This week, we were excited to welcome Francesca from The Excelsior Trust to speak in Chapel about their incredible adventure sail training experiences.
Excelsior is an award-winning non-profit organisation that offers young people the chance to embark on unforgettable sailing journeys aboard a fully restored 1921-built Lowestoft fishing smack. With space for up to 12 voyagers, Excelsior sails across the UK’s North Sea coast, the Faroes, the Baltic Sea, and mainland Europe, taking part in the prestigious Tall Ships. Current Sixth Form pupil, Olga, reencountered adventures of her sailing in the Tall Ships Race with Excelsior.
We hope this exciting and eye-opening talk has inspired more pupils to take part and set sail with Excelsior.
Hispanic Society talk on the importance of Spanish festivals
News > Hispanic Society talk on the importance of Spanish festivals
During the week, Pablo B-G presented an engaging talk to a packed room of Spanish pupils on The importance of Spanish festivals and traditions and their place in modern society.
He explored key festivals, sparking a lively discussion on whether they truly represent Spain’s diverse cultural heritage and the potential risks of over-commercialisation. Pupils had the opportunity to ask questions, and Pablo provided articulate responses, sharing his personal perspective on the evolving role of these traditions today.
Over the February Half Term, 17 Gresham’s pupils travelled to Sri Lanka on a Cricket Tour. It was the first time since 2019 the cricket club had toured and it was great to be back in Sri Lanka again.
The boys played eight matches whilst away in incredibly challenging conditions. The team travelled to three locations; Kandy, Colombo and Galle. The opposition schools were of high quality and provided excellent opportunities for our pupils to develop their game and hone their skills vs a range of spin bowling!
Whilst not playing, the boys visited a local tea factory and plantation, went to the Pinnawella Elephant Orphanage, released turtles into the sea one evening, and also visited the famous fortified city of Galle. The weather was beautiful and the tour a perfect balance between playing and sightseeing.
2024 leavers achieve exceptional value added scores
News > 2024 leavers achieve exceptional value added scores
Following the release of performance data by the Department of Education, we have some outstanding news regarding our pupils’ academic achievements in 2024. Our commitment to fostering individual growth and academic progress has been reflected in exceptional results, particularly in our Value Added (VA) scores.
Understanding Value Added (VA)
Value Added (VA) is a measure of how much progress pupils make compared to expectations based on their prior achievements. It compares pupils’ actual results with predictions based on their previous academic performance (such as GCSEs). A positive VA score means pupils performed better than expected, while a negative score indicates underperformance. VA helps assess the effectiveness of a school in improving pupil outcomes beyond what would typically be expected.
Why Value Added Matters
Value Added (VA) is crucial because it measures how much progress pupils make, rather than just their raw exam results. A school with a high VA score means it helps pupils exceed expectations, regardless of their starting academic level. This is especially important if your child isn’t already achieving top grades, as it shows the school’s ability to boost performance across all abilities. Exam results alone may reflect pupil intake rather than teaching quality, whereas VA highlights how effectively a school nurtures progress.
Gresham’s: A School That Adds Value
Our A level VA score of 0.63 places us among the top schools nationally:
1st nationally for co-educational independent boarding schools
8th nationally for all independent schools
1st in Norfolk
17th nationally for all state and independent schools
Our VA score of 0.6 for A level and IB combined again places us among the top schools nationally:
3rd nationally for co-educational independent boarding schools
10th nationally for all independent schools
1st in Norfolk
21st nationally for all state and independent schools
Exceptional Results
Our Sixth Form exam results are equally impressive. Our average combined A level and IB result of 42.93 -where 50 is an A and 40 is a B – places us:
8th nationally for co-educational independent schools
3rd in Norfolk
Furthermore, you may have seen data published earlier in the year about our IB Diploma success. Our 2024 IB Diploma average of 35.6 places us:
98th globally overall
19th nationally overall
1st in Norfolk
How Have We Achieved This?
These results are not a coincidence. We focus on individual progress and academic growth through:
Personalised support via tracking, reporting and targeted intervention
Academic clinics and a robust study skills programme
Outstanding teaching and learning ensuring every pupil is challenged and supported (as evidenced in our ISI inspection report)
For parents looking beyond raw results, our exceptional VA scores show that Gresham’s adds real value to each pupil’s academic journey, ensuring they leave with the best possible outcomes for their future.
Congratulations to the leavers of 2024 and staff, who have helped them to achieve these superb results.
Exploring the value of a gap year with Art History Abroad
News > Exploring the value of a gap year with Art History Abroad
This week, our Year 13 pupils attended an inspiring and insightful talk by Dominic from Art History Abroad, where he explored the many opportunities a well-structured gap year can offer. With energy and expertise, Dominic guided pupils through the key considerations of planning a purposeful gap year, encouraging them to reflect on their personal goals and aspirations.
