At Norwich High School for Girls, we believe that for a student to truly excel, they must first feel seen, heard and valued. That is why in our pastoral aims, we place such an emphasis on ‘belonging’ and ‘mattering’. This month, we received the results of the 2026 GDST Undivided Survey, an annual pulse-check on diversity, inclusion and belonging across Year 5 to Year 13.

We are thrilled to report that our community continues to flourish. In a year where we built upon previous record-breaking scores, the data tells a clear story: Norwich High is a place where every girl can find her place.

Our headline figures demonstrate a consistent upward trend in how our students perceive their environment. Notably, we have seen growth in key areas of peer connection and staff-student relationships.

• 97% of our students feel that their culture, faith and background are respected in school 
• 97% of our students feel that, over the last year, as a school we have worked together to support diversity and inclusion in our school community
• 97% think that students come up with creative ideas and solutions to problems
• 96% of our students feel that the staff at my school value different views, beliefs and cultures (up from 95% last year)
• 96% feel they belong in a peer group (up from 95%)
• 96% of our students feel that all backgrounds and beliefs are valued equally in my school 

The Undivided Survey is more than just data; it is a platform for our students to share their feedback. This year’s feedback highlighted how representation in the curriculum, such as modern family structures in French textbooks, makes a tangible difference in how students feel seen.

What our students are saying:

• • “My school is welcoming and very inclusive to new people and people of different backgrounds and beliefs.”
  • “I came in on my first day and felt like I had been here for years. The teachers are amazing and all the girls are kind.”
  • “I really like it here because everyone is so kind and respectful. The teachers are really encouraging and help me when I am struggling. I think everything is really great and kind. Like when I struggled in maths and the teacher helped me.”
  • “I think that my teachers are good role models for me”

True inclusion is a journey, not a destination. While our results are among the best to date, we are already looking at our margins for improvement. Guided by student feedback, our focus for the coming year includes:

• Curriculum Evolution: Continuing our audits and assemblies to ensure every student sees themselves reflected in their lessons
• Active Involvement: Increasing student-led House events and contributions to school bulletins to ensure student voice drives our daily culture.
• Community Collaboration: Strengthening our ties with the Prep school and local partners to broaden our students’ horizons.

By listening to our students, we ensure that Norwich High remains not just a school, but a community where every individual is empowered to be themselves.