27th November 2020 — Framlingham College features in The Cricketer Schools Top 100 Guide for the 5th year running.

Framlingham College is delighted to announce we have been placed in the top 100 senior schools in The Cricketer Schools Guide 2021 for the 5th year running.

It follows an exhaustive process which saw a record number of schools submit entries to be included in the guide, despite the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. All entries were judged against an extensive set of criteria, which included a compelling commitment to cricket in the curriculum, facilities, fixture programmes and coaching.

The Cricketer magazine editor Simon Hughes said: “This year’s Schools Guide is particularly important in showcasing our schools who have kept the game alive through a very challenging summer. Whether it has been remote video sessions, drills in the garden or even Zoom quizzes, schools cricket has emerged resolutely from this pandemic and the appetite to get back out on the playing fields is palpable. There should be deserved praise for all the teachers, coaches and volunteers who have put in so much hard work, in the most difficult of circumstances, to preserve a love of the game among the next generation. Congratulations to all of the schools included and we look forward to hearing about all of your future successes.”

Framlingham College’s Head of Cricket, Chris Gange, who joined from Millfield School in September 2017, has been steadily working to elevate the status and standard of cricket at the College. He commented, “This is a fabulous achievement for the School. The quantity of time allocated to training is critical and we have increased both training as a team and 1:1 coaching for our scholars and county representatives all year round. We are fortunate to have both of the Level 3 coaches in the region (the highest qualification) coaching at Framlingham College.”

Securing the most challenging competitive fixtures is also key. For example, last year the first team were playing and winning against Cambridge University pre-season as well as Suffolk County sides, the Essex Academy and Northamptonshire. Chris says, “We may have spent more time travelling but it has been worth it to play the best sides to constantly improve our game.”

Framlingham College has an excellent reputation within the sport. The College has been chosen as the only Marylebone Cricket Club Foundation Hub in Suffolk for 2020, the third year running, providing free coaching to state-educated 11 to 15-year-olds. The Hubs, of which there are now 55 across the country, are the flagship programme of the MCC Foundation and aim to raise the profile of cricket amongst state-school pupils and enable those players with talent to reach district and county youth age group standards. In 2019, 49% of youngsters said they had little to no opportunity to play cricket at their school.

In January 2021, the College will host the next Hub course which will be 10 weeks of intense, indoor cricket training delivered using MCC coaches and facilities totally free of charge in order to open up access to the talent pathways to ensure that any young person can reach their full potential in the game regardless of gender or background. There has been an overwhelming response to this and trials will being in January.

For more information on the MCC Hub at Framlingham College, please contact Chris Gange, Head of Cricket on cgange@framlinghamcollege.co.uk.

- Ends -

19th October 2020 —

General, The Lord Dannatt GCB, CBE, MC, DL to be guest preacher at The Service of Remembrance at Framlingham College, 8th November, 2020.

Richard Dannatt was a soldier for forty years concluding his military career as Chief of the General Staff – the professional head of the British Army. In 2011 he became an independent member of the House of Lords. He is a frequent commentator on defence and security issues in the media.

He was awarded the Military Cross (MC) during his second tour granted in recognition of "an act or acts of exemplary gallantry during active operations against the enemy on land".

Framlingham College remembers the 250 pupils of the College that gave their lives as soldiers during the First and Second World Wars each year.

250 poppies will be laid on the alter and the College Chapel Bell will sound 250 times in honour. Our U6th pupils will also tie 250 red scarves to the apple trees on the South Lawn at the front of Framlingham College as a fitting visual display and reminder for whole school on Armistice and the week of Remembrance.

This year, will be the first year that it has been live streamed which has the advantage of being able to enable a broader community of Old Framlinghamians (OF), Governors, Pupils and Parents to view the service. Only a very small number of guests will be permitted due to the safety guidance from the Government. Our guests will include the Chair of Governors, Air Vice Marshal Bill Rimmer CB, OBE.

An OF Olivia Castel will be singing a Vera Lynn song as part of the service.

3 members of pupil body that fought in the World Wars were awarded the Victoria Cross which are now housed in The Imperial War Museum.

LIEUTENANT GORDON MURIEL FLOWERDEW VC (1894-99) - Awarded VC for cavalry charge in March 1918, in France, from which he died of his wounds the following day. This was thought to have been the last cavalry charge in military history.