The session emphasised critical thinking and self-discovery, focusing on Finding Your Why, effective brainstorming, and identifying the invaluable skills that can be gained through a gap year experience. Whether leading towards university, apprenticeships, or direct employment, the talk highlighted the adaptability, independence, and cultural awareness that such experiences nurture—essential attributes for future success.
The talk concluded with an overview of Art History Abroad’s enriching programmes, showcasing how structured, immersive experiences can offer both intellectual and personal growth. The talk left pupils motivated to explore how a well-planned gap year can become a transformative step towards their next chapter.
The Gresham’s Rifle Club take on the OG Team
News > 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.
Gresham’s Rifle Club takes on Cambridge in the annual small-bore match
News > Gresham’s Rifle Club takes on Cambridge in the annual small-bore match
Gresham’s Rifle Club recently competed in the annual small-bore target rifle match against Cambridge University Rifle Club.
This is normally a very tight contest, often coming down to a matter of just a few points, and this year was no exception. With several of the ‘top shots’ absent from the match, it was a young Gresham’s team that took on the might of the University. Gresham’s pupils performed admirably, however, they succumbed to the stronger Cambridge team.
Georgina B was not only the top shot for Gresham’s but was also the top shot in the entire match, with a very impressive 197 out of a possible 200. Bella B and Grace S also shot very well, but the result in the ‘A’ Team match was Gresham’s Rifle Club 1512 points, and Cambridge University Rifle Club 1533 points. Victory went to Cambridge University by 21 points.
It was a great experience for the younger members of the team. We wish Cambridge University Small-Bore Rifle Club every success in the Varsity Match in a couple of weeks. Huge congratulations to everyone involved in the match.
Oakeley House held their annual Charity Valentine’s Ball for all Sixth Form pupils. All the girls in the house, led brilliantly by the Oakeley prefects, organised a cake sale, a Sixth Form bingo night, a chapel talk, home clothes day, and the Oakeley Ball to raise money for our chosen charity. The theme of the ball was Gatsby and included a delicious three-course meal and dancing for over one hundred Sixth Formers.
Year 12 Spanish pupils explore the World of Work
News > Year 12 Spanish pupils explore the World of Work
Year 12 IB Spanish pupils have been studying the World of Work while examining relevant text types, such as formal letters.
Pupils were tasked with applying for a Language and Culture Ambassador job, entirely in Spanish. After writing successful CVs and cover letters, the face-to-face interviews began with a fierce panel of employees – their classmates!
The ability to conduct the interviews entirely in Spanish required significant skill, and the pupils did exceedingly well. After considering the candidate’s strengths, Harry successfully secured the position. Well done to Cerys, Harry, Fergus, and Balth on a brilliant effort.
IB Visual Arts pupils create powerful exhibitions
News > IB Visual Arts pupils create powerful exhibitions
Pupils studying IB Visual Arts have been hard at work this year, creating powerful and thought-provoking exhibitions. Among them, Year 13 pupils Mia K and Luisa S have explored complex themes through their projects, offering audiences a compelling artistic experience.
Mia K’s exhibition explores the negative relationship between humans and the environment, highlighting the ways in which we exploit nature while attempting to conceal our role in its destruction. Her work critiques overconsumption and waste, featuring green-painted rubbish sculptures that camouflage as nature and screen prints resembling nature.
A key piece in the exhibition, a short film, illustrates the burden of excessive consumption, depicting how it metaphorically ‘drags us down’. The screen prints on the wall mimic planets and a universe, only to reveal themselves as photographs of rubbish bins, symbolising how the planet is turning into a massive waste container.
Both still life pieces are a reminder that everything is obsolete and that we, as individuals, will not be here forever. However, Mia’s painting of “my art studio” offers a glimmer of hope, encouraging individual reflection and action in addressing environmental challenges.
Luisa S’ exhibition takes a different approach, offering an immersive multifaceted atmosphere that invites viewers to explore the spirituality and dynamics of nature. By utilising a colourful variety of techniques, Luisa seeks to provide a personal yet authentic interpretation of our environment.
In her write-up, Luisa shares:
“Nature has long been an ever-evolving artistic muse, sparking discussions about life. The relationship between life and death is one of the central themes of my exhibition.
Immediately upon entering, the viewer is drawn to the fabric creation at the centre of the exhibition. This delicate piece employs a pleating technique on fine, shimmery fabric. The shadows cast by the folds create the form of a bird, adding an element of freedom to the piece. Freedom is another central theme echoed throughout the exhibition, particularly in relation to flexibility.
I also explore the interaction between humans and nature, which is evident in my head sculptures and modern coral. The head sculptures, made of clay and inspired by Damien Hirst, demonstrate how nature carves into artificiality. The coral, on the other hand, is made from styrene circles and illustrates consumerism and the ignorance toward nature that is deeply embedded in modern society.”
