News & Events
Latest News From the Senior and Lower Schools
Lower School News
Lower 2 enjoyed an inspiring and energetic “Play in a Day” workshop at the Theatre Royal, where they brought Ted Hughes’ The Iron Man vividly to life on stage. Building on their Michaelmas reading, pupils explored how drama can transform words on a page into a dynamic and engaging performance. Throughout the day, they experimented with expressive movement, physical theatre, and a wide range of vocal techniques, learning how posture, gesture, pace, tone, and volume can shape character and atmosphere. Working collaboratively in small groups, the pupils developed scenes from the novel, thinking carefully about how to convey tension, humour, and emotion to an audience. They embraced every challenge with enthusiasm and imagination, showing increasing confidence as performers while also strengthening their communication and teamwork skills. The workshop encouraged them to take creative risks, support one another, and respond thoughtfully to the dramatic ideas of their peers. The day culminated in a lively and imaginative sharing for parents and guardians, who were delighted to see the pupils’ creativity, energy, and growing stage presence. From powerful narration to inventive staging and expressive ensemble work, the performances reflected not only the pupils’ understanding of the text, but also their willingness to collaborate and experiment. It was a memorable and rewarding experience that highlighted the creativity, confidence, and teamwork flourishing within Lower 2.
Our Lower One and Upper One pupils delighted audiences with two wonderful performances of The Bee Musical in The Blake Studio. The children proudly took to the stage for a special morning performance for our friends at The Great Hospital, followed by an afternoon performance for parents and families. It was a real joy to showcase the performing arts talents of some of our youngest pupils. Over the few weeks, the children have worked incredibly hard learning their songs and lines, while growing in confidence through drama, comedy and character performance. Their enthusiasm and commitment shone through in every scene, and it was clear just how much they had enjoyed bringing this lively production to life. The show featured some fantastic performances, with many of the children delivering their roles with confidence, expression and excellent comic timing. The audience was thoroughly entertained by the uplifting musical numbers, including the catchy Bee Bop , the energetic Bees Knees and the unforgettable Honey Honey Honey Bee Mine . Mrs Barclay praised the children for their wonderful performances and dedication throughout the rehearsal process, reflecting on what a special experience the production has been for everyone involved. She commented, “The children have loved every part of this journey, from learning their songs and lines to performing so confidently on stage and working together to create such a fun and polished production. I have been so impressed by the confidence, teamwork and enthusiasm shown by every pupil. These performances were a true reflection of all their hard work and of just how much they have enjoyed being part of this very special show.”
On 12 May, Lower 2 visited Sandringham to explore a Royal home and spark ideas for their King and Queen stories. We galloped around the grounds, discovering treasures gifted to the Royal Family, including a Sri Lankan mask that one pupil proudly recognised from her heritage. After a sunny picnic and time wandering through the gardens, the day ended with a brilliant game of hide and seek on the playground, leaving everyone inspired for the term ahead.
Senior School News
One day, someone was walking down the street when they fell in a hole. The walls are so steep they can't get out. A doctor passes by and the guy shouts up, 'Hey you. Can you help me out?' The doctor writes a prescription, throws it down in the hole and moves on. Then a priest comes along and the guy shouts up, 'Father, I'm down in this hole can you help me out?' The priest writes out a prayer, throws it down in the hole and moves on. Next, a teacher comes along and the guy shouts up, ‘Miss, I’ve been stuck here so long, can you help me out?’ The teacher gives a quick lecture on how to get out of the hole and moves on. Then a friend walks by, 'Hey, Joe, it's me can you help me out?' And the friend jumps in the hole. Our guy says, 'Are you stupid? Now we're both down here.' The friend says, 'Yes, but I've been down here before and I know the way out.” Character triumphs over talent. The concept of friendship appears simple on the surface, they’re just our ‘friends’. But what makes a good friend is hard to define and easy to debate. It’s something human beings have been pondering over not just for centuries but for millennia. Aristotle outlined three kinds of friendship: a friendship of utility, a friendship of pleasure and a friendship of virtue. For the first two, both these types of friendship are dependent on a particular good or pleasure, take that away and the friendship crumbles. Friendships that are built upon virtue take time and energy on both sides , but they last. Wind the clock forward a couple of thousand years and psychological studies often reveal that the most sought-after trait in a friend is ‘honesty’. People are looking for someone in their lives who is there to co-operate and support, however, this would not be possible if a friend is dishonest, unreliable, and exploitive. Yes, we seek other qualities in a person such as kindness, availability and just generally being pleasant to be around, but to a large degree, these are objective. Instead, I encourage you to reflect on what your moral values are and see which ones you share with those around you; you might just find a friend. These moral values are fixed in their nature, but dependable and flexible on the context. For instance, I value people who are good fun to be around and positive in their outlook on everyday life. However, we cannot be this way all the time, life throws up challenges, holes in the street… and at those moments I need that same person to just as easily be empathetic and understanding. Likewise, if you value loyalty in a friend, someone who will be by your side no matter what, then I would also encourage you to allow that same person to challenge you & for you to challenge them. Friendships need to offer us some resistance when our behaviour doesn’t match our shared, unwritten values. These should not be seen as contradictions, merely the importance of adaptability whilst protecting the core strength of our support network. Recently, a friend reached out to me after a period of little contact, asking how I was. I explained I was finding things tough, overwhelming, scary. The very next evening, he and two other friends were on a train to come and see me. To listen, to support, to give me some small respite from a darkening world. Simply being present was a small act that went a long way to helping me out of a hole. So, the next time you find yourself unfortunate enough to be walking down a street and you fall into a hole, hopefully you can be reassured that you won’t be down there alone or for too long.
