About Norwich School
Norwich School is a co-educational independent day school in Norfolk. Entry to Year 7 (11+) is via the school's own assessment process, which includes academic assessment in English and Mathematics, and may include an interview. The school offers a comprehensive education with a wide range of academic, sporting, musical, dramatic and artistic opportunities.
Norwich School is committed to providing an outstanding educational experience for every pupil, with excellent academic results, strong pastoral care and a thriving extracurricular programme. Scholarships and bursaries are available to support pupils with talent and financial need. Ranked #662 in The Sunday Times Parent Power. GCSE 9-7: 26.5%.
Year 7 Admissions Guide for Norwich School
Norwich School Admissions Criteria
Norwich School is a co-educational independent day school in Norfolk. Entry to Year 7 (11+) is via the school's own assessment process, which includes academic assessment in English and Mathematics, and may include an interview. The school offers a comprehensive education with a wide range of academic, sporting, musical, dramatic and artistic opportunities.
- ✓Step 1 — Initial enquiry: Contact the Admissions Team at Norwich School to register your interest and request a prospectus. Visit the school on an Open Day or arrange a private tour to experience the school environment first-hand.
- ✓Step 2 — Submit registration: Complete the online (or paper) registration form and pay the registration fee to formally apply for a Year 7 place at Norwich School. Early registration is recommended — many independent schools have rolling admissions and limited Year 7 places.
- ✓Step 3 — Reference from current school: The school will request an academic and pastoral reference from your child's current school. This provides insight into your child's academic progress, character and suitability.
- ✓Step 4 — Entrance assessment: Your child will sit Norwich School's own bespoke 11+ entrance assessment covering English, Mathematics, Verbal Reasoning and Non-Verbal Reasoning. The assessment is designed by the school's academic staff to identify both current ability and future academic potential.
- ✓Step 5 — Interview (where applicable): Many independent schools include an interview as part of the selection process — this is a friendly conversation to learn about their interests, motivations and aspirations.
- ✓Step 6 — Written decision: Following the assessment, parents are notified in writing whether them child has been offered a place at Norwich School.
- ✓Step 7 — Accept the place: To accept an offer, parents complete an acceptance form and pay a deposit to secure the place. The deposit is typically credited against future school fees.
- ✓Academic Scholarships: Awarded to applicants demonstrating exceptional academic ability in the entrance assessment.
- ✓Music Scholarships: For pupils with proven musical ability — supported by an audition.
- ✓Art & Drama Scholarships: For pupils with strong creative and performance ability, supported by a portfolio or audition.
- ✓Sport Scholarships: For pupils with talent and achievement in sport at a competitive level.
- ✓Bursary Awards: Means-tested financial support for families who require help with school fees at Norwich School. Awards are typically assessed annually.
- ✓Sibling Discount: Available at many independent schools for families with multiple children attending.
Norwich School Oversubscription Criteria
- Looked-after and previously looked-after children (highest priority).
- Children who achieve the highest scores in the 11+ entrance test.
- Children living within the school's priority catchment area.
- Children with siblings currently attending Norwich School.
- All other qualifying children ranked by distance from the school.
Key Dates & Deadlines — Norwich School 2026
| 📌 Open Events | Throughout the year — check school website to register |
| 📌 Application Window | Rolling admissions — apply early to secure assessment slot |
| 📌 Entrance Assessment | Arranged after registration submitted |
| 📌 Decision Notification | Following assessment, by written letter from the Head |
| 📌 Acceptance & Deposit | Deposit required to secure offered place |
How to Apply to Norwich School
Step 1 — Visit Norwich School in Norwich (located in the cathedral close)
Visit Norwich School in Norwich (located in the cathedral close) — founded 1096, one of the oldest in the UK
Step 2 — Complete the online registration form
Complete the online registration form on the school's admissions portal
Step 3 — Pay the registration fee at the time of application
Pay the registration fee at the time of application
Step 4 — The school requests a confidential reference from your
The school requests a confidential reference from your child's current school
Step 5 — Your child sits the 11+ entrance assessment at Norwich
Your child sits the 11+ entrance assessment at Norwich School
Step 6 — Attend an interview as part of the assessment process
Attend an interview as part of the assessment process
Step 7 — Following assessment, offers are communicated
Following assessment, offers are communicated
Step 8 — On acceptance, pay the deposit to secure the place
On acceptance, pay the deposit to secure the place
Independent Subjects Tested at Norwich School
Scholarships & Bursaries at Norwich School
Available scholarships and bursaries: Academic, Music, Art, Drama, Sport Scholarships. Means-tested bursaries available.
