Friends of Norwich School (FONS)

The Friends of Norwich School (or FONS for short) is a registered independent charity (charity number: 1170059)

Our community is open to all parents, guardians, carers and grandparents from the Lower School and the Senior School, current and past, as well as to friends from the wider community who support Norwich School.

Our mission is simply to support Norwich School and to provide fellowship amongst the community.

We do this by hosting regular events (coffee mornings, social events such as our legendary biennial ball and periodic raffles) and running professionally the successful Second-Hand Uniform Shop, both of which are of particular help to new parents.

Funds raised though these activities allows us to support the school generously in three key areas: to funding bursary support to foster social inclusion and diversity; to provide grants to fund equipment for a multitude of clubs and societies for pupil enrichment and to encourage participation; and to provide an annual prize fund to inspire achievement.

We hope to be a force for good in the school community and we hope you will join us.

We would be pleased to hear from anyone with ideas or who wishes to help out in any voluntary capacity.

A round table with plates , utensils , and a vase of flowers on it.

Two boys in school uniforms are sitting at a desk in a classroom.

About Us

The Friends of Norwich School is a registered Charitable Incorporated Organisation (1170059) run by Trustees:

The Head: Steffan Griffiths
The Head of the Lower School: John Ingham
The Development Director: Jonathan Pearson
Three general elected Trustees: Natasha Duval (Chair), Jonathan Hook (Treasurer), Julie Tooley (Company Secretary)

To find out about what the Friends have been up to, for upcoming or recent events, and how funds are being spent, please follow the Friends Instagram page or send an email:

Instagram: friendsofnorwichschool

Email: friends@norwich-school.org.uk

FONS Privacy Policy

Events

FONS Music Quiz

Friday 27 February, 18:30 – 22:00

School Refectory

After last year's success, the Music Quiz is back for 2025! So dust off your encyclopaedic knowledge of musical trivia and pit yourself against some other crack parent teams. Singles, couples or teams welcome. Enjoy a truly fun evening of outrageous competitiveness and mayhem led by our music wizard Noel Vine over a delicious two-course supper, all for a good cause.

Tickets are on sale now!

FONS Coffee Morning

Wednesday 4 March, 08:30 – 10:00

Reynold's Library

Parents and families old and new are welcome to join us in the Reynold's library, the former chapel to the Bishop of Norwich. Do join the community over coffee and croissants.

All welcome. No need to book, but it does help us for catering purposes. Parking is available on the west front of the Cathedral.

Second Hand Uniform Shop

Friends of Norwich School volunteers run a Second Hand shop for parents. All items provided by parents are either donated or sold on a 50/50 basis. The shop sells a wide range of pre-used uniform and sportswear, in addition to specialist footwear (Astro/rugby/hockey etc) and sports equipment/protection alongside Scouts kit. The income generated by the sale of second hand items not only supports a wide variety of projects for pupils within the school but is a very useful service for parents and pupils alike.

Sale dates

We are pleased to announce that the Uniform Shop will be open again this term at 15 Upper King Street, you can find the dates and timings below, please note that timings differ depending on the dates!

OPENING TIMES - Lent 2026

Tuesday 6 January 15:00-16:30
Saturday 10 January 09:00-13:00
Wednesday 21 January 15:30-17:30
Wednesday 4 February 15:00-16:30
Tuesday 24 February, 15:00-16:30
Wednesday 11 March, 15:00-17:00
Wednesday 25 March, 15:00-16:30

Location

We are located on the first floor of 15 Upper King Street. Access to this school building is restricted so parents will need to press the buzzer for access. Access for weekday sales via the metal gate on 15 Upper King Street. Enter via Tombland door and up the stairs to the first floor. Access via pupil gate on St Faith’s Lane strictly for weekend sales only.

Card payment only. There is no on-site parking available for weekday sales but may be available at other times, we’ll let you know in parent email.

Contacting Us

You can also email friendsshop@norwich-school.org.uk with any queries you may have but please note we do not reserve items or advise on stock levels as these are constantly changing.

Donations

Items you would like to sell or donate can be dropped off at the shop when open or 71A Reception during business hours. For T & C's on donating/sale of items, please refer to the information on Parent Portal, under the 'School Uniform' page.

Where does your money go?

We are proud that finds raised through the activities of FONS go towards improving the experience of the pupils and further afield. Some examples of how funds raised are used, see below:

Lights! Camera! Action! The Magic of the Silver Screen

By Eleanor Lewis • January 28, 2026

A large intergenerational audience enjoyed a thoroughly entertaining evening at the inaugural Friends of Norwich School lecture in the Blake Studio on 28 January 2026. The talk comprised a whistle-stop romp through the captivating world of film from its earliest tentative black and white efforts, through the classics of the 1960s and the 70s revival, to today’s modern CGI blockbusters. It included some of the great directors and legendary actors from the studios of Hollywood and British Film, closing with some reflections on the likely impact of AI on the industry. Our speaker was Old Norvicensian, Barney Broom , a member of BAFTA, acclaimed film director, script writer and published novelist. With great panache, humour and personal reminiscences, he entertained attendees for over two hours. His audience comprised an eclectic mix of current pupils, ONs, parents, staff friends and alumni. Barney was particularly pleased to see a healthy contingent of his old classmates, and he was generous in offering advice and contacts to young wannabe filmmakers over refreshments. A parent commented afterwards : “We all thoroughly enjoyed it and were taken back to years gone by with all those classic films. We are now inspired to watch some golden oldies again”. Barney had generously volunteered his time on the evening, to enable all profits from the evening to go to the Friends of Norwich School (FONS) bursary fund. A very kind gesture from a loyal and talented ON. We hope to be able to offer future FONS lectures on topics with wide appeal in years to come. Please have a flick through At Close Quarters Lent Term 2026 , our full programme of exciting and cultural events organised by Norwich School taking place in and around Cathedral Close this term. There really is something for everyone, including other talks, to brighten these dark winter months. Booking for many of the school events can be found on our homepage under “Upcoming Events”: www.norwich-school.org.uk