All About WoLLoW

January 8, 2025

To celebrate the various partnerships in our Norwich School community, we sat down with Abbie Dean, co-founder of WoLLoW, to find what WoLLoW is all about.


What is WoLLoW for those who are unfamiliar?

WoLLoW is a course that we have created for primary and secondary schools, looking at languages as a whole. I’m a languages teacher and I specialise in German but WoLLoW is looking at all language including English, classical languages and modern foreign languages. We also want to bring in languages that are spoken in our classrooms, in our communities and England and the UK as a whole; we are trying to have a less Eurocentric approach and a more global approach to languages. We look at similarities and differences, we look at the oddities of languages, we look at where our languages come from and how they are linked. We are trying to give pupils an understanding that languages are relevant and useful and that languages are central to them in succeeding both in school and in later life. We focus on literacy and celebrating the linguistic diversity in our classrooms. We promote literacy by looking at words and where they come from (their etymology) and how sentences are structured. We look at language and how it shapes our identity and we also focus on modern languages. Our aim is that their interest in language as a whole in the younger years continues through to an interest in modern languages so we can improve outcomes in language lessons, as well as interest and enjoyment. We believe that by starting this at such an early level (in Norwich school we teach it from year 3) and see it through until secondary then we can encourage that big push on both literacy and language as a whole, building on that foundation that we have created.


Great, now just coming off from that, you mentioned making languages less Eurocentric, what do you mean by that?

So, in schools traditionally we have taught French, German and Spanish. At home pupils’ parents probably would have been taught French and German but when we look at the children in front of us we have Arabic speakers; we have Hindi speakers; we have Yoruba speakers and we aren’t realising that our pupils with an additional language, what they have really is a superpower. We are not giving them the centre stage to discuss their language and their family’s languages, which relates to identity and heritage which we should be celebrating. If these children already have a language is addition to English then they will find it a lot easier to pick up another language and they have all these skills that they have that we aren’t quite tapping into. We also think that, if you look at the languages spoken nationally, as well as having French, German, Spanish we need to be focusing on languages such as Mandarin; in Norwich school mandarin is taught from year 3 all the way up to sixth form. However, this isn’t a national picture, we want WoLLoW to be an opportunity for schools across the UK to be able to have a little insight into some languages spoken in Africa for example, or Arabic or Hindi. We’ve got stand-alone lessons on those languages which don’t necessarily focus on specific vocabulary but look into the origin of those languages so that they are understood on both a geographical and historical level. We also look at how those languages are linked to English and other languages and why these languages are so important to our community and to our society in the 21st Century.


And how many lessons do WoLLoW pupils have?

So, from year 3 onwards they have 1 lesson a week, in the Lower School here that is about 30 minutes. I alternate with Mrs Song, so the children are taught half a year of both WoLLoW and Mandarin. That is for years 3, 4, 5 and 6. When pupils join the secondary school, in years 7 and 8 we have one lesson per week, and we also have an option at GCSE level for them to do a non-examined course in WoLLoW. This is an opportunity for them to keep looking at language and linguistics and keep thinking about literacy in a linguistic environment. In Sixth Form, we offer WoLLoW as a form of Community Service where pupils can decide to become a WoLLoW teacher. As well as being given the opportunity to create their own language lessons, they can go out and teach the lessons which we have created to local primary schools. With this, the pupils get teaching experience and some good exposure to how languages and literacy can be taught.


So how did WoLLoW start?

It started with the Head (Steffan Griffiths) and John Claughton (who used to be the Head of King Edward’s School in Birmingham) who are both Classicists and passionate about Classics and Languages but frustrated with how languages were perceived nationally. It is particularly noticeable when pupils join secondary school, that there is a feeling of deflation regarding language learning and so, regardless of how much languages pupils had learnt or not learnt at primary school, we had to start from the very beginning. There was real pinch point in the languages transition. From then we felt as if we lost the pupils a little, regardless of what we tried, we felt we were missing a trick. Nationally, there has been an exodus of pupils studying a language at GCSE and even more so at A Levels and University level. With that frustration came a desire to do something about it. The feeling was that we should look at languages as whole: Classical Languages, Modern Languages and English and all the literacy subjects and try to bring them together: teaching them as a programme which celebrates language and linguistic diversity rather than teaching them in silos. A lot of the time pupils find languages quite challenging but I think that that is a challenge to be embraced rather than ignored. WoLLoW aims to show them that they can do it, through pattern finding and problem solving as well as discussion, we want to show pupils that language learning is useful in our multi-lingual society, is relevant and is achievable. So we created WoLLoW which has now been rolled out internationally. Teachers around the country and beyond can access our resources for free. We have around 200 schools using WoLLoW resources around the country but also internationally, in the Netherlands and Germany for example, but also from further afield such as Australia, Hong Kong and Argentina, so we like to think that the word is spreading!


