You would be hard pressed to find such stellar results as the Art and Design Departments at Gresham’s. This year 60% of pupils achieved 9 and 8 grades across GCSE Fine Art, GCSE 3D Design and GCSE Graphics – that’s the equivalent of 50 A* grades!

A remarkable 75% of all grades at A Level were at A*. And these outstanding grades have been achieved consistently for years: last year 90% of pupils achieved A* in 3D Design, and for two years running, 100% of pupils achieved an A* in Graphic Communication.

Furthermore, pupils are achieving impressive outcomes as a result of their success: this year, that meant Architecture at Manchester, Fine Art at Leeds, Graphics at Reading, History of Art at Cambridge, Interior Design at Falmouth, and a placement at Pilar Corria Art Gallery. Last year, nine pupils went on to Architecture courses, and nine into other Art and Design-based courses, including Falmouth, UCL, Goldsmith’s, and an animation degree in Germany.

This summer, Limony A won First Prize in the 2024 Norfolk Art & Design Competition, with Vera C having her work highly commended and another two pupils shortlisted. Previously, we have enjoyed a three month residency at Saatchi Gallery and pupils regularly show work throughout the UK – and that’s not to mention the many graduates who exhibit and enjoy careers in a wide range of art and design disciplines.

During September, one of last year’s leavers will be exhibiting in the Chair of Virtue Exhibition at Shoreditch Design Triangle as part of the London Design Festival. Sophia C will be one of just five designers selected to exhibit.

Looking at the broad theme of ‘Natural Forms’, Sophia chose a combination of elements related to the human body. A playful interaction of components such as a red blood cell, abstracted rib form and the ball and socket joint finally led to the ‘Blob Chair’. The challenge for Sophia was to bring these elements together in a way that, not only functioned as a chair, but aesthetically created a satisfying integration of forms and materials.

A walk through the Dyson Building at Gresham’s will very quickly reveal how all this is possible: the staff are utterly dedicated, the building is unrivalled in a school setting, and the exhibition spaces are filled with work that is both professional and impressive.