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. 

Athletics Report from the First Half of Trinity 2026

By Eleanor Lewis • May 22, 2026
The first half of Trinity Term has been a very successful one for Norwich School athletics. The introduction of athletics into the PE programme means every L4 and U4 pupil has had the chance to try and practise all athletics disciplines in preparation for Sports Day. This has encouraged many pupils, who would not normally have tried all the events, to have a go at something new and, in many cases, discover something they have really enjoyed. This has also led to over 30 pupils across all year groups attending at least two athletics lunchtime clubs each week, which has been superb to see. The increased participation has translated into some very impressive performances in our first few county fixtures. First up was the county round of the ESAA Track and Field Cup, in which Norfolk and Cambridgeshire compete together to form a highly competitive fixture, producing some excellent performances across the board. In the junior boys’ category, Caleb R and Freddie P impressed with their discus skills - both discovered through the PE programme - winning both the A and B strings. The strength in our throws continued, with Tristan K winning the shot put A string by over a metre and Tom M taking third in the B string. Ruan E won the A string javelin with a huge throw of over 29 metres, more than eight metres ahead of the athlete in second place. Ben G made his debut in the event and finished an impressive second in the B string. The junior boys also held their own on the track, with Sam T taking victory in the 800m and claiming second place in the 300m. The junior girls also performed well, with Rosie B taking the win in the javelin. Rosie also enjoyed success on the track, taking silver in her debut B string hurdles race, while Ophee M stormed to victory in the A string race. Track success continued with Emi M leading from the front to win a very impressive 1500m race, achieving an eight-second personal best in the process. The inter boys’ team faced incredibly tough competition. Performances of the day came from Isaac M in the 100m, Zain F in the 300m, and Noah B in the 800m, who smashed his personal best by over four seconds. The boys rounded off a solid day with a strong second-place finish in the relay. The inter girls’ team also fought hard, with Thea L taking victory in the B string shot put and Sophie E impressing with a huge 7.52m throw in the A string. Once again, the throws proved successful, with Jennifer M winning the A string javelin by over seven metres and Sophie R comfortably winning the B string discus. Jennifer also stormed to victory on the track, winning the sprint hurdles in style. The track success continued with Ruby I and Nona G both finishing in the top three in the 1500m and 800m respectively. Not to be outdone by the boys, the girls also finished the day with a second-place finish in the relay. The junior boys and inter girls teams now progress to the regional finals in Chelmsford on 12th June. Our other major fixture this half term has been the annual City Schools competition. Plagued by a hailstorm in the middle of the day and on-and-off rain throughout, the weather did not dampen the spirits of the 76-strong Norwich School athletics team. An event dominated by Notre Dame for many years, the athletes had been training incredibly hard with a very specific goal in mind - and they did not disappoint. In all eight categories, Norwich School teams finished in the top three amongst strong competition from seven other city schools. Strong performances from our Year 7 boys included Ben G and Oscar A in the shot put, Josh B and Beetle D in the 800m, Josh in the long jump, and Ben in the 100m. The B team relay completed a successful day by taking victory. The boys finished 2nd overall by just a few points. The girls followed suit with strong wins for Poppy S in the B string 100m and Ellie W in the 200m. Ellie P and Freya G both secured excellent second places in the long jump and shot put respectively. The girls were rewarded with a 3rd place finish overall. The Year 8 boys were a force to be reckoned with, producing outstanding performances throughout the day. Tristan K took victories in both the shot put and the A string 100m, while Sam T won both the 800m - in a phenomenal time of 2:16 - and the 300m. Tom M won the B string shot put, while Albie C and Seb C took second places in the 800m and B string 200m races respectively. The boys finished 2nd overall. The Year 8 girls showcased the superb benefits of their training. Ophee and Bea took victories in the A and B string long jump competitions, with both girls also securing second-place finishes in the 100m and 200m races. Annie W, on her debut, stormed to victory in the 300m. Emi M also demonstrated her versatility with a second-place finish in the 800m before taking victory in the B string shot put. The girls also finished 2nd overall. The year 9 girls are a strong group but were hit with injuries, this did not impact their excellent attitude and determination. Thea L took victories in both the long jump and shot put, with Erica F taking the shot b string win followed by a 1 st place finish in the discus. Sophie R also took a win in the discus a string. Xenia completed a very successful day on the field by winning the A string javelin. The girls were rewarded with a 3 rd place finish overall. The Year 9 boys have worked incredibly hard over the past three years and were more determined than ever to secure overall victory this year after a close second-place finish last season. The boys started the day exactly as they meant to continue, with Archie W and Oscar W taking first place in both triple jump competitions. Ruan E, competing up an age group, produced an unbelievable throw in the javelin to win the A string, followed closely by Arthur L, who also led the field in the B string. Aurelius H took second place in the long jump, while Arthur demonstrated his all-round talent by winning the B string competition. Rory N attracted a crowd with his impressive high jumping and took victory with a huge 1.55m jump. Rory also claimed second place in the 200m. Bayden C did not disappoint and secured a fantastic victory of his own. The boys achieved overall victory for the first time in 10 years. The Year 10 boys followed closely with a fantastic double on the track from Zain F in the 400m and 800m. Tom B also took first place in the B string 800m, while Seb M won the 200m. In the field events, the boys dominated: Ben L won the shot put, Isaac M won the triple jump, and Harry C and Marlowe F took victories in both the A and B string high jump competitions. The day finished with second place in the relay, securing overall victory - again, the first for a very long time. The Year 10 girls chased victory all the way to the end. Unfortunately struck with a couple of illnesses on the day, the girls rallied superbly and produced exceptional results to finish in the silver medal position. Jennifer M took a double victory in the long jump and javelin, while Tilly G secured double second places in the 100m and long jump. Tilda R jumped herself into second place in the B string high jump - a particularly impressive achievement given she only started the event three weeks ago. The girls also came home second in the relay, placing 3rd overall to cement a truly memorable day of athletics. Next term, we look forward to the East Prep Schools Championships for U3, L4 and U4, as well as the junior boys and inter girls competing in the regional round of the cup. We also have a friendly fixture against St Felix, along with the much-anticipated Sports Day in the final week of term. 

