Celebrating Inspirational Women - Elle Tivey (ON 10-12), Head of House and Teacher of Sport

March 7, 2025

To celebrate International Women's Day, we decided to create a spotlight series on some inspirational women in our ON community. To kick this off is Elle Tivey (ON 10-12) who is a Head of House and Teacher of Sport.


What are you doing now for work?

I’m currently working at a Swiss boarding school called Institute Le Rosey, where I am a Head of House and a Teacher of Sport.


What does a typical day entail?

My days can vary greatly here! This term (winter term), in the morning I do the rounds of the boarding house to make sure there are no issues, chatting and getting to know the girls in my care if they are studying in their room. I often have meetings with the sports department, boarding team, or I might meet with my tutor group. After having lunch with the students, I take my ‘advanced ski group’ for their skiing lesson; the whole school goes skiing in the afternoons. Then, I come back and have dinner and my evening boarding duty, where I have a meeting with all of the girls in my house, usually over some cookies and milk, and make sure their school agenda is correct for the next week. In the first and third term, instead of skiing, I teach mostly netball and football amongst other sports (tennis, sailing, gym training, athletics), as well as organising and running many of our school sports competitions and events.


How have you got to where you are today?

I started my career as a sports physiotherapist but after a few years in the football industry, I decided that teaching was the way forward for me. Becoming a teacher was the best decision I made, as it opened doors for me firstly at Norwich School, and now in Switzerland. I have made pastoral care my focus and am now absolutely loving being the Head of House for our Year 11 & 12 girls; including experiencing the joyful moments and challenges that come with it!


Who is your inspirational figure?

I don’t have an ‘inspirational figure’ as such, but from my time working in education, I have always looked up to Nicky Fairweather. I will always remember her warmth, helpfulness and kindness when I was a teacher at Norwich School. Learning from her, and watching the way she dealt with pastoral situations in such a calm and fair manner really set a benchmark for me, and I try to model my own practise in a similar way - thanks Nicky!


What was your fondest memory of your time at Norwich School?

As both a pupil and a teacher, I found the morning assemblies in the Cathedral to be really special; the perfect way to start the day! It made you feel part of something great.


What makes Norwich School special to you?

Attending Norwich School as a girl really shaped my future in so many ways! My time there was so much fun and the atmosphere so special, that it led to my desire to teach, and I was privileged to get my first teaching position at Norwich School. The role offered a wealth of experiences and opportunities for middle-leadership which ultimately led me to get my current position in Switzerland. And, whilst teaching at Norwich School, I met my now husband, and we got married in the school chapel in December 2024! So, you could say Norwich School has been massively special for me, and hugely impactful on my life! The first thing I often like to do when I come home to Norwich is take a walk around the Cathedral Close - I just love it.


How do you think NS helped you get where you are today?

Norwich School helped in so many ways and I will always be grateful for the opportunities I had there. As a student, Norwich School pushed me to go out of my comfort zone and try new things, allowed me to grow in confidence, and encouraged me to do my absolute best in all spheres of school life. And as a teacher, I couldn’t have hoped for a better place to start my career. I was so well supported and trusted by Steffan and the SMT in a range of roles (Assistant Director of Sport and Head of House for Brooke) which have undoubtedly given me the experience and skills required to get me to where I am now. Working at Norwich School and with such a great team gave me a real spark for pastoral care and I am now trying to further this experience in the boarding/international environment here in Switzerland.


What is your best bit of advice to current pupils and ONs?

My advice is to take as many of the opportunities offered to you as possible; join clubs, try new sports, sing in the choir, perform in the play. All of these experiences will help you create lasting memories and develop skills you can use for the rest of your life! Also, to enjoy your time at Norwich School as much as possible; it is an amazing privilege to be there and to be a part of the Norwich School community.

Celebrating a Record-Breaking Year for GCSE Results

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.

2026 GCSE Exam Results

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.”

FONS supports Critical Writing Competition

By Sonja Mitchell • August 19, 2026
FONS is proud to support partnerships with the local community

Another successful Discover Your Ability Day with Able2B

By Sonja Mitchell • August 19, 2026
Friends of Norwich School were delighted to support this event for the second year running

A new Mural for Upper King Street

By Sonja Mitchell • August 19, 2026
FONS has funded materials for L6 pupils to design a mural in the UKS Cafe

Ben Rothery (96 - 02) Wild Wonders book launch

By Sonja Mitchell • August 19, 2026
Ben tells us what inspired him to write his new book which is out now.

STEM Success - From Ambition to Achievement

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.

STEM Ambitions - Routes to Success

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.

One School. Many Routes.

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.

2026 A Level Exam Results

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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