PREP SCHOOL PROSPECTUS

NORWICH HIGH SCHOOL

FOR GIRLS

NORWICH HIGH SCHOOL FOR GIRLS

Contents

I am delighted to welcome you to the Norwich High Prep School and Nursery.

At Norwich High Prep School we are experts in girls.

Whether they are just starting out on their school journey or preparing for transition into our Senior School, our girls are challenged by a bold curriculum and supported by a comprehensive pastoral structure that gives them natural confidence. We help them to discover their strengths, find their unique talents and develop friendships that will last a lifetime.

Of the many things visitors to the Prep School remark on, the most common is the comfortable, family atmosphere that can be felt throughout the school. The warmth of the relationships between the staff and the girls, and between the girls themselves is evident in our inclusive and caring community where every girl is valued and every individual success is celebrated.

Our curriculum is cutting edge and forward thinking, focused on developing the skills and character our girls will need to prepare them for their future. We are passionate about tailoring our academic experience to the needs of our girls and have designed a curriculum that not only provides the necessary academic rigour, but also challenges the girls to become active thinkers and learners.

Our twelve Qualities for Learning are embedded in our curriculum planning and taught through subjects like STEM, Bespoke and Science. Using these, our girls are expected to form opinions about what they are learning, develop new ideas, solve problems and debate issues. In short, they are encouraged to take risks with their learning. Our girls will confidently tell you that if they are not making mistakes, they are not learning – this growth mindset enables them to develop the attributes they need to become truly inspired learners.

Core to our pastoral approach are our ‘Believing in Butterflies’ strands which teach the girls the value of taking care of the little things, growing a little every day and being bold, brave and spreading their wings. These values form the backbone of our school community.

Complementing this, our newly introduced Metamorphosis Programme brings together five important elements that enrich our girls’ experience: project based learning, leadership opportunities, service to others, laying foundations for the future and extra curricular experiences. These elements allow our girls to stretch themselves in areas of learning that take them beyond the classroom and help them develop the skills, attributes and behaviours they will need to succeed.

As an Apple Distinguished School, technology is part of the everyday fabric of life at Norwich High School. Our girls see their iPads as tools for learning, taking them far beyond games, videos and internet searches into open-ended apps that bring learning to life, empowering them to be creative and work collaboratively in ways that have been previously unimaginable.

With 145 years of experience teaching girls, we have developed an educational journey uniquely tailored to help them grow academically and personally. I am sure, when you discover our amazing school for yourself, you will find it to be an environment where your daughter will be nurtured, grow in confidence and enjoy being herself – in other words somewhere she can shine.

Mrs Susan RobertsHead of Prep School and Nursery

WELCOME

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Welcome from the HeadPage 3

Stafford House - The Home of our Pre-Prep and Prep School Page 4

An All Through SchoolPage 5

Welcome to the GDSTPage 7

Why Girls Only?Page 8

Pastoral SupportPages 9 to 12

Early Years for ages 3 to 5Pages 12 to 20

Our Pre-Prep for ages 5 to 7Pages 21 to 24

Our Prep School for ages 7 to 11Pages 25 to 28

Performance and MusicPage 31

SportsPage 33

The Metamorphosis ProgrammePage 34

Qualities for LearningPages 36 to 39

TechnologyPages 40 to 42

Transitions and ConnectionsPage 44

Afterschool CarePage 46

Joining our schoolPage 47

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The Pre-Prep and Prep School is housed in its own dedicated space on the main 14 acre site, called Stafford House.

Classrooms are airy and spacious, many in purpose built extensions to the original house, allowing for modern additional facilities such as a Science Lab, Art Studio, Pastoral Room and a beautifully renovated Library.

Other classrooms form part of the original house and retain authentic features which have been imaginatively re-invented for today’s needs. In all classrooms, round tables promote communication and collaboration and it is not unusual to see girls spilling out into the corridors and communal spaces to use green screens or record evidence of their learning.

The outdoor space is fully utilised and the woodland playground, outdoor theatre and polytunnel are often busy with groups of girls

STAFFORD HOUSEThe Home of our Pre-Prep and Prep School

re-enacting the Roman invasion, acting out an extract of their literature spine text, roasting marshmallows over a campfire or watering and weeding home-grown produce.

Cutting edge technology for learning is available throughout the school, with interactive display screens or Apple TVs in each room. These integrate perfectly with our girls’ individual iPads, provided as part of a 1:1 programme of devices, as well as a shared set of Chromebooks for use throughout the whole Prep School.

Stafford House is a vibrant place where there is always something new and exciting for your daughter to discover. Creativity is in abundance – as you walk through the corridors and classrooms, you will see our girls' wonderful work on display and witness lessons which showcase our rich and varied curriculum.

An All Through School

Being part of an all through school gives our Prep School girls an opportunity to enjoy the use of a range of shared facilities, spaced out across our stunning 14 acre site.

Within the grounds, there are several outdoor features for the Prep School girls to enjoy, including a tree sheltered play area with equipment for adventurous and imaginative games, table tennis tables, a multi-use court to practise techniques learnt in sports lessons and a polytunnel full of homegrown produce. Further afield on the site the girls can make dens in the Forest Schools area, perform dance routines in the outdoor theatre, look for apples in our Heritage orchard or go pond dipping at Dingley Dell, a large field where we grazed sheep last summer.

Sports provision is extensive and Prep School pupils have access to comprehensive sporting facilities which include a 25 metre renovated indoor heated swimming pool, two on site

multi-use games areas, an astro turf hockey pitch, tennis courts and a dedicated sports hall.

Prep School girls make use of many of the Senior School facilities such as the music school, drama studio and main hall for performances, as well as the Science labs, STEM room and DT workshop for lessons and events throughout the year.

