150 Years of Norwich High School for Girls

When our doors opened for the first time on February 22nd 1875 it is difficult to imagine just how radical it was. Prior to the school opening there was a lack of girls education in the city and society in general. A group of Norwich citizens took it upon themselves to approach the Girls’ Public Day School Trust, asking them to found a school in Norwich. That is just what they did and Norwich was the first school the Trust established outside London.

In the 150 years since then Norwich High School for Girls has remained true to its founding principles – we offer girls excellence in education, experience and opportunity – and we have always been keen to embrace fun and allow girls to flourish.

Trailblazing Alumnae

Amongst the tens of thousands of Norwich women who have benefited from a Norwich High School for Girls education over the last 150 years, we are pleased to bring to the fore some notable stories of our trailblazing alumnae.

Radical feminist and Suffragist Dr Ethel Williams was born in 1863 and attended Norwich High from 1879 to 1882. Having relocated to the north east, she became Newcastle’s first female general medical practitioner despite much resistance to her work at a time when women were barred from training in British Hospitals. She co-founded both the Northern Women’s Hospital and the Medical Women’s Federation in 1917.

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Dr Mariette Soman was born in 1889 and attended Norwich High School for Girls from 20th September 1898 to Easter 1907. Few women went to University in the early 1900s, but Dr Soman secured a place at Girton College Cambridge to study Languages with a research scholarship of £50. She used her language skills to work as a code breaker in the Great War for which she was awarded the Order of the British Empire, OBE, on the 1st January, 1920.

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Dr Joyce Lambert was born on 23rd June 1916. She joined Norwich High aged 9 and left, aged 18 in 1934. A botanist, she worked hard to prove in the 1950s, contrary to popular opinion at the time, that the steep sided basin-shaped Norfolk Broads were man-made and not natural. She went on in the 1960s to become one of the first environmental scientists, playing a leading role in the use of computers to map and analyse the distribution of plant species.

What Norwich High means to our Alumnae

“The opportunity to study a wide range of subjects stands out. My favourite subjects were maths, biology, chemistry, physics and geography. I also learnt that women could achieve as much as men. I think an education at Norwich High School or indeed any GDST school is the best any girl could have.”

Dame Shirley Bond attended Norwich High School for Girls from 1947-1954. She graduated from the London Hospital Medical School in 1959 and went on to qualify as an anaesthetist. She then studied women’s health issues and set up her own clinic in Harley Street London practising until she retired aged 84. She was made a Dame as a result of her work promoting interest in women’s hormonal health.

“I particularly enjoyed geography, but also most of the subjects on offer – most of the staff were really good at engaging you, even if it was not your special subject. I thoroughly enjoyed the Sixth Form field trips, both for geography and biology, to Field Study Centres in Suffolk and Pembrokeshire. The field trips definitely fed my desire to pursue a degree in physical geography.”

Elizabeth McVeigh, who attended Norwich High from 1960 – 1971, enjoyed a career at the Centre for Overseas Pest Research and she also represented Great Britain in rowing at the 1980 Olympic Games in Moscow.

“I loved History and English most. The history teacher, Miss Bishop, was inspiring. I also loved my hours spent in the light-filled Art Room. This was my favourite place in the school because it had a relaxed and creative atmosphere. I recall enjoying doing some batik and some weaving there. I appreciated the full-hearted support of the teachers who gave me much encouragement and urged me to be ambitious. And I loved the sense of space – the extensive grounds and the high ceilings in the buildings.”

Jane Clarke worked in TV and film including as Chief Executive of BAFTA before becoming an Author under the name Jane Lythell. She attended Norwich High on an Assisted Place from 1963 to 1970.

“My favourite thing about Norwich High was the feeling that anything was and still is possible. This has given me the confidence to follow my dreams.”

Amanda Addison is an author of books for adults and children and attended Norwich High from 1978 to 1984. She lectures in Art & Design and has also led workshops in Creative Writing at the National Centre for Writing and for Norfolk Museum Service.

“I really enjoyed attending an all-girls school. I felt that I was actively encouraged by teachers to study STEM subjects which traditionally, and to some extent still today, are very much more studied by boys. The absence of any stereotypical comments from boys about girls not being good at these subjects was definitely a bonus! I also made lifelong friendships and great memories. I was encouraged to try everything and had the support to find what I was good at, be that the arts, humanities or STEM subjects. The support and advice as I progressed through the school was material in helping me to become a confident individual willing to grasp opportunities as they are presented.”

Abbie Shorrock, Marine Warranty Surveyor for ABL Group, an Energy and Marine Consultancy. Abbie attended Norwich High from August 2011 to June 2018.

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“I made, and still have, a very close group of Norwich High friends that are whole-heartedly supportive, caring and empowering. From this social foundation at the school, I felt confident enough to be academically and creatively ambitious. Each of my friends had their own passions, and these were treasured. It was very beautiful to watch everyone achieve in their own niche, powerful paths. I obtained two scholarships, drama and sport, to attend the Sixth Form, and so I know the school supports girls from all backgrounds and financial situations. I have met a few GDST girls since leaving school, whether at university or at work, and in every woman there is a strength, collaborative drive and kindness in them.”

Actor Eloise Richmond joined Norwich High for Sixth Form and graduated with the Class of 2019.

150 Bursaries Fund

To continue our mission to create opportunities for girls to succeed no matter their background or financial situation we launched our 150 Bursary Fund in 2025. 

Your support can create life changing opportunities with a Norwich High education.

If you would like to find out more about making a donation and giving girls the potential to succeed then you can click on the link below.

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The Bursaries and Assistance Fund

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