International Snack Share returns

Back by popular request, the Lent term saw the return of the Gresham’s International Snack Share. Pupils and staff were encouraged to bring international treats from their homes or travel to be shared with the school community. The idea being to share different cultural tastes and influences and prompt some discussions, all while enjoying tasty sweet and savoury snacks.

A snack box containing an array of treats from Germany, Spain, Japan, India, Switzerland, Singapore and more was sent to each house for pupils to enjoy. As well as it being a chance for many to try something new, it was also an opportunity for some of our international pupils to enjoy a taste from home.

Holocaust survivor Malka shares memoir insights with Sixth Formers

As part of Women’s History Month and in the lead-up to International Women’s Day, we had the profound honour of welcoming Holocaust survivor Malka Levine to Gresham’s School. In conversation with our Head of History, Mr. Kinder, Malka shared insights from her deeply moving memoir, A Mother’s Courage, recounting how she and her two siblings survived the Holocaust.

Her story is a deeply moving tribute to her mother’s unwavering bravery, resilience, and sacrifice—risking everything to save her children. Malka’s testimony was both powerful and impactful, leaving a lasting impression on our Sixth Form pupils and staff.

We extend our thanks to Malka for sharing her remarkable story with us. It was a privilege to hear her speak.

Careers and Languages with Emily Lusty

Mrs Emily Lusty, the inspiring force behind The Language Gap, travelled to Gresham’s to talk to Year 9 and 11 pupils about languages and the opportunities available to them through Language Gap travel experiences.  

Emily has a wealth of experience in helping young people create bespoke travel opportunities which not only help them develop value character traits but also give them the edge in a competitive higher education and jobs market. Pupils were able to reflect on how travelling enables them to develop their empathic ability, a key trait when working in business and forging relationships, and on how being aware and appreciative of cultural differences is imperative in successfully navigating a globalised world.

Pupils heard about the array of trips that Emily has arranged, from conservation projects in Columbia, horse-riding in Ecuador, through to football coaching in Ghana and scuba diving in St Lucia.

This inspiring session reinforced the importance of linguistic curiosity and the exciting pathways that languages can unlock. Pupils were reminded of the superb international community that they are part of here at Gresham’s and of how and why language learning and travel is essential in shaping a successful and enriching future for themselves. 

Adventure awaits with the Excelsior Trust

This week, we were excited to welcome Francesca from The Excelsior Trust to speak in Chapel about their incredible adventure sail training experiences.

Excelsior is an award-winning non-profit organisation that offers young people the chance to embark on unforgettable sailing journeys aboard a fully restored 1921-built Lowestoft fishing smack. With space for up to 12 voyagers, Excelsior sails across the UK’s North Sea coast, the Faroes, the Baltic Sea, and mainland Europe, taking part in the prestigious Tall Ships. Current Sixth Form pupil, Olga, reencountered adventures of her sailing in the Tall Ships Race with Excelsior.

We hope this exciting and eye-opening talk has inspired more pupils to take part and set sail with Excelsior.

Hispanic Society talk on the importance of Spanish festivals

During the week, Pablo B-G presented an engaging talk to a packed room of Spanish pupils on The importance of Spanish festivals and traditions and their place in modern society.

He explored key festivals, sparking a lively discussion on whether they truly represent Spain’s diverse cultural heritage and the potential risks of over-commercialisation. Pupils had the opportunity to ask questions, and Pablo provided articulate responses, sharing his personal perspective on the evolving role of these traditions today.

Sri Lanka Cricket Tour 2025

Over the February Half Term, 17 Gresham’s pupils travelled to Sri Lanka on a Cricket Tour. It was the first time since 2019 the cricket club had toured and it was great to be back in Sri Lanka again.

The boys played eight matches whilst away in incredibly challenging conditions. The team travelled to three locations; Kandy, Colombo and Galle. The opposition schools were of high quality and provided excellent opportunities for our pupils to develop their game and hone their skills vs a range of spin bowling!

Whilst not playing, the boys visited a local tea factory and plantation, went to the Pinnawella Elephant Orphanage, released turtles into the sea one evening, and also visited the famous fortified city of Galle. The weather was beautiful and the tour a perfect balance between playing and sightseeing.