All girls enjoy their lunch in the main dining hall in Eaton Grove. Lunch is freshly prepared daily by our onsite chefs and a selection of choices are available. Each girl is encouraged to try different foods, but we fully understand and cater for any dietary requirements or preferences.

With specialist staff working throughout the school and lunch being served everyday in the whole school dining area, it is not surprising that our girls are confident when making the automatic transition into the Senior School at the end of Year 6.

ISI INSPECTION REPORT 2020‘In the Prep School, pupils spoke warmly of the ways in which they felt positive about their own abilities, especially how the school’s ‘Butterflies’ and ‘Qualities’

initiatives encourage them to develop outstanding habits and behaviour.’

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A WELCOME TO THE GDST

The GDST (Girls' Day School Trust) is a family of 23 independent schools and two academies across the UK, uniquely placed to help girls make the most of today’s opportunities.

We don’t just provide a first class education. We develop character. We help girls to be confident, resilient and fearless. In our schools, girls learn without limits: nothing holds them back.

As experts in education, we recognise that girls learn differently for a variety of reasons. So we have created environments in which every girl is able to thrive, whatever her disposition and direction.

We are committed to helping every girl fulfil her potential and her dreams, equipping her with the knowledge and social skills to thrive.

Our bursaries programme allows us to give gifted girls a GDST education, regardless of a family’s financial circumstances. Currently we provide 1,100 of these life changing bursaries nationwide.

GDST girls will make their mark on the world, in their own way, and on their own terms.

But don’t take it from us. GDST girls speak for themselves. Happy. Healthy. Confident. Balanced.

And the best way to find out, is to visit one of our schools.

Cheryl GiovannoniChief Executive of the GDST

PARENT COMMENT IN THE GOOD SCHOOLS GUIDE“I was sure about sending her from the day we went to look round when she was 4. She just got stuck in and loved it and

there’s always such a good atmosphere.”

A NURTURING

ENVIRONMENTFOR ALL GIRLS

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WHY GIRLS ONLY?

Norwich High School remains 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. Copious research has signposted that girls do better in a single-sex environment.Here are some of the reasons why:• Girls’ happiness, development and success

are at the core of everything that happens in a girls-only school.

• Pastoral programmes are tailor made for girls and anticipate their particular needs.

• Girls are able and encouraged to excel in every subject area, every activity and every performance.

• In a girls-only school, all the positions of leadership and responsibility are held by girls.

• Girls will take more intellectual risks in an all girl environment.

• Girls and boys mature academically and emotionally at different stages and teaching them separately allows effective differentiation.

• Single-sex schools consistently achieve the best results.

• Greater levels of confidence in both sexes are apparent when they are taught separately.

• Girls and boys have fewer anxieties over peer pressure in single sex environments.

• Girls from single sex schools have more positive attitudes to non-stereotypical careers.

• A greater percentage of pupils from girls’ schools go on to higher education.

• Girls develop confidence in their own abilities as individuals and do not define themselves by gender.

Our aim for your daughter is to be happy, confident and ready to take on the world when she leaves school. We want her to have achieved excellence academically, to have developed resilience and to have enjoyed herself. School is about growing up, preparing for the future – those things we can’t measure or quantify in league tables and exam results. These are the intangibles which will shape both your daughter’s journey through school and her life beyond it. At Norwich High School for Girls we follow this Mission Statement:

We put girls firstOur girls are known and valued as individuals.Our girls benefit from the fact that everything is designed and developed to meet their educational and pastoral needs, so they can be their very best whilst here at school and beyond.

We are ambitious for every girlOur girls are intellectually curious, equipped to meet academic challenge and innovate. They benefit from the opportunities of our pioneering curriculum.

Our education is about more than examsOur girls fulfil their potential.They become outstanding scholars, sportswomen, musicians, actors and are inspired to explore a wide range of pursuits.

Community matters to usOur girls contribute to and benefit from the unique community fostered by staff and students. They positively support the lives of others in the school and the wider community;they are outward looking and networked.

Take care of the little things• We know that the little

things matter and we take time to appreciate them.

• We are little parts of a bigger community but we are all important and have the potential to bring about change.

• We know that little acts of kindness and compassion can make a difference to the lives of others.

Grow a little every day• We use every experience

to grow, no matter how hard and know that perseverance is the key to success.

• We know that making mistakes is an important part of learning about ourselves.

• We are confident to be ourselves and celebrate the differences between us.

Be bold, be brave & spread your wings

OUTSTANDING PASTORAL CARE

Pastoral care at Norwich High Prep School centres on our whole school ethos of putting girls first, placing the development of each individual girl at the heart of everything that we do.

We believe that girls need to feel happy and secure in their learning environment, helping them to become the best possible versions of themselves.

Our excellent staff treat all of our girls with the highest level of care, attention and respect at all times. We work closely with families to ensure that girls receive all the support that they need to thrive.

Core to our pastoral approach is our Believing in Butterflies initiative which consists of three strands that underpin all that we do as a school.

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• We are committed to giving our best in all things, seizing every opportunity.

• We challenge ourselves to step outside of our comfort zones to do new and exciting things.

• We are proud of who we are – strong, independent women.

These are shared and unpacked through regular assemblies and are the focus of our Butterfly Days where girls work in their Houses on creative, active or STEM based

challenges. Producing a whole school mural and stone mosaic, creating a flash mob dance, protecting a raw egg for the day and launching space rockets of their own designs have been just some of the activities designed to help our girls see the

butterfly strands in action.

EARLY YEARSfor ages 3 to 5

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BUILDING A COMMUNITY

Norwich High Prep School is a thriving community, in which we teach our girls that working collaboratively can enrich their learning. Paired and group work is a key feature of lessons and the girls are taught how to listen, appreciate, consider and respond to the contributions of their peers.