Statement I have realised during the last few years that there is a thread that runs through all my work which is the idea of containment. Houses, harbours and boats are all containers in different ways and many of Hepworth’s sculptures have elements of containment too. I moved to Cornwall from Norwich in 1982 and this had a profound influence on my work. Although I returned to Norwich in 1987, Cornwall has always remained my spiritual home and the catalyst for my ideas, particularly the harbours of St. Ives, Mousehole and Falmouth. An additional major influence has been a long series of drawings done in Barbara Hepworth’s garden and studio, as well as the works of Paul Feiler and Terry Frost. Integrated in to some of the works are elements of Cubism and Chinese perspective as a method of structuring images. My major concern is with composition and colour, and using colour to open up the space on a 2D surface. Sometimes collage is used as a starting point which determines what the composition might be, although this is always subject to change. The collage elements also act as parts of the real world juxtaposed with the suggested applications of paint. Some works have other Cornish images such as tin mine chimneys, segments of Hepworth’s sculptures, parts of fishing boats and glimpses of sea, beach and sky. These are not abstract works – they are abstracted – all the works start with observational drawing. The challenge with my work is to bring these elements together to produce a strong composition that works visually in terms of different relationships as well as an image that evokes a sense of place and meaning – something that can communicate before it is fully understood. Just as a fisherman is ‘caught’ by the fish, I am continually drawn back to certain places and images. Mousehole harbour with its solid granite walls containing and protecting the small boats from the ravages of the sea is like a womb. The V shape entrance/exit to the harbour is anatomically feminine too and relates to Hepworth’s sculpture ‘Divided Form’ which has been a source of many works.
Norwich School has enjoyed a treasured relationship with the highly respected Norfolk Cambridge Society, and we have played a key role hosting their 26-lecture series on site. The latest Norfolk Cambridge Society public lecture took place at Norwich School on 14 May 2026, delivered by Professor Robin Franklin, FRS, Honorary Professor of Stem Cell Biology at the University of Cambridge. He is a leading stem cell scientist and multi-award-winning regeneration biologist. Professor Franklin's topic was Brains, Stem Cells and Growing Old - Reversing the Ravages of Time, in which he discussed neuro-degenerative diseases and how brain cells are progressively lost as we grow older - a major factor in age-related cognitive decline. Before the 1980s, scientists understood that the brain could not regenerate, as it lacked the stem cells required for the production of new cells. Coherently and with great humour, Professor Franklin explained why he believes that future developments in this field are hugely promising, being at the forefront of scientific innovation that he and his team at Cambridge University are working on. It was a beautifully illustrated lecture and a masterclass in clarity and intellectual stimulation. There was not a free seat in the house. A very interesting Q&A discussion was led by acclaimed local neurology researcher and leading authority on Multiple Sclerosis, Professor Charles ffrench-Constant, who had worked with Professor Franklin. Discussions continued during drinks in the refectory afterwards. The Norfolk Cambridge Society has a simply stellar line-up of future talks ahead, with the next one taking place on 17 September 2026: " A Conversation with Ed Balls " - an interview with TV personality and former high-ranking politician Ed Balls in conversation with Phil Webster, former Political Editor of The Times. Tickets available : HERE . All are welcome. Our thanks go to the dynamic NCS for putting on such a compelling series of talks. Finally, please have a flick through our publication: At Close Quarters Trinity Term 2026 to see our full programme of exciting, cultural events taking place in and around Cathedral Close this term.
