Partners

Student and microscope at Sir Isaac Newton Sixth Form

A unique partnership of local organisations, co-ordinated by The Forum

Norwich Science Festival is a celebration of the groundbreaking scientific research and discoveries associated with the city. The Festival is a partnership initiative involving many different organisations, co-ordinated by The Forum.

Partners:

Norwich Research Park

From the soil to our health; Norwich Research Park’s vision is to change lives and rethink society through pioneering research and innovation, reframing the future of research and delivering regional growth.

Norwich Research Park is a thriving business and research community of around 30,000 talented people, including 17,000 students, 3,000 researchers and clinicians, and personnel at over 150 companies, and we are continuing to expand. One of the largest single-site concentrations of research in food, genomics and health in Europe, the Park has world-leading credentials. The Park brings together four independent internationally-renowned research institutes: John Innes Centre, Quadram Institute, Earlham Institute and The Sainsbury Laboratory; with University of East Anglia (UEA) and Norfolk and Norwich University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (NNUH), supported and funded by The John Innes Foundation and Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC).

Together Norwich Research Park creates a community of people, place and resources that stimulates ideas and delivers innovation to change.

Watch the Norwich Research Park vision video

Read the Norwich Research Park Yearbook

UEA

The University of East Anglia (UEA) is among the top 1% of universities globally (Times Higher Education World Rankings 2015-16) and placed 10th in the UK for the quality of its research output (Research Excellence Framework 2014). Also known for its outstanding student experience, it has achieved a Top 10 rating in the National Student Survey every year since the survey began. UEA is a leading member of the Norwich Research Park – one of Europe’s largest concentrations of researchers in the fields of environment, health and plant science.

John Innes Centre

The John Innes Centre is an independent, international centre of excellence in plant science and microbiology. Our mission is to generate knowledge of plants and microbes through innovative research, to train scientists for the future, to apply our knowledge of nature’s diversity to benefit agriculture, the environment, human health and wellbeing, and engage with policy makers and the public.

Earlham Institute

The Earlham Institute (EI) is a world-leading research institute focusing on the development of genomics and computational biology. EI is based within the Norwich Research Park and is a UK hub for innovative bioinformatics through research, analysis and interpretation of multiple, complex data sets.

Quadram Institute

The Quadram Institute is at the forefront of a new interface between food science, gut biology and health, bringing together food and gastroenterology researchers and clinicians, under one roof, in a unique environment where collaboration, innovation and synergy across disciplines are promoted to address global challenges in human health, food and disease.

Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital

Every year Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital (NNUH) staff of more than 7,000 provide acute hospital care to more than 822,500 people from Norfolk, from neighbouring counties and from further afield. NNUH work closely with the University of East Anglia’s Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences to train health professionals and undertake clinical research. NNUH have world class facilities, highly skilled staff and are rated highly by patients for quality of care.

The Sainsbury Laboratory

The Sainsbury Laboratory (TSL) is a world-leading research centre focusing on making fundamental discoveries about plants and how they interact with microbes. TSL provides fundamental biological insights into plant-pathogen interactions and delivers novel, genomics-based, solutions which will significantly reduce losses from major diseases of food crops, especially in developing countries.

Norfolk & Norwich Science Association

The Norfolk and Norwich Science Association (NNSA) – formerly The British Science Association Norwich Branch – is a local group that aims to make science a fundamental part of culture and society. We aim to support, grow and diversify the community of people interested and involved in science in Norfolk. NNSA is run entirely by volunteers from in and around the Norwich area and aims to enthuse and inspire children and adults alike through exciting and informative hands-on science events. 

Sir Isaac Newton Sixth Form

Sir Isaac Newton is the UK’s first science and maths sixth form, focusing on educating the science, technology, engineering, and maths leaders of the future. Based in the heart of the Norwich in the former Bethel Street fire station. A lead partner in the Norfolk & Suffolk Maths Hub, Sir Isaac works with schools across East Anglia to bring the best in maths and science to as many people as possible.

Norwich School

Norwich School is a co-educational, independent day school for pupils aged four to eighteen.

Set in the Cathedral Close, Norwich School is a traditional, yet lively place where boys and girls enjoy a rounded and stimulating education. The school is characterised by strong, warm relationships and a profound appreciation of scholarship.

Norwich School is divided into two sections: the Lower School and the Senior School. The Lower School is the base for our 4-11-year-old pupils (Reception - Year 6), while the Senior School caters for the 11-18 age range (Years 7-13).

East Norfolk Sixth Form College

For 40 years, East Norfolk Sixth Form College (EN) in Gorleston has been a forward thinking, dynamic and community focused college.

EN offers much more than a traditional sixth form experience and is one of the few remaining independent colleges in the area.