Parents are an important part of our school community and we encourage them to be as involved as possible with their daughter’s education. From supporting with homework to coming into school to see class assemblies and concerts, our parents are welcomed into our school community. We want our parents to have a clear understanding of their daughter’s experience in school. Therefore, we encourage parents to take part in open classroom mornings where they can learn alongside their daughter, and to attend numerous bespoke events such as our EYFS reading and Maths cafés to gain an understanding of how these important skills are taught to our youngest learners.

Termly parent seminars give parents the opportunity to look deeper into the skills their daughters are learning, with workshops on digital skills, Forest Schools and the Qualities for Learning all being well received. External speakers are also invited to give presentations on areas such as digital safety and mental health.

Although some of these events are aimed specifically at Prep School parents, a number are offered across the whole school community helping parents feel prepared for the stages of development their daughter has yet to reach.

The NHSA, our school parents and friends association, plays a vital role in our community raising money for a wide variety of school initiatives. It is very active and exceptionally well supported by the parents, girls and staff. Their events such as the November Market, the annual Quiz Night and the Summer Ball are highlights of the year.

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A WELCOME FROM OUR HEAD OF PRE-PREP

Starting from only three years old in our Nursery, all the girls in our Pre-Prep enjoy a warm, safe and nurturing environment where they are encouraged to find their voice and share their ideas at every possible opportunity.

All of our girls in the Early Years Foundation Stage and Pre-Prep are happy, motivated and excited to learn new things every day. A plethora of opportunities await which all encourage our girls to engage, explore and experiment, sparking their interests and promoting a natural curiosity. Every girl is truly unique and treated as an individual – our staff take the time to make sure that learning is tailored to meet their personal needs and interests.

From the very youngest in Nursery to those at the end of the Pre-Prep in Year 2, all girls enjoy a carefully balanced and stimulating curriculum. We ensure they have fun whilst building a solid foundation in the core subject areas of English and Mathematics.

“I would recommend this Nursery very strongly. The Nursery Manager is excellent and well assisted by

support staff. It is a very happy and caring environment.”

Through innovative and engaging topics, our girls develop their knowledge and understanding of the ever-changing world around them. They also explore their talents in weekly swimming, sports, music and dance lessons; all taught by specialist teachers.

We believe that learning beyond the classroom encourages the holistic development of our girls – we pride ourselves on our ability to foster the girls’ curiosity by giving them exciting opportunities to explore their natural environment. Whatever the time of year, they can be found jumping up and down in muddy puddles, toasting marshmallows over the campfire and discovering their green fingers in the polytunnel. Throughout the Pre-Prep the joy of learning is evident in the girls’ enthusiastic chatter and happy smiles.

I look forward to sharing our wonderful Pre-Prep with you and your daughter.

Rhian BartonHead of Pre-Prep

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OUR NURSERYThe first step to a brighter future

Our Nursery offers excellent pre-school care for girls aged 3 to 4 years and is the ideal first step for your daughter to join the Norwich High School community.

We care for and educate up to 20 girls in our bright, cheerful and spacious self-contained building with its own enclosed garden, undercover outdoor area and a wide selection of toys and play equipment. Our warm and safe family environment will make your daughter’s transition from home to Nursery a relaxed and happy one.

All of our staff are highly qualified with an excellent knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework and are dedicated to preparing your daughter for the best possible start in her education.

Our Nursery staff value each child as uniquely special and through regular observations, will ensure that your daughter’s next steps in her learning and development are clearly identified.

OUR RECEPTION CLASSSchool beginnings

In Reception, your daughter will continue her educational journey through the Early Years Foundation Stage as she goes from four to five years old. Being based in Stafford House enables our Reception girls to join the wider community of the Prep School. In addition, the girls have access to two large rooms leading out into a dedicated play space, where they can continue the free-flow nature of the Early Years curriculum, giving them room to explore and experiment, plus the freedom to make discoveries and mistakes.

The classroom layout is based upon Reggio Emilia’s theory of the learning environment being the ‘third teacher’. Care is taken to provide an ever-changing range of indoor and outdoor activities to spark curiosity, stimulate learning and solve problems.

With the Early Years Foundation Stage Framework at the heart of the planning, our

Key to each girl’s success is the partnership that we form with all of our parents. You are always welcome to pop in for a chat when you bring your daughter to the Nursery or when you pick up at the end of her day. We ensure that our parents can share the many successes that their daughters have in our Nursery by posting observations in their personal Tapestry Learning Journals and through communication in our bespoke school planners.

During the course of the year, you will be invited to many events, each showing a different side to your daughter’s experience here at our Nursery.

Throughout the week, our Nursery and Reception girls enjoy a number of opportunities to play and learn together.This integration provides the Nursery girls with a natural familiarity of the spaces used by Reception girls and the staff who look after them, helping them to make a smooth transition to the Pre-Prep.

team of experienced early years practitioners link this to the girls’ interests to form the basis of their studies, ensuring each girl is engaged and can create meaning and make sense of the world around them.

Your daughter will follow an individualised programme of study with personal next steps designed to take her forward in her learning at her own pace, giving her confidence and independence whilst developing her resilience. Meticulous planning ensures harmony between child initiated learning and adult directed tasks, which is excellent preparation for the transition into Year 1.

With the joy of learning at the heart of all activities, the girls’ enthusiasm is obvious. This is perfectly demonstrated when they share their discoveries with the wider school community confidently through the weekly Celebration Assembly.

