Norwich School facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Norwich School |
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70 The Close
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England
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| Coordinates | 52°37′54″N 1°17′57″E / 52.6318°N 1.2993°E |
| Information | |
| Type | Private day school Public school |
| Motto | Praemia Virtutis Honores (Honours are the rewards of virtue) |
| Religious affiliation(s) | Church of England |
| Established | 1096 1547 (Refoundation) |
| Founders | |
| Department for Education URN | 121242 Tables |
| Chairman of the governors | P. J. E. Smith |
| Head master | Steffan Griffiths |
| Staff | 140 (full-time) |
| Gender | Co-educational |
| Age | 4 to 18 |
| Enrolment | 1,069 |
| Houses | Brooke, Coke, Seagrim, Nelson, Parker, Repton, School, Valpy |
| Colour(s) | Royal blue and burgundy |
| Publication | The Norvicensian Old Norvicensian The Longbow |
| Former pupils | Old Norvicensians |
| Affiliations | Worshipful Company of Dyers HMC, CSA, IAPS |
Norwich School is a private day school located near Norwich Cathedral in Norwich, England. It's one of the oldest schools in the United Kingdom, with a history that goes back to 1096. It was first set up as a grammar school by Herbert de Losinga, who was the first Bishop of Norwich.
In the 1500s, the school became part of the city of Norwich. It moved to its current spot next to the cathedral in 1551. For most of its history, Norwich School was only for boys. But in 1994, girls were allowed to join the older classes (sixth form). By 2010, girls could join all age groups.
Today, the school has about 1,020 students. It's split into the Senior School (ages 11-18) and the Lower School (ages 4-11). The school works closely with Norwich Cathedral. Students attend morning assemblies there, and the cathedral's choir members also study at the school. Norwich School is known for its strong academic results and is often ranked as a top school in the region.
Many famous people have studied here, including Lord Nelson and Sir Edward Coke. Artists from the famous Norwich School of painters also attended or taught here. The school is a founding member of the Headmasters' and Headmistresses' Conference (HMC).
Contents
School History: A Journey Through Time
How Norwich School Began
Norwich School started way back in 1096. It was founded by Herbert de Losinga, the first Bishop of Norwich. This makes it one of the oldest schools still running in the UK! The school was first located near Norwich Cathedral and the River Wensum. For a long time, the bishop chose the headteacher.
In 1538, the school became independent from the cathedral. It was then managed by the city of Norwich. This happened after the city asked King Henry VIII for Blackfriars' Hall. This building used to be a monastery. The city promised to use it to create a "free school" for young people. The school moved into Blackfriars' Hall in 1541.
The School's New Start in the 1500s
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Norwich School was officially restarted by King Edward VI in 1547. This was done through a special document called a royal charter. The school then moved to its current location next to the cathedral in 1551. The main schoolroom was in an old chapel. Other buildings were used for a library and places for students to live. This setup continued for many years. Today, that old chapel is still used by the school.
The headteacher and a deputy were chosen by the city. They had to be good at Latin and Greek. The headteacher also had to be a university graduate. In 1566, the school planned to teach 90 sons of Norwich citizens for free. They also allowed up to ten students who paid fees.
The goal of the education was to help students learn to write well, make poetry, and understand Greek. They also learned about public speaking and good manners. Edward Coke, a famous judge, studied here from 1560 to 1567. He learned to value "freedom of speech" during his time at the school.
It was a tradition for the head boy to give a speech in Latin to the mayor of Norwich. This happened during the annual Guild Day parade. When Queen Elizabeth I visited Norwich in 1578, the headteacher gave a speech that she loved.
Changes in the 1700s and 1800s
The way students were taught stayed mostly the same until the late 1700s. Samuel Parr, who was headteacher from 1778 to 1785, was known for being very strict.
In the early 1800s, John Crome, a famous landscape painter, became a drawing teacher at the school. He was the founder of the Norwich School of painters. Many other artists from this movement also studied at Norwich School.
The number of students changed a lot in the 1800s. It went from over 100 students down to just 8 in 1811! Under the headteacher Edward Valpy (1810–1829), student numbers grew again. In 1837, the school became independent from the city. It got its own money and a group of governors to run it. This meant the school could charge fees.
By the mid-1800s, the school focused mainly on classical subjects like Latin and Greek. This didn't suit everyone. But under Augustus Jessopp, headteacher from 1859 to 1879, the school changed a lot. He added new subjects like maths, drawing, German, and French. The school also started to focus more on sports and encouraged leadership among students.
