Academic progress

Senior School

What does academic progress mean to us?

Our curriculum embeds not only the knowledge that our students need to succeed but, crucially, the skills. We place importance on problem solving and creative thinking alongside subject-specific skills. Technology is embedded in our curriculum, with the school providing each student with their own IPad or Chromebook (depending on year group), helping ensure lessons are well-structured and tailored for every student to make good progress.

The introduction of devices including iPads has transformed learning in all phases of the school, so that students routinely and competently use them for research, storing notes, making presentations and for computer-aided design and manufacture. Students’ learning is supported well by subject departments which use technology as a repository for resources and as a means of setting, marking and reviewing independent learning.

An ACTIVE approach

Our education is about more than exams; we want students to think about how they learn, be curious about what they are learning, and contribute to our community in what they do. That is why we are focusing on our ACTIVE approach to learning, where students are:

A: Adaptable

C: Community-minded

T: Technologically mature

I: Independent

V: Visionary

E: Eager to learn

Personalised learning

At Key Stage 3 our students have the opportunity to try French, German and Spanish as well as Latin and Classics alongside their other subjects.

At GCSE, most students take 10 subjects which includes a core of science, mathematics, English and a language. Beyond this core we build our timetable around the student’s choices.

At Sixth Form, most students take three A levels and an EPQ. In the Extended Project Qualification, which is similar to a university dissertation, students follow their own area of interest, posing and answering a question with support from a staff mentor.

“Our daughter has just finished her year and is looking forward to her GCSEs next summer; the school is an excellent environment for her and we are delighted with her progress and the opportunities provided for her at Norwich High.”

Senior School Parent

Academic stretch

We encourage students to move well-beyond the curriculum. Our extensive programme of academic societies and clubs seeks to support and nurture their growth. Students have plentiful opportunities to take part in academic competitions from the science olympiads, school STEM award, to maths challenges and the Annandale Reading Prize.

With a commitment to ensuring students are real-world-ready, careers activities and talks ensure access to a wide range of employer and career pathways.

Subject Overviews

Senior School subject overviews

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Beyond the classroom

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