"My name is Andrew Curtis and I have been the Assistant Head (Fifth Form) since September 2020. The Fifth Form consists of the Lower (L5), Middle (M5) and Upper (U5) Fifth Forms: Years 9, 10, and 11. Pupils normally enter the Fifth Form by transitioning from our Fourth Form or joining from another school. We typically admit an additional 25 pupils at our L5 entry point: those who have completed preparatory school and those who transfer from the maintained sector. Everyone is welcome. 


L5 is an important year for consolidating knowledge and skills before deciding which subjects to take at GCSE. Expert staff provide support for both pupils and parents as this process is negotiated. In M5 and U5, pupils study their chosen subjects according to the relevant GCSE specifications, before sitting public examinations at the end of U5.


Pupils in the Fifth Form find themselves at an important moment in their development. The journey from being a child to becoming an adult is often exciting, sometimes a bit scary, but always interesting! Working with this group of pupils is a huge privilege as one gets to share in the highs and lows of the teenage experience. We aim to have unconditional positive regard for all pupils, working together to enable them to fulfil their individual potential."


Mr Andrew Curtis

Head of Fifth Form

Fifth Form News

Building Friendships at Bramley Lakes

By Eleanor Lewis • October 2, 2026
On Friday 2 October, the whole of the Lower 5 (Year 9) travelled to the outdoor education centre situated at Bramley Lakes in Horsford. The aim of the day was to strengthen the bonds within each tutor group whilst enjoying a beautiful natural environment. Each year, Norwich School normally admits around 35 new pupils into Lower 5 and this trip marked the culmination of the transition process. The activities with which the pupils were faced deliberately challenged them to work on important life skills: team work, communication, physical courage, resilience and listening. Pupils engaged well with a variety of tasks: building trebuchets to fire water balloons; crate stacking (whilst standing atop the stack!); archery, high-ropes and mental and physical team challenges. It was wonderful to see the pupils fully integrating and throwing themselves into each task with great enthusiasm. The day is also an inter-house competition, and this year the winning house was Nelson; however, many congratulations go to everyone involved!

Discovering the Past on the Battlefields Trip

By Eleanor Lewis • June 8, 2026
The Lower 5 Battlefields Trip continues be a highlight of the History Department's calendar. This year we took 72 pupils on a First World War journey of discovery that was both exciting and moving. Our itinerary included two days around Ypres in Belgium and a third day walking the Somme battlefield in France. Along the way, we heard the extraordinary stories of some of those who lost their lives in the war, we came to appreciate the scale, terrain and challenges faced by the soldiers, and we saw for ourselves their trenches and equipment. We performed acts of remembrance for Old Norvicensians whose graves we visited, and after three busy days were buzzing with discussion and a desire to explore further, encouraged by four extremely skilled and knowledgeable guides who brought it all to life for us.  Amongst all the history, we also made sure we had time for chocolate shopping in the beautiful town of Ypres.

Friendly Competition and Teambuilding for Lower 5 at Bramley Lakes

By Eleanor Lewis • October 3, 2025
Despite the grey skies and constant drizzle, the opportunity to be crowned as the winning Lower 5 tutor group of Bramley Lakes, 2025, meant that all pupils gave it their all to bring home the coveted shield. Within their House tutor groups, and supported by tutors and pastoral prefects, the competition was fierce, and the lead chopped and changed throughout the day. Each group was being scored on their communication, effort, peer support and positivity.  Activities included, trebuchet building, crate stack and other high ropes challenges, axe throwing and archery. Water balloons were fired from the trebuchets at rival Lower 5 tutor groups, with particular pupils getting even more soaked in the wet weather. It was a pleasure to see all tutor groups working together, and making the most of the day. Despite Nelson's best efforts, it was Coke that triumphed in the end, retaining their crown from the previous three years! Can Coke go for an unprecedented five in a row next year? Only time will tell.
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