We are delighted to announce that we have met all standards across the board in our latest Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI) report and have been awarded a significant strength for our creative arts curriculum, a rare outcome under the current inspection framework. The report recognises us for combining a strong academic tradition with an innovative approach to education. Read the full report here.
Appointed by the Department of Education, the ISI evaluates standards across association independent schools in England. Only a small number of independent schools nationally are awarded a significant strength and receiving one places Gresham’s among the most highly regarded schools operating under the current ISI framework.
This follows an exceptional year for the school, which included a hat-trick of major awards, most notably being named Tatler magazine’s Best Public School 2026. Progress is also being made on the construction of our new state-of-the-art Prep School at the Dyson Campus and sport is seeing continued success under the leadership of England’s most capped men’s rugby player, Ben Youngs. Together, these achievements reinforce Gresham’s position as a leading voice in independent education.
The report highlights the distinctive ethos of Gresham’s, from our exceptional curriculum to our focus on pupil wellbeing. Inspectors note that “leaders implement an ambitious and coherent curriculum […] that is beyond statutory expectations.” This is reflected in the breadth of opportunities available across all stages of the school, from the innovative Discovery Curriculum in the Nursery and Pre-Prep to an expansive range of options at the Senior School, including GCSEs, iGCSEs, A Levels, BTECs and the IB Diploma.
Alongside academic ambition, the report emphasised pupil happiness. We place a strong emphasis on pupil wellbeing, fostering a supportive and positive boarding environment where “boarders behave with integrity and empathy towards each other,” while “pupils take responsibility for their own actions”. This underlines the school’s commitment to developing confident, well-rounded individuals.
Gresham’s was awarded its significant strength for its creative arts curriculum, highlighting our outstanding art and design provision, with the ISI noting;
“Pupils of all ages produce very high-quality art and creative pieces. They are successful in public examinations and national competitions, and a high proportion study linked areas after leaving school.”
Academic outcomes in Art and Design are particularly strong. In 2025, we celebrated 100% of pupils achieving A* or A grades in A-level Graphics, Art and 3D Design, which equates to a remarkable 32 A* grades. Pupils have also earned numerous accolades over the years, including the prestigious Chair of Virtue design award.
It is frequently observed that our Art and Design pupils produce work at a university level. This is reflected in the success of our alumni, many of whom secure places at leading institutions such as the Slade School of Fine Art, Central Saint Martins, The Ruskin School of Art, Chelsea College of Art, Edinburgh University, Arts University Bournemouth and UCL, often without the need to complete a customary foundation year.
We have long been renowned for producing outstanding achievers within the creative industries, with alumni including entrepreneur and inventor Sir James Dyson and abstract artist Benjamin Nicholson. This reputation has been strengthened by the sustained investment from the James Dyson Foundation, including the opening of the state-of-the-art Dyson STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Maths) Building in 2021, and the planned relocation of the Prep School to the Dyson Campus in 2027. Together, cutting-edge facilities, alongside world-class teaching, allow pupils to push the boundaries of creativity and innovation in art and design.
Douglas Robb, Headmaster, commented:
“We are absolutely delighted with our ISI inspection report. Of course, we were compliant in all areas, which is great and very important, but perhaps more importantly, they drew out some of the special characteristics of the school, particularly our approach to creativity in our curriculum. We are absolutely delighted that this was reported as a significant strength throughout the three schools. Our new strategy talks about teaching children to be creative, to be critical thinkers and full of character, so it is a real pleasure for us that this was highlighted by the inspectors.”
These findings highlight Gresham’s as a school that combines academic excellence with creativity, innovation and a forward-looking approach to education. From our sector-leading art and design provision to our broad and dynamic curriculum, Gresham’s provides an inspiring environment in which pupils thrive.
