Pupils design new artwork for the Dyson Building

On Monday 19 May, two new wall rugs were unveiled at the bottom of the stairs in the Dyson Building.

A number of pupils and teachers were on hand to see the unveiling. The fabulous pieces of art were designed by Year 10 pupils Lachlan M and Miriam G, expertly made by the Deirdre Dyson Carpet company, and commissioned by one of the School’s most generous art benefactors – the Sir Colin Anderson Memorial Trust.

For more than forty years, the Sir Colin Anderson Memorial Trust has commissioned multiple pieces of art for the School, including the bouncing ball structure by the Parade Ground, the Auden and Britten stone pillars by the Chapel and behind the Auden Theatre, and the stone hand that lives outside the Cairns Centre, to name but just a few.

Last academic year, members of the Trust asked Year 9 pupils to come up with designs for two new wall rugs to be hung inside the building and that reflected the STEAM subjects. There proved to be stiff competition, with many interesting designs being submitted. In the end, Lachlan and Miriam’s colourful designs were chosen.

The School extends its sincere thanks to the trustees of the Sir Colin Anderson Memorial Trust for their loyal and generous support, as well as its congratulations to both Lachlan and Miriam for coming up with two fantastic designs that will forever be displayed in the Dyson Building.

Academic Enrichment: Wealth Management

On Monday, we wrapped up our final Academic Enrichment talk of the year for our Year 13 pupils before they head into the Easter break and exam season. We were delighted to welcome Charlotte Davey and OG Frankie Sutton from Succession Wealth to share their career journeys and industry insights.

Charlotte, Strategy and Propositions Director, gave an insightful talk about her role and how her career pathway has been anything but linear—showing pupils that there are many different routes to success beyond school. Both Charlotte and Frankie highlighted the wealth of opportunities available in the financial sector, offering great encouragement to our pupils as they consider their next steps.

We look forward to working together to set up a financial and investment workshop in the future.

The Gresham’s Rifle Club take on the OG Team

On the last day of Half Term, the Rifle Club competed in its annual small-bore fixture against the Old Gresham’s Rifle Team. 

There was a great turn out with an equally impressive spread of ages. The top shot in the match was current NRA Imperial Meeting Grand Aggregate winner, Chloe E (OG), scoring a hugely impressive 195/200. The final match score was 1498 for the OG team and 1455 for the Gresham’s Rifle Club.

The match concluded with everyone shooting a ‘Rapid Shoot’, of 10 shots in 90 seconds – a challenge that is much trickier than it sounds. This year, Grace S won with a fantastic score of 96/100, shooting a ’6’ with her last shot, just as the 90 seconds came to an end.

After the match, both teams enjoyed an excellent lunch in the local pub and the OGs were able to share stories from their time at Gresham’s with the current team. 

First-hand memories of the 1990 Choir Tour to Odessa

Gresham’s recently welcomed former members of staff, Angela Dugdale and Michael Allard, to share their memories of the 1990 Choir Tour to Odessa with Year 12 pupil Margie G. The tour, set at the end of the Gorbachev era, was an extraordinary and eventful experience.

Whilst the choir experienced dreadful food and bedbugs and saw first-hand the contrast of ‘black-market’ riches and stark poverty, they performed to packed out audiences in Odessa’s Opera House and newly reopened churches.

The repertoire of choral music required the assistance of the then Archbishop of Canterbury, Robert Runcie.

Their trip even resulted in an exchange visit from the Gordienko Children’s Choir of Odessa, who were delightful. 

All in all, it was an eventful and memorable October Half Term.  

Academic Enrichment: Black History Month

We welcomed back Old Greshamian, Soji Ajayi, as our Enrichment Speaker for Black History Month. Soji shared his inspiring journey with Year 13 pupils, reflecting on balancing culture and opportunity. 

Soji spoke about his Sixth Form studies, discovering his passion for rugby and skiing, and how these experiences shaped his perspective. He went on to pursue an Engineering degree but later transitioned into the world of Financial Services, where he built a successful career.

Soji gave a true reflection of his journey of perseverance, identity, and the pursuit of excellence—all delivered with a message of embracing positivity, understanding and being happy with your own identity.

Compelling lectures on History and Degree Apprenticeships

The past few weeks have brought a series of engaging Academic Enrichment lectures, covering a wide range of historical, political, and practical topics.

