Mrs Alexander led Chapel on Wednesday morning on the topic of kindness and resilience. To give a visual example of how effective strong foundations are, this year’s prefect team formed two human pyramids. No prefects were harmed in the making of the pyramids and the message was well received by the pupils.
A new, co-educational day house, Arkell, has been officially opened at Gresham’s Senior School. Arkell was declared open yesterday by John Arkell, Headmaster of Gresham’s 1991-2002, accompanied by Douglas Robb, Headmaster, and some of Arkell’s new pupils.
Arkell is the first day house at Gresham’s and follows the model of an independent day school closing at 5.30pm each day. To reflect this, the school fees are similar to those of local, independent day schools.
Pupils in Arkell can enjoy the depth and breadth of a Gresham’s education alongside all other day and boarding pupils and are encouraged to participate fully in the academic and co-curricular activities on offer. We look forward to their participation in House Competitions!
Gresham’s is once again celebrating as another set of fantastic results have been achieved by our pupils this summer, this time for our Year 11’s. Results show significant improvement on 2019 results in all metrics, from top grades to pass rate, despite the media reporting that results would return to those levels. In fact, the pass rate is higher than that of 2022, when grading was more generous, and A*-B/9-6 grades are up to the highest level in recent memory, excepting the years of alternative grading systems. Almost 50% of GCSE exams were graded at A*, A, 9, 8 or 7.
Our highest achieving pupils have excelled: one has achieved the extraordinary distinction of all 9’s and 16 pupils have an average of 8 and above, while we have also received an email from the OCR exam board informing us that one of our GCSE Art & Design: Three-Dimensional Design pupils has been awarded a certificate as one of the highest performers in the world this year, as the Dyson Building continues to provide our pupils access to the facilities necessary to achieve these exceptional outcomes.
We are particularly thrilled to share the news that 75 pupils have at least one grade 9 or 8 this year, showing that Greshamians are being recognised for their individual talents, achieving excellent results across the full breadth of subjects on offer – and there were an impressive 41 subject options reporting results this year!
Gresham’s is delighted to announce fantastic results for our A Level and BTEC students. 45% of A Level exams were graded at A* or A with 86.3% graded A* to C. Our entire BTEC cohort secured results of Merit and above with a quarter graded at Starred Distinction.
They have bucked the national trends that are being reported with the percentage of A* grades above our 2021 results and all measures from top grades to pass rate significantly above pre-pandemic levels from 2019.
Our students have also successfully fulfilled the requirements of their university offers with over 96% of those applying for 2023 entry securing their places already! A further 17 who have applied since leaving last year have all secured places too. Thanks to their hard work and that of all members of the school community, Old Greshamians will be heading off to Bath, Brighton, Bristol, Cardiff, Durham, Exeter, Edinburgh, Goldsmiths, KCL, Leeds, Loughborough, Newcastle, Nottingham, Sheffield, Southampton, Surrey, Sussex, UCL, UEA, Warwick, Westminster and York; as well as specialist institutions such as the Royal Agricultural College, Harper Adams, The Courtauld Institute of Art, Leeds Conservatoire, Manchester Conservatoire, University of the Arts London, Norwich University of the Arts, The Royal Academy of Dramatic Art; as well as degree apprenticeships, Oxford University (2) and a sport scholarship
Leicester Tigers supporters are invited to watch the squad in action during the week-long training camp in Norfolk as part of pre-season preparations for the 23/24 campaign.
Dan McKellar’s playing group will be spending the penultimate week of the pre-season in Norfolk as they continue to prepare for the new campaign, which kicks off with a pre-season fixture against Nottingham Rugby at Mattioli Woods Welford Road on Friday, September 1.
Following the session, the players and coaches will be available to meet supporters and pose for selfies, sign autographs and chat about the upcoming season.
A mobile Club Shop will also be onsite for any fans looking to get kitted out in the brand-new ranges ahead of the 23/24 season.
