School House

Welcome to School House!

"I have been Head of School House since September 2023. School is a House with a huge history and tradition attached to it, sometimes even referred to as the ‘original’ House due to its origins as the boarding house until the 1980s. I have also been a Tutor in School House, so I know it is a fun and motivating environment that encourages pupils to thrive. School’s Tutor team are all experienced, caring and eager to support pupils on their journey at Norwich School. I look forward to building positive relationships with pupils and their families, and ensuring that their experience at Norwich School is a happy and fulfilling one."












My name is Darcy Wilkins, and I am the House Captain of School House. I joined the school over 10 years ago and have cherished every second. Throughout my Norwich School experience I have particularly enjoyed creating my own business through Young Chamber and continuing to developing my Rowing career.


I am now studying Business Enterprise, Psychology and Photography, alongside holding a Sport Scholarship for Rowing. In the future I plan to study Business at university, after taking a gap year to travel the world with friends that I have made at Norwich School."

House History

Unlike the other houses, School House is not named after a distinguished ON or Head. It owes its name to its origins as a boarding house. In nineteenth-century schools, it was normal practice to call the boarding house ‘the school house’ (of which the Head was also the Head of House). The last Head of Norwich School to function as Head of School House was Andrew Stephenson in the 1950s. The House then continued as the boarding house, based in School House and in the Palace, until 1989, when boarding was phased out.


As boarders could spend unlimited time practising for the House Shout, results were invariably a marvel of synchronised close harmony, and their competitive spirit lives on today. 

House News

By Eleanor Lewis October 3, 2025
Despite the grey skies and constant drizzle, the opportunity to be crowned as the winning Lower 5 tutor group of Bramley Lakes, 2025, meant that all pupils gave it their all to bring home the coveted shield. Within their House tutor groups, and supported by tutors and pastoral prefects, the competition was fierce, and the lead chopped and changed throughout the day. Each group was being scored on their communication, effort, peer support and positivity.  Activities included, trebuchet building, crate stack and other high ropes challenges, axe throwing and archery. Water balloons were fired from the trebuchets at rival Lower 5 tutor groups, with particular pupils getting even more soaked in the wet weather. It was a pleasure to see all tutor groups working together, and making the most of the day. Despite Nelson's best efforts, it was Coke that triumphed in the end, retaining their crown from the previous three years! Can Coke go for an unprecedented five in a row next year? Only time will tell.
By Eleanor Lewis April 29, 2025
On our recent Coke house trip to Holkham Hall, we were lucky to have ideal weather to admire the grounds in their full beauty. As soon as we entered the hall on our tour, it was apparent how interconnected the hall was with Coke house as all throughout the hall, there were many paintings of relatives of Sir Edward Coke, whom our house is named after. We were amazed at the sheer volume of artwork in the house from paintings to statues to murals. We learnt about the Palladian architecture style of the whole estate, meaning that there was a considerable importance placed on symmetry; It’s truly amazing to stand in the centre of the house and see through the whole property. One of the activities we did was preventive conservation, helping document emerging damage in the hall so that it can be monitored and prevented from further deterioration. After completing the necessary work, we took to the gardens surrounding the grounds for a well-deserved break – playing croquet and looking around at the various plants and herbs being nurtured by the gardeners working at the hall. Varying croquet skill levels and severe (but friendly) competitiveness meant we finished the day on a high. We left Holkham hall enriched with a deeper understanding of Coke’s history, and a better knowledge of our peers. - Nova Adkins, Zach Bradley, Rose Cook and Leon Lui - L6 pupils
By Eleanor Lewis March 4, 2025
In keeping with Norwich School tradition, Valpy House led the celebrations of Shrove Tuesday by serving pancakes to the school at breaktime. Pupils in the house are encouraged to bring in toppings that they think everyone will enjoy. The traditional lemon & sugar option is still a big seller, while the more adventurous tastes could add bananas, strawberries, cream, marshmallows, and this year's new trend was biscoff spread. We sold almost 150 pancakes this year, with the proceeds raised going to Action Cancer UK. There was also a large bag of leftovers, which were donated to a local foodbank.  Also at lunchtime we held a pancake flipping contest, with the winner flipping their (plastic) pancake 44 times in 30 seconds. Can you beat that?
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