News > England Rugby Legend Dan Cole joins Gresham’s
We are excited to announce that England rugby legend Dan Cole will join Gresham’s in September 2026. He will work alongside For The Love Of Rugby co-host, Ben Youngs, who is our Head of Performance Sport. Bringing a wealth of elite sporting experience, both Cole and Youngs share a strong commitment to developing the next generation of athletes.
Dan Cole has enjoyed an outstanding rugby career spanning more than 18 years. The tighthead prop made over 340 appearances for Leicester Tigers, establishing himself as a cornerstone of the club. He is England’s second most capped men’s player, representing his country 118 times. During his international career, Cole helped England secure three Six Nations Championship titles, competed in four Rugby World Cups and represented the British and Irish Lions on two tours. Known for his scrum consistency, he is widely regarded as one of the most reliable tighthead props of his generation.
In his new role, Cole will support Youngs in nurturing our high-performance athletes across a range of disciplines. He will also strengthen our recruitment of emerging talent. Cole will play an important role in our Talented Athlete Development (TAD) programme, providing additional support to talented pupils through technical coaching, strength and conditioning sessions, and workshops in topics like nutrition and psychology.
Commenting on his appointment, Dan Cole said:
“I’m delighted to be joining Gresham’s and helping to strengthen its sport offering while attracting talented individuals. The opportunity to work alongside Ben and help young athletes develop their skills, confidence and mindset, and ultimately achieve their full potential, is something I’m very passionate about.”
James Knight, Director of Sport at Gresham’s, added:
“It is incredibly exciting to welcome Dan to Gresham’s. His outstanding achievements in rugby, combined with his dedication and expertise, will make a significant contribution to our sporting programmes. His passion and understanding of elite sport will inspire our pupils and help foster a lifelong love of sport in the next generation of athletes.”
We’re delighted to welcome Dan to Gresham’s. His appointment reflects our commitment to a culture of excellence, discipline and sportsmanship, giving our pupils every opportunity to thrive.
One final Music and Munch with our 2026 leavers
News > One final Music and Munch with our 2026 leavers
Last Friday was the final Music & Munch concert of the academic year, providing an opportunity for our leavers to showcase their talents with us one last time.
We had a fantastic line-up, with vocal performances from Olivia E, Kai S, Mia W and Zinnia-Claire B, a Clarinet solo by Lily D and a performance on acoustic guitar by Dylan R. The concert finished with the Jazz Trio (Benny S, Kai S and Timothei F) playing Moanin by Art Blakey and The Jazz Messengers. It was a fitting send-off to a remarkable set of musicians.
The Jazz Trio then went on that evening to play live at Bracon Hall and in support of BBC Big Band. Wherever their musical journey takes them, we feel sure that the future is looking very bright for these three.
Year 12 pupils discover a world of opportunity at Post-18 Options event
News > Year 12 pupils discover a world of opportunity at Post-18 Options event
Year 12 pupils and their parents were warmly welcomed to our Post-18 Options event, an engaging and informative event designed to help pupils explore the many exciting pathways available after Sixth Form.
The event brought together a wide range of speakers from universities, specialist organisations and industry, offering pupils valuable insight into higher education, apprenticeships, international study, professional pathways and future career opportunities.
We were delighted to welcome representatives from the Universities of Sheffield, Exeter and East Anglia, who delivered sessions on topics including why go to university, student finance, choosing the right course and writing a strong personal statement. Pupils also heard from a variety of organisations and experts on areas such as higher & degree apprenticeships, drama school, performing arts and university applications, work experience, business and media professional diplomas, studying in Europe, applying to study in the US, Canada & Europe, sports US scholarships, gap year travels and studying history of art.
The event gave pupils the chance to tailor their experience by attending sessions most relevant to their interests and ambitions, while parents were able to gain a clearer understanding of the breadth of post-18 routes now available.
It was a fantastic opportunity for our Year 12 pupils to think broadly, ask questions and begin making informed decisions about their next steps beyond school. Our thanks go to all the visiting speakers and staff who contributed to such a valuable and inspiring event.
