Neurodiversity Celebration Week
March 21, 2025
During this year's Celebrating Neurodiversity Week, a variety of engaging events took place at Norwich School to promote awareness and inclusion. The refectory was brightened by the installation of colourful umbrellas as part of the ADHD Foundation's Umbrella Project, symbolizing the variety and diversity of minds within our community. Each Umbrella Project display is designed to represent the one in five of us who have a neurodevelopment condition, such as ADHD, Autism, Dyslexia, Dyspraxia or Tourette's Syndrome. These fall under the umbrella term of neurodiversity. The project aims to change the perception of neurodivergent people and celebrate all the many strengths that come from thinking differently.
The school's Neurodiversity Group organized a creative badge and bracelet-making drop-in session at the Undercroft Library, fostering creativity and connection. We also launched the termly SEND Cafe, which aims to provide a supportive space for parents of neurodivergent pupils.
ON Betsy James delivered an inspiring assembly, sharing her journey of learning to celebrate her neurodivergence and the positive impacts it has on her life;
For clarity, I’m autistic and have ADHD. Trying to sum up what that means is tough — because I don’t know what it’s like not to be neurodiverse. It’s like asking, “Why do you like being you?” I don’t know … I guess I’ve got good teeth…
Focusing on the positives of neurodiversity can be challenging. It’s much easier to think of all the struggles because, honestly, if everything had been fine, I wouldn’t have ended up at the doctor’s office, begging for answers.
Under normal circumstances, I’d make self-deprecating jokes about my ADHD, how it makes me talk too much, or how my overstimulated brain makes me forget my noise- cancelling headphones — which inevitably causes panic and chaos. Listing negatives is easy. Being kind to myself? That’s much harder.
So, I asked my parents to help brainstorm the positives, and as my biggest supporters, they were quick to remind me of the things I’ve come to take for granted.
- I’m a great communicator - because I’ve had to be. When your brain doesn’t work like everyone else’s, you explain yourself a lot. I write well, speak well, and listen well — because if I don’t, neither me nor the people I’m talking to know what’s going on. When I was getting my diagnosis, I was able to describe to the doctors exactly what I felt. People used to call me “emotionally intelligent,” but really, I’m articulate out of necessity.
- I’m academically organised — because I have to be. My brain is constantly racing, so I rely on planners and to-do lists otherwise I’ll forget even the simplest of tasks. Plus, there’s something deeply satisfying about ticking tasks off a list. If you don’t do that already, try it please. It’s an absolute game-changer.
- I’m deeply observant and learn quickly. I might miss some social cues naturally, but books and plays have also taught me a lot. Authors and playwrights alike have created brilliant characters, and I’ve learned a lot from fictional people. It’s a weird way to develop social skills, but it works, most of the time. I still need a hint or a nudge here and there but that’s what my friends and family are for.
- I’m incredibly loyal and deeply empathetic. I feel people’s emotions in a way that used to be exhausting, but now, I see it as a strength. My way of showing I care might be unconventional — like the time a friend had a panic attack, and I calmed them down by describing the entire plot of a 600-page book — but it works.
- I owe my entire degree to my neurodiversity. I study English Literature and Drama — two worlds that have always made sense to me. Books gave me a place to hide when I needed it, and the stage became my safe space. When I perform, a learned script means no surprises. Even on bad days, I can step on stage and feel totally in control.
- My acting skills are stronger because I’ve spent my life mimicking people. Observing mannerisms, mirroring speech patterns — it’s second nature to me. Recently, someone told me I embodied a blind 70-year-old man perfectly. Which is … odd, considering I’m neither blind, nor a man, nor 70 years old. But hey, I’ll take the compliment.
I wonder how many of you, neurodiverse or not, see parts of yourselves in this? It can be difficult to celebrate neurodiversity sometimes, but I love my autistic quirks. I don’t know life any other way, and now I own it.
When life feels like a struggle, don’t be afraid to ask for help. Norwich School has neurodiversity experts, allies, and champions who want to help you figure out how to be your best self. I’m eternally grateful to the teachers and staff who never doubted me and took the time to understand how I worked.
