English Boarding Schools in Profile: Gresham’s School - A Beacon of Education

Greetings from Richmond,

this time our journey took us north-east to visit a familiar face: Gresham’s School in Norfolk, just a stone’s throw from the North Sea coast. We’ve known the school for more than 25 years now and always enjoy returning. Why? Because it matters to us that all our advisers truly know what they’re talking about – and as Gresham’s is one of the schools we recommend wholeheartedly, regular visits are simply part of the job. And of course, we are always curious to see what’s new. 

Shortlisted by Tatler's

In this part of England, Gresham’s is a clear frontrunner when it comes to academics, sport and co-curricular life – and not only there. Tatler has recently shortlisted Gresham’s as “Best Public School 2026”, and we can’t say we’re surprised. Headmaster Douglas Robb and his team are warm, dedicated and forward-thinking, the facilities are extremely well maintained, and pupils can study for the International Baccalaureate (IB). In short: it’s hard to ask for more.

During our visit, we meet Sue from the Admissions team, tour the boys’ house Farfield with Housemaster Tom, and accompany 16-year-old Corin to some of Gresham’s highlights, before Douglas Robb and his dog Ziggy welcome us into the spacious Headmaster’s office.

The Honeymoon Suite - not what it sounds

But to be perfectly honest: the best ambassador for Gresham’s appears later that evening, when we’re sitting in a restaurant in the nearby village of Weybourne chatting about the school. Our attentive and friendly waiter nearly bursts with pride as he tells us he is an “Old Greshamian.” His eyes light up, even when we mention the famously simple 1980s boys’ room – affectionately known as the “Honeymoon Suite.” He laughs: “This is exactly where I spent so much of my time, and I loved it!” Why?

Join us on our tour and discover why Gresham’s School truly is a beacon of happy pupils, strong values and excellent education on – and far beyond – the North Norfolk coast.

The Setting

A quick note in advance: Gresham’s School is rather off the beaten track. The drive from London to North Norfolk takes almost four hours, and even if you fly into Stansted from Europe, you still need around two hours to reach the school. But the journey is well worth it – not least because it takes you through the beautiful landscapes of Norfolk.

A much beloved supermarket near by

In and around Gresham’s you’ll find everything a pupil might need. The coastal town of Sheringham is only a short drive away along winding country roads, and those who prefer a more urban feel can reach Norwich in about 45 minutes. But the real gem lies less than ten minutes’ walk from the school: Holt, a charming village full of pretty corners and, crucially, a much-loved supermarket frequented by pupils. As we drive through Holt, we pass a small, historic grammar school – the place where it all began. Founded in 1555 by the wealthy merchant Sir John Gresham, it was created to offer children from his home region a solid education. A remarkably forward-thinking idea for the 16th century.

Today, the main boarding school sits just outside Holt on roughly 80 hectares of land. Since its move in 1903, Gresham’s has grown steadily and now boasts sports fields, woodland, a lake and even a small farm. Beautifully maintained red-brick buildings define the campus, and from the ultra-modern Dyson Building you look out over the school’s historic chapel. 

From Sir Dyson to Bejamin Britten

The school is understandably proud of its famous alumni. Not only is Sir James Dyson the namesake – and sponsor – of its impressive art and technology building (complete with Dyson hand dryers in every washroom), but composer Benjamin Britten also attended Gresham’s, and the well-equipped music department now carries his name. The Auden Theatre commemorates the renowned 20th-century poet W. H. Auden, another distinguished former pupil.

Who knows which name from among today’s 540 pupils will one day be etched into the school’s history? One thing is certain: there are no nobodies here – not least because Headmaster Douglas Robb seems to know every pupil by name.

What Makes Gresham’s Truly Special

Gresham’s close proximity to the Norfolk coast, far from major cities, creates a strong and grounded sense of community in which the development of each individual pupil comes first.

The school has evolved into a true all-rounder, investing equal passion into academics, the arts and sport, while also offering extensive outdoor opportunities. Adding to this is the impressive Dyson Building, where all STEM subjects sit under one roof and where cross-disciplinary projects take place on a level of breadth and quality rarely found elsewhere.

And perhaps most striking of all: the pupils themselves. They are consistently described as kind and grounded – and that feels like the most accurate way to sum up the atmosphere at Gresham’s.

Academics – Excellence in Education

Gresham’s combines a solid academic foundation with an open, modern learning culture that encourages curiosity and independent thinking. The most recent exam results reflect this ambition: in 2025, 38% of GCSE grades were 9–7, and 70% of pupils achieved at least a grade 5 in English and Maths. At A level, 44% of grades were A/A*, with 71% falling between A and B*. For the IB Diploma, pupils achieved a strong average of 37 points. Altogether, this places Gresham’s firmly among the most reliable academic performers in the region.

