Author Scarlett Clark visited the Prep School to speak about her book, ‘The Smart Girls Handbook’
News > Author Scarlett Clark visited the Prep School to speak about her book, ‘The Smart Girls Handbook’
Scarlett spoke to parents on raising daughters and she also did a workshop with all of our Year 7 and 8 girls which the HSMs from Oakeley, Queens and Edi attended with representatives from their Houses.
Scarlett is the author of The Smart Girls Handbook and is the CEO of Smart Girls Tribe. She is a fantastic ambassador and has some incredible achievements for a woman in her twenties, including being the host of top rated podcast Smart Girl Tribe, a TV commentator on women’s issues, and an ambassador for the NSPCC and Childline.
Year 3 recreated the rock cycle using chocolate!
News > Year 3 recreated the rock cycle using chocolate!
In Science this week Year 3 recreated the rock cycle in chocolate. By using different types of chocolate and different processes they were able to make chocolate versions of the three rock types. They even made a chocolate volcano!
Well done to Olivia who competed in the Norfolk Sportshall Athletics County Championships
News > Well done to Olivia who competed in the Norfolk Sportshall Athletics County Championships
Year 6 pupil Olivia competed in the Norfolk Sportshall Athletics County Championships at University of East Anglia on Saturday. Olivia achieved second place in the Under 11 girls standing long jump and second place in the Under 11 girls standing triple jump, whilst also achieving PB’s in both events.
She has also been selected to represent Norfolk at the Sportshall Regional Finals at the UEA on Saturday 17th February.
Paul Marriage has been appointed as the School’s new Chair of Governors from July 2024, taking over from Michael Goff who will step down after a six-year tenure.
Paul is an Old Greshamian (Kenwyn & Tallis 1982-1990), a Liveryman of the Fishmongers’ Company and he became a Governor in 2012. Having read Modern History at University College, Oxford he began his career in the insurance market before entering the investment industry in 1997. Having run leading specialist UK equity funds at Cazenove Capital and Schroders, he founded Tellworth Investments in 2017.
Paul Marriage, said: “I am honoured to be taking over from Michael Goff as Chairman of the Governors, he has done an exceptional job and will be a hard act to follow. Parents, staff, pupils, OGs and my fellow governors can be assured that I will do my utmost to keep the School on its upwards trajectory as we approach our 475th anniversary.”
Well done to the U11 girls hockey team who are regional winners
News > Well done to the U11 girls hockey team who are regional winners
Our U11A girls hockey team played in the East regional finals of the England Hockey In2Hockey Championships on home turf last week. The girls had a great start, winning their first two matches with ease. They then came up against the bigger challenge of a skilful Perse side. Things didn’t go to plan with them losing 0-2. However, the testament of a good side is the ability to bounce back and this they did by winning their remaining group matches to finish 2nd in the group and qualify for the semi-finals. This was a tough local derby against Langley Prep School, things were very tight throughout and they fought back from lots of strong play with excellent defending. Thankfully, they managed to score in the closing minutes to reach the final, once again facing The Perse. This time, the girls executed the plan with real commitment and managed to score late in the second half and hold off last minute pressure to win the title. This is a trophy Gresham’s haven’t won in recent history and is certainly an achievement of which to be hugely proud.
Prep and Senior pupils gave incredible performances in the Piano Showcase
News > Prep and Senior pupils gave incredible performances in the Piano Showcase
The Piano Showcase on 22nd November saw a combined programme from the Prep and Senior Pupils, launching the start of the new Steinway Status school. Ranging from Classical piano solos, and contemporary duets, to a boogie-woogie number and a four – part paso double, the performances were incredible and showcased the full range of the new piano, and the variety of genres being taught and enjoyed across the schools.
Visiting director, Ian Murchie, led all our Year 7 pupils in a whirlwind production of ‘ Romeo and Juliet’. Put together in just 2 days, pupils delivered a fantastic performance.
James Dyson donates £35 million to create a state-of-the-art Prep School for Gresham’s
News > James Dyson donates £35 million to create a state-of-the-art Prep School for Gresham’s
Donation funds purchase and restoration of Grade II listed Holt Hall, set in 85 acres, and building of new state-of-the-art facilities for pupils aged seven to 13
James Dyson has now donated more than £50 million to Gresham’s School, which provided him with a full bursary after the death of his father, a teacher there, in 1956
The Dyson STEAM Building at Gresham’s opened in 2022, following a previous £18.75 million donation; the new Prep School will open in September 2026
The James Dyson Foundation today announces a new £35 million donation to Gresham’s School. It will create a state-of-the-art Prep School with a brand new building incorporating STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Maths) facilities for pupils aged seven to 13.
James Dyson boarded at Gresham’s from the age of nine, attending the school from 1956 to 1965. He has always acknowledged his deep gratitude to the school and its then Headmaster, the late Logie Bruce-Lockhart. The school gave James’s family support so that he and his brother could continue their education for free at Gresham’s after the untimely death of their father, Alec Dyson, aged 43, who taught Classics there.
