A Level results day 2023 at Norwich High School for Girls

Posted on 17th August 2023

Congratulations to the Class of 2023 at Norwich High School for Girls GDST!

Congratulations to the Class of 2023 at Norwich High School for Girls GDST who today collected their fantastic A Level results. The Year 13 students spent time at the school on Newmarket Road in Norwich this morning celebrating together with their parents and teachers.

98% of all results were A* to C, which demonstrates two years of hard work, determination and dedication. 27% of the grades achieved were A*s, with 86% of results A*-B and 58% A*-A.

“I would like to extend my congratulations to all our Year 13 students who have received their A Level results today. Each student should be proud of their individual achievements and know that they are ready for the next step in the wider world. The results demonstrate both a huge amount of effort, resilience and endeavour by the students but also the very best teaching and pastoral support from our dedicated team. Thanks should also go out to the families who have supported the students through this educational milestone.”

Alison Sefton, Head of Norwich High School for Girls GDST

Alison continued: “This cohort did not sit their GCSEs due to the coronavirus pandemic, so achieving such fantastic grades in their first public examinations should be applauded. Given the well publicised ‘return to 2019 grade boundaries’, we are pleased that this cohort has achieved so highly. We are very proud of our reputation for academic excellence as a leading school in the eastern region.

“Those students who have chosen to go on to university are taking up places at a wide range of courses and destinations, which reflect the broad but targeted A Level programmes in our Sixth Form. From medicine, architecture, veterinary science, psychology and biomedical science, to fashion, drama, film and TV, at Oxford, Cambridge, King’s College, Leeds, NUA and UEA. I am sure they will all have a fantastic time and grasp every opportunity afforded them to challenge and stretch themselves as well as engaging in broader aspects of university life. We look forward to staying in touch with them and hearing about their accomplishments as they join our strong alumnae network.”

Straight A*s for three Norwich High Sixth Form students

Three Norwich High Sixth Form students deserve hearty congratulations after achieving straight A*s in their A Level results.

Antonia Rogers gained A*s in Classical Civilisation, English Literature and History and is taking up a place at the University of Oxford to read Classical Archaeology and Ancient History. As an academic scholar and bursary recipient who joined Norwich High in Year 12, Antonia said: “Bursary awards are so important because it gives people like me, who would struggle to have the means to attend Norwich High, the opportunity to be in an environment where I’m supported by other like minded students who are equally passionate and keen to take advantage of what’s on offer – which makes all the difference.”

Read Antonia’s interview and find out more details about our Sixth Form bursaries and scholarships for 2024 entry here.

Member of the outgoing Head Girl team and recipient of both an academic and music scholarship, Nora Rechel, also achieved straight A*s in History, Music and Politics as well as a B for her EPQ. She is taking up a place at the University of Cambridge to read History in 2024 with an organ scholarship at Emmanuel College. Nora has been awarded an organ scholarship at Portsmouth Cathedral for her gap year placement. Read more here.

Abigail Smith also gained straight A*s in Fine Art, Biology and Physics and is going to the University of Bath to study Architecture with a professional placement.

“We are thrilled to be congratulating Antonia, Nora and Abigail on their success in achieving straight A*s at A Level. These are motivated and busy students who took on every opportunity offered to them throughout their time at school and outside of school. Their hard work has paid off, and that they are each taking very different routes to suit their individual interests is particularly impressive. Thank you to the team of staff at Norwich High who work hard to offer our extra-curricular programmes alongside our academic ones.”

Mark Braybrook, Deputy Head Academic at Norwich High School for Girls GDST

The stage is set for a bright future for Norwich High Drama students

The Drama Department and Drama A Level students at Norwich High deserve a standing ovation following their stellar A Level success, gaining 100% A*-A.

Three of the A Level Drama cohort have just returned from their sell-out run at the Edinburgh Fringe where they have been performing their self-penned comedy ‘The Attendants’. Drama scholar Ava Borthwick achieved an A* in Business, B in Classical Civilisation and A* in Drama and Theatre as well as a B for her EPQ. She is taking up a place at the University of Bristol to study Theatre and Film. Amelie Breach gained an A* in Drama and Theatre, an A in English Literature and an A* in Psychology. She has secured her first choice University place to study Film and Television. Lola Morgans gained an A in Drama and Theatre, an A* in English Literature and an A* for Textile Design. She is going to Falmouth University to study Textile Design.

“Since starting in the Norwich High Prep School, Ava, Amelie and Lola have shown a passion for the Arts. They have always been involved in our extracurricular programme performing, directing or leading clubs, showing a great commitment to drama. As part of their studies for their A Level in Drama and Theatre students have to devise their own piece of drama influenced by the style and techniques of a drama practitioner. Ava, Amelie and Lola were drawn to John Godber and his use of characters and comedy to satirise political issues. Choosing a stimulus of a newspaper article about sexism in the aviation industry, the girls went through the process of research, improvisation, script writing and directing to create their play ‘Attendants’. After performing the piece in December for their A Level coursework to a small audience, the girls received outstanding feedback and made the decision to take their play to the Fringe. To take a play to Edinburgh and achieve outstanding A Level results is a testament to the girls’ creativity, work ethic and determination. I am sure this will not be the last time the girls perform to sell out audiences. We are beyond proud of them.” 

