Norwich School is situated in Norwich, United Kingdom, and is one of the oldest schools in the country, with a traceable history as far back as 1096. It is thought that the school was founded before that date, although no artefacts prove this provenance. Today the school thrives as an independent, fee-paying school and still to this very day provides education in some of the original buildings. The school has a long association with the cathedral church and still uses the cathedral for morning assemblies. The end of term ceremony involves some of the original pageantry from the 11th Century.

History

The school was founded in 1096 by Bishop Herbert de Losinga as an Episcopal grammar school. Some of the original buildings are still used as cloakrooms to this very day. The Bishop's Palace until recently was used by boarders but nowadays the school is exclusively day pupils.

In 1240 the first documented Head of the school was Vincent of Scarning – the first of an unbroken and documented line of headmasters that continues to the present day.

In 1516 the Episcopal School was fused with the Almonry School and finally in 1540 Henry VIII merged these into his grammar school. In 1547 The School was rebranded as King Edward VI’s Grammar School under the Great Hospital Charter, thus separating it from the Cathedral foundation and placing it under the control of the Mayor and Aldermen of Norwich.

In 1551 the school moved from the cathedral premises to its own location right next to the cathedral, built on land donated by the church.

Today the school is the primary private education provider in Norfolk with a history and excellent academic record.

Mr J. Hawkins is the current Headmaster and George Sargeant the Head of School.

The head of history is currently Dr. David N Farr, a historian and author of a biography of John Lambert (General) - ISBN 1-84-383004-3.

The common room contains many other interesting characters, including F J McIvor, teacher of classics and philosophy, former monk and prominent member of the catholic society , Opus Dei.

P F Moore, who is soon to retire, has been a member of the common room for many years now, and played a key role in the education of DJ Tim Westwood, son of a former Bishop of Peterborough.

Notable alumni

• Sir Edward Coke
• Humphry Repton
• Lt Col Derek Seagrim VC
• Major Hugh Seagrim GC
• Lord Blake
• Horatio, Viscount Nelson
• Tim Westwood (It is claimed that he only attended the school briefly; this is not disputed, as is commonly stated. It is true, according to the testimony of Mr PF Moore)
• Becky Mantin
• Sir James Brooke, Rajah of Sarawak
• Sir John Mills

See also

• Gresham's School

External links

• Norwich School website

Norwich | Schools in Norfolk | Educational institutions established in the 11th century