Ages 
A school that prioritises personal fulfilment and instilling in girls the confidence to be who they are. ‘No identikit girls here!’ points out the gifted head whose strong leadership team helps girls to cope with both exam success and, as she puts it, ‘the slings and arrows of life.’
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Unlike other websites, schools can't pay to be included in The Good Schools Guide. This means our review of this school is independent, critical and fair, and written with parents' best interests at heart.
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Overview & data
- Pupil numbers
- 593 ·
- Sixth form numbers
- 71 ·
- Religion
- None
- Fees
- £13,608 - £17,922 pa
- Local authority
- Norfolk County Council
Headteacher
Head
Alison Sefton
Since 2020, Alison Sefton BSc (Durham) PGCE (Chester), previously deputy head (academic) at Oswestry School. Raised in a Forces family near Edinburgh. After studying chemistry at university, changed tack to train as an accountant. ‘Most of us know
Entrance
Key entry points are 4+, 7+, 11+ and 16+. Selection for reception and years 1 and 2 is through play and general assessment. For year 3-6 prospective pupils spend a day at the school with assessments in English, maths and reasoning. For entry at 11
- Open days
- Annual Open Events include an Open Day in the Autumn, an Open Week in Spring and an Open Day in the Summer term
Exit
Automatic transition from juniors to seniors. The rare girl thought not to be suitable is given plenty of notice. Post GCSE, an exodus of just over 65 per cent for pastures new – mostly local sixth form colleges, Norwich School, Wymondham College
Latest results
In 2024, 58 per cent 9-7 at GCSE; 65 per cent A*/A at A level (80 per cent A*-B). In 2023, 56 per cent 9-7 at GCSE; 58 per cent A*/A at A level (86 per cent A*-B).
% of pupils achieving AAB or higher, including at least 2 facilitating subjects (2024)
What is this?
Facilitating A levels are ones that are commonly needed for entry to leading universities. They are: biology, chemistry, physics, mathematics, further mathematics, geography, history, English literature and classical or modern languages. The % of pupils achieving AAB or higher may therefore decrease if many pupils have opted not to take two or more of the facilitating subjects mentioned.
Teaching & learning
Consistently good results across the board at GCSE. A solid cohort get top marks in the core subjects notably sciences, English, French and history. At A level, maths, sciences and business do very well. Languages encouraged throughout, beginning
- Qualifications taken in 2024
- A level
- BTEC
- EPQ
- GCSE
- VRQ
Learning support & SEN
Provision for a range of mild to moderate difficulties, mainly dyslexia and dyscalculia. ‘Numbers needing help are small,’ says the SENCo, who is 'on a mission to make extra help inclusive.' She says the school 'provides advice on ways of working
Arts & extracurricular
Thriving art department based in an enormous two-storey studio with adjacent textiles and DT rooms. ‘The atmosphere is just so good, you can come in whenever you like - we are always welcome!’ said a pupil. ‘Big room, big ideas. Lessons follow the
Sport
Girls are often local or regional champions at hockey, netball, football and cricket (‘so much more fun than rounders!’). A whole afternoon a week is devoted to sport and full use is made of the excellent facilities on site as well as at the UEA,
Ethos & heritage
The first of the GDST schools to be founded outside London in 1875, with the founding principle of prioritising girls’ education ‘as important now as it was then,’ according to the head. The girls like that the single sex aspect, telling us they c
Pastoral care, inclusivity & discipline
‘We know the staff and they know us,’ said a pupil. ‘Many of us talk to the subject staff we particularly get on with,' remarked another. Parents are also full of praise about the pastoral care: ‘The care that is taken of the girls is second to no
Mobile phone policy
A clear mobile phone policy is a really important part of modern schooling. This school has provided us with their policy.
Mobile phone policy
Provided by the school and not part of our review Pupils’ personal devices and mobile phones are expected to be switched off and kept in lockers during the school day. In the prep school pupils hand in personal devices to their form teacher during registration and they are returned at the end of the school day.
Pupils & parents
Families mainly from Norfolk and north Suffolk. Real efforts have been made to reduce car drop offs, especially in higher forms. Many local girls walk or get the bus, with minibuses picking up from the station and certain points around the county.
Money matters
The GDST keep fees at relatively modest levels. Academic, music, drama and sport scholarships at 11+ and 16+ plus art at 16+. Scholarships can be topped up with means-tested bursaries, though these are not confined to scholars and in fact around 2
- Fee information
- £13,608 - £17,922 pa
The last word
A school that prioritises personal fulfilment and instilling in girls the confidence to be who they are. ‘No identikit girls here!’ points out the gifted head whose strong leadership team helps girls to cope with both exam success and, as she puts