Hannah Rea-Gardner, Head of Drama at Norwich High School for Girls GDST

Additionally, three other Norwich High Drama students are following their A Level success by taking up creative pathways. Drama scholarship and bursary recipient Paris Thompson is going on to the University of East Anglia UEA to study Drama. Outgoing member of the Head Girl team and drama scholar Grace Hosier is also going to the University of East Anglia UEA to study Film and Television Production. Finally, recipient of a Head’s, academic and music scholarship Connie Harris is taking up a scholarship in composition at the Royal College of Music.

Hard works adds up to an accountancy apprenticeship for Aimée

Congratulations to Aimée Spaull who has achieved an A in Business, an A* in Geography and an A in Psychology in her A Level examinations. She is taking up an apprenticeship at local accountancy firm M+A Partners. She has already shown real business acumen as an integral part of the Norwich High team developing a new product as part of the GDST LEAD project in association with the London School of Economics.

Daniella and Lola are fashion forward

Daniella Vasinkina and Lola Morgans are both heading for a career in fashion. Daniella achieved a C in Economics, a B in Geography and an A in Textile Design and is going to Norwich University of the Arts to study Fashion Marketing and Business. Overall, Norwich High Textiles A Level students achieved 100% A*-A grades this year. This achievement was also replicated in Latin, French and Fine Art where 100% of grades achieved were A*-A.

Annabel to take a place in Sheffield reading Psychology

Congratulations to Norwich High Bursary student Annabel Francis-Ray who achieved an A in English Literature, a B in History and a B in Psychology and is heading to the University of Sheffield to study Psychology. Annabel also received an academic and Product Design scholarship. Annabel said “Coming to Norwich High School for Girls as a Year 7 bursary student gave me a new freedom of opportunity to grow, to push myself, and to pursue my academic interests. Bursary awards are so important in supporting people from different backgrounds and with different interests. I am excited for the future and am looking forward to staying part of the Norwich High School family and the GDST.”

STEM success for Norwich High Sixth Form students

The Class of 2023 have maintained Norwich High’s excellent track record of success in STEM subjects. Congratulations to outgoing Head Girl and Head’s scholar Shadan Danesh who achieved A* in Biology, an A in Chemistry, an A in Latin and an A in Mathematics as well as a B for her EPQ. She will be reading Medicine at the University of Leeds. Outgoing member of the Head Girl team and Head’s scholar Kajol Aryal achieved an A* in Biology, an A in Chemistry and an A* in Geography and is taking up a place at King’s College London, University of London to study Biomedical Science. Well done also to academic scholar Kat Land who gained an A* in Biology, an A in Latin, an A* in Mathematics and an A in Further Mathematics as well as a B for her EPQ. She is going on to the University of Oxford to study Biology.

Oxbridge success for six Norwich High A Level students

Nora Rechel, who is taking up a place in 2024 at Emmanuel College, Cambridge, is joined by five other Norwich High students who have achieved Oxbridge places this year. Antonia Rogers and Kat Land are both heading to the University of Oxford. From the Class of 2022, Britt Dewing, Alice Smith and Frederica Davis will be taking up places at the University of Cambridge.

Exciting futures ahead for the Norwich High Sixth Form Class of 2023

“I am so proud of each and every one of our Year 13 students as they collect their results today. They are a fantastic group of young people who have been an absolute pleasure to have in our Sixth Form for the last two years. They have grasped every opportunity available and approached both their exams and the process of deciding on their next steps after school with positivity, energy and ambition. I am confident that the students have chosen what is right for them individually and that they will go on to bright and exciting futures.”

Hazel Packer, Director of Sixth Form at Norwich High School for Girls GDST

Norwich High Sixth Form shaping future change makers

Throughout their A Level study, students at Norwich High have benefited from the bespoke spaces in our Sixth Form block, Lanchester House, which are exclusive to Year 12 and 13. From a cafe and common room to classrooms, a lecture hall and private study areas; these spaces allow students the independence and resources they need to flourish during their years at Norwich High Sixth Form. Based on the school’s expansive site near central Norwich, Lanchester House has undergone an exciting refurbishment process during this year’s summer holidays and we are already excited to welcome the next cohort of Sixth Formers into the updated space.

Hazel Packer said: “Having had a full re-fit over the summer holidays, we are very excited to welcome families into our standalone Sixth Form building, Lanchester House, for our autumn term open events. We are a collegiate and supportive community, where students are known as individuals and given opportunities to be open to new ideas, forge their own paths and follow their own interests. We prepare students for life after school through leadership opportunities, the support of the GDST network and our sector-leading UCAS preparation programme.” Hazel Packer, Director of Sixth Form at Norwich High School for Girls

Deadlines for 2024 Entry

The deadline for Sixth Form scholarship applications for 2024 entry are:

  • Sport: Wednesday 1st November 2023
  • Others: Wednesday 8th November 2023

The deadline for Sixth Form bursary applications for 2024 entry is 10th November 2023.

If you are not applying for a bursary or a scholarship, applications for September 2024 entry should be received by Sunday 31st December 2023.