Outcome announced: Awards announced alongside offers
Additional notes: Norwich School is a co-educational independent day school in Norwich (founded 1096 — one of the oldest schools in the UK). Times rank #662. Located in the cathedral close. Strong choral tradition with Norwich Cathedral.
Academic Results at Norwich School
Norwich School is a high-performing independent school with a consistently strong record at GCSE and A-level, with many leavers progressing to leading universities, including Oxbridge and Russell Group institutions.
- Academic profile: a broad, traditional curriculum with strong results across the sciences, humanities and languages.
- Destinations: dedicated higher-education and careers guidance supports competitive university and degree-apprenticeship applications.
Confirm the school's latest published results on its official website.
Catchment Area for Norwich School
As an independent school, Norwich School has no fixed catchment area — places are offered on the basis of the entrance assessment rather than where a family lives.
- Where pupils come from: families travel from across Norwich and the wider Norfolk and north Suffolk area.
- Setting: an historic location in the Cathedral Close in the heart of Norwich.
Pastoral Care & Co-curricular Life at Norwich School
Norwich School combines strong pastoral care with an exceptionally wide co-curricular programme, supported by a house and tutor system.
- Pastoral care: a well-established tutor and house structure ensures every pupil is known and supported.
- Co-curricular: extensive sport, music (including long-standing links with Norwich Cathedral and its choir), drama, CCF and Duke of Edinburgh.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Norwich School a state grammar school?
No. It is an independent (fee-paying), co-educational day school; entry is by the school's own assessment rather than the state 11-plus.
What does the entrance assessment involve?
Candidates sit the school's own papers (typically English, Mathematics and reasoning) alongside a reference from their current school and an interview.
How do I apply?
Apply directly to the school's admissions office — there is no Local Authority Common Application Form for this school.
Are fees and scholarships applicable?
Yes — fees apply, and the school offers scholarships and means-tested bursaries. Details are on its website.
Independent Practice Papers for Norwich School
Norwich School uses School's own bespoke 11+ format. Our Practice Papers is a great way to practice for the exam — with full video explanations for every question.
- 3 × English, Maths, VR & NVR tests
- 600 video explanations
- 31.5 hours of video content
- 3 × English, Maths, VR & NVR tests
- 600 video explanations
- 28.5 hours of video content
- 4 mixed-subject practice tests
- 200 video explanations
- 11.5 hrs video content
- 4 mixed-subject practice tests
- 200 video explanations
- 11 hrs video content
- 4 mixed-subject practice tests
- 200 video explanations
- 9.5 hrs video content
- 4 mixed-subject practice tests
- 200 video explanations
- 10 hrs video content
- 4 mixed-subject practice tests
- 200 video explanations
- 9.5 hrs video content
- 4 mixed-subject practice tests
- 200 video explanations
- 9 hrs video content
How to Prepare for the Norwich School 11+ Exam
ExamTutor practice papers with tutor explanations for every question offers an affordable substitute for private tuition for a fraction of the cost.
📋 Take a Diagnostic Test
Start with a timed practice test to identify strengths and areas needing improvement.
📅 Build a Study Plan
Start at least 6–12 months before the exam. Focus extra time on weaker subjects.
🎥 Review with Video Explanations
Watch video solutions for incorrect answers. Rewatch difficult topics until confident.
⏱️ Develop Exam Technique
Practice under timed conditions to build stamina and learn to manage difficult questions.
📈 Track Progress
Monitor scores over time to see genuine improvement and identify remaining weak spots.
🚀 Build Confidence
Simulating real exam conditions means no surprises on the day — your child knows what to expect.