Blog
One day, someone was walking down the street when they fell in a hole. The walls are so steep they can't get out. A doctor passes by and the guy shouts up, 'Hey you. Can you help me out?' The doctor writes a prescription, throws it down in the hole and moves on. Then a priest comes along and the guy shouts up, 'Father, I'm down in this hole can you help me out?' The priest writes out a prayer, throws it down in the hole and moves on. Next, a teacher comes along and the guy shouts up, ‘Miss, I’ve been stuck here so long, can you help me out?’ The teacher gives a quick lecture on how to get out of the hole and moves on. Then a friend walks by, 'Hey, Joe, it's me can you help me out?' And the friend jumps in the hole. Our guy says, 'Are you stupid? Now we're both down here.' The friend says, 'Yes, but I've been down here before and I know the way out.” Character triumphs over talent. The concept of friendship appears simple on the surface, they’re just our ‘friends’. But what makes a good friend is hard to define and easy to debate. It’s something human beings have been pondering over not just for centuries but for millennia. Aristotle outlined three kinds of friendship: a friendship of utility, a friendship of pleasure and a friendship of virtue. For the first two, both these types of friendship are dependent on a particular good or pleasure, take that away and the friendship crumbles. Friendships that are built upon virtue take time and energy on both sides , but they last. Wind the clock forward a couple of thousand years and psychological studies often reveal that the most sought-after trait in a friend is ‘honesty’. People are looking for someone in their lives who is there to co-operate and support, however, this would not be possible if a friend is dishonest, unreliable, and exploitive. Yes, we seek other qualities in a person such as kindness, availability and just generally being pleasant to be around, but to a large degree, these are objective. Instead, I encourage you to reflect on what your moral values are and see which ones you share with those around you; you might just find a friend. These moral values are fixed in their nature, but dependable and flexible on the context. For instance, I value people who are good fun to be around and positive in their outlook on everyday life. However, we cannot be this way all the time, life throws up challenges, holes in the street… and at those moments I need that same person to just as easily be empathetic and understanding. Likewise, if you value loyalty in a friend, someone who will be by your side no matter what, then I would also encourage you to allow that same person to challenge you & for you to challenge them. Friendships need to offer us some resistance when our behaviour doesn’t match our shared, unwritten values. These should not be seen as contradictions, merely the importance of adaptability whilst protecting the core strength of our support network. Recently, a friend reached out to me after a period of little contact, asking how I was. I explained I was finding things tough, overwhelming, scary. The very next evening, he and two other friends were on a train to come and see me. To listen, to support, to give me some small respite from a darkening world. Simply being present was a small act that went a long way to helping me out of a hole. So, the next time you find yourself unfortunate enough to be walking down a street and you fall into a hole, hopefully you can be reassured that you won’t be down there alone or for too long.
With the Upper 6 soon to start their study leave, we are going to announce a final selection of university offers and offers for apprenticeships that they have received. We wish the Upper 6 pupils all the best as they sit their A level examinations and hope that the 20 pupils still awaiting outcomes of one or more of their applications receive good news on these soon. The school’s Apply Plus Programme is run by Mr Pearce. It supports pupils applying to academic courses that require admissions tests and/or interviews. Pupils with Apply Plus offers not previously announced: Lily Mei ML - Foundation Year in Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences at the University of Cambridge This makes the total number of Norwich School offers from Oxford and Cambridge this cycle 11. Daniel AM – Economics at UCL Thomas H – Computing at Imperial College Anish K– Economics at the University of Warwick Humanities/Social Sciences/Languages: Isabel B – Spanish at the University of St. Andrews Edward Bl – History with a Year Abroad at UCL Joel F (ON) – Politics, Philosophy and Economics (PPE) at LSE (London School of Economics) Hannah H - Culture, Media & Creative Industries at King’s College London Darcy W – International Management (including Year Abroad) at the University of Warwick Sciences: Bea F – Environment and Sustainability at the University of Surrey Cynthia L – Neuroscience at UCL Victor P – Engineering Business Management at the University of Warwick Halvard Y - Data Science at LSE Creatives: Will C – Acting (BA) at East 15 Ernie H– Music Production at Northbrook College Lana K – Music Performance – Drums at the Academy of Contemporary Music Isla V– Contemporary Dance (BA) at Trinity Laban Toby W – Architecture with professional placement at the University of Bath Overseas: Gabriel C – offers from both Hong Kong University (HKU) and Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) Gilia C and Mari L – offers from Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) Apprenticeships: Louise H – Accountancy apprenticeship with Berry & Warren (Norwich) George S– Engineering apprenticeship with the National Grid (Eakring, Nottinghamshire)
