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What it's like

Founded in 1875, it is on a single site 1½ mile from the city centre. The senior school is partly housed in a fine Regency house, set in spacious wooded grounds and beautiful gardens. There are numerous purpose-built extensions and facilities are excellent. It enjoys a wide social spread of pupils drawn from Norfolk and north Suffolk. Non-denominational, it provides a sound education in the grammar school tradition and examination results are very good. Strong science links with schools in Europe through British Council projects (and holder of International Schools Award). Tremendously strong in music (most are involved) and also in drama and art (the school has been awarded Artsmark). It achieves high standards in sport and games and has an outstanding record in the Duke of Edinburgh's Award and Young Enterprise schemes. Full advantage is taken of the city's cultural amenities. It is well served by public transport and provides a minibus service to and from Norwich station. It has a high reputation locally and is well supported.

Pupils & entrance

Pupils: Total age range 3-18; 895 day girls. Senior department 11-18, 650 girls. Entrance:à Main entry ages 3, 7, 11 and 16. Own entrance assessment used. All-rounders welcome; no religious requirements. State school entry, 27% at 11, plus 80% of intake to sixth form. Many senior pupils from own junior department.

Scholarships & bursaries

Scholarships (from age 11), including music, value 10%-50% fees. Also bursaries. Parents not expected to buy textbooks; lunch is the only extra.

Head & staff

Headmistress: Mrs Valerie Bidwell, in post from 1985. Educated at Harrogate Ladies' College and at universities of Newcastle and London (French and German). Previously Senior Mistress and Head of Modern Languages at Framlingham. Teaching staff: 59 full time, 14 part time.

Exam results

GCSE: 94 pupils in upper fifth: 99% gained at least grade C in 9 subjects. Average GCSE score 70. A-levels: 70 in upper sixth: 96% passed in 4+ subjects. Average final point score achieved by upper sixth formers 340.

University & college entrance

96% of sixth-form leavers go on to a degree course (15% after a gap year), 10% to Oxbridge. 17% take courses in medicine, dentistry and veterinary science, 14% in science and engineering, 40% in humanities and social sciences, 12% in art and architecture, 5% in drama, 12% in vocational subjects eg teaching, business, marketing.

Curriculum

GCSE, AS and A-levels. 24 AS/A-level subjects. Sixth form: Most sixth formers take 4 subjects at AS-level (mostly a mix of arts and sciences), 3 at A-level; in addition, all take AS and A-level general studies. 10% take science A-levels; 45% arts/humanities; 45% both. Key skills: compulsory ICT unit in Year 12 leads to ECDL; communication integrated in general studies. Vocational: Work experience available. Languages: French (from age 11), German (from 12) and Spanish (from 14) offered at GCSE, AS and A-level. Regular exchanges (France and Germany), trips to Spain. ICT: Taught both as a discrete subject and across the curriculum. 170 networked computers for pupil use (9 hours a day); all pupils have access to email and internet. All lower sixth take ECDL; GCSE short course at end of Year 9.

The arts

Music: Over 50% of pupils learn a musical instrument; instrumental exams can be taken. Some 14+ musical groups including orchestras, wind bands, chamber ensembles, choirs, brass group, percussion ensemble etc. Regular concerts and tours abroad. Drama and dance: Both offered. GCSE, AS and A-level drama and theatre studies may be taken. Some pupils are involved in school productions and majority in house/other productions. ESU regional finalists. Art and design: On average, 50 take GCSE, 12 A-level. Awarded Artsmark.

Sports & activities

Sport: Lacrosse, hockey, netball, swimming, gym, rounders, athletics, dance, tennis compulsory. Optional: badminton, lifesaving, fencing. Sixth form only: volleyball, self-defence, fitness, aerobics. Royal Life Saving Society exams may be taken. Regular county and national representation; community sports' leader award offered in Year 12. School holds Sportsmark and Activemark gold awards. Activities: Pupils take bronze, silver and gold Duke of Edinburgh's Award (several golds each year). Community service optional. Up to 30 clubs, eg rowing, chess, debating, Christian Union, trampolining, fencing, life-saving, Cosmos (science) group.

School life

Uniform: School uniform worn except in the sixth form. Houses and prefects: Competitive houses. Prefects, head girl, head of house and house prefects, elected by staff and sixth form. Religion: Non-denominational. Morning assembly (parents may withdraw their children on religious grounds). Social: Debates, Young Enterprise, theatrical productions. Organised trips abroad; science department encourages exchange visits with schools in Scandinavia, Eastern Europe and Spain and has established link in Burkina Faso. Pupils allowed to bring own bike to school. Meals self-service. School opens early for breakfast, late for tea. Schoolà sells second-hand uniform.

Discipline

High standard of self-discipline expected; range of sanctions imposed where necessary.

Alumni association

is run by the Treasurer, Mrs Sue Prutton (01603 413890).

Former pupils

Pat Barr (author); Anne Weale (author); Jane Manning (soprano); Jenny Lane (BBC); Ann Tyrell (dress designer); Dr Jennifer Moyle (scientist); Diana Burrell (composer); Jane Hissey (children's artist and author); Stella Tillyard (author); Raffaella Barker (author and journalist); Hannah Waterman (actress).