In October, we celebrated a key construction milestone in the development of Gresham’s new Prep School on the Dyson Campus, due to open in September 2027. The school will relocate from its current home in the centre of Holt to a new site adjacent to the Senior School.

The James Dyson Foundation has donated £35 million to Gresham’s School to create a state-of-the-art Prep School incorporating STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Maths) facilities for pupils aged seven to 13.

The project recently reached a significant milestone with the completion of the highest point of the Sir James Dyson Building, a new extension to Holt Hall. The achievement was celebrated with a topping out ceremony attended by senior members of the school, alongside the contractor and project consultants. In keeping with tradition, a yew tree branch was attached to the structure, and the luck of the building was toasted with non-alcoholic ale.

Earlier this term, pupils, teachers and staff from the Prep School signed sections of the structural steelwork which will be incorporated into the multi-purpose hall, leaving their own mark on the new school facilities.

Sarah Hollingsworth, Gresham’s Prep School Headmistress, commented:

“It is incredibly exciting to see the Dyson Campus taking shape and our vision becoming a reality as we move ever closer to welcoming pupils through its doors in 2027. Having every pupil and member of staff sign the steel was a particularly special moment, leaving their mark on a school that will inspire generations of young people.”

The £35 million donation will enable a much-needed restoration of the adjoining Holt Hall and the surrounding 86 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 the Hall, inspired by Dyson’s research building (D9) in Malmesbury, Wiltshire, that blends into the local environment and reflects nearby ancient woodland.
• World-class science, technology, engineering, art and mathematics (STEAM) facilities, ultra-modern classrooms and cutting-edge laboratories.
• Careful restoration of Grade-II listed Holt Hall, which will become the heart of the new Prep School.
• A strong commitment to sustainability, including solar panels and low-carbon heating and cooling via a ground source heat pump.
• A dedicated music centre with fully equipped practice rooms and specialist teaching resources.
• Exceptional sports facilities including a modern sport pavilion and expansive rugby and cricket pitches.

Douglas Robb, Gresham’s Headmaster, said:

“Seeing the Dyson Campus reach this stage in construction is an exciting moment for the whole school. We are enormously grateful for the generous donation from Sir James Dyson and the James Dyson Foundation. I would also like to thank all of the professionals involved in the project, particularly the contractor and subcontractor teams, for their hard work. The new building will provide our pupils with exceptional opportunities; they are so fortunate to be educated in this incredible setting.”

Pentaco Construction Ltd, the main contractor, added:

“This is a significant milestone we have reached on the prestigious Dyson Campus. Not only are we celebrating the highest point of the new structure, but we want to recognise the collaboration and commitment of everyone involved. We look forward to continuing the successful delivery of a development that will make a lasting contribution to this prestigious school.”