Following this fantastic event, our Year 12 pupils also attended the UCAS Discovery event in Norwich and had the opportunity to chat to over 100 universities and apprenticeship providers. With the post-18 talks fresh in their mind, the UCAS Discovery function offered another invaluable experience to get them thinking about their future.
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.
Lord Lieutenant’s Awards for Meritorious Service
News > Lord Lieutenant’s Awards for Meritorious Service
On Wednesday 20 May, several staff from Gresham’s School CCF attended the Lord Lieutenant’s presentation of awards for meritorious service, held at Carrow Road.
In a unique achievement for the school, Lady Dannett presented certificates of meritorious service to recognise the outstanding contribution to the cadet forces of three Gresham’s CCF Officers:
Lt (RN) Lynne Roberts, who was a founding member of the RN section at the school and has given significant service both to the afloat training programme and nationally to CCF music, including numerous band camps at Dartmouth.
Major Anna Brighton-Watt, an ex-regular Army Officer, who has now commanded the CCF Army section for many years and overseen a fantastic programme for a huge number of cadets, both boys and girls, which has built their confidence and leadership skills.
Wg Cdr Matt Williams, who has run a highly successful RAF programme, both for the CCF Section, local RAFAC Squadrons and with courses on a regional and national basis; he has also been appointed to be the new Contingent Commander at Gresham’s.
It was fantastic to see all three sections of Gresham’s CCF recognised by these prestigious presentations.
Geography fieldwork trip takes Year 12 pupils from London to Dorset
News > Geography fieldwork trip takes Year 12 pupils from London to Dorset
On Tuesday morning, a group of 17 pupils left a wet and miserable Holt for the annual Year 12 Geography fieldwork trip to London and Dorset.
LONDON
Our first day focused on London as a global city and the impacts of urban regeneration. We began in Stratford, the site of the 2012 London Olympic Games, where pupils explored the long-term regeneration and legacy of the Olympics. The group visited key locations including the stadium, the East Village, and different areas of the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, examining how the area has been transformed socially, economically and environmentally.
Throughout the day, pupils experienced a range of transport systems while travelling across the capital. From Stratford, the group headed to Liverpool Street to investigate London’s Financial District before moving on to Spitalfields and Brick Lane, where they were able to observe clear patterns of cultural identity and residential change.
The afternoon continued at King’s Cross, another major regeneration site, where pupils explored how former industrial land has been redeveloped into a thriving, mixed-use district. From there, the group travelled to Westminster and along the Embankment before taking a boat to Canary Wharf. Here, pupils examined the large-scale regeneration of London Docklands during the 1980s and considered the changing role of finance and globalisation within the city.
DORSET
After a full day in London, the group travelled to the Isle of Portland for the Dorset section of the trip. The Jurassic Coast is one of the world’s most famous coastal landscapes, providing an outstanding opportunity for pupils to experience coastal geography first hand.
On Wednesday morning, the group travelled to Studland Bay to investigate dune succession, including vegetation zonation and the development of dune systems over time. This was followed by a walk to Old Harry Rocks, the iconic chalk stacks featured in many geography textbooks. Pupils examined the processes of erosion and weathering responsible for shaping the coastline and discussed the formation of headlands, bays, caves, arches, stacks and stumps. The walk then continued into Swanage, where pupils studied coastal management strategies and the impact of headland and bay formation on settlement and tourism. An open-top bus ride back to Studland provided spectacular views of the coastline before the group travelled to Kimmeridge Bay. Here, pupils explored the wave-cut platform, learning about the area’s geology and coastal processes while carrying out practical fieldwork activities on the shore platform itself.