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Our EYFS Curriculum, beginning in Nursery and continuing into Reception, will provide your daughter with a solid foundation on which to build her learning. With a focus on the knowledge, skills and attributes that the girls need to prepare them for future learning, a comprehensive programme of activities is provided each day for the girls to explore. Small class sizes and experienced staff allow us to maximise child initiated learning opportunities. By being able to individually tailor your daughter’s learning to her needs and interests, it is possible to broaden her development and maximise her potential.

Communication and LanguageOur girls are immersed in an environment rich in language, enabling them to develop their confidence and skills in expressing themselves.

Physical DevelopmentWe provide opportunities for the girls to develop their coordination, control and movement. We also foster an understanding of the importance of physical activity and healthy food choices.

Personal, Social and Emotional Development We help our girls develop a positive sense of themselves and others, to develop social skills and learn how to manage their feelings.

Our Early Years and Foundation Stage (EYFS) Curriculum

LiteracyWe ensure our pupils are given access to a wide range of reading materials to ignite their interest – including weekly dedicated sessions in our incredible library.

MathematicsWe provide the girls with opportunities to develop and improve their skills in counting, understanding and using numbers, calculating simple problems and to describe shape, space and measures.

Understanding the WorldWe guide our girls to make sense of their physical world and community through exploration and observation, finding out more about people, places, technology and the environment.

Expressive Arts and DesignWe enable our girls to explore and play with a wide range of materials and provide opportunities to share their thoughts and feelings through art, music, dance and role play.

‘In the EYFS, children are already able to use tablets effectively, for instance to demonstrate their excellent understanding of phonemes and rapidly developing

capacity to form letters accurately.’ ISI Inspection Report 2020

“My daughter actively relishes every day and can't stop talking about all

the things she has learned.”

OUR PRE-PREP

for ages 5 to 7 (Years 1 and 2)

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Early Years and Foundation Stage (EYFS) - Our Specialist Curriculum

Digital LearningThrough the careful use of iPads, interactive games and other devices, girls will develop their familiarity, confidence and fluency with different forms of digital technologies.

Forest SchoolsNursery and Reception girls enjoy weekly sessions in the woods on-site, whatever the weather! They play, explore and learn in this naturally stimulating outdoor environment.

Food Technology and CookingCooking is an enjoyable and hands on way to help promote healthy eating and safety in the kitchen. It is an opportunity to explore numbers and measures as well as encouraging communication and listening skills.

PE, Games and SwimmingThe girls experience a range of physical activities with a focus on improving skills, coordination, communication and movement. Girls enjoy a swimming session every week.

MusicThe girls experience movement, song and dance with a specialist Music Teacher and are encouraged to share their singing voice through a variety of activities.

DanceOur specialist Dance Teacher uses play and dance to help the girls explore how they can move, improving coordination, musicality and balance.

FrenchGirls are taught French through songs, games, rhymes and repetition, and are encouraged to recall simple phrases and gain confidence speaking aloud.

Show and TellYour daughter is invited to bring in something for Show and Tell to help develop her speaking and listening skills.

‘In the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), almost all children reach their learning goals and often exceed them. They become independent, responsible, confident and

assured, because they are frequently enabled to initiate their own activities.’ ISI Inspection report 2020

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OUR PRE-PREP - ENSURING A FIRM FOUNDATION

Our girls’ experience in the Pre-Prep allows them to build on the excellent start they have made in the Early Years Foundation Stage.

As the majority of our girls have achieved, if not exceeded their Early Learning Goals, they are in a good position to take their learning forward in a more formalised way. The learning itself is very much guided by the same principles as in Reception, but the emphasis is now on ensuring your daughter has the key knowledge and skills she needs to access the curriculum as she moves through the school.

Guided by staff who have excellent experience of working with this age group, the girls begin

From the outset, inquiry based learning is at the heart of these two essential years. The girls are actively engaged in the learning process by being encouraged to explore and discover by asking questions and sharing ideas.

Core English skills such as reading and writing are taught through a variety of interactive means, where girls are challenged to find their inner author and actress. High quality children’s literature is used as a basis for comprehension and creative writing tasks and the fundamentals of phonics, handwriting and spelling are practised on a daily basis, often motivated by an individual’s desire to improve.

Key mathematical skills and understanding are often taught in a practical manner, which enables our girls to make sense of numbers, geometry and statistics. The girls benefit from the use of a huge variety of Maths manipulatives,

Our Pre-Prep Core Curriculumto develop their individual study habits, taking greater responsibility for and ownership of their own learning.

As the oldest girls in the Pre-Prep they are expected to set the example for those in Reception and Nursery. They are also able to take on leadership roles within their own class and contribute to the wider life of the school through membership of School Council.

As their independence grows, so too does their confidence. By the time our Pre-Prep girls reach the end of Year 2, they are more than ready for the challenges ahead in the Prep School.

helping them to understand more abstract mathematical concepts.

Our science curriculum gives the girls numerous opportunities to explore the world around them. Big questions such as ‘How can I lift my teacher with one finger?’ are posed to ignite curiosity and stimulate discussion before being answered through the wonder of discovery and practical experimentation. Developing key scientific skills as part of their practical work sets firm foundations for their years in the Prep School.

Bespoke lessons engage the girls on many different levels, as they develop their knowledge and understanding of historical and geographical topics. The emphasis on active learning ensures that their work is far from a recount of the facts they have discovered, but is based on discussion and activities designed to stimulate and develop their curiosity and thinking skills.

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‘The pupils’ attitudes to their work is excellent in all parts of the school. From the EYFS onwards they make assured progress in taking leadership in their

learning, developing effective organisational skills and pride in the appearance of their work. They are ambitious and engaged, showing persistence and resilience.’