LANCE CORPORAL WILLIAM HENRY HEWITT VC (1894-1900) - Awarded VC for attack on pillbox in September 1917. He died in 1966 in Cheltenham, UK;

CAPTAIN AUGUSTUS (GUS) WILLINGTON SHELTON AGAR VC DSO RN (1902-03) - Awarded VC for attack on Russian navy in June 1919 at Kronstadt, Russia. Went on to write a number of books on his Navy experiences. Died in 1968.

The Memorial in the College Chapel displays the names of all those that gave their lives. The inscription reads:

THINE EYES SHALL SEE THE KING IN HIS BEAUTY. THEY SHALL BEHOLD THE LAND WHICH IS VERY FAR OFF

In thankfulness to God for the return of peace and to the undying memory of those Old Boys of this School who gave their lives for Justice for the Liberty of the World and for their King and Country.

19th October 2020 — The MCC Foundation (MCCF) Cricket programme aims to raise the profile of cricket amongst state-school pupils and enable those players with talent to reach district and county youth age group standards.

It provides high-quality coaching, free of charge, to promising state school-educated cricketers between the ages of 11 and 15.

MCC Foundation says, “We want to reach the unreached and provide opportunities where they are most needed”.

MCCF Hub in Suffolk

Framlingham College is to host the only MCC Foundation Cricket Hub in Suffolk in January 2021. The closest Hubs will be Norwich, Cambridge and Essex.

Who are the Hubs open to?

The Hubs are open to talented and motivated state-school players who face cultural, social or financial barriers to joining a cricket Club and/ or lack the additional opportunities and support systems required to progress into representative squads. They must not represent a County Cricket Club at present to be invited to the trial. They must be nominated by their current school or non-county cricket club

What will this Hub offer?

This will offer 10 weeks of intense, indoor cricket training delivered using the Framlingham College coaches and facilities totally free of charge in order to open-up access to the talent pathways to ensure that any young person can reach their full potential in the game regardless of gender or background.

Next steps if you are interested in applying:

The Foundation will be holding open trials for boys and girls between 11 and 15 on Sunday 29th November at Framlingham College for children nominated by either their school or non county level cricket club.

Training to start in January

From the trial, 20-24 players will be selected for each age group who will then gain access to a 10 x 1.5 hour weekly winter programme of sessions at Framlingham College with top level coaches including Chris Gange, Level 3 Coach, current elite playing full member of the MCC and Head of PE at Framlingham College.

For more information contact Chris Gange, Framlingham College. cgange@framlinghamcollege.co.uk

16th July 2020 — The Chairman of Governors, Bill Rimmer, and Principal of Framlingham College, Louise North, are delighted to announce the appointment of Mr Jonathan Egan as the new Head of Framlingham College Prep School from September 2021.

Jonathan is currently the Deputy Head of Bedford Prep School, overseeing all aspects of school life, with a particular focus on Pastoral, Curriculum and Teaching &Learning development. He also teaches Mathematics and coaches a number of the school’s sports teams. Previously, he was Head of Mathematics and then Director of Studies at King’s College School, Wimbledon. Mr Egan holds a Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership and Management from the University of Roehampton.

From a strong field, Jonathan emerged as the outstanding candidate, impressing the selection panel as a dynamic educationalist, with a consistent record of delivering meaningful change and progress. He has extensive experience of prep school management in a ‘through school’ setting and an astute understanding of how to pursue academic ambition within a rounded, holistic education.

Mr Egan says: “It is a delight and honour to be asked to lead Framlingham College Prep School. I am excited to build on the school’s long tradition for outstanding education and to be part of the future outlined in the College’s inspiring ‘Vision 2025’.”

Jonathan is married to Felicity and they have three young children, “From our first visit to the Prep School, we were struck by the warm and friendly atmosphere and the tremendous opportunities available to the pupils. We are thrilled to be joining the community and look forward very much to getting to know the pupils, parents and staff over the course of the next three terms.”

Martin Myers-Allen, a long-standing member of the College staff and former Head of the Prep School, will be Acting Head for the academic year 2020/21. During this time Mr Egan will be in close contact with the Prep School and there will be a number of opportunities for parents and pupils to meet him before he takes up residence in Suffolk.

10th July 2020 — Framlingham College is thrilled to announce that Marty Gionis, who left in 2019, has been shortlisted for the “Rising Star of the Year” category at the Independent Schools of the Year Awards 2020.