ON and Father Adventure Around the World for UNICEF

By Eleanor Lewis • May 22, 2026
In March 2025 Josh Kohler (ON) and his father George Kohler set off from Norfolk on a record-breaking attempt to cycle around the world. over 30,000km across 29 countries and four continents, carrying everything they need and climbing the height of 22 Everests. On 2 May 2026, after 13 months, they crossed to finish line and reunited with their loved ones after the journey of a lifetime. In doing this, Josh and George raised over £70,000 for UNICEF, greatly surpassing their original goal of £10,000. The duo also received 3 world records! Guinness World Records: The most countries visited in a continuous bicycle journey by father and son is 30 and was achieved by Joshua Kohler and George Kohler (both UK) in Norwich, Norfolk, UK, on 28 April 2026. The longest bicycle journey by a father and son is 26,519.25 km (16,478.29 miles) and was achieved by Joshua Kohler and George Kohler (both UK) in Norwich, Norfolk, UK on 28 April 2026. The fastest bicycle circumnavigation by a father and son was achieved by Joshua Kohler and George Kohler (both UK) in Norwich, Norfolk, UK, on 2 May 2026 Congratulations to them both! To see their JustGiving page click here.

Cricket Catch Up at the Start of Trinity 2026

By Eleanor Lewis • May 22, 2026
In a busy and productive half-term, with very little disruption from the weather, the school cricket programme has made an extremely positive start across all age groups. Training attendance and enthusiasm have been excellent throughout the term, with pupils showing strong commitment both in practice sessions and during fixtures. The overall standard of cricket continues to improve, and it has been particularly pleasing to see the depth of talent developing throughout the programme. The girls’ cricket programme continues to thrive and goes from strength to strength. The junior squads have shown outstanding progress, demonstrating growing confidence, improved technical ability, and an excellent attitude towards both training and competition. The inters teams have enjoyed a particularly successful half-term, recording a number of impressive performances and positive results, including comprehensive victories against Uppingham, Gresham’s, and Framlingham College. Across all age groups, the girls have competed with energy, resilience, and an increasingly mature understanding of the game. The Girls’ 1st XI have also gathered significant momentum as the term has progressed and continue to compete strongly in two cup competitions. Their performances have reflected both determination and teamwork, with several standout displays already this season. Among the highlights were excellent victories against Ipswich and a dominant all-round performance against Gresham’s in the block fixture. The squad has developed well as a unit and will look forward confidently to the remainder of the season after half-term. There have also been some excellent individual achievements within the girls’ programme. A special mention should go to Niamh R, India RF, and Bella B, all of whom have represented the Norfolk women’s team this term. Bella B has additionally earned selection for the Essex 2nd XI despite only being a Year 10 pupil, which is a fantastic achievement and recognition of her talent and hard work. The boys’ programme has also enjoyed a strong and encouraging start to the season, with several squads involved in both regional and national cup competitions. The U13A boys have made excellent progress and are through to the second round of the National Cup following a series of disciplined and confident performances. Alongside them, the U15A side remain unbeaten this term, demonstrating excellent consistency and competitiveness in all fixtures played so far. There have been many individual highlights across the boys’ teams, with several players producing outstanding batting performances in block fixtures. Lucas B, Keiran C, and Charlie MN have each recorded excellent centuries, showing composure, concentration, and attacking intent at the crease. These innings have played a major role in helping their respective teams secure strong results and have provided memorable moments during the first half of the season. The Boys’ 1st XI faced a challenging start to the term with two early defeats but responded extremely well, showing resilience and character to bounce back strongly in subsequent fixtures. Comprehensive victories against St Joseph’s and Framlingham College demonstrated the squad’s growing confidence and ability. One of the standout performances came from Keiran C, whose superb innings of 145 runs was a major highlight of the term and helped lead the team to an impressive victory. The 1st XI will look to build further momentum and continue their development in the remaining fixtures next term.  Overall, it has been a highly encouraging and enjoyable start to the cricket season. The commitment, enthusiasm, and progress shown by pupils across both the boys’ and girls’ programmes have been outstanding. With several teams still competing in cup competitions and many exciting fixtures still to come, there is much to look forward to after half-term