In 1869, Norwich School was one of the first 13 schools to join the Headmasters' and Headmistresses' Conference. This is a group for headteachers of leading independent schools.
Norwich School in the 1900s and Today
New buildings were added in 1908. During the Second World War, some school buildings were damaged. The Bishop's Palace was even used by the American Red Cross. Sadly, 102 students from the school died in the two world wars.
After the war, the school got help to rebuild. The Worshipful Company of Dyers, a historic London company, became a big supporter. In 1946, the Lower School was created for younger students. In the 1950s, the school became even closer with Norwich Cathedral.
Boarding (students living at school) stopped in 1989. The buildings used for boarding were turned into classrooms. In 1994, girls were allowed into the sixth form for the first time. This ended almost 900 years of only boys attending the school. In 2008, girls were allowed to join all age groups.
New science labs opened in 2008. The school also added an eighth house, called Seagrim, in 2009. In 2011, the school chose its first female head of school. The Lower School was expanded in 2018, allowing children to start at age 4. The school is still growing and planning new buildings.
School Location and Buildings
Norwich School is mostly located inside the large area around Norwich Cathedral, called "the Close." Many of its buildings are very old and important. The Lower School is in a different part of the Close, near the River Wensum.
The School Chapel: A Historic Place
The school chapel is next to the cathedral. It was built in 1316 as a special chapel and college. It was also used as a charnel house, a place to store bones from old burials. The chapel was the main classroom until the 1800s. In 1908, it went back to being used for religious gatherings.
The chapel is made of stone with a tiled roof. Its windows used to show the names of people who helped renovate it. Today, some windows have stained glass with shields, including the coat of arms of the Worshipful Company of Dyers. The chapel is a very important historical building.
Famous Gates: Erpingham and St Ethelbert's
The Erpingham Gate is the main entrance to the northern part of the Close. It was built between 1416 and 1425 by Sir Thomas Erpingham, a commander in a famous battle. The gate has a statue of Erpingham and his family's coat of arms. It's a very old and important landmark.
St Ethelbert's Gate is another entrance to the Close. The room above this gate was once a chapel. It was built in 1316 by the people of Norwich as a way to make up for a riot that damaged cathedral buildings. Today, this room is used for music practice. Both gates are important historical sites.
Nelson's Statue: Honoring a Hero
The statue of Lord Nelson is near the school. Nelson was a famous naval hero and a former student of Norwich School. The statue was made in 1847. It shows Nelson in his uniform, with his empty right sleeve, because he lost his arm in battle. It was moved to its current spot next to the school in 1856.
Other Important Buildings
- School House (70 The Close) was once part of the old college. It now holds classrooms and school offices. It's a very old building with parts from the 1300s and 1400s.
- School End House (69 The Close) is a 17th-century house next to the chapel. It's now used as a staff common room and school office.
- The Music School (71 The Close) was built in the 1600s as homes for cathedral officials. It includes parts of a medieval bell tower.
- The Bishop's Palace was built by Bishop de Losinga between 1091 and 1119. It's now used for teaching maths and geography. It also has libraries and a common room for older students.
- The former private chapel of Bishop Edward Reynolds was built in 1662. It's now used as a library for the school.
How Norwich School is Organized
The school has a Lower School (ages 4-11) and a Senior School (ages 12-18). The school year has three terms: Michaelmas (autumn), Lent (spring), and Trinity (summer). There's a week-long break in the middle of each term.
Norwich School is a registered charity. It helps support schools and community centers in other countries like India, Zambia, and Argentina.
The headmaster leads the entire school. A group of governors, called the Board of Governors, oversees the school. Many important people have been chairmen of the governors, including famous business leaders and politicians. The Worshipful Company of Dyers also appoints governors because of their long history of supporting the school.
To get into Norwich School, students take tests in English, maths, and reasoning. They also have an interview. The main entry points are at ages 4, 7, 11, 13, and 16. The school offers scholarships that can reduce fees. They also have bursaries (financial aid) that can cover all school fees for some students. Cathedral choristers also receive bursaries.
Here are the latest academic results:
- A-Level (2022): 65.64% of grades were A*-A.
- GCSE (2022): 80.70% of grades were 9-7.
Life at Norwich School
Norwich Cathedral is a big part of school life. Students go there for morning assemblies and other events. The school has a Christian focus and teaches values like love and compassion.
