Onward Routes for Our Upper 6 Cohort - Girls in STEM

March 27, 2025

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 Norwich School successfully hosting several Norwich Science Festival events during the February half term, we have chosen to focus on case study STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Medicine) offers in this blog post. 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: 73 of last year’s Upper Sixth cohort took Maths A level with an average of 47 taking each of the three Sciences. 

 

Many Upper 6 boys and girls have received exciting offers from highly competitive universities to study STEM courses. Nationally only 26% of STEM graduates are female, yet at Norwich School the gender split continuing STEM post-18 is much more even. We have therefore chosen to celebrate the achievements of girls in STEM in this blog post. The Med Soc (Medical Society) that recently arranged for Chair of the NNUH, Tom Spink, to speak is run by two Lower 6 girls, the Vet Society that meets each week was started up and is led by two other Lower 6 girls. Two Upper 6 girls (Amelia Braidwood and Freya Osborne) have recently been selected to take part in the selection process for the UK’s team at the International Biology Olympiad following their gold awards in the British Biology Olympiad. With so many girls gain STEM offers ranging from Automotive Engineering, Biomedical Sciences and Computer Science to Zoology, it was difficult to choose a few pupils to hear from, but we hope younger pupils will be inspired by the application journeys and successes of Georgia, Freya, Lily and Lily. 



Georgia Hodgson


Can you tell us about the university offers that you've received so far? i.e. what course(s) at which unis. 


Currently, I’ve received offers from Cambridge, Imperial, UCL and UEA for Medicine and Warwick for Biomedical Sciences!  


On top of the usual UCAS application form, what else have you had to do as part of the admissions process to be considered for these highly competitive courses? 


For my medicine applications, I’ve had to take the University Clinical Aptitude Test (UCAT) entrance exam, which happened over the summer (between Lower 6 and Upper 6), and complete interviews at all four universities. These interviews involved learning about current NHS affairs, exploring skills from work experience/volunteer work and, for Cambridge, applying scientific knowledge from A Levels. 
 

How did Norwich School help you during the university application process? 


Norwich School provided support during Lower 6 in the form of Apply Plus sessions, in which we were encouraged to think ahead about work experience, volunteering and super-curriculars; I found these sessions very insightful as I learnt a lot about the application process pre-emptively and was able to tackle my UCAS application a lot better as a result! During Upper 6, there was also support for interview preparation for medicine, dentistry and veterinary medicine applicants as we were able to take part in a mock interview, which helped me to identify my weaker areas and gave me an idea of how to prepare and what’s involved.  
 

Which other activities in sixth form helped strengthen your application? 


Volunteering was a key experience that supported my application; I had undertaken some volunteering at Able2B, as well as partaking in community service through school. These experiences provided valuable learning opportunities that I was able to reflect on in my application and discuss at the interview. I also shadowed doctors in a hospital, which gave me a realistic view of what medicine entails that I could tie into my personal statement and interview answers, and excited and motivated me about the prospects of entering a career in medicine! On top of these, I completed and presented an 8000-word research project on the link between depression and cardiac health, entered several STEMM Olympiads and completed the Youth STEMM Award. 


Outside of medicine-related activities, what have you been involved in at Norwich School during sixth form? 


During sixth form at Norwich School, I’ve led the Debating and Erpingham Societies, as well as taken up my new role in Upper 6 as Head of School and EDI. These have helped me develop other skills, especially those in communication and organisation, and have been a lot of fun! A particular highlight was being part of a team ranked 26th internationally at a debating competition! 
 

Which offer do you think you will pick as your CF (conditional firm) and what most excites you about that course? 


I’m hoping to CF Cambridge’s medicine course! I find a lot of aspects of the course exciting; however, a particular aspect is the opportunity to intercalate in the 3rd year! I think this will help to broaden my knowledge and understanding of medicine and science as a whole, and the chance to research is an exciting prospect! I also look forward to participating in supervisions and discussing the subject with incredible scientists and researchers! 


 Lily Yu


Can you tell us about the university offers that you've received so far? i.e. what course(s) at which unis.


I have had offers from UCL and Durham to study Earth Science and from Imperial College London and Bristol to read Geology. 


