News & Events
12.10.2009
Langley Preparatory School & Thorpe House School To Merge
Two Norwich independent schools, Langley School, who have a senior school in Loddon and a Preparatory School in Norwich and Thorpe House, at Thorpe St Andrew, have announced that they are to merge.
Parents, pupils and staff of both schools were given the news this week of a merger which will create a strong co-educational independent school option for Norwich and south and east Norfolk families.
A new, enlarged two form entry junior school for girls and boys will be established on the current Thorpe House site, which adjoins the current Langley Preparatory School.
Girls in the senior department of Thorpe House School will all be offered places in the Langley senior school when the merger takes full effect in September 2010. Thorpe House girls about to embark on their two-year GCSE courses this autumn will be offered places immediately at Langley.
Paul Ramage, chairman of governors at Thorpe House, said: “This merger ensures the establishment of a very strong independent school serving boys and girls of all ages. The new enlarged junior school in the excellent Thorpe House premises will be, quite simply, the best junior independent school in the Norwich area.
“In an ideal world, both schools would have continued independently. But in an increasingly competitive environment, demand for girls-only education was diminishing. With the current economic outlook so difficult, we anticipated a situation in a year or two when Thorpe House could no longer guarantee a vibrant and stimulating educational environment.
Margaret Alston, chair of governors at Langley School, said: “The move to the Thorpe House site will allow us to develop an expanding preparatory school for the future. I have no doubt all pupils will benefit from a larger and more stimulating environment.”
Thorpe House School, established in 1897, currently has 180 pupils aged 3-16. It has an excellent public examination record and girls go on to sixth form study at other schools and colleges in the Norwich area.
Langley School has 450 pupils at its Loddon site and a further 110 in Norwich.
For further information contact:
Thorpe House School:
Mrs Anne-Marie Sutcliffe, Headmistress, Telephone: 01603 433055
Langley School:
Dominic Findlay, Headmaster, Telephone :01508 520210
07827912648