So you have mentioned providing resources to schools, do you personally ever go and teach in other schools?

Absolutely! I visit other schools providing staff CPD as part of their teacher training. I come and give whole staff meetings, or one-to-one sessions for staff who are interested in teaching WoLLoW. They see how the lessons look and what our general approach is. We do this to give teachers a bit of confidence before they embark on WoLLoW teaching. I’ve given lectures and seminars to pupils before they start their Community Service; I’ve visited universities and trainee teachers. I am to show them that they some scope in their teacher training programme to try something a bit different. Additionally, I visit local primary schools and deliver either one-off lessons or a series of lessons. Sixth formers in their Community Service accompany me so it isn’t just me teaching it, it’s the sixth formers which we have trained up.


How does your schedule work in line with WoLLoW? How do you manage to fit everything in?

I teach WoLLoW here in school but it isn’t just me. Mr Griffiths, Miss Arien and Miss Watkinson teach it as well, and at the Lower School a few teachers have taught it too. Thursdays is the day that I am out of the school, I go around the country delivering at conferences, visiting schools, delivery staff CPD, teaching lessons, spreading the word and meeting really interesting people who are interested in language learning and linguistics. We have a lot of interesting people on board and we are working closely with various educational institutions and universities around the country to make sure that what we are doing is working and aligned with current educational thinking but also aligned with what schools both need and want. I think it is really important that, when we are looking at something that promotes partnerships work, it is about giving schools what they want rather than what we think they want. For example, I have been working with one school, Magdalen Gates Primary where I have had those conversations with pupils and staff about what languages they speak and what languages they are interested in. From then, I can go ahead and tweak my lessons accordingly, catering to their prior learning and their curriculum. In doing this it ensures that the lessons are personalised and make sense to the pupils rather than just teaching a generic lesson and hoping it makes sense. Schools around the country that are using WoLLoW can also tweak the lessons, or they can use the lessons that we have provided as they are.


What are the aims of WoLLoW?

We want pupils to come out of WoLLoW feeling empowered, able, enthusiastic and knowing that there is worth in studying languages.


What are the future hopes of WoLLoW?

We jokingly talk about global success (even though we have already had that to a certain extent), creating a global network of WoLLoW schools. We want to set up categories within our schools to be able to say that ‘we are a WoLLoW school’ because the schools that use WoLLoW are really committed to and care about languages and linguistic diversity. There is nothing else out there quite like it that focuses on the word and the sentence and the links between languages, as well as languages that are taught traditionally. In short, we want a global network, we want WoLLoW schools and we want to celebrate our WoLLoW schools. We also would like to, take WoLLoW to a policy level nationally, bringing our ideas forward. We are in the process of that working with HMC for example, to geta foot in the door there at policy level as well.


So how is WoLLoW involved in Norwich School?

WoLLoW has charitable status (we are an independent charity) and there are four of us as co-founders. As a charity, we also need trustees, so we have a group of those as well who guide us. We have doners and we also have researchers who are looking into whether WoLLoW does what we hope it is doing. Essentially, we are a charitable organisation set up independent of Norwich School, however, we have Steffan Griffiths (Head) who along with John Claughton came up with the concept and then Steffan got me onboard to create the resources and to get things moving. Norwich School has been where it all started in terms of teaching WoLLoW. We have run the course throughout the year groups and we are continuing to. We get feedback from our pupils and try out new material and it has gone really well and so really, although it isn’t on paper a Norwich School initiative I’d say that the heart of WoLLoW is here at Norwich School.


