Fourth Form
(Years 7 and 8)
"Hello, my name is Charlotte Wyndham and I am Assistant Head (Fourth Form) at Norwich School. The Fourth Form is the first section in the Senior School, beginning with Lower 4 (Year 7) and then Upper 4 (Year 8). Lower 4 marks the shift from primary to secondary education, which involves our pupils adapting to a new and exciting environment, with different lessons and teaching styles. The Fourth Form allows pupils to gain greater independence and encourages social and emotional growth in a nurturing and supportive environment. Fourth Form pupils get the chance to try out new co-curricular activities, clubs and societies, and we encourage academic development throughout, supporting our pupils in becoming independent learners. The Fourth Form is also an opportunity for pupils to create and build new friendships as well as a chance to get to know themselves and to develop as an individual in a safe and inclusive environment. Lower 4 and Upper 4 are a blend of academic, social and personal growth, setting the stage for future success at Norwich School and beyond."
Mrs Charlotte Wyndham
Head of Fourth Form
Fourth Form News
13 U4 pupils recently took part in the online British Physics Olympiad Year 7/8 Physics Challenge. Over 6500 pupils participated from 81 schools across the UK and overseas. The test comprised two 25-minute sets of multiple-choice questions about physics ideas and problem solving, which aimed to encourage wider reading and interest in the subject and to provide an opportunity for pupils to take part in a national physics competition and to develop their confidence in the subject. Our pupils performed exceptionally strongly, obtaining 10 Gold and 3 Silver awards. Congratulations to all! Gold Awards Oscar Zhang Charles Secker Harrison Buskell Jack Johns Siya Patel Boden Barton Maxwell Ford Jiajun Li Faizaan Alam Rowan Kidd Silver Awards Amelia Lodge Bayden Choi Jack Conrad
Lower 4 pupils and visiting Year 7 students were treated to an unforgettable Festival of Poetry, featuring three powerful and distinctly different voices – each offering a compelling and deeply personal insight into the creative process. The morning began with Julian Sedgwick , author of Tsunami Girl and 100 Tales from the Tokyo Ghost Café. Julian introduced pupils to the art of haiku and its place in Japanese storytelling, weaving in stories from his own life and his travels to Fukushima following the 2011 tsunami. His reflections on the resilience of survivors, and the way these experiences shaped his writing, brought real emotional depth to the session. Through his talk, he explored themes of tenacity, identity, and recovery – all central to his work and ensuring the pupils listened intently. Next, Matt Windle , better known as the Poet with Punch, brought a burst of energy and rhythm to the stage. A professional performance poet and boxer, Windle shared his journey through spoken word, delivering poems crafted in real time using words provided by the audience. He spoke candidly about being excluded from school and how the very traits that once got him into trouble – his love of words and fighting spirit – are now the foundation of his career. His message was clear: pursue what you love, even if it doesn’t seem conventional. The final speaker, Ashley Hickson-Lovence , author of the verse novel Wild East, brought the event to a powerful close. Drawing from his own experiences and set against the backdrop of Norwich, his readings were also heartfelt and sincere. He spoke of how writing helps him make sense of and process life’s often difficult events, encouraging students to embrace vulnerability in their own storytelling. His advice was "The first draft doesn't have to be good; it just has to exist". All three speakers were warmly received, with pupils engaged from start to finish. Their stories were not only inspiring but also full of practical advice on writing, resilience, and how to handle rejection with determination and grit. Adding to the creative atmosphere was local bookseller Book Bugs and Dragon Tales , who were on hand with a selection of titles from the visiting authors and information about their upcoming summer writing events for ages 11 and up. This special day was a celebration of words in all their forms – and a reminder that, whether through verse, prose, or performance, there’s always power in telling your story.
There was a buzz in the air as Upper Four pupils gathered for a lively afternoon of book discussion, marking the culmination of many weeks of dedicated reading. Pupils had explored a wide range of titles from the prestigious Carnegie Book Award shortlist, alongside contenders from the Norfolk and Suffolk School Library Association’s Lightning Lit Awards. The event opened with a thoughtful address from Mr Douglas-Field, who reflected on the experience of reading books chosen by others. He shared how stepping outside his usual preferences had been both surprising and rewarding, encouraging pupils to embrace the unfamiliar in their own reading - and wider - choices. Staff from across the school — including Mathematics, Learning Support, and PPD — joined colleagues from the Library and English departments to lead discussion groups, highlighting how reading for pleasure is embraced well beyond the classroom and across the Norwich School staff community. Seven books were discussed in total, sparking a range of thoughtful opinions and lively debate. The most popular title overall was Camp Killer by Cynthia Murphy, a Lightning Lit shortlisted book, while pupils’ favourite from the Carnegie list was King of Nothing by Nathanael Lessore, appreciated for its humour and relatable characters. The afternoon offered a valuable opportunity for pupils to share ideas, reflect on different stories, and hear a variety of perspectives — a fitting and rewarding way to round off a term of reading and literary exploration.
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