development. Through regular opportunities in art, music and drama, our girls are encouraged to express themselves, explore new ideas and grow in confidence, all within a supportive and inspiring environment.
All girls have the chance to take part in performances throughout the year — from class assemblies and drama productions to musical events like our Coffee Concerts, the Prep School Summer Concert and the Carol Concert at Christ Church Norwich.
Our annual Winter Arts Festival offers an exciting extension of our creative curriculum. This week-long celebration includes a wide variety of activities and has recently featured special guests ranging from skateboarders and beatboxers to ceramic artists and dancers, all sharing their creative passions.
Joining our Prep School
Girls can join Norwich High Prep School at any time during the year. Our pupils are experienced in integrating newcomers, ensuring a smooth transition.
The best way to find out more is to book a tour to see our Prep School for yourself. All prospective parents will meet with Mrs Roberts, Head of the Prep School and Nursery as part of their tour.
Prospective pupils are invited to spend a day with their future class, helping us assess their academic potential, enthusiasm for learning and overall fit at Norwich High in a relaxed setting.
Progression to the Senior School is automatic, with entrance assessments only required for scholarship or bursary applications.
To learn more, contact our Registrar: Miss Ali Ready 01603 453 265 / admissions@nor.gdst.net
Senior School
For girls aged 11-16
Our Senior School exists to rebalance the odds in your daughter’s favour, creating an environment where girls are free to be themselves and can learn without limits.
A Future Ready Education
Our Senior School is based out of Eaton Grove, a beautiful regency building surrounded by our expansive 14 acre green site.
At Norwich High School for Girls, it is our mission to create an environment as free from challenges to the development of self-confidence as possible. In co-educational settings, girls can sometimes feel pressures that impact their confidence and curiosity. We foster a culture where they can develop the self-belief and resilience to succeed in higher education, their careers and beyond. We pride ourselves on being an inclusive and warm community, with 97% of students reporting feeling that their culture, faith and background are respected in a recent survey.
We are large enough to offer a wealth of opportunities, yet small enough to ensure every girl receives the attention and support she needs. Whether her interests lie in computing, engineering and the sciences or the arts, languages and humanities, she will have the freedom and encouragement to explore them.
“I love how Norwich High and the GDST empower their students, thereby creating fearless young women who are not afraid to tackle any subject, especially those that are often male dominated or considered to be.”
- Senior School Parent
Academic Excellence
We go beyond academic success, embedding creativity, problem-solving and real-world skills into our curriculum. Girls are encouraged to think independently, with iPads or Chromebooks provided to support personalised and innovative learning.
Our ‘ACTIVE’ ethos celebrates the process of learning as well as the outcome, rewarding attitude to learning to help students develop the transferable skills necessary for future success. Students are encouraged to be Adaptable, Community Minded, Technologically Mature, Independent, Visionary and Eager to Learn.
Opportunities Beyond the Classroom
Exceptional Pastoral Support
Our outstanding pastoral programme supports students’ academic achievements and actively promotes happy, well-balanced, aspirational individuals who show compassion and have an inner resilience.
Led by a dedicated team, including pastoral leaders, a School Nurse and Counsellor, support is further strengthened by peer mentoring through the “Big Sister” programme.
Students benefit from dedicated wellbeing spaces, including Common Rooms and the Wellbeing Lodge. Student voice is actively encouraged through groups like School Council and Changemakers.
Our pastoral programme is built around three key themes:
• Know Yourself – Helping girls understand and embrace who they are.
• Look After Yourself – Equipping them with tools for mental and physical wellbeing.
• Make It Happen – Building confidence to pursue their ambitions.
Our pioneering ‘Beyond’ programme aims to prepare students for life beyond Norwich High by broadening learning beyond the classroom and enriching experiences beyond the curriculum. Students take part in weekly timetabled Beyond lessons which include themes of personal development, careers education, life skills, mental health and wellbeing, collaboration and leadership and outdoor learning.
Field trips and overseas visits enhance learning, with recent trips including Iceland, Barcelona and Geneva.
On-site, our Dingly Dell outdoor learning space, complete with allotments, a heritage orchard and a wildlife pond, brings hands-on experiences to life.
The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award programme is hugely popular, with many students achieving Gold. Leadership and outreach opportunities, such as mentoring younger students and engaging in community projects, foster social responsibility and personal development.
Creative Arts
At Norwich High, our provision in music, drama and art is broad, inclusive and designed to inspire creativity and confidence.
Music spans a wide range of genresfrom classical and pop to musical theatre and film. Students compose, perform and analyse music, supported by regular concerts, workshops and masterclasses. Highlights include the Carol Service at Norwich Cathedral, the Choral Concert at the Cathedral of St John the Baptist, and European tours to cities such as Prague, Barcelona and Salzburg.