On top of the usual UCAS application form, what else have you had to do as part of the admissions process to be considered for these highly competitive universities?  


I volunteered in Sedgwick Museum for two months during summer holidays which was fantastic experience. To study the history of the geological landscape in the area, I also attended a geology & geography camp in the Lake District which proved to be great experience which also looked great on my personal statement. In Lower 6, I also completed the Gold Independent Project ‘To what Extent does Ocean Acidification Influence the Colour of the Ocean?’. Researching this area furthered my knowledge in the field. 

 

How did Norwich School help you during the university application process? 


The school were really helpful in managing and supporting my application as well as answering any questions that I had. Mrs Warren and Mr Pearce were both helpful, as well as Mr Croston who specialises in helping international students and Old Norvicensians. 


Which other activities in sixth form helped strengthen your application? 


I think going to a range of talks and lectures proved to really help my application, as well as getting a strong set of predicted grades. Reading around the subject was also particularly academically enriching, and it also gives you a selection of things to talk about at interview as well as on your personal statement. 


Outside of academic activities, what have you been involved in at Norwich School during sixth form? 


Outside of academic activities, I have been involved in the Amnesty Group, where we have organised fundraising for a plethora of charities and events such as the Amnesty Variety Evening, which is always great fun. I also love to be in nature, so I recently completed the expedition for DofE Gold and looking forward to going to Buckingham Palace to receive my award! In Sixth Form, I have also really enjoyed rowing at Whittingham, in the week as well as on Saturdays. I typically row in a single but also enjoy rowing as part of a double, quad or eight. 


Which offer do you think you will pick as your CF (conditional firm) and what most excites you about that course?

 

For my conditional firm, I will accept UCL, on account of its excellent learning environment, course structure and work-life balance. Studying in London is particularly nice, and I’m looking forward to starting in September. 



 Lily Nguyen


Can you tell us about the university offers that you've received so far? i.e. what course(s) at which unis.


I've applied for Electrical and Electronic Engineering. I've received offers from Bristol, Newcastle, Nottingham and Sheffield, and I'm interviewing for Loughborough in early April.  


How did Norwich School help you during the university application process? 


My teachers were very helpful with editing and making changes to my personal statement. I also had support from staff on where to strategically apply to get the most out of the five university options. And my teachers wrote strong references to support my application.  


Which other activities in sixth form helped strengthen your application? 


I have participated in and gained Silver Industrial Cadets Qualification, involving me attending talks, watching lectures, and culminating in a research project on the UK's transition to green energy. I've also been able to present this research project at Erpingham and turn it into a Longbow article. I've also participated in the Cityzen Competition and Engineering Education Project. I've also done two research projects, my Independent Project was on safety systems in Formula 1, and I also did a research project as part of my physics practical qualification, looking into the drivetrains of Formula 1 and Formula E cars, and looking at their similarities and differences. 


Outside of academic activities, what have you been involved in at Norwich School during sixth form? 


I've been involved in Chapel Choir, and a bit of Gateway Players. I've also been an active member of the school boat club, having competed in major races, such as National Schools and Henley Women's and currently being in the process of doing GB trials.  


Which offer do you think you will pick as your CF (conditional firm) and what most excites you about that course? 


Bristol will be my conditional firm. They continually update their modules (one of my year 1 modules will be new for my entry cohort), and I like the wide range of topics that my degree covers, covering both the hardware and software side of electronics. I enjoy programming, but not enough to do a degree in it! I also like the final year individual research project, allowing you to research any topic that interests you.  


Freya Osborne


Can you tell us about the university offers that you've received so far? i.e. what course(s) at which unis. 


I have received offers to study Veterinary Medicine at the University of Liverpool, the Royal Veterinary College, the University of Edinburgh, and the University of Surrey. 



On top of the usual UCAS application form, what else have you had to do as part of the admissions process to be considered for these highly competitive universities?  


I had to complete numerous extra forms to document the work experience that I had completed, as well as doing a Situational Judgment test for Surrey and an interview for each vet school I applied. I had two virtual interviews and two in person interviews. 


How did Norwich School help you during the university application process? 


