20th century to present Norwich School (independent school)

american service personnel relaxing in bishop s palace during second world war. today room sixth form common room.

extensive building development completed in 1908, included converting chapel religious use, redesigned school lodge , block of 6 classrooms designed edward boardman called new buildings. secure finances school accepted grant board of education in return offering 10 percent of intake places funded central government. first world war saw establishment of officers training corps company associated norfolk regiment, disbanded in 1918. pupil numbers grew steadily 277 in 1930 , there further modernisation of curriculum. during second world war several buildings destroyed in baedeker raids on norwich, while school end house commandeered auxiliary territorial service , bishop s palace used american red cross. inhumations reportedly disturbed in 1939 when air-raid shelters being dug on current site of playground, old cathedral cemetery. in total, 102 pupils attended school died in 2 world wars.

post-war reconstruction assisted dean , chapter leased further buildings in close , worshipful company of dyers, 1 of livery companies of city of london, through hh judge norman daynes, on , prime warden of company. though functional new buildings had little aesthetic value; according pevsner spoil north west part of precinct beyond hope of redemption . dyers continue major benefactor of school. following education act 1944 school became direct grant grammar school, increasing number of free places 1 quarter of intake, reverted full independence when scheme phased out in 1975. preparatory school called lower school established in 1946, rebuilt in 1971 architects feilden , mawson, , has undergone several extensions since. 1950s saw closer relationship dean , chapter following merger of choir school , lease of bishop s palace.

boarding phased out in 1989 , buildings used boarding, school house , bishop s palace, converted teaching space. girls admitted sixth form first time in 1994, ending 900 years of single-sex education. in 1999 daynes sports centre opened , former gymnasium converted blake drama studio , 2 further laboratories. same year artists cornford & cross commissioned norwich gallery produce series of sculptures beside river wensum. 1 of works, jerusalem, installed on school playing fields until july 2002. part of installation later donated art department. in 2008 new science laboratories opened on st faiths lane in south section of close. facilities include seismometer part of british geological survey s schools network. same year, school began admit girls below sixth form first time, young age eleven. next year, 2009, school-age girls eligible admission. eighth house called seagrim, named after distinguished ons derek , hugh seagrim, created in 2009. in 2011 first female head of school in school s history chosen. in late 2013 work began extend lower school.