ISI Inspection Report 2020

OUR PREP

SCHOOL for ages 7 to 11

(Years 3 to 6)

Our Pre-Prep Specialist Curriculum

From the beginning of their Pre-Prep journey, our girls benefit from the expertise and depth of knowledge of our specialist teaching staff. Forest Schools, Music, French, Swimming and Games are all taught by specialist teachers who provide continuity in these subject areas as our girls move through the Prep School. Year 2 girls are taught violin as a class by one of our visiting music teachers and for many – this inspires individual music lessons in a range of different instruments.

Art, Food Technology, RE and PSHEE are usually taught by the form teacher, allowing them to make cross curricular links between the knowledge and skills taught in Bespoke or Science lessons. In the Pre-Prep, your daughter will have the opportunity to enjoy planting, looking after, picking and eating her own produce in our school polytunnel. There’s nothing quite as tasty as strawberries you have tended yourself or as satisfying as making a stir fry with vegetables you have grown from seed.

Even at this age, the girls’ digital skills are strong and they use apps such as Book Creator and iMovie to show their learning, developing their communication skills as they take video and photos and record voice-overs. Storytelling is brought to life with PuppetPals and the dictation tool helps early writers focus on their creativity instead of the mechanics of writing.

Weekly Forest Schools lessons allow the girls to achieve confidence, develop self esteem and foster resilience through hands-on experiences in our dedicated woodland area. Our girls also benefit from weekly language lessons, becoming confident linguists in basic French through games, rhymes and activities which help with the recall of key phrases and vocabulary.

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OUR PREP SCHOOL -STRIDING FORWARD WITH CONFIDENCE

Years 3 to 6 are key developmental years at Norwich High; a time to build on the foundations laid in the Pre-Prep and establish good working habits before the transition into the Senior School.

The girls become increasingly independent and are encouraged to take ownership of their learning and development so they can achieve their unique potential. We adopt a personalised approach to learning that enables girls to achieve and develop. From the outset, girls are encouraged to find and be proud of their voice. They play an active role in their own learning, respect the opinions and actions of others, and work together to become a part of our vibrant and caring community.

We ensure that our girls develop a solid grounding in the basics and develop exceptional skills for learning through our Qualities for Learning programme. Their experience is enhanced through the effective use of technology, including the provision of 1:1 iPads.

As the girls move towards the top of the Prep School, they are encouraged to take more responsibility for themselves and others, and the range of opportunities open to them broadens significantly.

From competing in sporting fixtures against other schools and organising house events, to taking part in GDST academic conferences and running assemblies as Digital Leaders, our girls increasingly take the lead, expand their comfort zones and find previously unrecognised talents.

With automatic entry into the Senior School, Year 6 girls are able to focus their attention on the academic challenges and leadership opportunities of their final year in the Prep School, rather than jumping through the hoops of entrance exams or SATS. This is when they really begin to show themselves as the strong, independent women they have become, putting into practice some of the skills they have learnt throughout their journey.

Our Prep SchoolCurriculum

Our Prep School girls enjoy a tailor-made curriculum that offers a combination of focused teaching and inquiry-based learning, designed to unlock every girl’s potential and to develop her curiosity. By actively engaging our girls in the process, learning becomes an adventure, making it exciting and motivating, taking the girls from passive observer to involved participant. We know that by providing creative and active learning experiences, we can spark our learners’ curiosity, enabling them to develop their knowledge and skills. Our girls take their achievement much further than they thought possible, in an environment where they can express themselves uninhibitedly.

Our curriculum quite rightly places the core subjects of English and Mathematics at its centre. We believe in developing a lifelong love of literature through exposure to the highest quality texts and a wide variety of regular opportunities to write gives our girls the skills and confidence to express themselves on paper. Mathematics is taught through energetic and exciting lessons that seek to develop conceptual understanding and mastery. Practical activities are used wherever possible to consolidate our girls’ knowledge of new concepts, encouraging a level of engagement in lessons that deepens understanding.

Small class sizes allow the staff to differentiate work to a personal level and the girls are encouraged to match the tasks to their level

of confidence and understanding, giving them control over their own learning.

Science is a key subject within the Prep School, with girls engaging in exciting investigations and practical work, making full use of our specialist Science lab and further facilities at the Senior School. Our newly developed STEM curriculum allows us to maximise the links between the scientific topics which girls learn and elements of computing and engineering. They can develop their technical and creative skills to make burglar alarms or periscopes, code Micro-bits or even develop water filtration systems. The problem solving skills honed in these subject areas are transferable throughout the curriculum and are key to future success.

Our Bespoke curriculum enables our girls to find their place in the world by understanding events and people of the past, learning about other cultures and communities and considering their impact on the world in the future.

Far from just fact-finding in these lessons, our girls are immersed in historical and geographical situations, making decisions for themselves, weighing up evidence and determining outcomes. Questions previously considered include why the Mary Rose sank, whether Scott of the Antarctic should be considered a hero, if tourists are good for our world’s natural wonders and whether Boudicca was right to lead a rebellion against the Romans.

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‘Pupils are supported by carefully planned teaching and a school culture based on high expectations and nurturing pupils

to become effective, independent learners.’ ISI Inspection Report 2020

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Our Prep SchoolSpecialist Curriculum

The Arts have an important place in the Prep School curriculum and Music, Art and Drama opportunities give the girls a chance to express themselves and hone their talents. Wherever possible, links are made with learning in other areas. Whole school events such as the Winter Arts Festival in February enable the girls to experience creative activities that are not normally on the curriculum such as willow weaving, samba drumming, felt making and ballroom dancing.

French is the main language studied in the Prep School with the girls developing their written and oral skills through games, songs and drama. In the upper years, the girls take an additional course in language awareness. This provides a broader understanding of how languages work, exposing the girls to a rich variety of languages including those with different letter formations and alphabets. This provides a good foundation on which to build in the Senior School, when the number of languages available to study broadens.