The Rising Star of the Year award is given to a student currently being educated in a UK independent school or British International School, or who has recently left, who has achieved significant success in any aspect of their life and school career. Criteria included how the candidates may have overcome adversity or materially exceeded normal expectations for their background and age. This may, but will not necessarily, include national or international success in a particular field or some other service or contribution which has had a quantifiably positive impact on their school and/or the wider community.

Marty is an exceptionally talented musician who joined Framlingham College for the Sixth Form with the help of a Pembroke Scholarship.

During his time in the Sixth Form, Marty took every musical opportunity that he possibly could and was always passionately interested in all aspects of the life of the music department.

He was a member of Aldeburgh Young Musicians (a Centre for Advanced Training) and joined the National Youth Jazz Orchestra.

As soon as he joined in Year 12 he made an immediate impact on the life of the whole school. He displayed leadership in rehearsals and performances, and in the way he supported and tried to enthuse other musicians. His creative contributions to a wide range of musical events were incredibly imaginative and risky at times. But through perseverance and the most incredible work ethic, he was able to realise even the most virtuosic and mature performances. Playing two trumpets at once while being accompanied by his own videoed arrangement of himself playing every part in a big band arrangement (on every instrument) was inspirational, exciting and humbling at the same time.

Marty has left a legacy of creative minds that feel safe realising big ideas, and his gentle kind and extremely modest disposition are all facets of his character that pupils still aim to emulate. He showed our whole College community that anything is possible if you believe in your idea and are willing to work hard.

Marty studied A Level Music, Physics and French and got a distinction in Grade 8 Trombone while he was in the Sixth Form. He is now studying Jazz Trombone at Trinity Laban Conservatoire.

Director of Music, Lucy Bloore, comments: “Marty's joyful and curious approach to Music has had a lasting impact on the College. His talent and technical ability are impressive, but his influence is about more than being a virtuoso performer whom others admire. Marty has a thirst for musical experience, and a creative approach that is inclusive and outward looking. He has inspired pupils to think creatively, and to find ways to achieve the sound or effect they want. This has been particularly evident during this year as he is not physically with us, but I can see students developing through a similar approach. He is quite extraordinary as a performer and a rounded musician, and he has helped us to break musical boundaries by achieving what seems to be impossible! We were lucky to have been part of Marty's musical journey, and he should be proud of the legacy he has left behind. “

Framlingham College has an excellent musical pedigree and over the years has produced some exquisite classical singers, famous singer songwriters and award-winning composers. Marty joins the list and we can’t wait to see what his future holds.

The Independent Schools of the Year Awards are judged by an independent panel of experts with the results being announced in October 2020.

16th March 2020 — Framlingham College is thrilled to announce that one of the their teams, Titanic Investments, is through to the National Final of the Student Investor Challenge.

· 36,860 students traded in 9847 teams of four (35,196 UK students in 8799 teams, 1,664 international students in 416 teams) from 996 schools (948 UK, 48 international)

· 500 teams made it to the semi-final

· Only the top 8 teams make it to the final

A team of four Year 12 students – from Framlingham College, Suffolk have battled their way into the Student Investor Challenge finals, beating over 9,800 teams from schools around the UK and abroad.

The Student Investor Challenge, run by The London Institute of Banking & Finance, challenges teams of schoolchildren to invest virtual money on the London Stock Exchange and trade stocks and shares to make a profit.

Titanic Investment, consisting of students Arthur O., Ben S., Tom C. and Theo S., successfully invested their virtual money and finished in the top 500 teams to make it to the semi-finals. They then battled the semi-finalist teams to make the final eight. They’ll take part in the final in London, later in the year.

Bill Bethell, Titanic Investment’s teacher of economics and business, said “The Student Investor competition has caused a real buzz around the sixth from. It has been a tricky time predicting the extent to which the stock market would drop. Titanic Investments made some great tactical decisions over the timings of some of their predictions which resulted in reaching the national final. They thoroughly deserve their place in the final as they consistently managed their portfolio during the competition period.”

Catherine Winter, Managing Director of Financial Capability at The London Institute of Banking & Finance, says:

“This competition is a powerful way of engaging young people with how the finance sector works and relating it to everyday life. By bringing stocks and shares to life through a trading game, young people have proved they can grasp how economies work and the basics of investment.

“Only 8 teams have made it to the final, beating thousands of teams around the UK and abroad. That’s an astonishing achievement; and we wish them the best of luck for the final stage later this year!”