As part of our support for public lectures with external cultural organisations hosted on site, the school has long enjoyed a fruitful relationship with the thriving Norfolk Cambridge Society (NCS). Their energetic organisers have the unfailing ability to attract world-class speakers to Norfolk, renowned experts in their chosen field. This, in turn, pulls in large and appreciative audiences.

The 19th lecture in the series delivered on 29 February 2024 was no exception; it had been sold out for months, requiring it to be moved from the Blake Studio to the School Refectory to cater for such a bumper audience.

The speaker was no stranger to Norfolk, having been born and educated here: illustrious Old Norvicensian Tom Little KC, Crime Silk of the year 2021, is one of the country’s leading prosecuting barristers. His razor-sharp intellect and reputation for forensic cross-examinations when prosecuting harrowing and important cases such as the murders of MPs Jo Cox and Sir David Amess, as well as the shocking murder of Sarah Everard ensured he held the rapt attention of attendees throughout the evening’s proceedings.

His lecture entitled “Criminal Justice in England – How Good Is the System?” took us on a journey covering topics such as public trust, backlogs, miscarriages of justice, appeals, underfunding and the impact of Covid. The clarity of his message as well as his deft fielding of a wide range of questions afterwards earned him the respect of the room, comprising an eclectic mix of Cambridge alumni, pupils, staff, parents, ONs, elected councillors, legal eagles and the good citizens of Norfolk.

The evening also kicked off with a presentation of the ‘NCS Essay Award’ winners. This annual competition is open to any pupil applying to the University of Cambridge. In a fiercely competitive and high-quality field, Norwich School pupil Katy Burton (1^st prize) and ON Bibi Boyce (co-runner up with an external pupil, Beowulf O’Dwyer) were presented with their award certificates by the NCS Chair.

Being back in the School Refectory evoked fond memories for Tom, as he recalled chomping down many a lunch with his school friends during the 1980s! However, he reflected it was testament to the ambition of today’s Norwich School that as well as hungry pupils, the space is also regularly packed with cultural evenings and high quality public lectures.

Tickets are now on sale for the next NCS talk. Reflecting on his years in the highest echelons of Government, Lord McDonald of Salford, former Head of the Diplomatic Service, will address the topic: Lessons from a Life in Diplomacy. He has served under seven prime ministers during a long and eminent career, including stints as a Foreign Office Advisor, work in the Cabinet Office and as an Ambassador, latterly to Germany. In September 2022 he was appointed Master of Christ’s College Cambridge. This enticing-sounding lecture will take place on 10 June at 18:30 and tickets are on sale here: Lecture: Lessons from a Life in Diplomacy – Norfolk Cambridge Society.

Other Lent Term events in the school calendar for the remainder of this busy half term can be found here: At Close Quarters - Norwich School