Lower 1 and Upper 1 Young Performers Grace the Stage

By Eleanor Lewis • May 21, 2026
On 21 May, the Lower School was filled with music, enthusiasm and confidence as pupils from Lower 1 and Upper 1 took to the stage for their Informal Concert. The evening provided a wonderful opportunity for our young performers to showcase the progress they have made this year, performing in front of family, friends and staff in a warm and supportive atmosphere. From piano solos and violin ensembles to guitar performances and vocal numbers, the programme reflected both the variety of musical talent within the Lower School and the growing confidence of our pupils. Many performers were appearing in concert for the very first time, making the evening an especially memorable occasion. The audience enjoyed a wide-ranging programme including Clair De Lune, The Rio Samba, Naughty, Golden, Cyber Space Detective, Berry Smoothie, War Drums, Sun City, Drifting By, and An Important Person. Traditional favourites such as Old Macdonald, Twinkle Twinkle and Frère Jacques also delighted the audience, alongside colourful character pieces including Kristabel Kangaroo Visits Korea, Bluebird, The Trombone Player, Finger Strum, At the Show, Chiming Bells and Allegro Moderato. The evening was a celebration not only of musical achievement, but also of the courage and commitment shown by every pupil who performed. Congratulations to all involved on an enjoyable and successful concert.

A deep dive into the magical creative world of Richard Wentworth CBE

By Eleanor Lewis • May 21, 2026
The local creative arts group, the Norfolk Contemporary Art Society ( ncas ), celebrates its 70 th anniversary this year and boasts an illustrious pedigree. We have been delighted to host their series of public arts talks for over seven years, during which many prestigious names have graced the Blake Studio. Their talk on 21 May was no exception. Our speaker was the celebrated sculptor, Richard Wentworth CBE. Now approaching his 80 th year, he presented a fascinating and deeply personal perspective on his life and his distinctive and highly regarded body of work. It was delivered with a healthy dose of irreverence and old school charm, together with some compelling images. His work specialises in turning mundane objects such as books, buckets, chains and shoes into something special and unusual, making the everyday into meaningful artworks that stir the creative soul. After his talk, he was interviewed by our very own Andy Campbell from the school’s 3D Art and Design Department and by Simon Willmoth, curator, art historian and research Professor at Norwich University of the Arts, both of whom had worked closely with Richard. A sizeable audience of ncas members, staff, pupils, parents and Norwich creatives enjoyed interacting with the speaker and presenters over refreshments. Richard commented on how vibrant the local creative arts scene appeared to be, mirroring one of the key strengths highlighted in annual Sunday Times Best Places to Live guide, which, this year, saw Norwich named as the best place to live in the UK. See: Norwich Named The Sunday Times Best Place to Live in the UK 2026 . Norwich School and ncas are delighted to continue playing their part in this success.

Upper 3 Celebrate the End of Summer Exams with a Memorable Trip to France

By Eleanor Lewis • May 21, 2026
In May, Upper 3 pupils celebrated the end of their Summer exams with an incredible trip to France. Pupils visited a local snail farm, where they learned about snail farming, tried unusual snail facial treatments and even tasted snails. They also visited a 100-year-old boulangerie, where they made traditional loaves of bread. The much-loved Infant French teacher, Camembear, also joined the trip, and the U3 children thoroughly enjoyed his company throughout. The programme included a range of fun activities, with facilities offering opportunities such as a silent disco and archery tag, ensuring there was plenty of laughter and excitement along the way. A highlight of the trip was visiting La Coupole, the impressive Second World War megastructure built as a V2 rocket launch facility. This helped pupils understand how wartime rocket technology later influenced the development of space exploration. The trip also provided rich opportunities beyond the classroom. The Camera Kidz team conducted an interview with the snail farmer, gaining a fascinating insight into his work. Pupils certainly embraced French culture, enjoying a vast number of pastries throughout the week. Another standout moment was visiting a traditional French market, where pupils enthusiastically spent most of their money on sunglasses within the first five minutes.  Overall, the trip was full of memorable experiences, laughter, and learning, providing a wonderful way to celebrate the end of exams.