OPEN TRAINING SESSION
When: Wednesday, August 16
Venue: Gresham’s School, Norfolk (NR25 6EA)
Timings:
Parking is available onsite at Gresham’s School.
Members of the Sheringham History Group visited Gresham’s on Tuesday 11th July for a historical tour led by Simon Kinder, Head of History. Simon explored the history of the school from its foundation in 1555 under Sir John Gresham, to the move to the Cromer Road site in 1903 and recent developments such as the opening of the Dyson STEAM Building. The group were introduced to the portrait of Sir John Gresham, Big School Hall and the School Chapel and listened to a wide range of stories about the amazing history of the school.
The stage was set for a wonderful evening of music making, celebrating the greatest hits from the Music year 2022-2023 and to bid goodbye to our talented Year 13 pupils. With highlights from Schubert’s Wintereisse, Music from the Movies, The Creators’ Exhibition, Recitals, House Music, The Pop Concert, Schola Cantorum & Crickets, and The Phantom of the Opera, the audience revelled with delight in reliving these special moments from the academic year. This celebrated all of our pupils who have been integral to the department over the past year, and shone the spotlight on our notable Year 13 leavers, including Julius R, Johnny D, Will J, Noah W, Jethro H, Jake O, Freddie S, Tavi P and Raphael C.
The Pop Concert involved 50 pupils from the Senior School as musicians and vocalists. The performances featured varied music from Stevie Wonder and Stormzy to Segala and Iron Maiden, providing a mixture of Rock, Pop, Country and Jazz.
Well done to all involved!
Gresham’s Prep School has received national recognition for its commitment to taking learning outside the classroom (LOtC) and has been awarded the Gold LOtC Mark by the Council for Learning Outside the Classroom.
Miranda Goode, Head of Outdoor Learning at Gresham’s Prep School said: “We are delighted to announce that Gresham’s Prep School have been awarded the Gold LOtC Mark accreditation by the Council for Learning Outside the Classroom. This recognises our commitment to providing high quality learning outside the classroom opportunities for our students. We are so proud of the breadth of provision and opportunities that Gresham’s Prep offer for Learning Outside the Classroom. Our provision is not only part of our Outdoor Wild Learning School (OWLS) programme but right through the curriculum, our boarding provision and the life of the school.”
The LOtC Mark is awarded by the Council for Learning Outside the Classroom, the UK-wide charity that champions all learning that happens beyond the classroom. Their work supports educators, schools and organisations who are dedicated to ensuring more children and young people have opportunities for lifechanging learning experiences beyond the classroom, whether these happen indoors or outdoors, close to home or far away. Providing students with more opportunities to access high quality learning beyond the classroom experiences can open their eyes to the world around them and allows them to develop into wellrounded citizens. The many benefits of LOtC are now well-evidenced and include improving academic attainment, physical health, emotional well-being, self-esteem, and resilience.
Dr Anne Hunt, Chief Executive of CLOtC said: “Learning outside the classroom has many proven educational benefits as well as providing some of the most memorable experiences in a child’s school life. Achieving the Gold LOtC Mark demonstrates that Gresham’s Prep School is committed to developing and delivering genuinely valuable learning outside the classroom experiences for their children and young people and I congratulate them on achieving this award.”
For more information about the LOtC Mark, please visit www.lotc.org.uk
A group of 22 cadets enjoyed an action-packed start to their summer holidays by attending the CCF Tri-service Adventure Training Camp in Snowdonia. They stayed at Capel Curig training camp, ideally located for a range of adventurous activities across the beautiful Snowdonia National Park, and experienced a rotation of mountain trekking across the Glyders, paddlesport on Llyn Padarn and mountain biking in the trail centre at Coed Y Brenin. In addition they were immersed in a full day of white water rafting and canyoning at the National White Water Centre and another day of climbing and high ropes at Adventure Parc Snowdonia. The cadets involved had a fantastic week of fun and challenging activities, creating some unique memories along the way.