Norwich School has subject specialists who are there to give you advice and feedback on your applications to university, for example improving your personal statement. They also are great people to speak to if you need ideas on how to make your application more competitive. Norwich School held a mock MMI (multiple mini interview) for each of the veterinary medicine/medicine/dentistry applicants which gave us a chance to practise our interview skills in front of unknown people. Some of the questions they asked me were really similar to some of the ones I was asked in my real interviews! 


I was lucky to have an interview invitation in the October half term, way before anyone was expected to give them out so I had a chance to complete an online mock interview with our Head of UCAS. This was great as it gave me the opportunity to have a go at an interview in the same style as my real one. 


Which other activities in sixth form helped strengthen your application? 


I spent a lot of my holidays completing work experience in vet practices as well as gaining experience in a stables, dairy farm and a doggy day care. I was fortunate to get a part time job at Wroxham Barns which gave me over 300 hours of experience with a range of species of animals. This is also a customer facing role which helped me gain skills in interacting with the public - a vital skill for a veterinary surgeon. 


In Lower 6, we were given an opportunity to complete an independent research project. I chose to research brachycephalic (flat faced) dogs and the ethics surrounding them. This also gave me the opportunity to present my project to an audience and it also gave me a great thing to discuss during my interviews. 
 

Outside of academic activities, what have you been involved in at Norwich School during sixth form? 


During my time in sixth form, I've been involved in many extra-curricular activities such as performing in the senior musicals and plays, singing in three school choirs, and volunteering with the 8th Norwich Sea Scouts as a Young Leader. These give me a great break from my applications and studies and provide me with transferable skills which I can use in my university career such as teamwork and communication.  
 

Which offer do you think you will pick as your CF (conditional firm) and what most excites you about that course? 


I am going to pick the University of Liverpool as my firm choice because I really like the vet community that they have there, as well as the other societies that the university has, for example their musical theatre society. The course really excites me as it has a focus on practical, clinical skills from day 1 and the vet school has great facilities for all disciplines of veterinary medicine. I like how they have an equal focus on small animal, equine and production animal medicine as I am not too sure of which type of veterinary medicine I want to go into. 