2024 leavers achieve exceptional value added scores

Following the release of performance data by the Department of Education, we have some outstanding news regarding our pupils’ academic achievements in 2024. Our commitment to fostering individual growth and academic progress has been reflected in exceptional results, particularly in our Value Added (VA) scores. 

Understanding Value Added (VA) 

Value Added (VA) is a measure of how much progress pupils make compared to expectations based on their prior achievements. It compares pupils’ actual results with predictions based on their previous academic performance (such as GCSEs). A positive VA score means pupils performed better than expected, while a negative score indicates underperformance. VA helps assess the effectiveness of a school in improving pupil outcomes beyond what would typically be expected.  

Why Value Added Matters  

Value Added (VA) is crucial because it measures how much progress pupils make, rather than just their raw exam results. A school with a high VA score means it helps pupils exceed expectations, regardless of their starting academic level. This is especially important if your child isn’t already achieving top grades, as it shows the school’s ability to boost performance across all abilities. Exam results alone may reflect pupil intake rather than teaching quality, whereas VA highlights how effectively a school nurtures progress. 

Gresham’s: A School That Adds Value

Our A level VA score of 0.63 places us among the top schools nationally: 

• 1st nationally for co-educational independent boarding schools  
• 8th nationally for all independent schools  
• 1st in Norfolk  
• 17th nationally for all state and independent schools  

Our VA score of 0.6 for A level and IB combined again places us among the top schools nationally: 

• 3^rd nationally for co-educational independent boarding schools 
• 10^th nationally for all independent schools 
• 1^st in Norfolk 
• 21^st nationally for all state and independent schools 

Exceptional Results

Our Sixth Form exam results are equally impressive. Our average combined A level and IB result of 42.93 -where 50 is an A and 40 is a B – places us: 

• 8^th nationally for co-educational independent schools 
• 3^rd in Norfolk 

Furthermore, you may have seen data published earlier in the year about our IB Diploma success. Our 2024 IB Diploma average of 35.6 places us: 

• 98th globally overall 
• 19th nationally overall 
• 1^st in Norfolk 

How Have We Achieved This?

These results are not a coincidence. We focus on individual progress and academic growth through: 

• Personalised support via tracking, reporting and targeted intervention 
• Academic clinics and a robust study skills programme  
• Outstanding teaching and learning ensuring every pupil is challenged and supported (as evidenced in our ISI inspection report)   

For parents looking beyond raw results, our exceptional VA scores show that Gresham’s adds real value to each pupil’s academic journey, ensuring they leave with the best possible outcomes for their future.  

Congratulations to the leavers of 2024 and staff, who have helped them to achieve these superb results. 

Sources of data:

February 2025 – DfE, Office for Statistics Regulation, https://www.compare-school-performance.service.gov.uk/schools-by-type?step=default&table=schools&region=all-england&for=16to18&schooltype=3&genderofentry=3 

November 2024 (Updated) – Which School Advisor,The UK’s Top IB Schools, Ranked By IB DP Score 

April 2023 – ISI Inspection Report https://www.greshams.com/about-us/policies-and-inspection-reports/ 

Exploring the value of a gap year with Art History Abroad

This week, our Year 13 pupils attended an inspiring and insightful talk by Dominic from Art History Abroad, where he explored the many opportunities a well-structured gap year can offer. With energy and expertise, Dominic guided pupils through the key considerations of planning a purposeful gap year, encouraging them to reflect on their personal goals and aspirations.

The session emphasised critical thinking and self-discovery, focusing on Finding Your Why, effective brainstorming, and identifying the invaluable skills that can be gained through a gap year experience. Whether leading towards university, apprenticeships, or direct employment, the talk highlighted the adaptability, independence, and cultural awareness that such experiences nurture—essential attributes for future success.

The talk concluded with an overview of Art History Abroad’s enriching programmes, showcasing how structured, immersive experiences can offer both intellectual and personal growth. The talk left pupils motivated to explore how a well-planned gap year can become a transformative step towards their next chapter.