Frequently Asked Questions

HOW DO I FIND OUT MORE ABOUT INDIVIDUAL HOUSES?

Please visit the Houses section of the website under Senior School to view information on our boarding provision and the individual houses.

HOW DO I ARRANGE A VISIT?

Please contact the Admissions Manager at [email protected]  or call 01263 714500.

HOW OFTEN CAN PARENTS VISIT?

Parents are always welcome at the school and there are lots of opportunities to come and see your child participate in a range of sports fixtures, concerts, plays and other school events. Full details of all the school events taking place each term are available in your school diary.

Your child’s education is a joint endeavour, and close contact is encouraged between you and the School – in particular between you and your son’s/daughter’s Housemaster or Housemistress.

HOW CAN I CONTACT MY CHILD WHILST AT SCHOOL?

With most pupils having their own laptop/ipad and email account and virtually all a mobile phone, pupils use these for keeping in touch with home. Housemasters or Housemistresses will advise of their policy for the use of mobile phones in the Houses.

WHO SHOULD I CONTACT IF I’M CONCERNED ABOUT MY CHILD?

All pupils are allocated a school tutor who should introduce themselves to you at the start of term and provide you with the relevant contact details. After this you may also contact the Housemaster/Housemistress of the house your child attends.

DO MANY BOARDERS STAY AT WEEKENDS?

Yes, the majority of boarders stay at the school over the weekend. We are flexible in our approach and pupils may go home on Saturday evening and return Sunday evening or Monday morning if they wish.

WHAT ARE HOME WEEKENDS?

There are three Home Weekends each year where there is no Saturday school. Boarders go home to parents or guardians on Friday night after class, to get a well-earned break. Some can even choose to stay with friends with parental permission. Details of all Home Weekends are published in the school diary or you can view the term dates here.

WHEN DO BOARDERS RETURN TO SCHOOL AFTER SCHOOL HOLIDAYS?

Boarders ideally return the night before the start of term.  Please refer to the School calendar for timings as these may vary termly and ensure your Housemaster/mistress always knows when to expect your child.

IS THE SCHOOL OPEN OVER THE HOLIDAYS?

The school is closed during the holidays, however the Admissions Office remains open with the school reception being staffed part-time.

IS THERE AN AIRPORT/TRAIN TRANSFER SERVICE?

Yes. It is advised to try and book your flights/trains as far as possible in advance of the term dates to help plan the transfers more economically. Parents are asked to use the transport booking form on the parent portal if you require the Transport Coordinator to arrange transfers to and from school.  The cost of transfers is dependent on the number of pupils sharing and the type of transfer booked.  Arrangements should be discussed with your Housemaster/Housemistress in the first instance.

WHAT IS THE INDUCTION PROCESS FOR OVERSEAS PUPILS?

Pupils who travel from overseas to go to school in England will have additional requirements above those who attend from the UK.  As a result, a dedicated International pupils’ co-ordinator arranges to see the new international pupils both on Welcome Day and within the first week of term.  Alongside the housemaster/mistress the co-ordinator will help with any issues and arrange social event to ensure pupils settle quickly and easily.

DO I NEED A LAPTOP?

A new digital strategy is being implemented from September 2023 for Years 9, 10 and 12. Please click here for details

Pupils not in those year groups should bring their own laptop which can be used once the Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) form has been signed by parents.  This form is available on the parent portal.

SHOULD I HAVE A MOBILE PHONE?

All pupils may bring a mobile phone to school but there are rules over their use depending on the age group.  Those in Years 9 and 10 will only have access to their phones in the evenings.

ARE BOARDING STUDENTS REQUIRED TO HAVE A GUARDIAN?

The UK Boarding Schools Association states: “For many from abroad, their guardian is their parent’s representative in this country, essential in time of crisis or need for support and advice, and available not only to the pupil but also to the School as a proxy for the parents who cannot be contacted. For others, their guardian is the person with whom they stay during school holidays, when it is not practicable to return to their parental home.

We ask parents of overseas students to appoint such guardians and register them with them with the school as part of the entry process.  A list of agencies offering guardianship can be provided, on request.

WHERE CAN I FIND A FULL SCHOOL UNIFORM LIST?

Each new pupil will be provided with a full school uniform list prior to starting Gresham’s. A full list can be found by clicking this link to our website page.

WHERE DO I GET MY SCHOOL UNIFORM?

The School Shop sells all of the school uniform and sports clothing for pupils. There is also a second-hand shop. Both are located in Cairn’s. Visit the school website uniform page for further details.