Rowing Report from the Start of Trinity 2026

By Eleanor Lewis • May 21, 2026
The Boat Club had a successful Training Camp to Lake Comabbio, Corgeno, Italy in the Easter holidays with 47 rowers working hard on and off the water and eating plenty of pasta. The return to school saw the first Regatta take place, with our three GB Trialists racing in the GB U19 Spring Regatta, with a 17 th place finish for Ellie, 11 th for James and 2 nd for Nicholas. The next stage will be Final Trials in July. The Seniors travelled to Wallingford Regatta, where some very close racing saw the crews miss out on the final by very small margins. 55 rowers competed at Bedford Regatta, with 17 crews racing across 14 events and taking part in a total of 28 races. With 5 crews reaching the semifinals and a further 4 in Finals, the Boys 1 st Quad came away with a win. For the J14s and some of the J15s this was there first side by side racing. Well done to all the coxes on the day for steering what is a challenging course.  This weekend is the National Schools Regatta at Dorney Lake, Eton. 42 Inters rowers will be racing on Friday and 13 seniors on Saturday and Sunday. Good luck to all crews.

Wellbeing Hub Improvements

By Sonja Mitchell • May 21, 2026
More pupils will benefit from the calm atmosphere of the Wellbeing Hub thanks to funding from FONS

Business Breakfasts give confidence to pupils about life beyond Cathedral Close

By Eleanor Lewis • May 21, 2026
Business Breakfasts is a brilliant programme helping our young people better understand the potentially intimidating world of work. Before the start of school and over a working breakfast, the school brings in seasoned professionals to speak about their specialisms. The content is veritable gold dust. Generously sponsored by our partners at SG Wealth Management , the Trinity Term events have been both inspiring and informative. There have been three in the series so far this half term. SG Wealth Management kicked the series off with their very own Director of Business Services, Fran Kemp FPFS. Her lucid, engaging talk aimed to demystify the important role wealth advisors play in managing their clients’ complex finances professionally and trustworthily. She impressed the pupils with the range of skill sets needed and the range of backgrounds and specialisms that financial advisors have, ultimately boiling down to relationships built on confidence. She held a large audience captivated and the Q&A afterwards prompted some very smart audience questions. The second session was an introduction to the legal profession from our neighbours in The Close, Leathes Prior Solicitors . Experienced Partner, Chris Goodwin, had been convinced from an early age to become a lawyer and explained his traditional route through a law degree. In contrast former Norwich School pupil, Alex Robinson, now working with Chris at Leathes Prior, explained how his route into law via a history degree, Masters, then law conversion had transpired and how it is possible to become a lawyer from various starting points for those not going down the law degree route or even those with a non-University route. This theme was followed up by the third talk in the series delivered by the charismatic Dale Willis founder of My Great First Job , a non-profit organisation dedicated to helping young people transition from education to employment. Speaking to parents in the pre-work breakfast session and then to our pupils during the school day, his focus was on the value of increasingly popular Degree Apprenticeships as a viable and very cost-effective alternative to the traditional tuition-fee heavy university route. He explained all the ins and outs of being in paid work whist obtaining a degree paid for by the employer. It’s not for everyone, but for those prepared to make that paradigm shift the outcomes can be life-changing. Business Breakfasts will resume after half term and pupils are strongly encouraged to be curious and open minded and to come along to learn. Thanks go to Mrs James for organising and to our inspiring speakers for giving of their valuable time, as well as to SG Wealth Management for having the vision to sponsor this transformational initiative.

Upper 3 Learn Life Saving Skills

By Eleanor Lewis • May 21, 2026
Upper 3 spent a purposeful and energetic day developing essential first aid skills through four hands-on workshops. The pupils took part in a range of practical first aid activities, learning how to respond to choking, manage severe bleeding, place someone in the recovery position, make an emergency 999 call, and perform CPR. Through hands-on practice and realistic scenarios, they developed important life-saving skills while building confidence, teamwork, and resilience. From practising with manikins to rehearsing clear emergency calls, the children worked hard and showed great teamwork, care, and determination. Staff were impressed by their focus and growing confidence in responding to real-life scenarios.  This learning forms part of the Upper 3 Virtues Award, recognising responsibility, courage, and service to others. Well done, Upper 3, for embracing these life-saving skills and demonstrating our school values throughout the day.
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