Visit the WoLLoW website here: WoLLoW - World of Languages, Languages of the World


September 1, 2025
Cricket Catch Up from the Summer Break It has been wonderful to see the Norwich School contingent for Swardeston perform so well. Lawry Williams (who was named man-of-the-match) led their U19 squad with Lewis, Ollie and Deeran to victory in their T20 competition on Monday 25 August, winning the Norfolk Cricket Foundation Vitality Club U-19 T20 Trophy. We have had several players involved with Norfolk, England Over 40’s and Bunbury’s over the years… Highlights include - Ollie Longdon Scoring 87 and 90 at Bunbury in the 2-day fixture. Maiden 50 in the EAPL at 15. Tom Bush Bunbury selection. Bella Lewis Superb Norfolk season with 25 wickets including a 5-wicket haul against Harrow CC. Bella Borges Leads the overall Norfolk pathway batting run totals with over a 1000 runs for Norfolk u15, U18 and also the women’s squad. 153 for the U18’s against Suffolk. 102 for the U15’s against Cricket East and 5 wickets for 13 runs 119 against Herfordshire. Staff achievements - Alfie Cooper and the Norfolk Men’s winners of the national T20. Richard Sims selection and 50 runs scored for the England over 40 team against Scotland.
By Eleanor Lewis August 22, 2025
Lower 6 pupil, Kwame Bekoe, has represented England U18s in the 2025 U18 International Series in South Africa this summer. Kwame started at lock in the opening fixture against Georgia, before coming off the bench to make a strong impact in the second match against France. His performances earned him a place in the starting XV for England’s clash with tournament hosts South Africa on Saturday 16 August. Kwame is a member of the Leicester Tigers Academy and has been a standout player for the school’s First XV since joining the side in Upper Fifth. To celebrate his success, we asked him a few questions... How long have you been playing rugby? I started rugby at 9 years old with Norwich Rugby Football club. So I've been playing for about 8 years now. How often do you train? In season I'll train with school 2-3 times a week and with tigers 1-2 times a week. I also try and go to the gym at least 5 days a week. How did you get into the Leicester Tigers Academy? I officially got into the academy in year 11 after attending numerous developmental training sessions hosted by tigers since the start of year 10. I was put forward by my rugby club coach to be apart of these sessions and was kept through the pathway after multiple selections until I was selected for the academy. How did you get selected for the U18 International Series in South Africa? Fortunately, I was selected for the England U17 may development camp after missing out on being selected for the first camp in April. It was a four day camp with a match on the fourth day and this camp determined which players out of the 46 on camp would play in the summer series. How did it go? It was a great two weeks with a great group of talented players. Unfortunately we didn’t come away with a win but everyone got better as players and had a wonderful experience playing at international level. What was the best part? The best part for me was after the France game having a dinner party with all the teams (Georgia, Ireland, France, England and South Africa) and having a good time singing and dancing with all the players. What was the most challenging? The most challenging part for me was matching the physicality of the national teams as they were all exceptionally strong and maintained a relentless level of intensity throughout the games. It was also challenging to memorise all the calls and plays that we used for the 3 games. How has Norwich School supported your rugby journey? Norwich has helped especially with providing transport to training with tigers. They have also supported me with sports scholarship programme to help with mentally and physically preparing myself before matches. The coaches have also taught me a lot since joining in year 7 and some skills that I still use to this day. What's next? Hopefully I will be selected for more England Camps towards the end of the year and being selected for the U18 Six Nations in 2026. What are your future prospects in Rugby? I hope to continue playing rugby at a high level in order to improve and become the best player I can be.
By Eleanor Lewis August 21, 2025
It was a real pleasure to welcome back our 2025 GCSE pupils today as they collected their results. The atmosphere was full of excitement, with many smiling faces as pupils celebrated their hard-earned successes. We are enormously proud of such a strong performance from this year’s cohort, including: 29% of our pupils achieved a grade 9 Over half our pupils (54%) achieved grades 9-8 74% of our pupils achieved grades 9-7 There were also some outstanding individual performances, including 10 candidates with 10 x grade 9 or better and 35 candidates with at least 9 x grades 8 or 9. We caught up with some of the pupils to learn more about their personal successes and hear about what lies ahead for them. 
By Eleanor Lewis August 21, 2025
