Ages 
A remarkable school with high academic expectation and achievement, a dazzling array of extra curricular activities and a dedicated staff. Has enjoyed, and is enjoying, outstanding leadership.
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Overview & data
- Pupil numbers
- 1,001 ·
- Sixth form numbers
- 209 ·
- Local authority
- Suffolk County Council
Headteacher
Headteacher
Mr Philip Hurst
Since 2013, Philip Hurst. First degree from Warwick in history and then Cambridge for PGCE. Always knew he wanted to teach: ‘Children are our future, so we need to create a good start for them.’ Most of his career spent in Essex and thought
Entrance
Non-selective with pupils coming from over 30 primary schools. Area covered is larger than London so pupils are scattered far and wide across the county, coming from as far afield as north of Ipswich to south of Lowestoft, coastal towns and up to the
- Open days
- Open Week in September with an Open Evening on the Wednesday. Two information evenings for sixth form, in November.
Entry and exit data - year 7 entry (average 2020-2022)
Exit
Some leave after year 11, attracted by the sixth form college in Ipswich, others to study more vocational subjects. Large majority head to university with Russell Groups popular. Four Oxbridge in 2024 and four or five a year to study veterinary
% students progressing to higher education or training (2021 leavers)
What is this?
The proportion of 16-18 students that progressed to degrees, higher apprenticeships or other study at level 4 or above for at least 6 consecutive months in the 2 years after taking advanced level qualifications (level 3) at this school or college.
Latest results
In 2024, 20 per cent 9-7 at GCSE; 74 per cent 9-4 in both maths and English; 18 per cent A*/A at A level (46 per cent A*-B).
% of pupils achieving grade 5 or above (A* to C) in English and maths GCSE (2024)
What is this?
This tells you the percentage of pupils who achieved grade 5 or above in English and maths GCSEs.
% of pupils achieving AAB or higher, including at least 2 facilitating subjects (2024)
What is this?
Facilitating A levels are ones that are commonly needed for entry to leading universities. They are: biology, chemistry, physics, mathematics, further mathematics, geography, history, English literature and classical or modern languages. The % of pupils achieving AAB or higher may therefore decrease if many pupils have opted not to take two or more of the facilitating subjects mentioned.
Teaching & learning
Every parent was positive about this, talking about small class sizes, excellent teaching, revision sessions, GCSE choices made in year 9 offering flexibility and a gentle start, as well as noticing slackers and encouraging participation. Teaching
- Qualifications taken in 2024
- A level
- BTEC
- EPQ
- GCSE
Learning support & SEN
SEN department situated behind the buzzy library so very much in the centre of the school. Figures on a par or slightly lower than average. Policy is to be inclusive with no children taken out of class. Teachers adapt their teaching to suit everyone
Arts & extracurricular
The library is the hub of the school with a popular and proactive librarian who likes young people and books (not always a given) at the helm. Clubs run from here range from coding to Rubik’s and mini robots. There’s an author list every term with
Sport
Tournaments for all abilities and good facilities, known as the Muga. No, we didn’t get that name either and our guides couldn’t explain: ‘It’s always been known as that.’ A large, well-used gym. They’ve got plenty of space around them. Inter-house
Ethos & heritage
It is over 300 years since Thomas Mills left a bequest to benefit the people, particularly children, of Framlingham. Two earlier grammar and the ‘modern,’ school pre-date the present high school (now an academy) and this ancestry gives a sense of
Pastoral care, inclusivity & discipline
A sense of pride and belonging is fostered by the house system which operates for sport and extra curricular competitions with merits awarded for individual effort towards the house tally (there are six). House shields are displayed in rank order in
Mobile phone policy
A clear mobile phone policy is a really important part of modern schooling. This school has provided us with their policy.
Mobile phone policy
Provided by the school and not part of our review From September 2024, the school site and buildings are a phone-free space. Any mobile devices must be kept securely and lockers are available. Students in Years 7 to 11 cannot have phones with them. Where a phone is seen (including in pockets), a detention will be given, the phone confiscated, and collection is from the School Office by a parent during office hours. Phones are allowed for travel to and from school.
Pupils & parents
Popularity of the school draws pupils from a wide surrounding area as well as Framlingham itself, which is expanding rapidly. Diverse social backgrounds though representative of a prosperous area, and very little ethnic mix. Parents delighted with
The last word
A remarkable school with high academic expectation and achievement, a dazzling array of extra curricular activities and a dedicated staff. Has enjoyed, and is enjoying, outstanding leadership.
Inspection reports
Ofsted reports
Full inspection: Good
You can read full reports on the Ofsted website
| Personal development | Good |
|---|---|
| Quality of education | Good |
| Behaviour and attitudes | Good |
| Leadership and management | Good |
| Sixth form provision | Good |
Full inspection: Inadequate
| Personal development | Good |
|---|---|
| Quality of education | Good |
| Behaviour and attitudes | Requires improvement |
| Leadership and management | Inadequate |
| Sixth form provision | Good |
