Year Groups


At the heart of the broad education provided by Norwich School are learning and scholarship.


Click on the tiles to find out more about our different departments:


Fourth Form

In Lower Four (Year 7) and Upper Four (Year 8), pupils study: English, Mathematics, two Languages (French, Spanish, German or Mandarin), Science (Biology, Chemistry and Physics), Geography, History, Latin, Religious Studies, Creatives (Art, Design, Drama and Music taught separately), Games, CV and PSHE.

At the end of Upper Four, the pupils opt for the language or two languages and the Creative they wish to study in Lower Five – Art and Design, Drama or Music (all can be taken at GCSE subjects in Middle Five).

Fifth Form

In Lower Five (Year 9), pupils continue with a language or two, although they have the option to select two, and either Classical Civilisation or Latin depending on where their strengths lie. They also have one Creative from Music, Drama or the combined Art/Design course.

CV for Lower Four to Lower Five is based around five themes:

  • Study and Information Literacy takes pupils through the effective use of learning resources and study skills. The course is driven by the librarian’s team, and teachers with a background in delivering effective study and revision skills. 
  • Philosophy and debate introduces the younger pupils to the respected Philosophy for Children course, before providing dedicated opportunities to study critical thinking and the credibility of evidence. It also provides a forum for debate, covering UK values and political institutions.
  • Activity and Survival runs alongside the PE department and Duke of Edinburgh Award team.
  • Rights and Responsibilities echoes themes found in the PHSE programme, and runs only in L4. Pupils are introduced to the concept of Human Rights. 
  • Enterprise provides a creative outlet to promote entrepreneurship, resilience, risk taking and dynamism for all year groups. The theme also includes personal finance education and careers guidance. 

Middle Five (Year 10) and Upper Five (Year 11) are primarily focused on GCSE courses. Our GCSE programme requires:

  • English Language
  • English Literature
  • Mathematics
  • Science (Biology, Chemistry, Physics are taught separately for the Dual or Triple Award)
  • Up to four options (from Art, Classical Civilisation, Computer Science, 2D Design, 3D Design, Dance, Drama, French, Geography, German, Greek, History, Latin, Mandarin, Music, Physical Education, Religious Studies and Spanish)

A range of 7-12 GCSEs can be studied. All subject areas are studied for at least two years (Lower 4-Lower 5) before choices are made. Parents and pupils are consulted at option points. Alongside GCSE options pupils can opt for a variety of non-examined courses, replacing a maximum of 2 GCSE options for a maximum of 4 non-examined courses.

These include courses such as:

  • Introduction to Psychology
  • An additional Sport Session
  • Sport Development
  • Independent Project- a research based written task
  • Introduction to AI
  • Introduction to Finance
  • Making Film
  • Skills for employment
  • Additional study periods

Sixth Form

In the Sixth Form, pupils take three or four A levels. We encourage pupils to take three A levels, so they can focus on these subjects and have time to get involved in other aspects of school life such as community service. There is a choice of 27 subjects.

Subjects available: Art, Art History, Biology, Business Enterprise, Chemistry, Classical Civilisation, Computer Science, 2D Design, 3D Design, Economics, English Literature, French, Geography, German, Greek, History, Latin, Mathematics, Further Mathematics, Music, PRE (Philosophy, Religion & Ethics), Physics, Politics, Psychology, Spanish, Sports Science and Drama and Theatre.

Games form a substantial part of the curriculum in every year, as do the tutorial provision and assembly time.

Assessment and Reporting

Pupils are assessed regularly with the expectation that weekly homework will be set and marked regularly. Homework is usually intended to be challenging in content and to take learning onwards rather than being a simple repetition of work already done.

There are half-termly and termly grade cards and a full written report at least once a year.

Parents' Evenings are integral to the reporting process with the expectation that there will be a full dialogue between subject teachers and parents. Pupils are expected to attend these evenings. The timing of these is designed to encompass main decision points in each year. Parents are also encouraged to contact the tutor or subject teacher as soon as an issue arises, rather than to wait for a reporting point.

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