By Eleanor Lewis July 14, 2025
Friday 4 July, Independence Day in America, happened to be a memorable day of independence for some of our community, as it heralded the last day of school for our Upper Sixth pupils. And it wasn’t just the pupils sharing this special day – parents and guardians were welcomed to the Close to share in the celebrations. Some pupils had been through the entire Norwich School journey, reflecting on 11 years growing up in the Close, whilst others had experienced a packed and exciting two year Norwich School journey, having joined in Sixth Form. Whatever the ‘length of service’, however, the mixed emotions amongst leavers were shared – excitement for the future, sadness and trepidation as such an important chapter of their lives drew to a close, pride at having reached such a milestone and a touch of exhaustion at the end of such an important academic year. A beautiful sunny day dawned, with an early breakfast for the pupils and a special address from the President of the Horatio Society, Jacob Stevenson, who wished his peers well and encouraged them to embrace their new status as Old Norvicensians (ONs). Jacob also handed out awards as voted for by the pupils themselves including, to name but a few, Most Likely to Start A Charity, Best Bromance, Most Likely to Headline Glastonbury and Most Likely to End Up Back at Norwich School (an easy win for Joel Newman who returns next year as a Lower School Gap Student!). They then headed to tutor group where they were presented with their Valedictory Reports – as written by their Head of House and the Head. Parents and Guardians then joined the celebrations for a brunch on the Refectory lawn before filing into the Cathedral for a very special Farewell Assembly. It was hard to spot a dry eye as parents and pupils joined in singing I Vow To Thee My Country and Jerusalem, and the Head delivered a moving and inspirational address. The congregation were then upstanding and clapped continuously as the Upper Sixth filed out of the Cathedral for the very last time, exiting the West Doors, where they were greeted with a farewell and handshake from the Head. The Upper Close was buzzing as families reunited with one another, hugging and crying as they shared the emotion of such a significant day. Overall, however, despite the tears, it was a day for celebration – to toast a job well done to the Class of 2025 who gave it their all and embraced every opportunity on their Norwich School journey. Corks popped and there were photos a-plenty as families embraced a last chance to take pictures in the Norwich School uniform, before departing for perhaps a rest or a power nap, before dressing in their finest and heading for Norwich City Football Club for the Leavers Ball.  Over 300 parents, staff and pupils attended a magnificent evening, with a sumptuous three course meal, entertainment and a live band which kept everyone on the dancefloor until 1am. There was an after party, but we will leave it at that…! Wishing the Class of 2025 every success for the future and stay in touch. Remember. You are all ONs for life!
By Eleanor Lewis July 12, 2025
Three groups undertook their practice expedition at the end of term. The weather kept to the predictions, being warm and sunny. On the hottest day the groups left camp early, with altered routes to ensure water could be topped up several times. They all coped very well, arriving in campsites and shade before the highest temperatures were reached. The fourth group arrived and the first groups returned to Norwich. The training was repeated with a short walk to refresh and learn navigational skill, followed by some first aid training. The next day the group walked to their next campsite, where they adopted an 8th member which you can see with the team below!
By Eleanor Lewis July 10, 2025
Congratulations to Norwich School pupil Anna Rechel, who was successfully shortlisted in the Oxford Scholastica Essay Competition 2025! Oxford Scholastica exists to inspire teenagers to seize the future. They do this by offering academic programmes which combine university-style teaching with academic challenges, Masterclasses and cultural adventures, including their summer school in Oxford as well as online courses and internships. You can find out more here about their Oxford Summer School. Anna Rechel wrote a brilliant essay answering the question "What do you think the greatest challenge currently facing Writing & Journalism is and how might you play a role in tackling it?". The panel of judges were very impressed with Anna’s essay, shortlisting it within a competitive field of over 650 entries. Anna’s prize was a free place at an Oxford Scholastica academic conference. Entering an Essay Competition is a great way to prepare for university applications, think deeply about a topic beyond the school curriculum, and widen your academic horizons. Oxford Scholastica warmly welcome entries from Norwich School for future Essay Competitions, and any students who are interested can find out more here !  Many congratulations again to Anna Rechel!
By Eleanor Lewis July 10, 2025
In August, we welcome Alison Dunhill to the Crypt for her exhibition ' Contemporary Landscapes'. An original exhibition of paintings of the natural world by renowned Norfolk artist Alison Dunhill. Vivid, bold and colourful paintings reflect the unique land and riverscapes of Norfolk, as in her response to the rewilding and regeneration of Walton Wood. These are contrasted with work inspired by the dramatic land of New Mexico and the Rockies, and some of the artist's earlier landscape work. Dunhill's dynamic explorations of colour, texture and perspective convey her close engagement with nature and the land, bringing an original, striking and provocative quality to her art. 19-30 August Open daily 11:00 - 5:00 Closed Sundays. Free admission.
By Eleanor Lewis July 10, 2025