Classes can shrink down to 1:1

Class sizes in the Sixth Form are small, usually around a dozen pupils. And when timetables become tight – for example because a pupil is keen to take Mandarin on top of everything else – the school will occasionally arrange one-to-one teaching. Lessons can then be tailored to the individual, and anyone who has experienced the focus of a 1:1 session knows how effective it can be – and how welcome the breather afterwards.

But efficiency is not everything. Relationships between pupils and teachers are warm, respectful and collaborative. Staff see themselves less as distant authorities and more as partners in the learning process. Student suggestions for improving lessons are genuinely listened to – and sometimes implemented.

Lessons are relaxed

Corin tells us that most teachers at Gresham’s have their own classroom. “We go to them, not the other way round.” It sounds like a small detail, but it makes a real difference compared with many German schools. Teachers can shape their own space, make learning more tangible and create an atmosphere that is personal, focused and alive. Combined with smaller classes, lessons naturally become more relaxed, more interactive and more conversational.

Test your Mandarin with your collegues

Languages play an important role at Gresham’s. Pupils choose two from French, Spanish and Latin, with at least one counting towards the ten compulsory GCSE subjects. In addition to these traditional options, the school also offers Mandarin – and boarding life helps enormously: “You can practise with your Chinese friends in everyday life, and you realise very quickly how much sticks when you use it,” says Corin.

Alongside languages, the arts remain extremely popular. Art and Music have certainly not lost their appeal, even with the current STEM emphasis (Science, Technology, Engineering, Maths).

The Dyson Building - where interdisciplinary ideas grow

The STEM focus has become one of the school’s defining features since the opening of the Dyson Building. Here, where science and technology sit literally side by side, ideas flow naturally between the subjects. It’s not unusual for the Head of Design Technology to teach a session on applied physics in a Physics class – perhaps on structural forces in bridge building – or for the Chemistry teacher to explain the perfect formula for handmade bath soaps during a Product Design lesson. This close collaboration results in a hands-on style of learning with regular experiments and projects that show just how powerfully theory and practice can reinforce each other.

Many European pupils opt for the IB pathway in the Sixth Form, with Business and Economics among the most sought-after subjects.

Talks by Old Greshamian's

Gresham’s also supports pupils in preparing for life beyond school. From the start of the Lower Sixth, pupils are guided individually by a full-time careers adviser. Particularly inspiring is the careers programme featuring regular talks by Old Greshamians, who share first-hand insights into university life, professions and international experiences.

Extracurricular – Life Beyond the Classroom 

Music plays an unmistakably prominent role at Gresham’s, helped in no small part by Headmaster Robb himself, who leads the Canticles in the Chapel with great enthusiasm on Saturday mornings. For him, communal singing is a barometer of the school’s wellbeing – and it’s easy to believe that these shared moments create memories pupils carry for life. For Corin, the annual House Music competitions are a real highlight. Choral music is firmly embedded in school life, with a wide range of choirs available for all ages.

The Modern Music Department

The Music Department is equally impressive. Since the opening of the Britten Building in 2017, Gresham’s has officially been a Steinway School – every practice room is equipped with a top-class grand piano. A third of all pupils play an instrument, from violin to guitar, from harp to bagpipes. From traditional orchestras and chamber ensembles to rock, pop and jazz bands, pupils can join numerous groups where collaboration, performance and creative freedom take centre stage.

For those drawn to the technical side of the arts, the Strathmore Studio is the place to be. This is where podcasts, music recordings and even professional singles are produced, offering pupils a realistic insight into the world of audio and media.

The world smallest electrically powered racing car

Technology is lived particularly vividly in the Dyson Building. In the Makers Department, we pass intricate architectural models that catch the eye even of the architect on our team. Corin tells us about genuine innovations being developed here – including the F24, the world’s smallest electrically powered racing car. Pupils have also taken part in robotics competitions in the US with their VEX Robotics projects. Yet as impressive as Music and STEM are, Corin has another ace up his sleeve and takes us into the school’s own woodland.

The Combined Cadet Force

Here we encounter CCF pupils in full kit. The Combined Cadet Force – a kind of military-style scouting programme found in many UK boarding schools – is a major co-curricular activity at Gresham’s. Pupils can join the Air Force, Navy, Shooting, Kayaking or Sailing sections. The group in the woods is led by Simon Gates, who is not only Head of Religious Studies but also the school’s CCF Commander – an unusual but very British combination. Simon teaches values, discipline and responsibility in equal measure and tells us, “One boy earned his pilot’s licence before he got his driving licence. Even if that’s the exception, you learn team-work, leadership and the tougher stuff too – like trekking with heavy rucksacks or building a shelter.”

