Flinterview: Cathy Braithwaite, Head of Prep, Gresham’s School

In a slight change to our usual Flinterview format, we have a fresh Q&A with one of Norfolk’s loveliest people – the wide-smiling, wonderfully vivacious, brilliantly bright, be-glittered gem of a woman that is Cathy Braithwaite, Head of the outstanding Gresham’s Preparatory School in Holt.

Grab a cuppa & settle back for a great chat…

How long have you been in Norfolk?

I’ve been living here for just over nine years, but Norfolk is home as I grew up here and then left for university.

How did you come to be back here?

The pull of Norfolk is strong – I moved to Exeter for university, travelled and lived in several parts of the UK, but as soon as I had the chance to move back home, I took it!

What does Norfolk mean to you?

Norfolk is a place full of family and childhood memories. I love the pace of life, the coast, the woodland walks and the people.

How do you describe Norfolk to those who don’t know it?

Flat, unless you are riding a bike!

What’s a typical day like as Head of Gresham’s Prep?

I usually get into my office around 6:45am so that I can prepare for the day ahead with no distractions, then at 8am I go outside to greet pupils and parents. Once the school day begins, I could be doing anything from meeting prospective families to leading assemblies, writing emails to supporting our sports teams, attending Governors’ meetings to chatting to pupils over lunch. Occasionally, I teach, which is still a highlight of my week! Quite a bit of my day job at the moment is planning our brand new school, which is incredibly exciting and not something I would have envisaged when I first became a teacher. After evening activities at 6:25pm, I help with signing our day pupils out, and then I head back to my office for a couple of hours to catch up on all the jobs I haven’t managed to squeeze in during the day!

What type of child is Gresham’s prep trying to create?

We hope that we will allow our pupils to have the confidence to be themselves, and to be respectful, resilient and responsible citizens. We want to be the type of school they need us to be, as opposed to making our children fit into a particular mold. That said, I hope they will all be kind before anything else and that’s an example I try really hard to set. We believe that if we get this right, our pupils will grow into adults you would invite to a party, employ in your business, call if you were in need of a helping hand, trust to keep your secrets and rely on to be positive role models to future generations.

What’s your POV on the current government’s position to charge VAT on private schools?

I am saddened that the policy looks unlikely to meet its stated aims and fearful that it will result in pupils having to move schools and some schools having to close, which is disruptive for all. As an educationalist and a firm advocate of parental choice, I believe this policy degrades our right to choose. It has been painted as a tax for the super-rich, but the reality in Norfolk (and in many parts of the country), is that it targets hardworking families who can only afford fees by making savings and sacrifices wherever they can, because they believe in the benefits of an independent education or because the needs of their children (particularly those with SEND), cannot be met adequately elsewhere.

Give us three words that sum you up.

This is really hard!

Fun, glitter-mad, hardworking.

And four words or a sentence to describe Gresham’s Prep school?

If you want four words: Happy, space, creativity, kind.

If you want a sentence: Happy children and dedicated staff.

How much is the setting & location of Gresham’s a part of the kids’ education?

Our spacious site is woven into the curriculum, for example, with our pupils from Nursery to Year 6 learning OWLS – Outdoor Wild Learning School.

Where do you like to go on holiday?

Thailand is my favourite place in the world. I was lucky enough to go there on my Gap year in 2000 and when I returned again in October 2024, it was every bit as I remembered, from the incredible reclining Buddha at Wat Pho and the bustling craziness of Bangkok, to the serenity of the islands around Krabi, I loved every minute! India comes a close second, but again it’s not somewhere I can go very often. I am lucky enough to be taking a group of pupils to Mayo College, Ajmer, on an exchange visit in February. Usually, I’m a last minute bargain break in the sunshine kind of girl – sunshine, a pool and a good book and I’m happy!

And when you stay in the county & have time away from school, what does a dream day off look like?