Drama helps students build performance skills, confidence and teamwork. A variety of drama and dance clubs offer creative outlets beyond lessons and there are also
opportunities to take part in numerous productions, from year-group plays to largescale events like the Senior Musical and the Showstopper variety show, both on stage and behind the scenes.
Art and Design is taught in spacious, wellequipped studios in Eaton Grove and the Sixth Form Centre. All girls study the subject in their first three years, with many continuing at GCSE and A Level, where the department achieves outstanding results. Enrichment includes visits to the V&A, Tate Modern and international trips to places like Amsterdam and the USA. Students also take part in creative workshops and can showcase their work in events such as the popular end-ofyear Fashion Show.
Sport
Our dedicated and highly experienced PE staff, alongside specialist coaches, work closely with our students to help them achieve their full athletic potential.
In the Senior School, core sports such as hockey, netball and cricket are delivered during dedicated Games afternoons, while a range of additional activities, such as swimming, dance, trampolining and tennis, are offered during PE lessons. From Year 9 onwards, students also have the opportunity to participate in water-based sports including rowing and kayaking.
Exceptional athletes may be invited to join our Elite Athlete Programme, which supports students in balancing academic and sporting commitments. The programme includes a mentoring scheme, as well as access to expert-led workshops covering topics such as nutrition, sports psychology and physiotherapy.
Joining our Senior School
Our whole school Saturday Open Morning, held each autumn, is the perfect opportunity for families to explore Norwich High School, meet our inspiring teachers and hear from current students about life at our school.
For entry the following September, we encourage early applications, with a deadline of 31st December if you are not applying for a bursary or scholarship. Prospective students will then be invited to an Assessment Morning in January, with offers being made by the Spring half term.
To gain a real insight into life at Norwich High, we also offer taster events in November, where girls can experience lessons, meet their future classmates and immerse themselves in school life.
For more information, contact our Registrar, Miss Ali Ready: 01603 453 265 / admissions@nor.gdst.net
You can also see upcoming Open Events on our website: www.norwichhigh.gdst.net/open-events
Sixth Form
For girls aged 16-18
Our Sixth Form prepares students for real-world success. With all leadership roles held by girls, you can gain invaluable opportunities to lead, grow and make a lasting impact.
A Bespoke Sixth Form Experience
At Norwich High Sixth Form, students benefit from our outstanding Sixth Form facilities. Our modern Sixth Form Centre is at the heart of student life, offering a welcoming and dynamic space that includes a dedicated café, study areas, common rooms and classrooms. These purpose-built facilities create a pre-university atmosphere, helping students transition seamlessly to higher education and beyond.
As part of the Girls’ Day School Trust (GDST), students have access to an extensive alumnae network of over 100,000 women across the country, providing unique mentoring and collaboration opportunities. The GDST also offer a range of scholarships and awards available exclusively to GDST Sixth Formers, including poetry, creative writing, public speaking, travel, classics and more.
Academic Excellence
Our Sixth Form supports students to recognise and define their own pathway and help them to get to where they want to be.
Deliberately small class sizes allow students to be truly known and supported through their studies.
The result of this bespoke environment is that our students consistently achieve excellent examination results.
Our overall learning approach is shaped by Velocity, our Sixth Form mindset and toolkit, designed to help students grow into capable, purposeful young adults. It promotes values such as vision, effort, leadership and organisation, while fostering integrity, resilience and personal agency. Through Velocity, students develop the techniques and mindset needed to thrive academically and make a meaningful impact in school and the wider community.
Choosing your A Levels
A typical Norwich High School Sixth Former takes three A Levels and an EPQ. However, each student is unique, with timetables which are carefully crafted to suit their individual needs.
A Level Subjects
Find out more about our A Level subject options by scanning the QR code
Community and Pastoral Support
At Norwich High Sixth Form there is a strong emphasis on wellbeing and the experienced Sixth Form team – tutors, Heads of Year and pastoral mentors - ably support the community and individuals. The School Nurse and Counsellor are on hand to help with more sensitive pastoral issues or concerns.
Our bespoke Sixth Form Centre provides plenty of social spaces where students can relax with friends, but Sixth Formers also have access to the rest of our 14 acre school site, including outdoor spaces like Dingly Dell and the fitness suite. Fun events, such as our annual sleepover, the ‘Big Night In’, bring the community together. Our Sixth Form dog, Ivy, is a regular visitor and very popular with our Sixth Formers!
Beyond the Classroom
Sixth Form at Norwich High offers a rich array of opportunities beyond the classroom, designed to develop leadership, empathy and real-world skills.
