• Prospectus
• Low graphics
• Full graphics
• Accessibility help
• LOGIN

Senior school:

• Overview
• Departments and Curriculum
• Examinations
• Pastoral
  • Brooke
  • Coke
  • Nelson
  • Parker
  • Repton
  • School House
  • Seagrim
  • Valpy
• Extra-curricular
• Library
• The School day
• For current parents
• Parents' handbook

Coke House

Housemaster and Tutors

Coke House is named after one of Norwich School’s most illustrious and perhaps most notorious former pupils.  Sir Edward Coke (1552-1634) was born in Mileham, Norfolk and was the son of a barrister. After leaving Norwich School, Coke went to Trinity College, Cambridge and later he trained in law.  During his career, he was the zealous prosecutor of Sir Walter Raleigh and of the Gunpowder Plot conspirators.  Coke became a Member of Parliament in 1589, Speaker of the House of Commons in 1592 and was appointed England's Attorney General in 1593. Sir Francis Bacon petitioned for the removal of Coke from office whereby he was imprisoned in The Tower for 6 months.  One of Coke's greatest contributions to the law was to interpret Magna Carta.

Coke House was founded 63 years ago in 1945, at a time of earlier expansion in the School, and I like to hope and think that the modern pupil can draw inspiration from Sir Edward.  Girls were welcomed into the School in 1994; in 1995 we became the first House to have a female Head of House, and Beth Cara is remembered to this day as a great success.  Now that the School is moving towards full co-educational status we welcome new girls at L4 level and look forward to seeing them enrich and broaden our experiences as a House in future.

Each Cokesian is expected to make the very best of their individual academic, musical and sporting talents, and to use those talents both for their own improvement and for the betterment of others, including the House and School as a whole.  The House system at this School is held in high regard by all and is often remarked by ON’s as the bed rock to enjoyment and success at school.  While inter-house competition is enjoyed, co-operation is highly valued, fairness is paramount and winning a consequence of hard work.  We place a high priority on being smart, courteous and helpful to every member of school and society.  A huge number of charity fund raising events that we organise on an annual basis enable Cokesians to show case their energy and skills.  These include 4^th form discos, sponsored fun runs, our own and unique variety evening ‘The Secret Cokesian Ball’ and the now very popular ‘Jazz Nite’ to mention a few.  We encourage as much involvement by Cokesians, parents, friends and family so that everyone can see and feel the passion and zest for hard work that sets the foundation in everything we try.

My hope is whilst being a Cokesian (member of Coke House) you will leave Norwich School full of the memories that being part of an aspirational House inevitably brings and then continue to be an active ‘Old Cokesian’ once you have left.

Much of Sir Edward’s influence lives on today, notably in the balance of power between Crown and Parliament which we are fortunate to enjoy in this country; and, in some small way, this House follows his lead, with a balanced perspective, an open mind, and a determination to do what is right.

Graham Hanlon, Housemaster