On Thursday morning, the group travelled to the top of the Isle of Portland to look down over Chesil Beach and study the formation of this famous tombolo. The group were fascinated to learn that Chesil Beach contains an estimated 180 billion pebbles and examined how longshore drift and coastal deposition have created this remarkable feature. The trip then continued through the Dorset countryside to Lulworth Cove, where pupils investigated the formation of the cove through differential erosion of resistant and less resistant rock bands. Nearby Stair Hole provided an excellent example of an early-stage cove formation, helping pupils understand how coastal landforms evolve over time.
The final section of the trip took the group to Man O’ War Cove and Durdle Door, with beautiful weather arriving for the last afternoon. These spectacular coastal landscapes provided a fitting conclusion to the fieldwork experience and allowed pupils to consolidate their understanding of coastal processes and landform development.
This annual trip continues to be an invaluable opportunity for pupils to apply classroom learning to real-world environments and to build important knowledge and skills in preparation for Year 13 Geography studies.
The Ten-Minute Play Competition took place this Term, with six plays submitted for the Playwriting Cup. Five of these made it to the stage, creating an exciting evening of original drama, with five world premieres in just over an hour!
Thanks goes to our amazing playwrights for the following plays:
The Other Side
The House That Does Not Sell Cheap
Ladies First
The Happenings at Enfield House
I Didn’t Want to Die
The Shadow of the Vermillion Manor
This year’s winners were as follows:
Best Play Script Cup: Casimir L-K and Austin L of Tallis for The House That Does Not Sell Cheap.
Bobscars were awarded for:
Best Actor: Isaac B, Austin L and Ruby P
Millers Choice: The House That Does Not Sell Cheap
Futter’s Choice: Ladies First
Year 9 pupils take centre stage at Music Showcase
News > Year 9 pupils take centre stage at Music Showcase
Year 9 pupils enjoy a broad Music curriculum, with weekly lessons designed to build core skills, encourage creativity and foster a lifelong love of music. Last Wednesday’s Music showcase gave every pupil a chance to perform on stage with their peers and demonstrate their talents, interests and progress.
From the opening DJ set to piano, rapping, and solo performances, the evening ended with a competition between each of the five Year 9 Music classes, performing a unison piece and getting the audience to vote for their favourite act. The winners were Friday’s period seven class who performed Jess Glynn’s Hold My Hand, most recognised as the theme music for the popular Jet2holidays TV advert.
The sunglasses, bright beach-ready outfits, and fantastic choreography clearly lifted the audience’s spirits. Congratulations to all of Year 9 — it was a joyful evening enjoyed by everyone.
OG Bryan Lee talks pupils through the journey into medicine
News > OG Bryan Lee talks pupils through the journey into medicine
We were delighted to welcome back Old Greshamian Bryan Lee (F 2014–18) on Wednesday to speak with pupils interested in pursuing a career in medicine. Drawing on his own journey from Gresham’s through Biomedical Sciences degree study at Cardiff University to then studying Medicine (MBBS) at Lancashire, Bryan delivered an engaging and highly informative talk on the many routes into medicine.
Bryan shared valuable insights into life as a medical student, helping to demystify the application process and challenge common misconceptions about studying medicine. Pupils gained practical advice on everything from UCAT preparation and personal statements to choosing the right medical school and securing work experience.
Particularly inspiring was Bryan’s emphasis that there is no single pathway into medicine and that determination, preparation and enthusiasm are just as important as academic achievement. His honest reflections, practical guidance and encouragement were greatly appreciated by all who attended.
We are extremely grateful to Bryan for returning to Gresham’s to support and inspire the next generation of aspiring medics.
Performing Arts pupils achieve National Theatre success
News > Performing Arts pupils achieve National Theatre success
We are proud to announce that after auditioning, Ilanna B and Casimir L-K have successfully gained places with the National Youth Theatre, while Scarlett H and Albert L have secured places with the National Youth Music Theatre.
Places with these prestigious performing arts organisations are highly sought after, with auditions attracting talented young performers from across the country. Successful applicants go on to receive intensive summer training with industry professionals, providing invaluable experience and insight into the performing arts industry.
This is an impressive achievement for all four pupils and we congratulate them on their success.