The College is unique in that it offers one of the widest curriculums locally alongside an amazing package of extras not usually found within a sixth form environment. Specialist teachers ensure that students fulfil their potential and feel motivated to achieve, leading to a rich college experience and progression to some amazing futures.

EN is the only sixth form in the UK with its own Combined Cadet Force. The College also has unique partnerships with the UEA, NUA and offers students the opportunity to take part in the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award. Alongside this is an extracurricular programme that offers students the opportunity to expand their learning experience outside of the classroom across a wide range of specialist areas.

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Gresham's

Gresham’s is an authentic boarding and day school, founded in 1555, providing a fully rounded education to children aged 2 to 18. The school is situated on a 200 acre site, in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, just four miles from the breath-taking North Norfolk coast. Gresham’s holds an ‘Excellent’ rating across all nine categories following an Independent Schools Inspectorate visit, which is testament to the high-quality teaching and excellent pastoral care.

The Dyson Building opened at Gresham’s in September 2021. Sir James Dyson, a former pupil at the school, is enabling the innovative new centre for Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics (STEAM) education.

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The Halls

The Halls is the largest remaining friary complex in the UK and is perfectly suited to a wide range of events. From concerts, trade fairs, corporate meetings, film sets or your perfect wedding day.

We have a number of different venues from the largest and best known, St Andrew's Hall to the intimate setting of The Crypt or Becket's Chapel.

Teacher Scientist Network

The Teacher Scientist Network (TSN) is a high-respected and well-established science education charity that has for 20 years taken a genuinely bottom-up approach to working with teachers, bringing contemporary science into the classroom and striving to enhance science education across Norfolk and North Suffolk.

Norwich City Council

One Planet Norwich is organised by Norwich City Council and creates eco events and experiences for the city. The aim of the project is to encourage individuals, businesses, organisations and groups in Norwich to make small changes every day to reduce the amount they consume so our one planet can sustain us.

Youth STEMM Award

Youth STEMM Award (YSA) is an achievement-based award for students, designed to support and inspire the next generation of STEMM professionals. Participants log STEMM-related activities across four core strands on a personalised e-portfolio. Students can work towards a Bronze, Silver or Gold level Award, inspire the next generation, engage the public, develop skills and shape their future career in the STEMM sector. Events in Norwich Science Festival count towards YSA.

Norwich Arts Centre

Internationally recognised and at the heart of Norwich’s cultural community, Norwich Arts Centre is a contemporary arts venue that delivers a daily programme of live music, theatre, dance, live art, visual art, literature and comedy. It is a small, independently run venue with charitable status with a mission to support the development of artists and nurture emerging talent across a range of art forms; Norwich Arts Centre really is the best small venue in Britain.

Norwich Theatre Playhouse

Norwich Theatre Playhouse programmes a broad range of shows all year round, performed by top companies from all over the world. As well as being recognised as one of the very best comedy venues in East Anglia, they present international music stars, critically-acclaimed drama companies, fun-filled children’s events and shows that are just a bit… different. From firm musical favourites to fresh new writing, and from well-established stars to the pick of the newcomers, the Playhouse offers something for everyone.

Norfolk Museums

Norfolk Museums Service was established in 1974 when Norfolk’s County and District councils agreed create a countywide museums service. It is made up of 10 museum sites across Norfolk:

Ancient House MuseumThetford
Cromer MuseumCromer
Elizabethan House Museum Great Yarmouth
Tolhouse GaolGreat Yarmouth
Time and Tide Museum of Great Yarmouth LifeGreat Yarmouth
Lynn MuseumKing’s Lynn
Gressenhall Farm and WorkhouseDereham
Museum of Norwich at the BridewellNorwich
Norwich Castle Museum and Art GalleryNorwich
Strangers HallNorwich

The service also operates the Norwich Castle Study Centre, and a collections centre based at Gressenhall.

In 2018, Norfolk Museums Service was recognised by Arts Council England as a National Portfolio Organisation (NPO). Its mission it to inspire pride in Norfolk’s heritage through:

  • Engaging and inspiring the widest possible audience, both across Norfolk and beyond

  • Enriching people’s lives and creating a sense of place and identity

  • Contributing significantly to the visitor economy of Norfolk and contributing to the development of sustainable tourism partnerships

  • Collecting, preserving and interpreting the material evidence of Norfolk’s past present and future

  • Stimulating creativity, inspiration and enjoyment through the museums and collections in their care

Orchard Toys

Orchard Toys manufactures award-winning educational games, jigsaws, and colouring books suitable for ages 18 months+. With the ethos of ‘Learning Made Fun’, they strive to produce products which are interactive and fun, whilst also enhancing educational development. An environmentally conscious company, using recycled board and paper from sustainable sources.

Brochure and design partner: