Norwich Steiner School opened its Upper School in September 2012. It is one of only four Steiner Schools in the UK currently able to offer the new Level 3 qualification the “New Zealand Certificate of Steiner Education” or the NZCSE (formerly called the Steiner School Certificate or SSC). The Upper School is for pupils from age 14 through to Class 12/13, when the oldest pupils are 18/19 years old and ready to take their next step in life.

Three cohorts of pupils have graduated from the school, in July 2017, July 2019, July 2021 and our most recent group in July 2023. Within each cohort, the majority or all pupils have successfully attained their Level 3 qualification, with one-third to half of pupils applying for and being offered places at universities (see Alumni page to see universities and courses offered). Many of our students take a gap year to travel at the end of school.

We aim to help students work through adolescence in a healthy way, providing sufficient time to find resonance and direction for their next steps in life while providing a balance for the extremes of emotion and ideas and between inner and outer worlds. Students develop a love of learning, as well as practical and transferable skills that will help them along their way.

The recently developed NZCSE Qualification  is based on the Steiner Waldorf curriculum, leaving Norwich Steiner School entirely free from the pressures of the National Curriculum and mainstream qualifications. We have found this allows both pupils and teachers to enjoy learning and teaching in a creative and invigorating environment.

The creative breadth and depth of the Waldorf Curriculum, together with appropriate teaching practices, encourages the emergence of healthy young adults capable of independent and creative thinking, healthy social relationships and the ability to make choices and to succeed in all aspects of contemporary life.