And to those neurodiverse people listening — keep being your quirky, geeky, chatty, stubborn, quiet, loud, introverted, extroverted, fantastic selves (all words that have been used to describe me at one point or another). EVERYONE benefits when we’re all allowed to be who we are. So own it.
Thank you for listening.
The Close Creatives Collective produced a thought-provoking video featuring interviews on perceptions and experiences of neurodiversity, which was used to spark meaningful discussions in tutor groups.
You can watch it below!
On Thursday 26 February, a receptive audience in the Blake Studio were treated to another Amnesty Variety Evening. The evening was a mixture of performance and presentations from our school community, from staff and pupils alike. The evening started with an opening presentation from our Amnesty Group on the importance of human rights and then we were treated to a fantastic and poignant cello recital of Kol Nidrei, Op. 47 by Max Bruch. The evening also included musical performances of Army Dreamers by Kate Bush powerfully performed from Lower 6 pupil, Rosie B, Me and the Sky by Jenna Colella wonderfully sung by Maleeya Watts which was sanfg a compelling rendition of 'She Used to Be Mine' from Waitress by Ben G and Liebestraum by Franz Liszt masterfully played by Marcus Pop (U5). To end the evening was Evie A (M5) singing Imagine' by John Lennon, the perfect end to the night. There were various speeches and poetry readings that also took place and an emotive video from Aggie J (L6) on Human Rights. This event proved to be a great success and incredibly informative as well as showcasing the power of art in the fight for justice. Well done to all who took part.
27 February 2026 saw the return of the gloriously chaotic and hilarious Friends of Norwich School Annual Music Quiz held in the school’s refectory. The school’s answer to The Carpenters (Jonathan Peason and Anna Stephenson) were stalwart compères for the night, delivering ten rounds of music-based questions to suit all musical tastes and abilities. Even the Head chipped in with a round. Extra pizzazz was added by a scratch Sixth Form band made up of Lev, Louis, Maleeya, Sam, Sahib, Rosie and led by the inimitable Daisy Sexton. They played a mix of live music and sang intros for contestants to guess. A fish and chip supper provided by our fabulous in-house Catering Team provided a very welcome interlude. Mr Griffiths led a team of strict markers beavering away furiously between rounds, which resulted in one team of Musical Maestros being duly crowned at the end of proceedings. Funds raised of around £2,200 went towards FONS charitable priorities to support the school - a welcome reflection on the hard work involved in delivering such a joyously entertaining event. Huge thanks to all volunteer organisers and those who helped on the night, and to our ebullient and enthusiastic contestants for making it an evening that will stay long in the memory.
This term has been another successful one for the Dance department. Both the Junior and Senior Dance Companies have qualified for the National finals after competing at The Great Big Dance Off regionals in March. The Junior Dance Company were crowned KS3 Regional Champions, while the KS4/5 team were runners-up with an impressive 191 out of 200 points - just one point shy of winning. Both companies will compete at the National finals in Cheltenham in June. Following this, the Dance department showcased incredible talent at the Senior Dance Festival held at Epic, with over 140 pupils across both the lower and senior schools. This collaborative event highlighted the progression of our students from the start to the end of their school journey. The evening celebrated their dedication, passion, and outstanding commitment to dance, which has made the studio a vibrant hub of activity and inspiration.
New skills learnt at DJ Club thanks to new decks!
