Downham Market High School opened in September 1980 as the amalgamation of three former secondary schools in Downham Market - Downham Market Grammar, Downham Market Boys' School and Downham Market Girls' School.  It now occupies two sets of premises known as Bexwell and Ryston.

The Bexwell site dates back to 1956 and was originally organised as separate boys' and girls' secondary modern schools.  Bexwell was formerly the premises of the Downham Market Boys' and Girls' Secondary Schools.  With building adaptations at the time of re-organisation in 1980.  These former schools are now designated the Junior and Senior sides of the Bexwell site.  The Upwell block was added as a consequence of the closure of Upwell Secondary in 1987 (please can anybody confirm this date?) when around 220 additional pupils were added to the school roll.  The Malcolm Arnold Room was opened by the famous composer Sir Malcolm Arnold in 1984.  Other buildings on the Bexwell site include the Technology Block (1997) A Block housing History, Music and Drama (2001) and the English Block (2005).

Ryston was formerly the premises of Downham Market Grammar School, built in 1930 in the extensive grounds of the White House dating back to the 17th century.  Mr Lamport-Smith was the first Headmaster, succeeded by Maurice Pearson, after whom M and P got their form names.   The house was formerly occupied by the headmaster of the school and, later, by the sixth form.  It became surplus to requirements and was sold back into the residential sector in 2000. 

The academic years 1980/01 and 1981/82 saw the phasing out of the previous grammar and secondary modern pattern of education and, from September 1982, Downham Market High School became a fully amalgamated county, co-educational, secondary, comprehensive, day school. 

In September 1983, the existing transfer arrangements into the school were re-organised so that all pupils entered at 11+ and not, as hitherto, with pupils from the surrounding village primary schools entering at 11+ and pupils from Clackclose County Middle School and Hillcrest First and Middle School entering at 12+.

John Ingram became Head of Downham Market Grammar School in 1976 after Maurice Pearson's death and, and in 1980, after successfully amalgamating the Grammar School with the two Secondary Modern Schools became head of the newly formed High School.  Mrs Mary Hunt was Acting Head of the girls' school at the time of reorganisation and Mr Harold Barnes was Head of the Boys' school.  The initial Chair of Governors was Colonel A Parkin, O.B.E..

The school gained Grant-Maintained status in 1992 (which lasted until the change of Government in 1997) and was extended with new buildings, sports hall and swimming pool. Technology College status was gained in 1996.

The First Year (Year 7) were based at Ryston after reorganisation in 1980 because Bexwell lacked sufficient space for five year groups, and Ryston had too much space for the, then much smaller, sixth form. Ofsted stressed the importance of uniting Key Stages 3 & 4 on the same site and this was duly achieved with the opening of a new block on the Bexwell site in 2001.

Since reorganisation, two new blocks have been added on the Ryston site. The Art and Business centre was opened by Gillian Shepherd MP, Minister of State for Education.

 Headteachers

John Ingram: Grammar School 1975-1980; DMHS 1980-1995. John Ingram sadly died in July 2009.

Ian Gartshore 1995-2001

Anne-Marie Storey (Acting) 2001-2002

Ian Bloom Sept 2002-Sept 2008

Sarah Quantrill - Sept 2008 to Dec 2010

Gordon Boyd Jan 2011 to June 2011

Jon Ford June 2011 to present day

 Please help us to improve this page.  If you have any additional information please contact us by e-mailing at:-

office@downhamhigh.norfolk.sch.uk