We are pleased to announce very strong GCSE results for 2025. From the cohort of 132 candidates, overall percentages are as follows: 29% at grade 9 54% at grades 9-8 (A*) 74% at grades 9-7 (A*-A) 88% at grades 9-6 (A*-B) 98%: overall pass-rate (grades 9-4) Outstanding individual performances included:  4 candidates with 11 x 9 or better; 10 candidates with 10 x 9 or better; 35 candidates with at least 9 x 8 or 9. Steffan Griffiths, Head, commented, “Our GCSE Class of 2025 have worked very hard for these results and they now thoroughly deserve their success. Well-supported at home and at school, they have laid terrific foundations to make the most of our Sixth Form, whether academically or in other aspects of our holistic provision. We look forward to supporting them as they make this exciting transition.” Assistant Head (5th Form), Andrew Curtis, said, “I offer sincere congratulations to our Upper Five pupils on their excellent results. They have been diligent in their academic work, but they have also contributed strongly in sport, drama, music, dance and school clubs. Perhaps most importantly, they have built strong friendships which will stand them in good stead for the future. They have much to offer as they move into our 6th Form and I wish them all well.
By Eleanor Lewis August 14, 2025
Emotions ran high on A Level results day, and rightly so, as our Class of 2025 reached a major milestone after two years of hard work and commitment. Today marks the beginning of an exciting new journey as they step into the future, armed with the results of their hard work. Over 95% of pupils achieved their first or second choice onward route and there are also some truly outstanding personal triumphs. No question, the pupils in this year’s cohort have every reason to feel proud. We caught up with a few of them to hear first-hand what these results mean and how they’re feeling as they look ahead. 
Norwich School and the Close
August 14, 2025
The school is pleased to announce strong A Level results. The cohort of 177 U6 candidates have achieved the following: 24% of grades at A*; 52% of grades at A*-A; 82% at A*-B; 94% at A*-C; 100% at A*-E. Outstanding individual performances included: 5 candidates with 4 A*; 16 candidates with 3A* or more; 54 candidates with 3A or more. These results are enabling positive next steps. Even before improvements from the UCAS Clearing process have been absorbed, 80% of leavers have secured their first choice onward route and over 95% have achieved their first or second choice.  The Head, Steffan Griffiths, said, “I am delighted for the Class of 2025; they have been terrific in so many areas of school life, acting as positive role models in our community and offering much in arenas such as sport, music, drama, dance and service. It is fitting that they now round off their time in Cathedral Close with strong academic results, too, thereby opening up all sorts of exciting individual onward routes. All at school wish them well”. Richard Peters, Head of Sixth Form, commented, “This cohort of pupils committed to a concerted spell of hard work, so I am pleased that they have been appropriately rewarded with these impressive results. They enjoyed support of families at home and teachers in school, to whom I am grateful. I offer sincere good wishes for our leavers’ next steps”. NB: specific grade percentages will be published when the subject paper review process has been completed.
By Eleanor Lewis August 5, 2025
Nick Conway, L6 pupil, has been selected to represent Great Britain at the Under 19 Junior World Championships in the Men’s Eight racing in Trakai, Lithuania, which is taking place from 6-10 August. This is a very proud moment for the Boat Club program and the School as a whole, as Nick is the first Sixth Form rower from Norwich School to be selected for the Junior World Championships. To celebrate this achievement, we caught up with Nick in the lead up to the Championships... How long have you been rowing? I’ve been rowing for 2 1/2 years since starting lent term in L5. However, rowing has been a part of my life from a young age through my parents. How often do you practice/train? As a boat club we have 14 sessions a week, where we train as a whole boat club, both girls and boys squads together, which helps build a strong community and group. How has Norwich School helped you on your rowing journey? Norwich School have helped me develop by providing elite coaching by various members of the sports department, most of all, Mr Carter-Mayers, our senior rowing coach, along with my academic teachers who have been supportive along the way. How did you get selected to represent GB in U19 Junior World Championships? Selection was decided by a week of testing and racing up to 8 times a day. Through the results from then and throughout various trials this year the selectors build a ranking of the top 7 rowers, which they will take to the worlds championships. Thankfully I was in this group to be selected. How have you been preparing for the event? Since leaving for selection camp on the first week of the summer holidays I’ve been down in London and Reading at the national training centre. I have been rowing with my crew and getting familiar with each other ready for when we take on the rest of the world on the 7th of August. Throughout these 4 weeks we’ve come together well, with a few rocky patches, but nonetheless feeling confident as we enter competition week. We wish Nick the best of luck!
