Music pupils secure offers from leading UK Conservatoires

In recent years, our Music Department has proudly supported pupils in securing places at some of the UK’s most prestigious music conservatoires. This represents an exceptional achievement and highlights the remarkable dedication, talent and ambition of our pupils.

We are delighted to report that this year has been particularly successful, with several pupils securing offers from some of the most renowned institutions in the country:

• Benny S has been offered a place at the Guildhall School of Music & Drama, to study Jazz Piano.
• Zinnia-Claire B has received an offer from the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, to study Voice (Soprano).
• Naomi H-S has been offered a place at the Royal Academy of Music, London, to study Voice (Mezzo-Soprano).

These conservatoires represent the highest level of musical training available in the UK, and gaining entry is extremely competitive. These outstanding achievements are a testament to the pupils’ hard work, talent and perseverance, as well as the unwavering support provided by the Music Department and the wider school community.

We congratulate all pupils on their success and look forward to following their musical journeys as they take this exciting next step.

Travel Writer, Simon Parker, gives exhilarating enrichment talk

Year 13 pupils were inspired by an enrichment talk from travel writer and journalist Simon Parker, who shared his journey from a directionless teenager to a career reporting from some of the most remote places on the planet.

Drawing on experiences that range from hitchhiking across New Zealand to cycling thousands of miles across Britain and the USA, Simon spoke openly about how curiosity, resilience and a willingness to embrace discomfort helped him carve out a career in journalism and filmmaking, including work for the BBC and national newspapers.

His talk encouraged pupils to think about their futures, reminding them that ambition, hunger and perseverance matters as much as learning and qualifications, finding something which sparks curiosity and excitement can provide lifelong purpose and direction. 

“Set your sights higher than you think is possible — with desire and hard graft, you’ll be amazed at what you can achieve.” – Simon Parker

Music and Munch returns for 2026

Our first informal Music & Munch concert of the year was held on 23^rd January and saw a diverse range of musical performances from the classical to the contemporary.

Jack S delighted us with Beethoven’s Moonlight Sonata (first movement) and Alex B got us rocking to Fleetwood Mac’s Albatross on electric guitar. We were also treated to a number of vocal performances by Naomi HS and Benny S, two of our successful Conservatoire applicants. Naomi HS sung Cara Sposa by Handel and Benny S sung Amarilli, mia bella by Giulio Caccini.

Junior debaters compete in ESU and Cambridge Union competitions

The last two weeks of January have been extremely busy for our junior debaters. We were delighted to host the second-round regional heat of the ESU Churchill Public Speaking Competition in Big School. The event was run by two of our Year 9 pupils, Izzy D’A, who was master of ceremonies and, Kitty R, who kept time throughout. We were thrilled that our team of Chair, Jemima P, Speaker, Grace C, and Questioner, Lewis H, was selected as one of those chosen to progress to the next round.

Last Saturday, the same five pupils were joined by Will R as we sent three teams to participate in the regional heat of the International Competition for Young Debaters, held at the Cambridge Union. This was intense and fast-paced competitive debating in the British Parliamentary style, with just 15 minutes of preparation time for each of the three debates, without any reference to research materials. All three teams performed very well.

A special mention goes to Grace and Lewis on securing ninth place in our first participation in the ICYD. 

Edinburgh House Moveathon supports Dementia UK

This term, girls from Edinburgh House have been clocking up miles through an impressive range of activities in support of the charity, Dementia UK.

Day one began bright and early, with our first runner setting off at 6:30am, and continued with running, rowing and cycling – made all the better by having machines set up in the Common Room. Swimming contributed an amazing total of up to five miles, alongside an array of other sports including padel, hockey and kayaking. It was also a brilliant to see the Edi girls complete a mile walk together.

The Moveathon truly went global, with Edi parents and OGs (Old Greshamians) completing miles for us from as far afield as Australia, Ecuador, Germany, Switzerland and Thailand.

The Moveathon concluded with an exciting grand finale, where rugby legend Ben Youngs cycled the final 5km in the Edi Common Room, alongside Mr Knight.

The aim of the Moveathon was to support Rosie Dennis, Head of Athletic Development, in her fundraising for Dementia UK. Rosie, who lives in Edinburgh House, is currently training for the London Marathon and continues to inspire the girls with her dedication, commitment and positive energy.

A huge thank you goes to the Edi family for their incredible generosity and enthusiasm in supporting this year’s Moveathon in aid of Dementia UK. Thanks to the collective effort of pupils, parents and OGs, the 552-mile target has not only been reached but well and truly smashed.

If you would like to sponsor the Edi girls and Rosie to support Dementia UK, you can make a donation here: https://2026tcslondonmarathon.enthuse.com/pf/rosie-dennis

IB Film and BTEC Performing Arts pupils visit Disney HQ

Pupils taking IB Film Studies and BTEC Performing Arts have been given an incredible Disney experience as part of their prize for winning their category in the ’10 Shot Film Awards’ run by the One Day Film School.

Accompanied by Mrs Osborne and Mr Chart-Boyles, pupils travelled to Walt Disney’s UK headquarters in London to see their film, along with the winners of several other categories, projected in Disney’s state-of-the-art screening room. 

The group were then given an exclusive viewing of the latest ‘Avatar’ movie which showcased Disney’s visual and sound technologies.

Rifle Club members perform exceptionally with British Schools Team

At the end of last term, several members of the Rifle Club shot qualifying cards in the hope of representing British Schools against New Zealand Schools in 2026. This fixture had been held annually until 2018, when it was discontinued for several years. The match was reinstated in 2025 and is now hoped to continue as an annual event once again.

Following the qualifying round, four pupils from Gresham’s School earned places in the 12-strong British Schools squad. Amir R qualified as the top shot in the country, achieving an outstanding score of 493 out of 500. Bella B, Ilana B and Henry J also performed strongly to secure their places in the final 12.

All 12 competitors then shot their match cards, with the top 10 scores counting towards the final team total. Ilana B, Henry J and Amir R were among those selected, meaning Gresham’s accounted for just under a third of the final team of 10 and was the most represented school in the British Schools side.

British Schools scored an impressive 1945 out of 2000 but were narrowly defeated by New Zealand Schools, who recorded a superb 1948. It was an extremely close match, and congratulations go to New Zealand Schools, as well as to all the Gresham’s pupils who represented the team so well.