Last week, we were privileged to host Mr. Kinder, Head of History, who delivered an outstanding lecture on the 110-year history of the Middle Eastern conflict. This topic was specifically requested by our current Sixth Form pupils, eager to gain a deeper understanding of the historical context surrounding the conflict.

We extend our thanks to Mr. Kinder for his illuminating presentation.

This week, we had the pleasure of welcoming Romario Ellis, a 20-year-old entrepreneur, advocate for apprenticeships, and the Founder of Outer Circle, to share his journey with degree apprenticeships. Romario’s story highlighted his path from an apprentice to establishing a dedicated platform empowering young people to gain confidence, skills, and understanding to launch their careers through apprenticeships with supportive, influential employers.

Joining Romario was OG Isobel Reading (E 2020-22), an apprentice at JP Morgan in Global Finance and Business Management. Together, they delivered an insightful and authentic look into the very real and successful route of undertaking a degree apprenticeship.

Thank you, Romario and Izzy, for your encouraging, candid perspectives and for inspiring our pupils to consider the opportunities offered by degree apprenticeships.

OGs return to share university journey and career tips

On Monday 23 September, we were delighted to welcome back OGs Joe, Lucy, and Tilly for an inspiring enrichment talk with our current Year 13 pupils.

Each OG shared their unique university journeys, offering valuable insights and advice for those preparing for the next step in their education. Joe, now in his third year studying History at Durham University, stressed the importance of being proactive in pursuing personal goals. His dedication has certainly paid off, as he managed to secure a summer placement with the multinational accounting firm, Deloitte, and already has a job offer lined up with the company for September 2025.

Lucy, a Marketing and Events Management graduate from Oxford Brookes University, spoke about her experience switching degree courses and highlighted the excellent support available for students with dyslexia. Lucy helped reassure those with learning differences about the help they can expect at university.

Tilly, an English Literature graduate from Edinburgh University, shared her enriching experience, including a memorable Erasmus exchange in her third year at the University of Copenhagen.

So far this term, Monday’s academic enrichment talks have been filled with exciting and engaging speakers. We welcomed Major General Felix Gedney who delivered a thought-provoking lecture about the UK Armed Forces and Society, and Former MP and Old Greshamian, Duncan Baker, who gave an extremely engaging and knowledgeable talk that offered insights into the commitment of being an MP.

We look forward with anticipation to welcoming more exciting speakers throughout the rest of the term.

Ben Youngs Appointed Head of Performance Sport

Gresham’s School is delighted to announce the appointment of Ben Youngs as the new Head of Performance Sport. A former pupil and an international rugby icon, Ben returns to his alma mater with a wealth of experience and a passion for developing the next generation of athletes.

Ben Youngs, England’s most-capped men’s rugby player, has enjoyed a stellar career spanning over 15 years. With more than 100 appearances for the England national team and a legacy that includes participation in four Rugby World Cups, Youngs is widely recognised for his exceptional leadership, strategic prowess, and dedication to the sport.

A proud alumnus of Gresham’s, Ben’s journey from the school’s playing fields to the pinnacle of international rugby serves as a powerful testament to his talent and determination. His return marks a significant milestone for Gresham’s, as he brings not only his on-field expertise but also his deep understanding of the school’s unique ethos and values.

In his new role, Ben will focus on nurturing high-performance athletes across a range of disciplines. His appointment underscores Gresham’s commitment to ensuring that students receive world-class guidance and support in their sporting endeavours.

Ben Youngs expressed his enthusiasm about the appointment, stating, “I am thrilled to return to Gresham’s, a place that has played such a significant role in my life. I look forward to working with the talented pupils and staff to build on the school’s proud sporting tradition and help our athletes achieve their full potential.”

James Knight, Director of Sport at Gresham’s, added, “We are incredibly excited to welcome Ben back to Gresham’s in this important role. His achievements in rugby are an inspiration to our pupils, and his experience and passion will be invaluable as we continue to strengthen our sport.”

Ben Youngs’ appointment is a momentous occasion for Gresham’s, as the school continues to foster a culture of excellence, discipline, and sportsmanship. Under his leadership, Gresham’s aims to set new standards in performance sport, providing its students with unparalleled opportunities to excel.

Read more about Sports Scholarship opportunities here.