Thetford Grammar School (TGS), one of the oldest schools in England, has closed its gates to students for the final time, bringing nearly 1,000 years of history to an end.
The sad news of the school’s closure was shared in April, effective from 31st August 2026. A statement from the board cited the cumulative impact of 20% VAT on school fees, the removal of business rates relief, increased employer pension contributions, and rising minimum wage and operating costs as placing unsustainable pressure on the school.
The school traces its origins to AD 631, when it is likely that Sigbert, King of the East Angles, provided a school for his court in Thetford. The first written evidence is a document of 1114 under the seal of Herbert Losinga, then Bishop of Norwich, stating “I have restored to Bund, the Dean, his schools at Thetford as completely and advantageously as he ever held them.” The school has a complete register of every headteacher, from Bund in 1114 to Amanda Faye, 912 years later, and marked its 900th anniversary in 2014.
“As Head of Thetford Grammar School I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks on behalf of the students and staff, to all those parents (past and present) alumni, members of Thetford Community and other independent schools who have reached out with their kind words and offers of support,” said Mrs Faye, in a statement shortly after the announcement of the school’s closure.
The school has hosted several notable alumni over its history, including American Founding Father Thomas Paine, who attended the school from 1744 to 1749. Another is Allan Noel Minns, son of the first Black Mayor in England, Allan Glaisyer Minns.
Following his education at the Boys’ Grammar School, where he was part of the 1907 boys’ football team, he trained as a doctor and joined the army in the First World War, rising to the rank of captain in March 1918. He saw active service in Gallipoli and Mesopotamia, and was awarded two medals for bravery – the Military Cross and the Distinguished Service Order.
In 1888, a Girls’ Grammar School was established using funds left by Sir Joseph Williamson. Both schools operated as voluntary controlled schools from 1944, with selective entrance via the 11+ exam. The two schools amalgamated in 1975 before reverting to independent status in 1981.
Many Thetfordians fondly remember their time at the Grammar School, and some of the long-standing staff. Sue Webber, pictured with one of her junior school classes in the 1980s, taught at the school for many years up to the pandemic in 2020.
“We opened the Junior Department in 1984 and, although I had no experience with this age group, I was asked to take a class of pupils aged nine to ten,” said Sue. “I agreed on the condition that I could spend 15 minutes playing recorders with my class each morning.
“Music in the Junior Department grew rapidly. Pupils progressed to a wide range of instruments, supported by peripatetic music teachers, and music was enjoyed by all. A Junior Orchestra was formed, eventually developing into an Augmented Junior Orchestra of around 60 pupils, past pupils, staff and parents. Our two annual concerts raised hundreds of pounds towards the development of the new Losinga building.”
Former pupils will remember singing the school song, Loyaute Me Oblige, on many occasions.
The school grounds also played host to many town events. The Thetford Mela, finale of the annual Festival of Thetford & Punjab, was hosted at the school on 19th July. Earlier in the year, Old School was also used for the Declaration and Installation Ceremony of the High Sheriff of Norfolk, Jo Pearson, who also attended the Grammar School, alongside five generations of his family.
Since 2017, TGS has been owned by China Financial Services Holdings (CFSH), and was home to many international students as well as local children – with a TGS-branded prep school established in China. Many of the school’s pupils have now transferred to Finborough School, near Stowmarket, in preparation for the new academic year.
Plans for the site, much of which is Grade II listed and which also includes the remains of a Grade I listed Dominican church, are currently unknown. CFSH also continues to own the school’s playing fields, on the far side of London Road. Archaeology on the field in the 1960s revealed remains of Saxon Thetford underground, making the site a scheduled monument.
A community mailing list, unaffiliated with the school, has been set up for those interested in keeping the site in use. You can join it at thetfordgrammarschool.co.uk.
