Norwich High School for Girls has welcomed Mrs Anne Farthing into her new role as Head of Science and Physics.

Mrs Farthing, who has taught Physics at Norwich High School for Girls since 2019, studied Physics at Manchester University. She began her career in the chemical industry, working in Regulatory Affairs, and then worked for an engineering company which developed gas canisters.

Teaching has always been her real passion, however. Since re-training she has taught at Aylsham High, Notre Dame High and Wymondham High. She is a qualified Advanced Skills Teacher who has supported many Norfolk schools with their Physics teaching. Mrs Farthing has recently worked for the Isaac Physics project at Cambridge University’s Cavendish Laboratory, where she helped train teachers to deliver Physics A Level across the UK. She has also written several published science textbooks and contributed to ten children’s books by Bear Grylls.

Mrs Farthing said: “I love science, I love teaching and I love Norwich High. I am a mum of three, so I’ve waited until my children are a bit older before taking on the additional challenge of running a department. Becoming Head of Science here means a lot to me and I am thoroughly enjoying the role. We’ve already taken our first trip, with our Year 11s completing a Physics at Work day at the Cavendish Laboratory.”

Mrs Farthing continued: “Norwich High girls are confident and inquisitive scientists: I have eight female students in my A Level Physics class, far more than I ever had when I taught in a coeducational school. I want us to become the leading GDST school for Science. We’re in the process of building Trust-wide initiatives to help us share best practice.”

Miss Alison Sefton, Head of Norwich High School for Girls, said: “We’re delighted to welcome Mrs Farthing into her new role as Head of Science; we are always keen to support our staff to embrace new challenges and achieve their ambitions. She heads up a strong department who have supported the students to achieve 100% A*-B at Physics A Level and 80% Levels 9-8 at GCSE Triple Science. Mrs Farthing also joins our dynamic community of academic leaders.”

Mrs Farthing is passionate about promoting Physics in the wider community. “As a member of the Physics Partnerships Charity, Norwich High has become the local hub for Physics teaching. There is a national shortage of Physics teachers at present, which means that, in some local schools, colleagues from other scientific backgrounds are having to teach outside their field of expertise. We support and mentor these teachers, helping to improve their confidence in teaching Physics.

“We have also developed partnerships with local primary schools. Pupils from a variety of primary schools visit the Norwich High labs once a week to conduct experiments. Members of our Sixth Form work as teaching assistants for them as part of the Activities Programme. After half term, some children from Cringleford Primary School are coming to dissect eyeballs with us, which should be fun.”

Mrs Farthing is ably-supported by the Science Department at Norwich High. Alongside our stalwart teachers and technicians, we have also welcomed Mr Alex Lynch as Head of Biology and Miss Katie Jolly as a teacher of Physics. Dr Faye Thorndycroft returns to teach in the Biology and Chemistry departments and Norwich High veteran Ms Anne McCourt is back to cover for Mrs Lucia Smallwood whilst she is on maternity leave.

“It’s a fantastic team to work with,” said Mrs Farthing. “Whether they’ve been with us for a term or twenty years, my colleagues are committed, enthusiastic and incredibly knowledgeable about their chosen fields.”