Gresham’s is a historic and vibrant co-educational school set in 200 acres and enviably located between the award-winning coast and countryside of north Norfolk. Founded in 1555, the School provides a high quality, fully-rounded, excellent education to boys and girls from the age of two to Sixth Form, from across the UK and overseas.

In its most recent Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI) visit of May 2023, Gresham’s was awarded an ‘Excellent’ rating across all nine categories in all three schools, which is testament to its progressive academic curriculum, high-quality teaching and excellent pastoral care. At Gresham’s, pupils are prepared for rewarding personal and professional lives with the intellectual, personal and social qualities and skills needed to make a positive difference to the communities in which they live. The curriculum, teaching and facilities at Gresham's support every pupil’s learning journey throughout the School. Classroom learning is complemented by a variety of academic societies and clubs as well as the School's ever-popular field trips which engender a wider, outward focus. Sixth Formers can opt to study A Levels, BTECs, or the widely respected International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP). The only school in Norfolk to offer the IBDP, Gresham's has swiftly gained an international reputation as an IBDP centre of excellence, with pupils progressing to some of the world’s most prestigious academic institutions.

A Gresham’s education enables pupils to develop in a huge variety of areas and the School has a tradition of producing outstanding achievers in all walks of life, including architects, diplomats, engineers, musicians, and sports men and women and many more. Old Greshamians have been inspiring others for generations, from composer Benjamin Britten and poet W.H. Auden to the founder of Dyson, Sir James Dyson. More recently, Old Greshamians making their mark and creating headlines include international rugby players Tom and Ben Youngs, and Academy-Award-winning actor Olivia Colman.

The School has enjoyed a supportive relationship with the The Fishmongers' Company, one of the great twelve City livery companies, for the entirety of its history. In addition to providing some of the governors, the Company supports the provision of life-changing bursaries and plays an active role in the School’s connected Charitable Foundation. In recent years, the School has benefited enormously from the support of the James Dyson Foundation. A former pupil of the School, Sir James' support has enabled the launch of the Dyson Building, an innovative new centre for Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics (STEAM) education.

Today Gresham's finds itself in an enviable position within the independent school sector, with strong enrolment of both UK and international students, an engaged and happy parental body, and a robust financial base. Over the past 6-7 years, the School has made an impressive multi-million pound investment in its estate, including the opening of the Dyson Building, a brand new Outdoor Activity Centre, and upgraded sports facilities. As it looks to the future, Gresham's is clear on the challenges and opportunities facing the School. It will continue to proactively and strategically foster its enrolment pipeline, recognising that one third of its catchment area is the sea; it will continue to build its academic profile while remaining a proudly non-selective and inclusive school; and it will ensure that it has appropriate plans in place to mitigate the challenges posed by a changing political landscape.

The Governors are responsible for the wellbeing of Gresham's School, endorsing strategic development and ensuring the School’s financial accountability. Governors come from a variety of backgrounds, including the professions, finance, business, education and property, and bring a broad range of knowledge, skills and expertise to the management of the School.

The Chair of Governors leads the Board and plays a crucial role in guiding and supporting the strategic direction and overall success of Gresham's School.

Fundamentally, the Chair leads the Board of Governors in its responsibilities to:

• Secure the long-term future of the School
• Ensure the highest possible standards of governance and regulatory compliance
• Support and, where appropriate, challenge the Head and executive leadership team to make the School the best it can be
• Ensure the proper and efficient conduct of Governor meetings

With Michael Goff due to complete his term as Chair of Governors early next year, Gresham's now seeks an outstanding and committed individual to succeed him.

The ideal candidate will combine established chairing skills gained in a substantial board role with a passion for the transformative impact of a modern independent education. Applicants who have not been a chairperson must have held analogous positions, such as committee chair, in which they have honed their chairing skills. Given the strength of the Gresham's Board, the role would particularly suit someone with a facilitative and inclusive approach to leadership; they will be able to maintain a strategic perspective while empowering others. The strongest applicants will be outstanding communicators with the ability to engage with, and celebrate, the full breadth of Gresham's' increasingly diverse community, which includes pupils, parents, alumni and benefactors, both in the UK and overseas. Candidates need not have any experience in the education sector but they must demonstrate an affinity with modern independent boarding education and an understanding of some of the challenges as well as opportunities facing the sector.

Individuals with a connection to Gresham's and the north Norfolk area are welcome to apply, but this is not a requirement of the role. Fundamentally, applicants must feel they have the time, aptitude and passion required to serve Gresham's as its Chair.

Details of the composition of the Board, along with profiles of existing Governors, can be found on the School's website here.

As part of its commitment to excellence in all areas of its operations, Gresham's has recently commissioned AGBIS (The Association of Governing Bodies of Independent Schools) to conduct a review of governance at the School, and to provide a blueprint of best practice including the Board constitution. This should be completed by December 2023.

This role is unremunerated but reasonable, pre-agreed travel expenses will be reimbursed. There are three main Board meeting per year (one per term), plus a strategy meeting in the Autumn. The Chair is also expected to attend as many meetings of the various Board sub-committees at they are able to. They will establish and maintain a regular cadence of communication with the Head, which might involve weekly / fortnightly calls and regular School “pop in” visits.

The Chair will also attend, and sometimes lead, ad hoc key meetings, for example major capital project planning, benefactor and fundraising meetings, and ISI inspections. The Chair should attend School events, including drama and music productions, sports fixtures, commemoration chapel services, and Old Greshamian and Gresham’s Foundation events. They will also speak at the three Schools' Speech Days in the last week of June / first week of July. Where necessary, the Deputy Chair and other Governors are often able to deputise for the Chair.

There is a strong preference for Board meetings to take place in person at the School but video conference facilities are available for Governors to dial in when required. Occasional Board meetings are held at Fishmongers Hall in Central London. The appointment is for an initial three-year term, which can be renewed once at the discretion of the Board. It is hoped that the appointee will serve for two terms.

Gresham's is based in Holt on the North Norfolk coast. There is a strong preference for in-person meetings, as well as for the Chair to play an active role in School life. Candidates will therefore either be based locally or have sufficiently strong connections to the area that they are prepared to travel there on a regular basis.  

Gresham's welcomes applications from everyone regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, belief or disability. All appointments will be made on merit, following a fair and transparent process. In line with the Equality Act 2010, however, the organisation may employ positive action where candidates from underrepresented groups can demonstrate their ability to perform the role equally well.