In June, twenty Lower 6 chemists took part in the Cambridge Chemistry Challenge, a gruelling competition in which participants had to apply their chemical knowledge beyond the specification and were encouraged to think about Chemistry in the way they would at university. This year's two mammoth questions saw competitors learning about alkene isomers and the use of nuclear magnetic resonance in determining structures, as well as a 'non-boring question about boron'. The Chemistry Department was delighted with the level of participation this year, as well as the high proportion of certificates awarded to Norwich School, including three gold awards. The following pupils obtained awards: Copper – Brandon Camderman, Harry Chant, Thomas Irvine, Ana Paduraru, Mei McAuley, and Ansh Thakur. Silver – Omar Alfiky, Isaac Chan, Sissi Chan, Katerina Di Maria, Isio Emore, Emmanuel Milne, Emile Verschoor and Aaron Zhang. Gold - Mari Lee, Freya Simmonds, and Adit Raje.
By Sonja Mitchell July 9, 2025
Thanks to the Refugee Support Group and financial support from FONS, over 30 bicycles have been repaired for local refugees.
By Eleanor Lewis July 9, 2025
Norwich School is proud to have hosted its 25th Norfolk Summer School this July, welcoming an incredible 111 pupils from schools across the county! Hosted by Norwich School and funded with the support of private benefactors, Norfolk Summer School aims to help the brightest pupils from all backgrounds who are considering Oxbridge, other academically demanding universities and medical school. Through a range of activities, including sessions on interview practice, in-depth subject seminars taught at university level and a chance to experience a university-style interview, pupils are given the chance to hone their subject knowledge and improve their skills in preparation for university application. This year teaching was delivered by Norwich School staff who were joined by industry experts from Cambridge University, UEA, London Universities and the University of Dundee. Pupils also enjoyed talks on personal statement writing, student finance and applying for Oxbridge. Organisers were delighted to see an increase in pupil numbers this year, confirming that there is a high demand for quality university application advice from young people. Pupils came from 23 schools across Norfolk and beyond, with pupils travelling from as far as Oxford and Leicester to attend the three days. During the week, 184 subject seminars were delivered covering 23 subjects including Maths, English, Science, Psychology, Engineering and Medicine. A real asset of the Summer School is its ability to cater for the more niche areas not commonly offered at A Level such as Law, Art History and Politics, meaning pupils have the opportunity to explore these new subjects at undergrad level before embarking on their university applications. The 32 staff were drawn from the school’s own teaching team, UEA and several undergraduate and graduate ONs. In total, teachers delivered 2,442 hours of information, advice and guidance over the three days. Pupils also had the opportunity to book a 1:1 appointment with Norwich School’s Oxbridge advisor, Mr Pearce. The Summer School will continue to offer UCAS support to all its Alumni for the next academic year and we look forward to supporting pupils through their applications! For more information about Norfolk Summer School click here . For requests for information please contact partnerships@norwich-school.org.uk
By Eleanor Lewis July 8, 2025
With the Trinity Term and 24/25 Academic Year coming to a close, on July 8 Norwich School Choristers set off on a Cathedral Choir tour of Paris and Normandy. 16 Pupils from both the Lower and Senior school made their way to France to sing in some of the most beautiful churches and Cathedrals in the country, all while enjoying the culture in their spare time! One highlight on this trip will be the choir's appearances at the British Normandy Memorial in Ver-sur-Mer, where their performances of music will commemorate and remember the 22,442 servicemen and women who fell during the Battle of Normandy in 1944. You can find their itinerary below; Tuesday 8 July: 12.30pm Mass, Église de la Madeleine, Paris Tuesday 8 July: 6.30pm Concert, Cathédrale St Etiénne, Meaux Wednesday 9 July: 12.30pm Mass, Église de la Madeleine, Paris Wednesday 9 July: 7.30pm Concert, Église Notre-Dame d’Auteuil, Paris Friday 11 July: 12.00 noon Concert, Église St Maclou, Rouen Friday 11 July: 6.30pm Evensong, Église St Pierre, Caen Saturday 12 July: 12 noon and 1.15pm, Music for Remembrance, British Normandy Memorial Saturday 12 July: 5.30pm Concert, Sanctuaire Sainte Thérèse de Lisieux  To find out more click here!
By Sonja Mitchell July 7, 2025
Victoria is raising funds for The Brain Tumour Charity and the Ali Ling Fund.
By Eleanor Lewis July 4, 2025
It is great for the school to get to this point, the final assembly of the 24/25 year and a joy to share it with the parents of our Upper Sixth cohort who leave today. It is a personal privilege to have the chance to offer some reflections at a time which is laced with resonance for so many. Such occasions bring experiences and memories into enhanced focus. This has been much on my mind since the announcement a few weeks ago that the world’s most powerful digital camera has started producing its first images as part of a 10 year project to survey space and time. Situated at the Vera C Rubin observatory in the Chilean Andes to minimise light pollution, the camera is 1.65m by 3m, weighs 2,800kg and has three mirrors which are between 3.4m and 8.4m in diameter. It is hard to relate to these dimensions, so try this: it has 3,200 megapixels, making it 67 times more powerful than the camera of an iPhone 16 Pro; its resolution allows it to capture a golf ball on the moon and its detail is such that one would need 400 Ultra HD TV screens to display a single image. More relevantly for the project, its first image shows gas and dust clouds swirling 9,000 light years from earth. We may not have this precision in our own phones, but our senses and memories have