Our Apply+ Programme supports pupils applying for academic courses at university that require admissions tests and/or interviews. This includes courses at Cambridge, Imperial and Oxford, the most selective courses for computer science, economics, law and mathematics and all courses for dentistry, medicine and veterinary medicine. We are delighted that 29 pupils in our Upper 6 have already received offers from Apply+ courses and wish those still waiting for the outcomes of their applications every success. These are: Omar Alfiky Daniel Amaka-Maidoh Thomas Cahir Isaac Chan Arthur Dannatt Katerina Di Maria Isio Emore India-Rose Fox Ben Griffiths Melissa Hawkings Lizzie Henson Ilya Higginson Celeste Horsman Thomas Hsia Thomas Irvine Anish Kantam Isabelle Last Leon Liu Georgia Lloyd Emmanuel Milne Ana Paduaru Maya Peart Adit Raje Mihir Sanghrajka Sruthi Santhosh Charlotte Scott Freya Simmonds Emile Verschoor Halvard Yip
The Girls 1st XI have worked hard this term, in both training and matches, and this has shown through the immense improvement from everyone throughout. Targeting the basics in training enabled the girls to play an attractive style of football during fixtures, with some great chances created from the team working well together. The season started with a game away to a physical Gresham's side, that was tightly contested. Unfortunately, with a few key chances missed, the score ended 2-0 to them. Next up was Wymondham at home. A goal from Poppy Francis sent us into the last 10 at 1-1. The girls managed to score a second, but this was ruled offside. With Wymondham somehow sneaking in a winner in the closing minutes, the game concluded at 2-1 to them. On the return leg at their place the following week, the girls fought well on a difficult pitch, but were unlucky and lost 2-0, despite playing the better football. A special mention must go to India Coupland who stepped up as goalkeeper, playing against girls 4 years her senior, and held her own. The final game of the season was played at home against a mixed side from St Felix, with arguably the best performance of the season from the team. It was an exciting game from start to finish, and despite good pressure on the St Felix defence towards the end, the girls were unable to find an equaliser, with the game ending 3-2. Goals from Chloe Holmes and Lizzie Henson. Despite not getting the results the team deserved, they should be very proud of themselves and their performances. Hopefully this season has provided useful foundations for the Lower 6 and Upper 5 to build on for next year. Lizzie Henson (U6V) 1st XI Captain
FONS grant helps The Close Creatives Collective rebrand following huge success.
This year’s netball season has been one of the most successful in recent history, both in terms of participation and performance. It has been a term defined by enthusiasm, commitment and outstanding achievement across all age groups. Over the course of the term, more than 60 fixtures were played, with every girl from U8 to U11 representing the school in at least one match; most in many more. This level of involvement is a testament to the strength and depth of the programme, as well as the pupils’ eagerness to contribute, perform and compete. Our U8 players have demonstrated excellent coachability and a genuine enthusiasm for learning. Their performances in the house netball competition were highly encouraging, and it was particularly rewarding to see them take to the court in their first fixture against NHSFG. They embraced the experience with confidence, successfully applying skills developed in training to a competitive setting. The U9 squad continued to build on the strong foundations laid last year, participating in an increasing number of BEE Netball fixtures and festivals. While the emphasis at this stage remains on participation and enjoyment, the girls have shown clear progress in their teamwork and tactical understanding. They are developing into a very promising group and we look forward to their continued growth next year. At U11 level, our Lower 3 and Upper 3 pupils formed a highly competitive cohort, fielding up to six teams throughout the term. The standard across the group has been exceptionally high, with impressive depth in talent reflected in both performances and results. It has been particularly pleasing to see so many girls regularly involved in weekly fixtures, contributing to a vibrant and competitive environment. However, this term has undoubtedly belonged to the U11A team, who have enjoyed a truly remarkable season. Remaining unbeaten throughout, they achieved an outstanding treble of titles. Their campaign began with a dominant victory at the OBH Festival, competing against strong schools and clubs from across the eastern region. This success was followed by an exceptional performance at the U11 IAPS Netball Tournament, where they once again went unbeaten to be crowned Eastern Region IAPS Champions. They completed their treble in style, securing the U11 County Cup without losing a match. This squad has demonstrated not only exceptional skill, but also outstanding teamwork, resilience, and coachability. At times, their quality of play has been nothing short of superb. The future is incredibly bright for these girls and we look forward to following their progress closely as they move into the Senior School.