James Dyson, Founder of Dyson and Gresham’s alumnus, said:
“Holt Hall is a magnificent setting and when it came up for sale we had the extraordinary opportunity to rescue this Victorian hall, to provide a new setting for a cutting-edge Prep School for Gresham’s pupils. As the son of a Gresham’s teacher, I had the free run of Gresham’s grounds and playing fields in the school holidays – but the arcadian park of Holt Hall was out of bounds.
The architecture and design of the new wing – with a mirrored external surface – will reflect the ancient woodland, allowing it to blend into its stunning setting. We will also restore the Victorian building and protect the surrounding ancient woodland for Gresham’s pupils to discover and learn in, adding state-of-the-art facilities.
It is so important to inspire young people through problem-solving and discovery. I’m forever grateful for the generosity Gresham’s showed me when my father – who was Head of Classics at the school – died when I was nine. Logie Bruce-Lockhart, the Headmaster, allowed my brother and me to continue our studies with a bursary, when it would otherwise have been impossible. I’m so pleased to be able to support the school and to see it shaping incredible young people who go on and flourish.”
The £35 million donation will enable a much-needed restoration of the adjoining Holt Hall and the surrounding 85 acres of grounds which are in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, increasing the area of the school grounds by a third.
The plans for the new Prep School include:
A sustainable, naturally ventilated, mirrored new building adjacent to Holt Hall – inspired by Dyson’s research building (D9) in Malmesbury, Wiltshire – that reflects nearby ancient woodland. The new building will have:
High tech equipment and STEAM facilities.
Solar panels on the roof.
Heating and cooling via a ground source heat pump.
An irrigation system using recycled rainwater.
Careful restoration of Grade II Listed Holt Hall which will become the heart of Gresham’s new Prep School.
Investment into an ancient woodland management plan.
Removal of invasive plant species protecting the site long-term.
Preservation of the walled garden.
Installation of a Field Studies Centre and outreach programmes for local schools, including outdoor activities at Holt Hall and residential stays.
Douglas Robb, Gresham’s Headmaster, said:
“This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to rescue Holt Hall and breathe new life into its grounds. We are enormously grateful for the generous donation of Sir James Dyson and the James Dyson Foundation. The natural setting of Holt Hall and its ancient woodland will be the new home for Gresham’s Prep School – currently a superb school limited by its cramped location at a crossroads. No land will be sold off during this development and we will repurpose the Prep School’s existing site to expand the Senior School facilities. I am particularly grateful that Sir James has chosen to further enhance the school’s facilities and build on the tremendous success of the Dyson STEAM Building.”
From left: Michael Goff (Chairman), James Dyson, Douglas Robb (Headmaster). Credit: Dyson.
On average Gresham’s provides £2.5m worth of bursaries and financial support a year, benefitting 200 pupils. 1,000 children from local schools have made use of the school’s existing Dyson STEAM Building, which opened last year, in workshops provided by the school and there are plans for local children to use the new Prep School campus.
The new Prep School and restoration of Holt Hall will be designed by architects WilkinsonEyre. WilkinsonEyre have a long relationship with Dyson, with Sir James Dyson and the late Chris Wilkinson developing Dyson’s Malmesbury & Hullavington campus, the Dyson Institute’s undergraduate village, and the Dyson STEAM Building at Gresham’s together.
Dyson STEAM Building at Gresham’s. Credit: Dyson.
All photography copyright Dyson.
Well done to our Prep School scientists who are through to the semi-finals of the National Science Championship
News > Well done to our Prep School scientists who are through to the semi-finals of the National Science Championship
Our teams of Year 5 and Year 6 Scientists did very well competing in the National Science Championship online. Congratulations to Santi, Bea, Rex and Jago who have made it through to the semi-finals.
Prep House Music featured excellent performances from all three houses
News > Prep House Music featured excellent performances from all three houses
The first half of the Michaelmas Term means one thing-House Music! Tensions were running high as Houses chose their Big Song and nominated soloists to represent them on the day. With the theme of ‘Dance’ there was plenty of musical choice. A slight change to the format this year encouraged top musicians from all houses to take part in a massed instrumental ensemble. They started the event enthusiastically, playing an upbeat medley including Stayin’ Alive, Sailor’s Hornpipe and Dance the Night Away. Opportunities for solos and improvisation were readily taken and the energy within the performance was palpable. Our Judge, esteemed drummer Ash Soan, took to the stage and interactively showed off his rhythm skills to the delight of the audience.
It was then time for the three houses to hit the stage. A positive start from last year’s winner, Reith, included a superb rendition of ‘I Will Survive’ sung by Gen and Albert. YMCA was a great choice for Big Song and the whole presentation was held together with a fun script and dramatic performances.
With the bar set high, Woodforde took to the stage with Alien costumes, space ships and a plethora of corny time travel jokes-all well received by the excited audience. Esme took to the stage, giving a heartfelt rendition of ‘Time after Time’ and the choice of ‘Time Warp’ as Big Song was genius.
Not to be outdone, Borrow soloists, Immie and Clara, confidently performed ‘You’re the One That I want’ before more exciting drama lead the whole house into ‘Dancing in the Street’. The standard was very high this year and Ash had a difficult task ahead of him. His final decision meant Woodforde triumphantly accepted the coveted trophy to adorn their shelf for this year.
