A Spectacular RGS event concludes Norwich School’s public lecture programme for 2025

December 10, 2025

Since before Covid, Norwich School has been the proud host site of the illustrious Royal Geographical Society (RGS). In that time, we have hosted a range of fabulous speakers: from BAFTA Award winning naturalists to Everest summiters; from naval historians to intrepid explorers; from top brass diplomats to renowned polar scientists. Ours is one of the most active and best supported regions in their network.

 

The regional organisers were therefore extremely excited to have secured the national President of the RGS for a public lecture and social event on site. Not only that, but the speaker was also Director of the British Antarctic Survey. This was a mouthwatering opportunity that fully lived up to expectations.

 

On 10 December 2025, Professor Dame Jane Francis offered profound insights from her personal experience of leading the internationally renowned British Antarctic Survey in her RGS talk entitled ‘On Thin Ice: a Life in the Antarctic”. Professor Francis is the current Director of British Antarctic Survey and in 2017 was appointed a Dame in recognition of services to UK polar science and diplomacy. She became Chancellor of the University of Leeds in 2018 and was elected national President of the Royal Geographical Society in 2024.

 

Accompanied by a visually arresting slide deck and compelling delivery, Dame Francis spoke with passion about what she sees happening with her own eyes to this remote and fragile continent, effects with potentially devastating consequences for all human activity on our planet.

 

A packed audience of Fellows of the RGS, friends of the school, pupils, parents, staff and alumni filled the festively decorated school refectory for the talk and for the post-lecture Q&A, during which Norwich School A Level geographer Lea Zegan (L6) plucked up the courage to ask two questions. Afterwards, guests enjoyed a Christmassy reception of mince pies, sausage rolls and fizz to round off a hugely successful and sociable evening.

 

This event concluded Norwich School’s impressive programme of sixteen external public lectures held on site in 2025 in conjunction with partner organisations. The school offers its heartfelt thanks to all involved this year: our valued partners - the RGS, the Norfolk Contemporary Art Society and the Norfolk Cambridge Society - for according us the honour of hosting their events at Norwich School and for securing such stellar speakers; our Sixth Form Community Service helpers including Hetty Holden (U6), Hannah Hodgson (U6), Lea Zegan (L6), Daisy Smith (L6), Caleb Asamoah (L6) and Xander Gooderson (L6) for their valuable out-of-hours assistance; Will Stephenson in our IT Dept for his technical wizardry throughout the year; Gareth Parry and the fabulous catering team for appetising refreshments; our diligent Estates and Bookings Teams for their consummate professionalism; and finally those thousands comprising our loyal, supportive and intellectually curious audiences whose presence has enriched every lecture.


