Founded in 1864 in memory of Prince Albert and incorporated by Royal Charter. The school is set in 85 acres, in the historic market town of Framlingham, overlooking the Mere and Castle and close to the Suffolk Coast. The original buildings have been much altered and added to and are now well equipped. The school has a new theatre, state-of-the-art design and technology centre and a well-equipped library; its sports facilities include a leisure centre housing an indoor swimming pool, sports and fitness complex, golf course, tennis courts and floodlit astroturf pitch. The associated prep school, Brandeston Hall, is close by. Religious worship in the Anglican tradition is encouraged. The academic expectations are high and exam results consistently good. Founded as a boys' school, it has accepted girls since 1976 and its commitment to co-education allows for a natural family atomsphere; courtesy, care and trust are encouraged. It is strong in music and drama and there is an extensive range of sports and games, in which high standards are achieved. There is an active CCF contingent (with navy, army and RAF sections) and most pupils participate in the Duke of Edinburgh's Award.
Pupils: Age range 13-18, 435 pupils; 195 day (115 boys, 80 girls), 240 boarding (140 boys, 100 girls). Entrance: Main entry ages 13 and 16. Common Entrance and interview; special tests and entry arrangements where not appropriate. For sixth-form entry, 7 GCSEs at least grade C, plus interview and report from current school; further tests in English and maths for candidates from overseas. No religious requirements; school is Church of England, but all other faiths welcomed. Majority of pupils from own prep, Brandeston Hall.
Range of scholarships awarded at 13 and 16, value up to 100% of fees (but may be supplemented by a bursary in case of proven need). Scholarships include academic, art, design & technology, music, drama, science, all-rounder, sixth-form. Bursaries available; reductions for children of armed forces. Parents not expected to buy textbooks; other extras minimal.
Headmaster: Paul Taylor, in post from 2009. Educated at Exeter University (history and politics). Previously Deputy Head at King's School (Canterbury). Also has played professional cricket for Surrey. Teaching staff: 53 full time, 9 part-time. Annual turnover 5%. Average age 37.
GCSE: 76 pupils in Year 11, 97% gaining at least grade C in 5+ subjects. A-levels: 78 in upper sixth, 24% passing in 4+ subjects; 70% in 3 subjects - achieving an average final point score of 379.
Almost all sixth-form leavers go on to a degree course (23% after a gap year).
GCSE, AS and A-levels. 25 GCSE subjects, 21 AS/A-level (including psychology). Sixth form: Most sixth formers take 4 subjects at AS-level, 3 at A-level; general studies is not taken. Vocational: Work experience available. Special provision: Special classes with specialist teachers for ESL with additional tutorial support; also help for dyslexia and provision for the particularly gifted. Languages: French, German and Spanish offered at GCSE, AS and A-level. ICT: Taught both as a discrete subject and across the curriculum. Many networked computers for pupil use (open all day), with email and internet access.
Music: Over 50% of pupils learn a musical instrument; instrumental exams can be taken. Musical groups, formal and informal, include choirs, choral society, barbershop, brass group, orchestra, wind band, rock bands, variety of ensembles. Concerts recently at Ely Cathedral and Saint-Martin à Lorgues (France). 3 pupils in Chorister of the Year finals in last 6 years. Drama: Offered at GCSE, AS and A-level theatre studies. School productions include a musical, a play and a junior play annually; recent productions include Songs from the 60s, Anything Goes. Art and design: On average, 54 take GCSE, 23 A-level. Frequent success in regional and national competitions.
Sport: Major games are rugby, hockey, cricket, athletics and tennis for boys, hockey, netball, tennis and athletics for girls. Other options include cross-country, golf, squash, soccer, badminton, basketball, rounders, swimming, archery, shooting, volleyball and table tennis. GCSE, AS and A-level in PE may be taken. Pupils regularly compete at county, divisional or national level, and teams reach the finals and win national competitions (eg hockey team, St George's Sixes). Activities: Range includes Duke of Edinburgh's Award, CCF, cookery, choral society, debating, equestrianism, aero-modelling, golf, charity competitions, formal house suppers.
Uniform: School uniform, modified in the sixth form, worn throughout formal part of the day. Houses and prefects: Competitive houses. Prefects, head of school, head boy/girl, head of prefects, and prefects - appointed by Headmaster and housemasters/mistress. Religion: Church of England. Religious worship encouraged. Social: Organised trips abroad; major expeditions programme eg to Bolivia, Namibia, Nepal.
Students are expected to present a good impression at all times, and their clothing (uniform and non-uniform), behaviour and demeanour are important ingredients in achieving this.
Seven fully-integrated boarding and day houses (three for girls and four for boys), same as competitive houses. Weekly or flexi-boarding possible.
Contact via Leigh Cunningham, Liaison Officer, Society of Old Framlinghamians, c/o the school
General Sir Patrick Howard Dobson (former ADC to the Queen); Captain G M Flowerdew VC; Captain A W S Agar VC DSO; Major W H Hewitt VC; N F Borrett (GB hockey captain, former world squash champion); J F Larter (cricket international); A Hancock (rugby international); Sir Alfred Munnings (artist); Ashley Cowan (England cricketer); Dr David Bull (TV presenter); Laura Wright (singer, member of All Angels).
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