Norwich School can trace its history back to the 11th century. It was refounded with a royal charter from Edward VI in 1547 and moved to the Cathedral Close near Norwich Castle in 1551.
The school offers creative opportunities in music, dance, drama, creative writing, art and design at all levels. More than 100 clubs and societies meet regularly, giving pupils the chance to pursue their interests, from producing academic journals to gardening.
The school has a formal agreement with 8th Norwich Sea Scouts, which offers about 300 young people weekly outdoor pursuits. More than 200 pupils completed the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award scheme in 2024.
The lower sixth community service programme sees pupils volunteering with 35 groups and 20 external organisations, totalling more than 2,300 hours in community placements.
There are scholarships in sport, music, performing arts, art and design, and academic subjects at 11-plus, 13-plus and 16-plus. A pot of about £1m is set aside annually for means-tested bursaries, complemented by external donations. About a quarter of applications request financial help, and awards vary from 5 to 100 per cent of fees.
Notable former pupils include the businessman Michael Ashcroft, the writer and Orwell biographer DJ Taylor, and the actress Olivia Colman.
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