By Eleanor Lewis July 31, 2025
5 - 16 August Open daily 10:00 - 16:00 Closed Sundays. Free admission. Reepham Artists and Makers are a collective of artists and makers based in and around Reepham, Norfolk. They have been exhibiting together since 2017 in galleries and other venues. They work in textiles, ceramics, painting, silver-smithing, glass, wood, gilding and sculpture. Many of the group display and sell as individuals but also come together as a group. Meeting on a regular basis, the artists work together on exhibitions, run workshops within their disciplines and have social visits to galleries and exhibitions in and around Norfolk. Jackie Watson - Ceramics • Sue Johnston - Paintings and Textile Art • Carolyn Penney - Glass and Metal Work • Sara Kenyon - Painter and Water Colourist • Linda Sadler - Ceramics and Textiles • Jane Bygrave - Ceramics • Emily Longhurst - Artist, Working in wood, acrylics and gilding • Tamara Goulding - Lacemaker
By Eleanor Lewis July 14, 2025
Friday 4 July, Independence Day in America, happened to be a memorable day of independence for some of our community, as it heralded the last day of school for our Upper Sixth pupils. And it wasn’t just the pupils sharing this special day – parents and guardians were welcomed to the Close to share in the celebrations. Some pupils had been through the entire Norwich School journey, reflecting on 11 years growing up in the Close, whilst others had experienced a packed and exciting two year Norwich School journey, having joined in Sixth Form. Whatever the ‘length of service’, however, the mixed emotions amongst leavers were shared – excitement for the future, sadness and trepidation as such an important chapter of their lives drew to a close, pride at having reached such a milestone and a touch of exhaustion at the end of such an important academic year. A beautiful sunny day dawned, with an early breakfast for the pupils and a special address from the President of the Horatio Society, Jacob Stevenson, who wished his peers well and encouraged them to embrace their new status as Old Norvicensians (ONs). Jacob also handed out awards as voted for by the pupils themselves including, to name but a few, Most Likely to Start A Charity, Best Bromance, Most Likely to Headline Glastonbury and Most Likely to End Up Back at Norwich School (an easy win for Joel Newman who returns next year as a Lower School Gap Student!). They then headed to tutor group where they were presented with their Valedictory Reports – as written by their Head of House and the Head. Parents and Guardians then joined the celebrations for a brunch on the Refectory lawn before filing into the Cathedral for a very special Farewell Assembly. It was hard to spot a dry eye as parents and pupils joined in singing I Vow To Thee My Country and Jerusalem, and the Head delivered a moving and inspirational address. The congregation were then upstanding and clapped continuously as the Upper Sixth filed out of the Cathedral for the very last time, exiting the West Doors, where they were greeted with a farewell and handshake from the Head. The Upper Close was buzzing as families reunited with one another, hugging and crying as they shared the emotion of such a significant day. Overall, however, despite the tears, it was a day for celebration – to toast a job well done to the Class of 2025 who gave it their all and embraced every opportunity on their Norwich School journey. Corks popped and there were photos a-plenty as families embraced a last chance to take pictures in the Norwich School uniform, before departing for perhaps a rest or a power nap, before dressing in their finest and heading for Norwich City Football Club for the Leavers Ball.  Over 300 parents, staff and pupils attended a magnificent evening, with a sumptuous three course meal, entertainment and a live band which kept everyone on the dancefloor until 1am. There was an after party, but we will leave it at that…! Wishing the Class of 2025 every success for the future and stay in touch. Remember. You are all ONs for life!
By Eleanor Lewis July 12, 2025
Three groups undertook their practice expedition at the end of term. The weather kept to the predictions, being warm and sunny. On the hottest day the groups left camp early, with altered routes to ensure water could be topped up several times. They all coped very well, arriving in campsites and shade before the highest temperatures were reached. The fourth group arrived and the first groups returned to Norwich. The training was repeated with a short walk to refresh and learn navigational skill, followed by some first aid training. The next day the group walked to their next campsite, where they adopted an 8th member which you can see with the team below!
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