Ages 
A great all-round state boarding school with high academic standards and extensive extracurricular provision. Favoured by aspirational parents, particularly those drawn to the school’s unpretentiousness, who know a bargain when they see it. A big, busy school that's best suited to hard-working, socially outgoing types.
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Overview & data
- Pupil numbers
- 1,430 ·
- Sixth form numbers
- 430 ·
- Offers boarding
- Yes ·
- Religion
- None
- Fees
- Day Boarding £3,975; Full Boarding £15,000 - £16,500 pa
- Local authority
- Norfolk County Council
Headteacher
Head of school
Dale McMorran
Since January 2025, Dale McMorran, who joined the college in 2005 as an English teacher and DofE leader. Rose through the ranks, joining the senior leadership team in 2016, becoming deputy head two years later, with responsibility for boarding and
Entrance
For the college, the main intake continues to be 11+ for most day and boarding students , 13+ (boarders only) and again in the sixth form, but occasional admissions are made to other years (except 11 and 13). In the prep, day pupils are admitted to
- Open days
- See website
Entry and exit data - year 7 entry (average 2020-2022)
Exit
Around 20 per cent leave after GCSEs. A great majority, close to 90 per cent of sixth form leavers, go on to higher education – between 30 and 40 per cent to Russell Group universities, six to Oxbridge and three to read medicine in 2022. Resident
% students progressing to higher education or training (2021 leavers)
What is this?
The proportion of 16-18 students that progressed to degrees, higher apprenticeships or other study at level 4 or above for at least 6 consecutive months in the 2 years after taking advanced level qualifications (level 3) at this school or college.
Latest results
In 2022, 28 per cent 9-7 at GCSE; 32 per cent A*/A at A level. In 2019 (the last pre-pandemic results), 29 per cent 9-7 at GCSE; 32 per cent A*/A at A level (61 per cent A*-B).
GCSE - % of pupils achieving grade 5 or above (A* to C) in English and maths GCSE (2024)
What is this?
This tells you the percentage of pupils who achieved grade 5 or above in English and maths GCSEs.
A level - Average points score (2024)
What is this?
These figures tell you the average grade and average points that pupils achieved in their academic qualifications. A maximum of 60 points are available for a grade A* at A level.
Teaching & learning
The school has a reputation for being a place where bright children do well. Though strictly speaking non-selective, the fact that 50 per cent are boarders and consequently there’s a varied mix of students, plus the provision of academic and music
- Qualifications taken in 2024
- A level
- EPQ
- GCSE
Learning support & SEN
Number of students with SEN slightly below the national average and they tend to be those with mild dyslexia, dyspraxia or dyscalculia. Learning support department is set within the brand new Peter Rout Centre and includes varied working spaces (all
Arts & extracurricular
The excellent musical tradition ‘is one of the reasons we chose the school’, said a parent and the presence in every year group of music and art scholars means provision is varied and takes account of current talent and interests. Music is taught
Sport
All the usual team games, rugby included, played by girls as well as boys. Standards are high and there are lots of fixtures: ‘We are lucky, we get to play in both the state and independent leagues,’ said a student. Girls' cricket, particularly, is
Boarders
Seven boarding houses are dotted about the site; sixth form boarding is separate and facilities are more akin to university accommodation, with ensuite rooms and downstairs a series of interconnecting ‘learning hubs’, dining and social areas.
Ethos & heritage
Founded in 1951 by Sir Lincoln Ralphs, then chief education officer for Norfolk, with the motto ‘Floreat sapienta’ (Let wisdom flourish), it is the largest state boarding school in the country. The site was a former US military hospital and the
Pastoral care, inclusivity & discipline
House-based tutor groups (day and boarders mixed) are the foundation of pastoral care and there is no segregation of the sexes. House staff deal with day-to-day matters and contact between home and school is often via email. The Hive is a
Pupils & parents
Though the majority of students are from Norfolk, some are from Cambridge, Suffolk and London. Any from abroad must be British passport holders. Transport is laid on for sixth formers and one bus a day brings students out from Norwich. Plenty of
Money matters
Tuition is free; fees are payable for boarding provision but these are low compared to independent schools. (During the lockdowns, fees were suspended.) There are various day boarding arrangements including day+ and day++ (meals, supervised prep and
- Fee information
- Day Boarding £3,975; Full Boarding £15,000 - £16,500 pa
The last word
A great all-round state boarding school with high academic standards and extensive extracurricular provision. Favoured by aspirational parents, particularly those drawn to the school’s unpretentiousness, who know a bargain when they see it. A big,
Inspection reports
Ofsted reports
Full inspection: Outstanding
You can read full reports on the Ofsted website
| Personal development | Outstanding |
|---|---|
| Quality of education | Outstanding |
| Behaviour and attitudes | Outstanding |
| Leadership and management | Outstanding |
| Sixth form provision | Outstanding |