With British Science week happening last week, it is a great time to celebrate some of the many STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Medicine) offers our Upper 6 pupils have received from the most selective UK universities. STEM is very strong at Norwich School with consistently large numbers of both girls and boys choosing Sciences, Maths and Further Maths for A level: 80 of last year’s Upper 6 cohort took Maths A level (the most popular A level subject) with over 40 taking each of the three Sciences and 17 taking Further Maths. There is so much going on in STEM areas within school; the pupil led Med Soc (Medical Society) have recently enjoyed learning surgical suturing and practising this on pigs’ trotters, Upper 6 pupil Adit Raje has just gained a ‘Top Gold’ in the British Physics Olympiad coming in the top 69 of the 9000 entrants and Upper 6 pupil Emmanuel Milne’s gold in the British Biology Olympiad placed him in the top 5% of the 18,800 pupils who took part nationally. Both of these performances qualified the pupils for Round 2 of these Olympiads whilst the lower 4 and lower 5 VEX Robotics team’s recent regional and then national success qualified them for the international finals that will take place in St. Louis, Missouri, USA in April. The school’s Apply+ Programme is run by Mr Pearce. It supports pupils applying to academic courses that require admissions tests and/or interviews. STEM Oxbridge offers: Of the 10 Norwich School pupils with offers to study at Oxford and Cambridge Universities this cycle, 5 are for STEM subjects: Thomas Irvine – Medicine at the University of Cambridge Georgia Lloyd – Psychological and Behavioural Sciences at the University of Cambridge Adit Raje – Physics at the University of Oxford Freya Simmonds – Veterinary Medicine at the University of Cambridge Emile Verschoor – Natural Sciences at the University of Cambridge Other Apply+ STEM offers received so far this cycle: Thomas Cahir – Physics with Astrophysics at the University of Manchester Isaac Chan – Physics with Theoretical Physics at Imperial Arthur Dannatt – Mathematics at the University of Warwick Katerina Di Maria – Biochemistry at Imperial Thomas Hsia – Computer Science at University of Warwick Leon Liu – Physics at the University of Manchester Maya Peart – Microbiology at Imperial Adit Raje – Physics at Imperial Emile Verschoor – Physics at Imperial Halvard Yip – Data Science at the University of Warwick Medicine and Veterinary medicine: We are delighted that all of our pupils who have applied for medicine and veterinary medicine this cycle have gained offers to study these highly competitive courses: Omar Alfiky Isio Emore India-Rose Fox Lizzie Henson Thomas Irvine Isabelle Last Emmanuel Milne Ana Paduaru Sruthi Santhosh Freya Simmonds Particular congratulations to Isabelle Last, Sruthi Santhosh, Thomas Irvine and Isio Emore who have each already received offers from all four med/vet schools they applied to, something achieved by fewer than 5% of applicants nationally each admissions cycle. The following pupils have successfully navigated interviews for these allied health professions: Ciara Bethapudy – Pharmacy Emilia Meade – Midwifery Krishni Theiventhira - Pharmacy As is the norm at this point in the year, a significant proportion of the most competitive courses are still making decisions on which applicants to offer places to. We look forward to sharing more successes with the Norwich School community at the start of next term.
Lower Two enjoyed a successful two‑day residential in London. The trip began with a train journey into the city, followed by an introduction to travelling independently on the Underground. Thirdly, then pupils then visited the London Eye, where many showed great courage in overcoming fears of heights while enjoying panoramic views and identifying key landmarks, including their hostel near St Paul’s Cathedral. Secondly, the children had a wonderful time at the Paddington Experience, where they eagerly joined Paddington in his quest to make the perfect marmalade. Working together, they helped gather ingredients, stirred the mixture with great enthusiasm, and proudly supported Paddington in creating his famous treat. Thirdly, riverboat cruise along the Thames provided further learning, offering insights into London’s architecture and the history of the Great Fire of London. The day concluded with a well‑deserved dinner at Pizza Express. On the second day, the group explored the Tower of London, observing the ravens, viewing the Crown Jewels, and learning about royal life throughout history. A picnic on the grounds offered a relaxed end to the visit. All pupils represented the school admirably and should be proud of their achievements on their first residential.