Forest Schools continues as part of the curriculum until the end of Year 4 and is then offered as a club for the upper years. Our girls enjoy the chance to get outside, whatever the weather, and interact with their natural environment whether

they are building dens, creating natural art or learning to tie knots. Their favourite activity has to be a campfire which is a regular feature of Forest Schools.

RE and PSHEE broaden the girls’ thinking to consider the experiences and beliefs of others around them, skills which are important in developing tolerance and an appreciation of diversity. Those who are keen to share their experiences and faiths are encouraged to do so during lessons and in assemblies, broadening the understanding of the whole school community.

Sport is a key aspect of our specialist curriculum and a significant proportion of the timetable is devoted to physical activity. Our girls take their skills in hockey, netball and cricket further each year as they move through the school as well as having the opportunity to practice their dance and gymnastics skills in lessons too. Swimming happens weekly throughout the year for all ages.

Internal competitions, local fixtures and national events give our girls a chance to show their sporting skills and it is with pride that our girls represent their school.

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A CHANCE

TO SHINE

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PERFORMANCE AND MUSIC

Performance and music are key parts of every girl’s education at the Norwich High Prep School.

When you visit Stafford House, you are likely to hear some form of music playing through the corridors – whether it is a girl playing her instrument as part of an individual music lesson, the orchestra practising in their weekly club session or one of the Prep School choirs rehearsing for a performance. We even have a dedicated Music School on site to facilitate the wide range of music we have on offer.

Girls often perform on their musical instruments during assembly and our termly musical soirées provide an opportunity for musicians of all standards to entertain their parents at an informal after-school concert. The final musical event of the year, our summer concert, is the pinnacle of our performing calendar and all the girls from Nursery to Year 6 take part in this event held in Eaton Grove Hall.

In previous academic years, our Prep School girls have wowed audiences with productions such as ‘Shakespeare Rocks’ and ‘Mary Poppins’ performed by our Year 5 and 6 girls, as well as ‘Robin and the Sherwood Hoodies’ and ‘Rock Bottom’ performed by our Year 3 and 4 girls. Our Pre-Prep are responsible for a Christmas extravaganza and they have entertained us with delights such as 'Lights, Camel, Action!' and ‘The Inn-spectors’.

Our Pre-Prep and Prep School choirs have delighted onlookers for a number of years at the Royal Norfolk Show, and during festive events at Notcutts and Jarrold Department Store. All of our Prep girls from Reception to Year 6 performed as part of at least one of the four choirs that sang at the Norfolk County Music Festival, impressing the judges throughout the two weeks.

High standards are reached in various music examinations, as well as in speech and drama writing, and poetry competitions.

COUNTRY LIFE MAGAZINE“A go-getting, underrated gem in East Anglia,

with world-beating music facilities.”

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SPORTS

The school offers an ever expanding programme of sporting activities for the Prep School, with major games such as hockey, netball and cricket taking place during Games afternoons, and sports such as gymnastics, dance, trampolining, tennis, cross country and athletics performed in PE lessons.

We have excellent onsite sporting facilities including:• a large sports field / grass athletics track• grass and carpet tennis courts• a 25m indoor heated swimming pool• an astro-turf pitch• a dedicated indoor sports hall

Swimming is a vital life skill that is taught from Nursery upwards once a week in our 25 metre pool. Stroke technique and water confidence skills are the main focus of these sessions.

Girls are encouraged to participate in a wide range of clubs and competitions during and out of school hours. Girls in the Prep School compete in a busy fixture list against many local schools, as well as those further afield through IAPS national tournaments and GDST sports rallies, where our U11 girls are the reigning champions in cricket. We also run a full programme of House Sports events throughout the year for girls in the Prep School.

We are always delighted to welcome parents to all sporting fixtures, to support the girls and the school.

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A GLIMPSE OF THE FUTURE

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Enrichment beyond the curriculum is vital to every girl’s all round development. Our newly introduced Metamorphosis Programme brings together the following five core elements of any successful enrichment programme:

1. CONNECT – Extra Curricular ActivitiesWe have a wide variety of extra curricular clubsand activities that happen before and after school as well as at lunchtime. Many of these are run by the Prep School staff, but a number of external providers offer clubs as well. Whether the girls’ interests lie in music, sport, drama, dance or they just want to try something new, we aim to find something to suit everyone, allowing all our girls to sample a variety of activities and discover new hobbies. From cheerleading to chess, cookery to languages film club, there is something for everyone.

We offer an exciting and diverse trip programme, including residential visits which take place in Years 4, 5 and 6, which are designed to build confidence and develop friendships, as well as providing valuable learning experiences. In addition, the GDST ski trip is an exciting opportunity for girls in Years 5 and 6.

2. STRETCH – Project Based LearningEach year all girls from Nursery to Year 6 take part in a project based homework task which gives them an opportunity to be creative and stretch their learning wherever their curiosity takes them. Under guidance from their teachers, the girls develop their ideas and document their progress, eventually culminating in an exhibition showcasing and celebrating the girls’ achievements.

THE METAMORPHOSIS PROGRAMME

3. LEAD – Leadership OpportunitiesOur girls thrive when they are given responsibility and it is important that as part of their development they learn leadership skills. Whether they are representing their class on the School Council, leading their House on a Butterfly day or serving in the Snack Shack, these opportunities help our girls grow in confidence and develop as individuals.

4. ACT – Service to OthersIt is important for our girls to understand the role they can play in the wider community. Service to others is one way that we can encourage their natural kindness and willingness to share. We host a wide range of charitable events throughout the year and have encouraged our girls' entrepreneurial endeavours through our ‘Grow a Pound’ initiative raising over £20,000 for three charities in our local community.