By Eleanor Lewis August 20, 2026
It was a joy to see the school come to life once again as our 2026 GCSE cohort arrived to collect their results and it was a record breaking year, so there was much to celebrate. Congratulations to each and every pupil - your dedication, resilience and commitment are reflected in an outstanding set of results. There were also some remarkable individual performances, with many pupils achieving exceptional outcomes. We caught up with some of them to learn more about their successes and hear about what they are looking forward to as they embark on their exciting next steps. Art Here at Norwich School we are enormously proud of our Cater Building, which boasts three floors of cutting edge art and design equipment, across multiple art and design studios and workshops. These pupils demonstrate their love of creative art and look forward to spending more time in Carter exploring their creativity in Sixth Form. Name Isla How many GCSEs did you take? 10 What were your results? 9 x grade 9 and 1 x grade 8 What was your favourite subject and why? History – I loved my class and the lessons were so much fun! What will you go on to study in Sixth Form? History, 2D Art, Psychology and Politics. Is there any particular reason or inspiration for choosing these A Levels? I really enjoyed History and 2D Art at GCSE, so wanted to continue studying these subjects. What are you most looking forward to about going into Sixth Form? The freedom and more independence. What are your co-curricular activities? I love hockey and I am looking forward to joining the Debating Team in Sixth Form. What do you love most about being a pupil at Norwich School? The community.
By Eleanor Lewis August 20, 2026
We are thrilled to announce record-breaking GCSE results for 2026. Overall percentages are as follows: 37% at grade 9 - best performance ever, including Covid years 59% at grades 9-8 (A*) – best performance outside Covid years 76% at grades 9-7 (A*-A) – best performance since Covid 87% at grades 9-6 (A*-B) 97%: overall pass-rate (grades 9-4) Outstanding individual performances included: 1 candidate with 11 x 9 or better; 6 candidates with 10 x 9 or better; 16 candidates with 9 x 9 or better; 24 candidates with 8 x 9 or better; 32 candidates with 7 x 9 or better; 38 candidates with 6 x 9 or better. Overall, of the 1163 grades received, 431 were at grade 9, 681 at 9-8 and 884 at 9-7. Steffan Griffiths, Head, commented, “This is the first cohort to benefit from the school’s decision to offer greater optionality regarding number and choice of subjects at GCSE. We are all delighted that our Year 11 have taken advantage of the change to such brilliant effect. “Taken collectively, they are the best GCSE results in the school’s history and I offer heartfelt congratulations to the pupils on their generation. They are in a wonderful position now to make the most of our outstanding Sixth Form provision and we look forward to welcoming them back in September.” Assistant Head (Fifth Form), Andrew Curtis, said, “I offer sincere congratulations to our Upper 5 pupils on their record-breaking results. Well-supported both at home and at school, they have excelled academically while also making the most of co-curricular opportunities in sport, drama, music and the wider community. We look forward to supporting them as they make the exciting transition to benefit from the development available both inside and outside the classroom in our Sixth Form.”
By Sonja Mitchell August 19, 2026
FONS is proud to support partnerships with the local community
By Sonja Mitchell August 19, 2026
Friends of Norwich School were delighted to support this event for the second year running
By Sonja Mitchell August 19, 2026
FONS has funded materials for L6 pupils to design a mural in the UKS Cafe
By Sonja Mitchell August 19, 2026
Ben tells us what inspired him to write his new book which is out now.
By Eleanor Lewis August 19, 2026
Norwich School is thrilled to have achieved the best A Level results in the county: 24% A*; 53% A*-A; 80% A*-B; 92% A*-C. If we focus on STEM subjects, the results are even better, with 31% at A* and 65% at A*-A. Maths, Biology, Physics, Chemistry and Computer Science form an important part of our 6th Form offer, with just under 200 of our 500 U6 grades in these subjects. The raw numbers are 62 A* and 66 A grades which have led to a huge number of exciting onward STEM routes. Overall, over 75% (123 pupils) have got to their first choice onward route, with over 90% (over 150 pupils) to first or second choice. The STEM outcomes are even more eye-catching: 87% of STEM places accepted were at Russell Group universities; 5 out 5 STEM Oxbridge candidates successfully made their offers (with a total of 17 A* out of 18 grades!) 7 out of 8 (88%) of medics got into their first choice university (national average of 33%); 2 out of 2 (100%) of vets got their first choice; 11 out of 11 engineers (100%) were accepted onto Engineering courses (university or apprenticeship); 6 out 6 Computer Science applicants (100%) were accepted onto Computer Science courses; If you are interested in STEM for Sixth Form, join the best and study at Norwich School: outstanding STEM facilities; expert teachers and strong laboratory ratios; personalised provision and onward route guidance; unrivalled STEM enrichment opportunities, including: clubs and societies (MedSoc, Maths Club, F24 car, Chess Club); Olympiad preparation; independent project; community service. To hear about some of our STEM Successes from this year's cohort click here. Interested in studying STEM at Norwich School? Book a tour today - places available from September 2026! Contact admissions@norwich-school.org.uk.
By Eleanor Lewis August 19, 2026
At Norwich School, STEM learning extends far beyond the classroom. Through outstanding facilities in Horsefair House and inspiring teaching, pupils develop the confidence to investigate, experiment and excel. There is no question that this was reflected in this year’s A Level results. So, we caught up with just a few of our scientists to find out what’s next for them.
By Eleanor Lewis August 13, 2026
A Level results day is always an emotional occasion, and this year was no different. For the Class of 2026, it marked the culmination of two years of dedication, perseverance and hard work and there was much to celebrate. From pupils who have been with us from Lower 1 to those who have joined us for Sixth Form, it is inspiring to hear their reflections of their time in Cathedral Close and learn about their planned next steps. We caught up with just a few of this year’s leavers to find out more about their individual journey.
By Eleanor Lewis August 13, 2026
The school is pleased to announce strong A Level results. The cohort of Upper 6 candidates have achieved the following: 24% of grades at A*; 53% of grades at A*-A; 80% at A*-B; 92% at A*-C; 98% at A*-E. Outstanding individual performances included: 2 candidates with 4 A*; 12 candidates with 3A* or more; 52 candidates with 3A or more. The Head, Steffan Griffiths, said, “I am delighted for the Class of 2026; they have been a wonderful year-group, setting high standards in our community across all areas of our provision, including sport, music, drama, dance and service. As is evident in these strong results, impressive academic progress has matched their extensive co-curricular activity, onward individual routes are equally exciting and we look forward to staying in touch so that we can hear of their future successes”. Richard Sims, Head of Sixth Form, commented, “This cohort of young people have been good friends to each other and exemplary role models to younger pupils. I am pleased that they have now finished their time in Cathedral Close with pleasing academic results, too. Throughout their studies, they have enjoyed support from families at home and teachers in school; on the pupils’ behalf, I pass on my gratitude to them. I close by offering sincere good wishes for our leavers’ next steps”. NB: specific grade percentages will be published when the subject paper review process has been completed.
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