Living so close to the beautiful North Norfolk coast means I am minutes away from stunning beaches and wonderful woodland walks, so I spend quite a bit of holiday time at home. Walking the dogs, a meal in a cosy Norfolk pub with friends and then home to a roaring fire and family film, or a hot bath and a good book is a great winters’ day off. It also keeps me out of all of the brilliant shops in Holt – a trip to Anna, Francois Bouttier and Follyology would be a dream day for me, but a nightmare day for my wallet as I am not very good at saying ‘No’ to new dresses!

What sort of property do you live in?

I’m lucky enough to live on site at the school, but when we first came to Norfolk we bought a house in Briston. It’s a 4/5 bedroom detached house on an estate built in 2004.

How did you find it?

Through a local estate agency – we could hardly believe it when I started work that we lived within a few doors of three colleagues!

What advice can you give people searching for property in Norfolk?

Definitely ask for advice from locals – each village and area has its own personality (and price bracket!), so it’s always good to have a recommendation. Having a professional who knows what’s about to come on the market is also key if your move is time sensitive or if you are looking for something very particular (thanks Cathy!).

Tell us your favourite Norfolk…

Book… Lady in Waiting by Anne Glenconner.

Film… I love the final scene of Shakespeare in Love which was shot in Norfolk – the vast expanse of beach which we all get to play on each summer could be anywhere in the world in that film.

TV show… BBC’s Look East always reminds me of happy times with my parents. I think the Norfolk accent is a really hard one to master if you aren’t a local, and I’ve seen some fairly disappointing shows which are meant to be set in Norfolk but sound as though they have been made in the West country.

Meal… Regularly: Gresham’s Prep lasagne.

Meal… for a very special occasion: Meadowsweet in Holt or The Harper in Langham.

Pub… I think all of my favourites have been said already! The Gunton Arms / The Dun Cow / The Pigs.

Restaurant… Fino in Cromer.

Cafe… Byfords.

Beach… Holkham.

Landmark…  The Elveden War Memorial – no matter how far away I have been, driving past this always means I’m nearly home!

Market town… Holt.

Village… Foxley, Briston or Shereford I can’t choose, so you can!

Shop… Quest / Nails by Steve!

Walk… Stody woods or Holkham beach.

Property & estate agents… Flint Homes wasn’t up and running in Norfolk when we moved here, and I can’t remember who we bought our house from! I would obviously say your company…!! (Thanks again Cathy!) Norfolk has some fantastic agents who help Gresham’s families find what they need here in Norfolk.

Secret Norfolk… There’s a beach we love to go to which is hardly ever busy, even on a hot day in July, but it’s not my place to share that secret!

Gresham’s event… At Gresham’s there are SO many! Speech Day, Carol Service, Plays, first day of term in September, Valedictory Ball and Sports Day are all brilliant fun. The Gresham’s Pet Service is a highlight with almost 900 pupils aged 2 to 18 accompanied by families and pets – it's pandemonium and the children love it! I have also been incredibly lucky to have been invited to a number of events at Fishmongers’ Hall in London and can honestly say that their hospitality is second to none. It is the most incredible privilege to be on the guest list and especially to hear Gresham’s fantastic Schola Cantorum choir sing in the banqueting hall.

Thanks so so much for your time Cathy: we know how precious it is. Keep up the amazing, glitter-fuelled work at your incredible school!

Gresham’s is a historic and vibrant co-educational, independent boarding and day school for children aged 2-18 in Holt, founded in 1555, set on a 200 acre estate, just four miles from the North Norfolk coast.

‘Space to thrive. Space to be yourself’ is their school tag line.

Old Greshamians have been inspiring others for generations, from composer Sir Benjamin Britten to poet W.H. Auden. More recently, Old Greshamians making their mark include international rugby players Tom and Ben Youngs and Academy Award winning actor Olivia Colman.

Find out more about this historic school in Holt, North Norfolk here.

The next Prep School Open Day will take place on Friday 2 May 2025 – to book a spot please follow this link.