Students are encouraged to take on leadership roles, run clubs and bring their own ideas to life. They can explore different career paths through programmes like SIX+ lectures and lunchtime talks, which feature expert speakers from various fields, from science to international relations. GDST LEAD (Leadership Enterprise Advanced Diploma) is a competitive enterprise diploma that helps young women develop leadership and entrepreneurial skills. Additionally, our Beyond programme offers a bespoke curriculum designed to challenge students to work in groups and try new things.
We also offer an exciting choice of trips throughout the year, with recent trip locations including Iceland, USA and Amsterdam.
Leadership Opportunities
There are so many opportunities to step into leadership roles, from our Head Girls team to Captains, Big Sisters and leading clubs and productions.
Sport
Sport is an integral part of Sixth Form life, with all students taking part in a double Games lesson each Tuesday. They can choose between competitive sport, representing the school in hockey, netball, cricket or rowing, or a recreational pathway including options like yoga, badminton, swimming and fitness.
Beyond timetabled sport, students can join swim squad training with our partners Norwich Swan Swimming Club, compete in equestrian events, or gain qualifications such as the National Pool Lifeguard or Tennis Leaders Award. Leadership is encouraged, with roles like House Captain and volunteering in clubs or Prep PE lessons.
Students compete in local, regional and GDST-wide events, and elite athletes may be selected for the GDST Select teams — representing the very best across all 26 GDST schools.
Performing Arts
Performing Arts at Norwich High Sixth Form offers a wealth of opportunities for students to express their creativity, build confidence and develop their talents. Whether on stage or behind the scenes, students can get involved in drama productions, concerts and musical ensembles. Sixth Formers often take leading roles in school performances or direct their own productions, collaborating with younger students. Highlights include our Senior Musical, Choral Concert and ‘Showstopper’ variety show.
Joining our Sixth Form
Our Saturday Open Morning, held each autumn, is a great first introduction to the whole school.
You can explore the Sixth Form and our Sixth Form curriculum in more depth at our annual Sixth Form Open Evening in October. This gives students the opportunity to tour the Sixth Form Centre, meet with subject teachers and students to find out about A Level study.
For entry the following September, we encourage early applications, with an initial deadline of 31st December for those not applying for a bursary or scholarship. Applications made after this deadline are subject to the availability of places.
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. Applicants are invited for an interview, typically in the Autumn term, and offers are conditional on GCSE results.
For more information, contact our Registrar, Miss Ali Ready: 01603 453 265 / admissions@nor.gdst.net
You can also see upcoming Open Events on our website: www.norwichhigh.gdst.net/open-events
Join our School
Places at Norwich High School for Girls are awarded throughout the school on merit and potential. Assessments are made with every effort to put the girls at ease so they can relax, perform well and enjoy the experience.
Where applications are made after the closing date, and vacancies exist, girls are assessed on an individual basis.
If you have any questions about the admissions process, our Admissions Registrar, Miss Ali Ready, will be happy to help you. You can contact her by email at admissions@nor.gdst.net or by phone: 01603 453 265
Our website is the best place to find up-to-date information about the school: www.norwichhigh.gdst.net
Admissions Guide
Our Admissions Guide has all the information you need to know about joining Norwich High School for Girls, including application deadlines, fees and information about bursaries and scholarships.
Scan the QR code or visit the Publications page of our website to access our Admissions Guide.
Fees
The best value private school in Norfolk: Our fee to grade ratio was rated as ‘Very Good’, with the highest overall grading in the region at Year 13 in the Telegraph Money’s ‘Value for Money’ League Table in July 2025. You can see our most up-to-date fees via our website by scanning the QR code.
Admissions FAQs
Our Admissions FAQs page on our website has lots of commonly asked questions about the admissions process.
Scholarships and Bursaries
We offer scholarships at Year 7, 9 and 12, and meanstested bursaries at Year 7 and 12. Find out more on our website.
Start your application journey
Scan the QR code or visit the Register and Apply page on our website to create a parent account and submit an enquiry to Norwich High School for Girls.
The Admissions Process
1. Register your interest
Create an online enquiry via our website, which involves setting up a parent account and only takes a few minutes.
2. Visit us
Once you have registered your interest, we will get in touch to arrange a suitable opportunity for a bespoke tour. You can also choose to visit us at one of our Open Events, hosted throughout the year.
3. Application
Applying to join is very straightforward. Simply log into your parent account and follow the steps to apply electronically.
4. Taster event
Taster events can be arranged for any age group to enable girls to get a very real ‘feel’ for our school.
5. Assessment
Your daughter will be invited to attend an assessment, which differs depending on which age group they are.
6. Welcome to Norwich High School for Girls
Successful applicants will be informed of an offer of a place.