an uncanny ability of capturing moments of particular significance; people even report time seeming to slow down at important moments. There is much for the senses to feast on in this last Cathedral service of the year so take moments during the service to take in and savour your surroundings: the sun streaming in from the South-West to light up swirling dust motes and the colours of the stained-glass windows; the gorgeous sounds from the Choir and congregation; the distinctive smell of this ancient building; and the cool touch of its aged stones. Just don’t lick anything please – 4th Form, that is the one sense we are not going to be trying out. We could not have this sensitivity to the world around us all the time; we would never get anything done. However, it pays to zoom in from time to time and the Cathedral provides just such a chance. As I reflect on recent weeks, my internal camera can pick out many images which have stuck with me: Bandfest, with 14 electric guitars all playing at once; The extraordinary detail in the jewellery films from the Fashion Show or the exquisite sketchbooks of our U6 in the Art and Design Exhibition; Redmayne packed with junior and intermediate cricketers or Lower Close packed with athletes in a vivid kaleidoscope of house colours; My favourite moment, not for the first time, came at the end of June from Discover Your Ability Day which the school hosts for the charity, Able2B. Frankly, if you were there and had spent time building your athlete partnership, you will know why this often wins my round-up and may well have your own special memory. For me, it was not the moment when the athlete pairs cross the line, heart-melting though that is, it was the hug that a girl with impaired physical mobility shared with her Norwich School pupil partner away from the finish line when the spectators’ gaze had moved on. A simple treasure. Yet a service like this allows us to do something else in common with the Vera C Rubin camera. That telescope deals with such vast distances that the light is from a different era. Our time-travel is rather different but no less potent. Today represents for all of us a significant punctuation mark, the end of the academic year. It is particularly so for our Upper Sixth because it is the end of their time at Norwich School. It will not be long before they process out of the West Doors to our applause as they leave to take up their places in the wider world. There should be some looking back, hopefully with enjoyment, certainly some pride, perhaps a dose of embarrassment at a dodgy 5th Form haircut or questionable dance moves at someone’s 18th. Yet I should also like you to try to consider what still lies ahead. In her talk to the Norfolk Cambridge Society this term Professor Gillian Tett, the Provost of King’s College Cambridge, referred to Steve Jobs’ famous 2005 Stanford Commencement Speech where he said that you cannot join dots forwards, only backwards. His advice to the students was to keep making dots and I advocate the same now. By way of example, I should like to return to someone I mentioned to the school at this morning’s assembly, our retiring Vice-Chair of governors, Stephen Bamber. He shared something of his life-journey when he gave out the prizes to the Lower School this term. A classicist by training, he secured a place as a Civil Servant at the Foreign Office but was told to gain some life experience before taking up his place. He decided to join the army and became a Platoon Commander, taking in tours of duty in Northern Ireland during the Troubles. By the time he finished his military commission, he returned not to the Foreign Office but was drawn to medicine, so back to learning he went before becoming a GP for some 30 years. His route to Norwich School governorship came through his own children’s time here as pupils. Looking backwards, one can see exactly how the range of experience has made Stephen such a wise and valuable governor, but if our Head of Careers, Mrs James, were to predict such a career for any of our current U6th I suspect there would be bewilderment; Stephen’s life can hardly be described as following a plan. You can only join the dots up looking backwards, so as you make your way through life, particularly while you are of school age or an 18 year-old about to leave, just keep making dots. And what dots should one make? Again, as a classicist who retrained in medicine, I think Stephen’s life story is instructive: he has always been curious to learn more and has not been afraid of putting his mind to different areas of study. This brings to mind the delightful story of the cellist, Pablo Casals. He practised every day, even after retirement. When asked why, he replied “because I think I’m making progress”. His age at the time? He was 90. Upper Sixth, take a moment to look backwards and join the dots of your school career, the moments which have moulded you into the fine young men and women I see in front of me: your A Level subject choices, your role in that play, your part in that school team, the time you first met your best friend. But remember how many dots there still are to make. Keep doing so, even if you are not sure how they will join up. That will be for another moment of focus. As you get ready to leave, please know that we have loved your presence in our community. You have been a strong sporting year-group and you have given us countless creative triumphs. You have also helped the wider community and been a close-knit support group for each other. If we have got it right, we have not been a hothouse for you but we have been a greenhouse, nurturing you as sensitive plants to develop healthily through setting the right overall conditions for your overall growth. Go out in the world with a lifelong love of learning to be forces for good in the wider community. And do stay in touch from time to time to let us know what you find. You leave with best wishes from us all.
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