Framlingham College

Since 2019, Louise North, French and Spanish joint honours from Durham. Always taught in the private sector, previously at Oakham as senior deputy head. Her first headship, Framlingham had been on her radar since she visited as an ISI inspector ‘and

Non-selective in pre-prep, but all children invited for the day for assessment and observation; similar criteria for prep. Mr Roche meets every child. Automatic entry for all prep pupils to senior in year 9. All children, from prep and external

Unusual for a prep pupil not to go on to senior, but the odd one to board further afield in recent years. One every two years or so doesn’t make it from prep to senior but this will be no surprise to parents. A handful leave in year 11, usually to

In 2024, 44 per cent 9-7 at GCSE; 25 per cent A*/A (50 per cent A*-B).

All GCSE students do combined science, just under half do three. Subjects set from year 10, science and maths from year 7 in prep. French and Spanish offered with 80 per cent of the year doing a language, though it’s not compulsory. French popular at

Across the two schools, 86 pupils have learning support, with one EHCP. Support ranges from one-to-one lessons (charged extra) to tailored groups. Parents really happy with SEN provision, where problems are picked up quickly. Pupils in prep school

The importance of music and drama is reflected in the facilities, which include an impressive theatre, lots of studios and music rooms galore. Almost 150 pupils take music lessons. Success of music BTEC performance and technology reflected in the

Fram is renowned for its sport and attracts pupils accordingly, particularly in the sixth form. Hockey is the big one here – girls initially, with about three a year on England pathways, and boys quickly catching up. Sports scholars get extra

Over half of the seniors board in some form. Up to 80 are full time, half from the UK. The rest are internationals from over 20 countries, many European, here for a minimum of a term, usually longer. Weekly boarding popular, flexi too. Flexi boarders

School prides itself on its pastoral care and the good systems in place for it. It’s a small school, so teachers know their pupils and the pastoral care reflects this. The Fram family aims to be all-embracing. The anxious child seems to be handled

Lots of siblings and family connections, sometimes over several generations, reflecting the rural nature of Suffolk and its longstanding families. Cambridge contingent catching on and enrolling; buses provided for them and for surrounding towns.

Scholarships are awarded at 11+, 13+ and 16+ in academic, performing and creative arts, computer science and sporting excellence. The Albert Memorial scholarships are awarded to pupils showing excellence in two scholarship pathways. Top-up bursaries

Despite its relatively small size, Fram packs quite a punch. It’s cast off its slightly fusty, comfortable reputation and is now much more outward looking. There’s very apparent ambition and expectation now and pupils in both schools are responding.