Here at Norwich School we are delighted to celebrate the talented diversity of our Upper Sixth cohort as UCAS (Universities and Colleges Admissions Service) offers continue to roll in.
Following on from the Norwich School senior dance company winning the regional finals of the Great Big Dance Off competition for the third successive year and the recent brilliant performances of the senior play Clue at the Maddermarket Theatre, we have chosen to focus on creative onward routes offers in this post.
Pupils have exciting offers to study a huge range of creative courses including Music (including one pupil with an offer to study music at Oxford University with an organ scholarship), Fine Art, Graphic Communication, Costume Design for Film and TV, Musical Theatre, Technical Theatre, Ceramics and Glass and Creative Writing. This blog post asks three pupils about the application process that led to their offers and the courses they are hoping to start in the autumn.
Molly Olivier
Tell us about the offer that you're going to put as CF (conditional firm) on UCAS.
Cambridge University on the Architecture course at Downing College.
Being such an oversubscribed course, your application involved more than just the typical UCAS form. What else did the application process involve?
I had to do an entrance exam involving a series of set tasks and an online interview as well as keep a regular portfolio and drawing diary of my artwork.
How did Norwich School help you achieve this offer?
I had two mock interviews which provided me with confidence for the real interview and made me consider the kind of questions and challenges I may have faced. The mock was particularly useful as I had a discussion with a creative professional that the school organised for me. I had really good practical advice for presenting my portfolio from my Art and Design teachers. The school also organised a day trip to Cambridge where we had the opportunity to visit several of the colleges and department talks. I received lots of helpful advice from the Careers and UCAS team from Norwich School too.
What have you been involved with outside of the classroom at Norwich School during Sixth Form?
I attended after school Life Drawing classes and the Pottery Club to advance my skills. I also participated in Amnesty International, which enabled me to be involved in the local community and broaden my understanding of wider issues. The school supported me to complete an independent writing project gold award in which I researched my interest in sustainable architecture.
What excites you most about starting your chosen course this autumn?
I'm really excited about studying at Cambridge University, to be able to explore my subject in an excellent department with amazing facilities and to be taught by practising recognised Architects. I can't wait to start University life in such a historic city!
Dylan Parsons
Tell us about the exciting offer you've recently received.
I received a conditional offer for the BA (Hons) Acting (Musical Theatre) course at Italia Conti Academy of Theatre Arts. This specific course is brand new, with next year being its first and there being just 24 places available.
As a specialist Performing Arts School, your application for this course didn't involve a UCAS form. What did the application process involve?
I had to send an email directly to Italia Conti requesting the application form. Once that had been submitted, I then had to submit some self-tapes of myself performing two monologues from published plays (one Shakespeare, one contemporary) and two songs from two musicals. After receiving a recall, I then travelled down to Woking for my in-person audition which involved performing my chosen pieces again to two separate panels, interviews with both panels, and multiple voice, acting, and movement workshops with the other applicants.
How did Norwich School help you achieve this offer?
During the audition process, Mrs Adams, Mr Bromley, and Mrs Walton were an enormous help in preparing and filming my self-tapes. They were all also a huge motivational force leading up to my in-person auditions. The same can be said for all the peers who wished me luck, a small "good luck" can go a surprisingly long way.
What have you been involved with outside of the classroom at Norwich School during Sixth Form?
During Sixth Form I have been a member of the Chapel, Chamber, and Male Voices Choirs. These have allowed me to partake in the Dyers Service in London, the Choral Society Concert, and the choir trip to Hamburg. I performed in the senior musicals "Footloose" and "Guys & Dolls", playing one of the leading roles, Nathan Detroit, in the latter. I also performed in last year's senior play "All My Sons", playing the role of Chris Keller, and I played Alan Dangle in last year's cloister play "One Man, Two Guvnors". I've also had the opportunity to perform Musical Theatre Night, Jazz Night, and Gala Night multiple times. Being the "Creatives" senior prefect and Deputy Head of School has also been a wonderful opportunity.
What excites you most about starting your chosen course this autumn?
The course I will be starting is a mixture of the two most prominent courses at Italia Conti, BA (Hons) Acting, and BA (Hons) Musical Theatre. It's essentially a musical theatre course for those who aren't incredible technical dancers (lucky me!). This means that I will receive benefits and expertise provided by both courses which is an opportunity available to very few. There aren't many courses like it in the country and none that also have such a historic background in musical theatre as Italia Conti. I'm most excited about simply having the opportunity to learn from seasoned experts and hone my own skills whilst meeting many incredibly talented and lovely people along the way!
Alice Platten
Tell us about the university and music college offers you have received.
I have received offers to read Music at King’s College London, Durham, York, and Southampton. I have received an offer to read music as a classical soprano from Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London.
Like many U6 pupils, you will have completed sent off a UCAS application. What else was required for your Guildhall application?
My Guildhall application was actually very similar to the UCAS form but I had to complete it on a separate website called eGo which is then where I have accepted my offer since. Once I submitted this form (around October) I was invited to audition in December so I travelled to London for a day and took part in a day of auditions. The audition was a great opportunity to meet current students and spend a bit of time looking around the conservatoire.
How did Norwich School help you achieve these offers?
I had lots of support from school regarding my UCAS application especially since I submitted it in October. Much of the preparation for auditions has to be individual as only I could make sure I knew my pieces well enough!
What have you been involved with outside of the classroom at Norwich School during Sixth Form?
Sixth Form has been very busy for me with plenty of musical extra curriculars. Some highlights for me have been playing one of the leads in our school musical 'Guys and Dolls' as well as our recent choir tour. I also really enjoy playing the violin and viola in chamber music; there have been some incredible opportunities for playing in quartets. I am looking forward to playing some Dvorak and Schubert amongst other great music in the summer term.
What excites you most about starting your chosen course this autumn?
Music has probably always been my favourite subject and although I have also really enjoyed my other subjects at A Level, I cannot wait to be studying exclusively music at a higher level. I am also really excited to be moving back to London in September as it has unrivalled opportunities for singers (especially choral singers).