2026 is National Year of Reading and we are going all in here at Norwich School! We know reading expands worlds, sharpens minds, and fuels creativity, so let's get inspired! Every month we are focusing on a different genre and hearing from a member of staff about what they like to read, why, when and where! Next up we have Crime Fiction for April and a huge fan of this genre, Gillian Wright, Lower School Teacher, is going to tell us a bit about why she loves Crime Fiction so much! Tell us a little bit about the genre; what common themes or elements do you particularly enjoy? I enjoy delving into stories that revolve around secret missions, missing persons, or even a mysterious killer. The suspense, unexpected twists, and deductive reasoning keep me eagerly turning pages until the inevitable surprise ending. These books are often packed with action and clever plotlines that keep readers guessing right up to the final chapter. The most thought-provoking stories are those rooted in real-life situations that readers can relate to, such as The London Eye Mystery by Siobhan Dowd. I also enjoy books that take me out of my comfort zone and offer different perspectives on the world, for example T he Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins. What was the book that introduced you to crime fiction? Was there a particular book or author that made you fall in love with this genre? The book that first sparked my interest in reading was James and the Giant Peach by Roald Dahl. Although it is not a classic crime novel, it is certainly an exciting and mysterious adventure. Aunt Sponge and Aunt Spiker clearly display some questionable—if not criminal—behaviour. I suppose my first real exposure to crime fiction came through The Famous Five adventures by Enid Blyton. I loved seeing how a group of children worked together to solve mysteries without any adult help. From that point on, I have always been drawn to stories filled with adventure, mystery, and unexpected twists. I also enjoy a touch of dark humour, which is why I thoroughly enjoyed A Series of Unfortunate Events by Lemony Snicket. The books are grim, funny, and strangely addictive. Has your taste in this genre changed over time? No, my taste for crime novels has not changed. Although I do enjoy a good historical novel, I will always return to mysteries and crime as they provide intrigue, twists and those quiet ‘aha’ moments. Most recently, I have enjoyed The Thursday Murder Club mysteries by Richard Osman. Would you recommend this genre to someone who doesn’t usually read it? Why? There is something timeless about a good mystery. It isn’t just about solving crimes or catching the villain; it’s about asking questions, noticing subtle details, and thinking more deeply. In a world dominated by quick scrolling and short attention spans, mystery novels remind us that it’s okay to slow down, immerse ourselves in a story, and truly pay attention. What do you enjoy most about reading, whether crime fiction or anything else? Reading is essential to me; it allows me to step away from the busyness of everyday life and escape into magical and mysterious worlds, while also enabling me to explore new perspectives. Books have the power to evoke a wide range of emotions, from joy and excitement to sadness and tension. I love immersing myself in a new story—being drawn along with the characters, seeing the world through their eyes, and allowing the words to take me on a journey. When and where is your favourite time and place to read?/ Do you have a favourite reading spot or routine for diving into books? I read every night before I go to sleep, as it helps me wind down after a busy day and fully relax. On sunny days, I especially enjoy reading outdoors, whether that’s in the garden or by the pool while on holiday. Which fictional character would you most like to have a cup of tea with? I would love to share a cup of tea with Willy Wonka, as he would likely provide an unusual combination of flavours—perhaps even with a side order of chocolate. Do you tend to reread favourites from this genre or always look for something new? I don’t usually re-read books, although I have returned to Roald Dahl’s stories time and again—mainly to allow my children to experience the joy of his imaginative and magical tales. When was the last time a book from this genre really surprised you? The essence of a good crime or mystery novel is its ability to surprise the reader, and they never fail to leave me guessing. I have never yet managed to work out the final twist of a truly good crime novel. Do you prefer classic or modern books within this genre, and why? I enjoy both. A classic tale by Agatha Christie or a mystery involving Sherlock Holmes is always enjoyable. However, more recent authors, particularly for children, have created some new classics, such as the Alex Rider series by Anthony Horowitz or Murder Most Unladylike by Robin Stevens. Has your taste in books changed over the years? I used to enjoy reading the classics including books by Thomas Hardy and EM Forster. Nowadays, I prefer a lighter read intermingled with more challenging stories. I am always up for a good book recommendation. Why do you think reading is important? Reading for enjoyment can spark the imagination, provide an escape, and inspire creativity. It offers a way to discover new worlds, meet new characters, and learn about the past. Above all, it is an easy, enjoyable, and relaxing way to spend time. If you could step into the world of any book, which would it be and why? If I could step into the world of any book, it would probably be Harry Potter . The incredible creatures, magical adventures, friendships and rivalries, along with the mysteries waiting to be solved, all combine to make these stories so captivating. I would love to try my hand at a few magic spells myself. Having visited the Warner Bros. Studio where Harry Potter was filmed, it was amazing to see the sets and costumes used by the characters. It truly brought the stories to life and felt like a real privilege Click here to see the monthly Reading List!
Meet the Team
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