Some people describe Norwich School as an "independent grammar" school. This is because it's a private school but also does a lot of charity work and community outreach.
What Students Learn
Younger students (up to Year 8) study a wide range of subjects, including Latin and two modern languages. As they get older, they can choose some subjects to focus on. There's also a sports program for all ages. Students learn about personal health, study skills, and even philosophy.
In Years 10 and 11, students take at least ten General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE) or IGCSE subjects. In the sixth form (older classes), students usually study three or four A-level subjects. Many also do the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ). The school offers 25 different A-level subjects. Older students also take part in community service, volunteering in local organizations.
Norwich School is one of the top-performing independent schools in the UK. Most students go on to university after leaving. Many get into top universities like those in the Russell Group.
The school also has student exchange programs with schools in France, Germany, Spain, and Liechtenstein. Students can also take part in the Duke of Edinburgh's Award and the Young Enterprise scheme.
School Houses: Building Community
The school uses a house system to help students feel part of a smaller community. When students join the Senior School, they are placed into one of eight houses. They stay in that house as they move up through the years. Each house has a housemaster and tutors who look after the students' academic progress and well-being.
In the Lower School, the houses are named after historic gates of Norwich: Conisford, Heigham, and Magdalen. In the Senior School, houses are named after famous former students, headteachers, or supporters of the school. Each house has its own color:
- Brooke: Named after Sir James Brooke, a famous explorer.
- Coke: Named after the judge Sir Edward Coke.
- Nelson: Named after Lord Nelson.
- Parker: Named after Matthew Parker, an Archbishop of Canterbury.
- Repton: Named after Humphry Repton, a landscape gardener.
- School: Named because it was originally a boarding house.
- Seagrim: Named after brothers Derek and Hugh Seagrim, who won special awards for bravery.
- Valpy: Named after Edward Valpy, a headteacher from the 1800s.
School Traditions
- Trafalgar Day: On October 21st each year, the school remembers Lord Nelson with a service in the cathedral. Wreaths are laid at his statue.
- Dyers' Concert: A concert is held each year to thank the Worshipful Company of Dyers for their support.
- House Music Competition: Houses compete in a singing and instrumental competition called ‘House Shout’.
- Cup Run: Since 1915, there has been an annual cross-country race.
- Sports Day: Held every summer term, with various sports competitions.
Fun Activities and Clubs
The school has a gym, tennis courts, and two sports fields. Boys mainly play rugby, hockey, and cricket. Girls play hockey, netball, and rounders. The school also does well in fencing, cross-country, athletics, tennis, and rowing. Other sports include swimming, sailing, football, kayaking, cycling, and martial arts.
Many students play musical instruments or sing in school orchestras, bands, and choirs. There are about 26 music groups that practice every week. The school also goes on an annual music tour to European cities.
Students put on many plays and musicals each year. The school also helps organize an annual arts festival for young people in the county.
There are many clubs and societies for students to join, like creative writing, philosophy, politics, and conservation. Some clubs, like the History, Chess, and Film clubs, have been running since after the Second World War.
The 8th Norwich Sea Scout Group is sponsored by the school. It's one of only about 100 Sea Scout groups in the UK recognized by the Royal Navy. This means they get special privileges and funding. The group also offers courses in sailing, powerboating, and other water sports.
Famous People from Norwich School
Former Students (Old Norvicensians)
Students who used to attend Norwich School are called Old Norvicensians (ONs). Many famous people have been ONs:
- Lord Nelson, a famous naval hero.
- Sir Edward Coke, a well-known judge.
- Sir James Brooke, the first Rajah of Sarawak.
- Michael Ashcroft, a businessman and politician.
- Emma Pooley, a World Time Trial Champion cyclist.
- In science, Joe Farman (who helped discover the ozone hole) and at least 18 Fellows of the Royal Society.
- Three ONs have won the Victoria Cross for bravery.
- In the arts, many artists from the Norwich School of painters, architect William Wilkins, and painter Edward Seago.
Notable Staff Members
Many important people have worked at Norwich School as headteachers or other staff:
- Vincent of Scarning, the earliest known headteacher (around 1240).
- Author Samuel Hoadly (1700–1705).
- Writer Samuel Parr (1778–1785).
- Historian Augustus Jessopp (1859–1880).
- Author Philip Stibbe (1975–1984).
- John Crome, founder of the Norwich School of painters, taught here.
Old Norvicensian Society
Former students can join the Old Norvicensian Society. This group helps former students stay in touch with each other and the school.