5. GROW – Foundations for the FutureWe want to ensure that our girls have the skills, behaviours and attitudes they need to be successful in the future. It is never too early to begin to introduce career-related learning.

Through assemblies, the girls explore possibilities from the world of work as they are introduced to parents, alumnae and friends of the school who can inspire them for their futures. Guided Form Times also allow form teachers to develop skills such as public speaking and persuasive writing which are useful for them to practise.

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Qualities for Learning

When they leave school, our girls will be joining a fast-moving, uncertain world, where skills such as being able to work in a team, see new perspectives and think creatively will be highly valued.

At the Norwich High Prep School we believe it is never too early to start

developing these key attributes.

Our twelve qualities for learning are clearly displayed in the girls’ books,

they underpin our lesson planning and are the focus of regular assemblies.

Everyone has the opportunity to explore what they mean and can find out

how to improve them.

By making these often implicit aspects of the learning much more obvious,we can help our girls to take control

over their own development and drive their learning forward. In fact,

research shows that girls who develop these attributes are more likely to

engage with their subjects in an active, thoughtful and enthusiastic way.

As they mature, they will have the skills to respond positively to whatever challenges and opportunities lie ahead.

With an expert knowledge of girls' education, we can provide our girls

with experiences in the classroom and beyond to help them develop the skills

and attributes essential for their future success.

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Anya Analysis

Anya knows how to make something that’s complicated easier to understand by breaking it down into smaller pieces. She looks at the details so she can understand the bigger picture and this helps her work out what it is all about. She is very good at explaining and can help her friends understand things that seem very difficult at first. In fact sometimes she can be a bit like a detective, using the clues to work out what something means.

Cara Creative Thinking

Cara knows that the best way to have a good idea is to have lots of ideas. She is willing to consider any idea, even if it seems unusual at first and this can often help her think in new and inventive ways. She rarely goes with her first idea but instead likes to try lots of different solutions until she finds the best one.

Astrid Approach

Astrid loves to make the most of new opportunities and is willing to have a go at something even if she is not sure she will succeed. She knows that being positive, even when things go wrong, will help her get there in the end. She is curious to find out more and will try her best, whatever she is asked to do.

Dita Determination

Dita sets targets for herself and won’t give up until she reaches them. Sometimes it is difficult when things go wrong but she doesn’t let her failures stop her and she picks herself up and carries on. Even if she doesn’t feel like making an effort, she knows it will be worth it in the end when she reaches her goal.

Iris Interpretation

Iris understands that not everybody sees things the same way. In a discussion she can see both sides of the argument and she understands that there isn’t always a straightforward answer to a problem. Iris understands that looking at things differently can lead to exciting discoveries and better understanding.

Ruby Reasoning

Ruby is a very logical thinker. She likes to work things out for herself and she will use all the information she has to make a sensible and considered decision. She can use her reasoning to support her ideas and persuade other people but she knows she needs to be flexible and change her mind if she is presented with a better reason.

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Priya Problem Solving

Priya enjoys having a problem to solve. First, she finds out everything she can about the problem so she can come up with all sorts of ideas to solve it. Not all of them will work but she knows she needs to keep trying until she finds just the right one. She loves the feeling of satisfaction she gets when she works out the solution to a tricky problem.

Edith Evaluation

Edith is keen to be a better learner. She takes the time to reflect on her work to think about what went well and what she could have done better, so she can improve next time. She also knows it is a good idea to reflect on what she sees and hears too, so she can carefully consider what she thinks before she makes a decision.

Cleo and Collette Collaboration

Cleo and Collette love working in a group. When they work with other people there are always lots of good ideas and each person in the group has a different skill to get the job done. Working as a group can have its challenges and they have to make sure everybody has a say and is included. They can normally sort out any problems fairly.

Corinne Communication

Corinne Communication knows it is really important to be able to communicate well so she can pass along her ideas and feelings to others and be confident they will understand her. She has learnt that communication is more than just words and that her expression, tone of voice and body language show how she feels as well. Corinne knows that communication is a two way process and, when she listens carefully, it makes the person talking to her feel valued and enables her to respond more effectively.

Rita Resilience

Rita knows that not everything can go the way she wants it to and that sometimes she will face challenges and setbacks. She doesn’t let this get her down, because she knows that she is able to learn from her mistakes and bounce back when things don’t go as planned. Much like her best friend, Dita Determination, Rita isn’t frightened of failure. Instead, they work together, using this as a chance to adapt, try other ways of working and overcome challenges to achieve success.

Ivy Independence

Ivy is confident in making her own decisions and feels proud when she is able to do things for herself. Although she will ask people for advice, she will weigh up what they have said before she makes her own decision. Ivy has a positive approach to solving problems and always has a go before she asks for help. Ivy takes great satisfaction in the things she can do and is always motivated to achieve more.

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All pupils and staff throughout the school are issued with an iPad on which to work. This enables us to work collaboratively with our girls, allowing them more freedom to choose activities, to personalise work and be even more creative.

We are proud to have been awarded Apple Distinguished School status, recognising our excellent work using technology throughout the whole school. This is a highly prestigious award, with Norwich High being the only Senior School in Norfolk and the only school within the GDST to hold it. There are currently only 41 schools in the United Kingdom with Apple Distinguished School status.

Apple Distinguished School status recognises the breadth of our vision for learning using technology.

We have published our own iBook on the Apple iBook store, explaining our journey and showcasing examples of the creativity shown by the girls in their use of the iPad for learning; for example using GarageBand to compose music, using ShowMe and animations to create explanations, personalising their learning in Maths using Explain Everything and filming sports to analyse and improve performance.

