Deciding on a school for your child is never simple. The right environment needn’t be perfect, but it must feel right. Walking into a school can tell you more than dozens of brochures. The way classrooms are laid out, the way the school staff talk with pupils, the atmosphere in the dining hall or playground, these are the clues that reveal what it might be like for your child.
This autumn, a number of independent schools across our region are opening their doors to prospective families. Open Days offer a valuable chance to explore a school beyond the brochure to meet the people behind the prospectus, ask questions, and see how the environment really feels.
In this guide, we take a closer look at what each school offers, from their ethos and setting to the everyday experiences they create. It’s a chance to consider what matters most to your family, and how different schools might support your child’s journey, both in and out of the classroom.
Beeston Hall School (Ages 4–13)
Beeston Hall offers both boarding and day places. Its small class sizes, coastal setting and emphasis on empathy allow children to learn in an atmosphere where confidence can grow steadily, not forced. The Open Day is at 9.30am on Saturday 27 September. You’ll see children in learning, hear from staff, sense how the school approaches challenge and encouragement.
Find out more at Beeston Hall School , or contact [email protected]
Norwich School (Ages 3–18)
Set within the historic Cathedral Close, Norwich School blends tradition with imagination. Its co‑educational day programme places creative learning alongside rigorous academics. The Open Morning is Saturday 20 September. Touring during one of these mornings can give you a sense not just of where pupils are taught, but how they are encouraged to be curious.
Details and registration via Norwich School . Admissions team can be reached on 01603 728449.
Glebe House School & Nursery (Ages 6 months–13)
On the north‑west Norfolk coast, Glebe House feels like a small community. Class sizes are intimate. Parents often comment on how well children are known, how care and attention extend beyond academics into emotional and social learning. There are two Open Houses this term: Friday 26 September and Wednesday 12 November. Both run 8.30‑11.30am.
To book a tour, email [email protected]
Uppingham School (Senior School, Boarding)
Uppingham is often spoken of with admiration for its holistic approach, not just what pupils learn in exams, but who they become along the way. There are Visiting Days for Sixth Form (20 September) and for Lower School / Fourth Form (4 October). These are good opportunities to see both the teaching and wider life: how pupils engage, how spaces feel, how traditions and innovation combine. Find more at Uppingham School
Norwich High School for Girls (GDST) (Ages 3–18)
Here is a school shaped by both ambition and support. If you are considering a single‑sex environment, Norwich High offers that in a setting that values leadership, intellect, kindness and curiosity equally. The Open Morning is on Saturday 27 September; personal visits are also possible.
For more information, contact admissions Norwich High School
Wisbech Grammar School (Day & Boarding | Selective)
One of the country’s older academically selective day schools, now with international boarding. It offers tradition, but also modern breadth: academic challenge, pastoral care and co‑curricular richness. The Open Day runs 9.30‑12.30 on Saturday 27 September. A large event, but useful for seeing scale as well as quality.
Information at Wisbech Grammar School
It’s worth planning ahead. Many Open Days require booking in advance, and arriving early can give you a better sense of the school in motion, the start of the day, the energy in the corridors, how staff and pupils interact. Pay attention to the atmosphere: is it calm or lively, structured or relaxed? Most importantly, can you picture your child feeling happy and confident there?
Each school has its own strengths, whether it’s in pastoral care, academic stretch, creative opportunities or the feel of the wider community. This guide offers a starting point, a way to explore what’s out there and reflect on what matters most to your family as you begin the decision-making process.
Want to know more? Read At Home Magazine here