Once the troop has disappeared deeper into the trees, we arrive at the open-air theatre, where summer productions, concerts and events take place. Further into the woods there is a high-ropes course and a climbing tower with a zip line – perfect for anyone who loves outdoor adventure. We politely decline the offer to try the zip line today and head back towards the main campus, passing the school’s small farm along the way. Pupils get hands-on experience of agriculture, working with local farmers and learning about crop production and animal welfare. And for anyone who prefers life without camouflage paint or wool fibres, there is always the option to throw themselves fully into sport.

Former England Rugby Player Ben Youngs

Sport is deeply rooted in the school culture, and Headmaster Robb – himself a former rugby enthusiast – has made it a core part of Gresham’s identity. With the appointment of Ben Youngs, former England international and Old Greshamian, as Head of Performance, the school has gained someone with serious ambition: sport at Gresham’s is designed to strengthen pupils physically and mentally. Mindset, psychology and nutrition all play an important role alongside technique and teamwork.

The sports facilities are outstanding: two floodlit astroturf pitches, a 25-metre indoor pool, a modern sports hall, more than 30 tennis courts, an eight-lane shooting range, seven rugby pitches, netball and squash courts, an athletics track and a cross-country course. In the modern Strength & Conditioning Centre, pupils train at a highly professional level under expert supervision.

Don't underestimate the Shooting Club

Alongside the main sports – rugby, hockey, netball, cricket, swimming and shooting – there is a broad additional offering: athletics, badminton, cross-country, boys’ and girls’ football, riding, squash, tennis and further activities such as basketball, golf, table tennis and padel. The school is particularly proud of its Shooting Club, which regularly competes with renowned schools such as Uppingham, Oundle and Charterhouse.

After all these activities, pupils are more than ready to retreat to their boarding house in the evening – and enjoy some well-earned rest.

Boarding – A Second Family

Life in the boarding houses – three for girls and four for boys – is about far more than rest and downtime (though there is certainly plenty of that, too). It is built around community: living together, supporting each other and sharing the everyday moments that shape boarding life.

Strong Routines for 75 Boys in one House

Housemaster Tom Burnett welcomes us outside Farfield, the boys’ house he has led with his team for four years. Farfield is one of seven boarding houses at Gresham’s – plus an additional house for day pupils – and currently home to around 75 boys. The impressive red-brick building sits on campus and combines tradition with modern technology: no keys are used here, only a fingerprint scanner. Entry is reserved for those who truly belong. Privacy and safety are a priority, a standard we now see in many boarding schools.

Tom explains that the day starts early: at 8:05am with Roll Call, followed by Chapel Services three times a week. On Tuesdays and Thursdays, mornings begin with a short tutoring session in groups of eight to nine pupils. “It’s a kind of school within the school,” says Tom. After that, lessons begin as normal.

A buddy system makes settling in much easier

The common room immediately feels welcoming – bright and friendly, complete with a pool table and piano. Whether it always looks this tidy or if this is due to end-of-term energy remains a mystery. We suspect the latter.

For every new pupil arriving after the holidays, there is a buddy system that makes settling in – and picking up the language – much easier. In Year 9, boys sleep in dorms of seven. Deliberately, there are no desks in these rooms. “It teaches them to work in the communal areas and develop good study habits,” Tom explains. From Year 11 onwards, each pupil has his own room.

Every house has its own Head of House, a special distinction awarded to pupils who excel academically, show strong social commitment or take an active role in school life – for example through the CCF or the Drama Club. Those who earn the title have, as they say here, created real added value – not just for themselves, but for the whole community.

The Gritty Grashopper is Gresham's Answer to Though Mudder

And that community spirit is truly put to the test at the end of the school year during the legendary Gritty Grasshopper race: a fancy-dress obstacle run that sends house teams scrambling through mud, ropes and water trenches. Think “Tough Mudder” in miniature – but with more laughter.

As for the big question of mobile phones: they are collected in the evenings, and between 10pm and 8am, there is complete digital quiet. “No phone before bed,” says Tom. With everything going on here, there really isn’t much time for scrolling anyway.

Verdict – Who Is Gresham’s For?

Gresham’s is ideal for pupils who want a genuine boarding experience and value strong community life over proximity to major cities. We’d recommend it to anyone who is curious, eager to learn and ready for a bit of adventure – pupils who manage well in a group and enjoy being part of something bigger.

It suits those who like trying new things, who won’t hesitate to join in a hymn in Chapel, and who are willing to throw themselves into school life with an open mind and the confidence that they’ll be well looked after. For pupils like these, Gresham’s School is not to be missed.