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Welcome from the Prep School Head

Cathy Braithwaite Gresham's Prep School Head

The greatest gifts that we can give children are strong roots to give them stability and strength and wings to enable them to reach their dreams and ambitions. At the core of all we do here at Gresham’s Prep is our mission to help children gain the confidence and skills that will enable them to move to the next stage of their education well on the road to becoming happy and fulfilled adults. We want every child to feel relaxed, happy and at home at school. We value the individual above all else and we hope that all pupils will learn to be proud of themselves and their abilities and respectful and tolerant of the individuality and abilities of others. Childhood is precious and we want all children to have plenty of time for play, fun and laughter. With children remaining here at the Prep until they are 13, they are able to enjoy the fun of childhood in a child centred environment into their early teenage years.

Our wonderful environment and excellent facilities allow children the freedom and opportunities to develop themselves to the full. As well as bright, spacious and well-equipped classrooms we have a purpose built Art, Design Technology and ICT building (the Butterwick Centre), a modern Music School and spacious grounds and playing fields. We share the use of many excellent facilities at the Senior School including the Auden Theatre, the Britten Music Building, the Chapel and wonderful sporting facilities including a 25-metre swimming pool, two full size astro turf hockey pitches, squash courts, a large sports hall and a shooting range. Our brand new Outdoor Education Centre in the school woods provides fantastic opportunities for practical learning about the environment as well as fun and adventure.

Although most of our pupils come to the school daily, boarding is central to the life of the school. Our two boarding houses, Crossways and Kenwyn, are homely and comfortable and are the base for all pupils whether day children or boarders. Many day children opt to join our boarders as flexi-boarders for up to three nights a week. Our extensive activities programme runs until 6.25pm and large numbers of children opt to stay to take part in this.

Of course, our greatest asset is our talented, dedicated and inspirational staff who provide outstanding teaching and pastoral care.

At 13, most of our pupils move onto Gresham’s Senior School, however a small number transfer to other leading independent schools. Oundle, Uppingham, Rugby, The Leys, Cambridge, Stowe and King’s Canterbury have been destinations in recent years.

I passionately agree with an educationalist who said, ‘the purpose of education is not the curriculum; its most significant purpose is to form people’. I would love to welcome you to Gresham’s Prep and let you experience how we go about our mission.

Cathy Braithwaite
Prep School Head