ADMISSIONS GUIDE ADMISSIONS INFORMATION 2019 – 2020 1 InAdmissions Detail Guide Welcome Ethos Learning is at the heart of the broad education we offer at Norwich School. This invaluable asset is underpinned by strong Christian values, especially those Welcome of love, care and compassion, which we emphasise in all activities and relationships within our community. The key ingredient when thinking about the right school for you or a member of your family is fit: does it feel right? There are plenty of empirical factors which can be brought to bear in the decision-making process, from academic results to pastoral care ratios, from the number and quality of co-curricular activities to the amount of engagement with the wider community. However, there are also less tangible factors such as the physical location of the school and the value system which underpins its routines. We hope that this document, in conjunction with our website (www.norwich-school.org.uk), helps to lay out what Norwich School offers so that you can analyse whether you feel there is a fit between you and us. It certainly contains information regarding measurable criteria and practical information about application, but I hope you can also get an impression of where we are and what we stand for from the images and explanation of our ethos and aims. A document can only tell you so much, of course. We believe that a visit creates an even more vivid impression, so my colleagues, the pupils and I look forward to welcoming you in person to Cathedral Close. Aims Norwich School is committed to: • nurturing and developing knowledgeable, reflective young people who are capable of understanding difficult concepts and expressing complex and profound ideas; • providing a rich, broad and varied education that develops the diverse talents of all; • equipping our young people for a lifetime of leadership and service. Steffan Griffiths Head Master 2 3 Admissions Guide Pastoral Care The fostering of positive, constructive relationships between Pastoral Care home and school is seen as crucial Lower School (pupils aged 4 – 11) In the Lower School, pupils are in the Every boy or girl is assigned to a House. The Lower School encourages and care of their Form Tutor who has a crucial These are Conisford, Heigham and initiates regular communication between role to play in the provision of pastoral Magdalen – named after the historic home and school. All pupils have a prep care. Form Tutors provide pupils with gates of Norwich. There are regular diary where parents may leave notes for a point of daily contact, monitor pupils’ competitions between the Houses as the Form Tutor. Parents may drop in to work and welfare and act as a channel well as a weekly House Star total. school in the morning to speak with a through which information passes to House Tutors monitor the pupils in teacher or telephone the Lower School and from pupils, parents and teachers. the House environment, and this dual Secretary to make an appointment. The fostering of positive, constructive pastoral approach with the Form Tutors There are also formal reporting times relationships between home and school allows for the caring and comprehensive during the year in the form of end-of- is seen as crucial. Boys and girls in the support of each individual. term reports and Parents Evenings in Lower School are encouraged to be fully November and June. involved in school life and to reach their full potential. Senior School (pupils aged 11 – 18) Boys and girls in Lower 4 upwards are For pupils in every year group, there is tutored by a member of staff who is a schedule of full reports, grade cards affiliated to the pupil’s House. The Tutor and Parents Evenings to communicate plays a key pastoral role, seeing the feedback on progress. pupil each day for registration and during weekly tutorial periods. The whole school comes together for daily assemblies and services in the There are eight Houses: Brooke, Coke, Cathedral and the School Chaplain, Seagrim, Nelson, Parker, Repton, School Reverend Corin Child, supports the and Valpy. There are approximately spiritual and pastoral needs of pupils 12 – 15 children per House in each and staff. year group, rising to approximately 20 per House in the Sixth Form. A child’s Tutor is the first point of contact for any pastoral issues. Each House is led by a Housemaster, who oversees the pastoral care of all the pupils in his or her House and provides continuity from year to year. The Tutor plays a key pastoral role, seeing the pupil each day for registration and during weekly tutorial periods 4 5 Admissions Guide Curriculum Lower 5 (age 13+) In Lower 5, the core subjects from Lower Senior School 4 and Upper 4 continue. They also In Middle 5 (age 14+) and U5 (pupils aged 11 – 18) study the creative (Art/Design, Music (age 15+) the core subjects are: or Drama) they opted for at the end of English Language Lower 4 (age 11+) Upper 4, as well as one from Latin English Literature Curriculum Pupils in Lower 4 are taught a range and Greek, Latin or Classics (based of subjects which can be seen in the on academic performance or choice). Mathematics table below. A language – French, German GCSE (age 14 – 16) or Spanish A total of 10 GCSE subjects are studied by each pupil. All subject areas Science – Biology, Chemistry, Lower 4 (age 11+) will study: are studied for at least 2 years (Lower Physics are taught separately Creative – Art and Design 4 – Lower 5) before choices are made. for Triple or Dual Award (including 2D Design, 3D Parents and pupils are consulted at Three options chosen from Design and Art), Music and option points. Classical Civilisation, Computer Drama taught separately Science, Geography, Greek, CV PE, History, Latin, Religious Studies, Art, 2D Design, 3D English Design, Drama, Music, German Geography or Spanish History Latin Mathematics Modern Foreign Languages (two from French, German or Spanish) Science Sport PSHE Religious Studies Sport forms part of the curriculum in % every year, with two sessions a week, as do the tutorial provision and In Lower 4, CV is a broad course assembly time. which covers study skills and a range Lower School of subjects that the pupils may not The curriculum is complemented OF GCSE PUPILS (pupils aged 4 – 11) have experienced before, such as by a variety of day and residential ACHIEVED A* The following subjects are ICT, Philosophy, Exotic Languages, 45IN 2018 trips, e.g. to Hautbois House (L4), a taught in the Lower School: Relaxation Techniques, Field Studies The Lower School curriculum offers an science trip to Mannington Hall (U4) Art and Study Skills. and German, French and Spanish exciting and challenging range of subjects Modern Foreign designed to develop a strong foundation Computer Literacy exchange visits (L5 and M5). Languages (French, Lower 4 pupils can expect of skills and knowledge. Pupils are taught Computer Science Spanish and German) homework in two subjects per night by their Form Teacher as well as subject of approximately 20 minutes each. specialists. We aim to nurture a love of Design Technology Music Exam Results learning and give pupils the confidence to be Personal, Social, We aim Drama Upper 4 (age 12+) fully involved in all aspects of their education. Health and Economic GCSE to nurture In Upper 4, pupils continue with their In Reception, our curriculum focuses on English Education (PSHE) Lower 4 subjects. Upper 4 pupils can Year A* Grade A* or A Grade A*, A or B Grade fulfilling the Early Years Foundation Stage a love of Games Philosophy expect homework in three subjects for learning and development. 2018 45% 70% 89% per night of approximately 20 minutes Geography Physical Education learning 2017 47% 73% 91% each. At the end of Upper 4, the pupils Optional tuition is available in speech and History Performing Arts considering studying Music or Drama 2016 44% 72% 85% drama and around 20 different musical Mathematics to GCSE opt for these. The remainder 2015 43% 75% 86% instruments. Classroom activities are Religious Education do a foundation year in Art and Design. complemented by day and residential trips 2014 42% 75% 89% Science There are opportunities to switch for all pupils, e.g. a visit to a Victorian creatives and to take three to GCSE in 2013 51% 81% 89% workhouse as part of history studies or a consultation with the Director of Studies. For the purposes of this document the new 9-1 gradings have been converted to: residential coastal erosion study in geography. A* = 9 A = 7 B = 6 C = 5 or 4. 6 7 Curriculum Curriculum % OF A LEVEL PUPILS Sixth Form pupils will select three subjects to study 83ACHIEVED A* – B Sixth Form from the following: IN 2018 Ancient/ In the Sixth Form, a wide range of Computer History * Physics subjects are taught by expert teachers. Classical Greek Science* Latin Psychology* Sixth Formers typically study three linear Art 2D Design * A Levels over two years. Mathematics Politics * Art History * 3D Design * Further Spanish Sixth Formers enjoy access to study Biology Economics * Mathematics and leisure facilities in the Bishop’s Sports Science * Business and Palace and Junior Common Room. English Music Enterprise * Theatre Studies* French Philosophy, Chemistry Geography* Religious Classical Studies Civilisation * German and Ethics* * Subjects which may be studied without NB: It may not be possible to provide previous knowledge provided that good every permutation of subjects listed GCSE grades have been achieved in here and confirmation of a combination appropriate complementary subjects. should be sought from the Director of Studies.