Lower School FAQs

At Norwich Lower School, our core values are love, compassion and inclusion. These are brought to life through our Lower School Virtues, which encourage pupils to demonstrate values through action.

Well-being is central to school life. We prioritise:

• A strong pastoral system 

• Trusted relationships between staff and pupils 

• Close communications with families 

• A safe, inclusive environment where children feel they belong.

Form Tutors are the first point of contact for any concerns.

• Registration: 08:30

• Infants (Reception-Upper 1): Finish 15:30-15:55

• Juniors (Lower 2-Upper 3): Finish 15:50

Before/After School:

• Clubs/Homework Club: 16:00-17:00

• Extended Day: 17:00-18:00

• Breakfast Club: From 07:30

Pupils arriving after 08:30 must sign in at the Lower School Reception.

We use:

• Email via SchoolPost

• The Parent Portal (timetables, reports, trips, policies)

• SOCS for sports fixtures 

• Regular newsletters

For urgent matters, please phone Reception rather than email.

Your child’s Form Tutor should always be your first point of contact. For urgent issues, contact the Lower School Reception on 01603 728439.

Please phone or email Reception by 08:30 each day of unplanned absence. Medical appointments should be notified in advance where possible. 

No. Term-time holidays are not authorised in line with statutory guidance. Attendance below 90% is reviewed and may prompt communication with families. 

Uniform is available from School Blazer. 

• Blazers worn unless permission is given otherwise 

• Shirts tucked in and ties worn correctly

• School coat required everyday

• Black, flat, practical shoes

• Hair neat and tied back where appropriate 

• One pair of discrete stud earrings permitted 

• No bracelets, make-up or nail varnish 

In hot weather, pupils may remove blazers and ties (if declared by the Head of Lower School) but must still wear blazers to and from school.

Only if required for essential travel arrangements. If brought, it must be handed into Reception on arrival where it will be stored securely and ready to collect at the end of the school day. Phones may not be used during the school day.

All pupils agree to use technology responsibly. This includes:

• No sharing unkind or inappropriate content 

• No taking or sharing photos without permission

• No online bullying 

• Using high privacy settings.

Misuse may result in pastoral intervention. 

We offer 100+ clubs weekly, including sport, music, drama, academic and creative activities. Clubs run before school, at lunchtime and after school. We encourage pupils to try a variety of activities throughout their time in the Lower School. 

More information can be found here. 

Yes. If selected to represent the school, pupils are expected to attend. School commitments take priority over outside activities (unless county level or higher representation).

Yes! Stars are rewarded for demonstrating the Lower School Virtues:

• Adventurous Squirrel

• Caring Otter 

• Curious Rabbit

• Mindful Hedgehog

• Principled Bee

Stars contribute to individual and House totals. Bages are awarded at 20, 40, 60, 80 and 100 stars.  A Gold Star Badge is awarded for over 60 stars across all five categories. 

Other awards include Golden Stationery, Class Rewards, Commendations, Effort Medals and Attainment Certificates (l2-U3).

We use a restorative approach focused on reflection and development. Interventions include:

• Reflections 

• Cautions

• Notice (after three cautions in half a term)

• Stripe (serious incidents)

• Report (monitored support plan)

Bullying is not tolerated. We expect all members of our community to contribute to a safe and happy environment, where bullying has no place and is always challenged. We actively encourage a culture of upstanding and take every report of bullying behavior seriously, taking appropriate action in each case. 

There are three levels of response depending on severity and persistence. 

Yes, with written parental permission. Cyclists must use a bike rack, walk bikes on school grounds and ensure bikes are properly lit in low light. We also strongly recommend pupils wear reflective clothing and a helmet to ensure safety when cycling.

Many members of our school community live with allergies. To support their safety, our Refectory labels allergens meals, and we ask that pupils refrain from bringing snacks containing nuts to school or on trips.

The school’s catering team can cater for specific food allergies and intolerances, with details collected through annual consent forms completed by parents and guardians; any updates during the year should be sent to the Health Office so that central records can be kept up to date. Allergens are clearly labelled, and pupils are asked not to bring snacks containing nuts to school. Only shop-bought food with clear ingredients labelling should be shared and must be checked by the Health Officer. 

Pupils benefit from a range of educational visits, including: 

• Upper 3: Residential in the Peaks & trip to France

• Lower 3: Leicester

• Upper 2: York

• Lower 2: London

We expect excellent behaviour and cooperation on all visits. 

• Lower School Reception: 01603 728439

• lsreception@norwich-school.org.uk

• Or contact Admissions at: admissions@norwich-school.org.uk