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The book includes a section in which we have analysed the effect that having an iPad has had on the learning of the girls and a spotlight on the way in which the programme has impacted on the delivery of learning support.

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TECHNOLOGY

Our use of technology as a tool to develop learning is a key aspect of our curriculum. A balance of work in books and away from the screen is always maintained, though we are proud to utilise technology to provide benefits that can’t be gained any other way. 1:1 iPads allow our girls to maximise these opportunities.

Using content free apps ensures the right tool can be chosen for any task. This can be a concept map app to plan a story or a comic strip app to record a sequence of stages in a science experiment. Speech tools read back to pupils what they have written, helping them to hear their mistakes and edit them independently. Digital learning journals allow for photographs, video and audio to be included, making it easy to document projects and communicate understanding.

Within class, the reliance on worksheets is reduced with many tasks accessed online. With this in mind, girls can choose the level of work that is right for them, accessing extension tasks easily. The girls even record explanation

videos of processes such as long division which can then be used for revision or support when they are stuck instead of going to a teacher. Far from being something which prevents communication, our teachers have found that the iPads have encouraged conversations about learning, and collaboration has been developed with ideas and skills shared and built upon.

Technology has provided equitable access for all. Many of our girls supported by our SEND department rely on the iPad as an essential tool to access learning, with specific apps and accessibility features enabling them to keep pace with their peers in the classroom.

Becoming a Digital Leader in Year 6 is a coveted position of responsibility and these girls use their training to support staff, parents and girls in their use of technology. This could be through a showcase of their skills to visiting teachers, the demonstration of apps at parents’ evenings or the leading of pupil events within school to promote online safety.

ROOM TO

GROW

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GUIDED HOME LEARNING

When the lockdown was confirmed, the transition to a programme of Guided Home Learning at Norwich High School was very smooth, due to our girls already competent use of technology.

All girls were able to take their school iPads home and, through Google Classroom and Google Meet, were able to get involved in live lessons, access independent tasks and reconnect socially throughout the school day. Where it was needed, additional support was provided, but for many the ability to complete their work with increasing independence was a beneficial experience.

With technology integrated into everyday life within the Prep School, any further periods of Guided Home Learning will be managed effectively, whether that is for individuals in self isolation or whole ‘bubbles’ that have to be taught at home.

A significant proportion of live teaching at the start of lessons would be provided with access to staff for questions throughout the day. Social interaction is encouraged through class and group Google Meets and these have previously featured talent shows, an afternoon tea, sing alongs and all manner of pet appearances.

‘During the last few months my daughter’s form teacher has delivered a home-learning experience

with patience, flexibility, and good humour. They have been responsive, sympathetic, and approachable and my daughter has felt motivated and well-supported

during home-learning and throughout the year.’ Parent of Prep School pupil

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Being an all through school gives our girls advantages at the natural transition points in their education. Although each stage of their educational journey is designed to be different, there are enough similarities to make those transitions smooth. Familiar staff and facilities ease girls from one stage to the next and can provide a head start to the learning as teachers already know the girls. This is particularly useful when moving from the EYFS into the Pre-Prep and between the Senior School and Sixth Form.

Transition events take place at the end of each stage to ensure the girls are ready for any changes. These events reduce anxiety and help the girls build a clear picture of what will be expected of them in the next stage.

New girls are welcomed into the school throughout the year in almost every year group and our girls are particularly adept at making sure that newcomers feel at home as quickly as possible. Over the course of the Prep School, our year groups can double in size and it is testament to the social skills of our pupils that any new girls generally feel at home within days of arriving.

Connections are also made across the GDST, with Prep girls invited to be involved in subject events and conferences throughout the year. These are often held in inspiring places such as Oxford University and The Royal Institution and allow the girls to connect with groups of girls from across the 25 GDST schools.

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TRANSITIONS AND CONNECTIONS

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JOINING OUR AWARD-WINNINGSCHOOL FOR GIRLS

While we hope this guide has given you a flavour of Prep School life, we strongly recommend that you and your daughter

join us for a personalised tour.

Entry to the Prep School follows a simple selection process which includes play and

participation in the younger years and written tests for those pupils in Year 2 and above.

Further details about how to apply to join Stafford House can be requested by calling

our Registrar on 01603 453 265 or by emailing admissions@nor.gdst.net

BISHY BARNEY BEESAFTER SCHOOL CARE

For those families who need additional after school care, Bishy Barney Bees is available for all girls aged 3 to 11 years until 6pm during term time for a small fee.

Bishys, as it is commonly called, offers a warm and friendly environment for girls to relax after their busy day, to extend their learning when they are particularly intrigued by a topic or to have a go at a different challenge. When you visit, you may find the girls enjoying story time, creating puppet characters or playing outside.

Girls have tea and join in with a variety of fun activities until they are collected. Older girls can do their homework here as well. All girls are looked after by our experienced team, often with help from pupils in the Sixth Form who participate in our DofE or Big Sister programmes.

There is a fully qualified paediatric first aider on duty at all times and a member of the Prep Leadership Team is on duty in the building until all the girls have been collected.

Bishys provides a safe, secure and enjoyable extension to the school day for Norwich High School girls.

We also understand that there may be occasions when unforeseen circumstances dictate that you may not be able to collect your daughter at the usual time, and we will always try to accommodate last minute emergency bookings.

For more information please call our Registrar on 01603 453 265 or email admissions@nor.gdst.net

Norwich High School for Girls95 Newmarket Road

Norwich, NorfolkNR2 2HU

United Kingdom

t: +44 (0)1603 453 265e: admin@nor.gdst.net

www.norwichhigh.gdst.net

NORWICH HIGH SCHOOL

FOR GIRLS