Page last updated: Monday 23 March 2020 at 16:31 GMT
The information below is published on behalf of the Principal, Louise North or the Senior Deputy Head, Susan Wessels and is correct at the timestamp above. Unless otherwise stated, the information applies to both schools, Senior and Prep.
This page is split into sections. Click the links below to jump to the relevant section:
Update from Louise North, Principal at 20:46 GMT on Friday 20 March 2020:
It is in times of adversity that we show our true character, and the determination and resilience shown by our community this week has been exceptional. Thank you to everyone for your support and positivity during this challenging time.
We know that the forthcoming period of separation is going to ask a great deal of all of us, from grasping and maximising the possibilities of Remote Teaching and Learning, to forging a very different routine, away from school, friends and colleagues. We are a strong community and I am already seeing inventive and creative ideas being developed to ensure that we stay connected.
Today the mood has been upbeat in both the Prep and Senior Schools. At the Senior School, we started the day with a hearty rendition of ‘Jerusalem’ followed by our own Easter Egg hunt. This afternoon at the Prep School, Welly-Wanging and Easter Egg hunting was a joyful and often hilarious coming together. As we leave our buildings today, we are as prepared as we can be to commence Remote Teaching and Learning. We are breaking new ground, so we understand that this programme will be subject to a constant process of review and evolution to ensure that it is meeting as fully as it can the needs of our pupils. As we go along we will be seeking feedback from parents, pupils and staff, starting at the end of next week.
Public Examinations
For pupils who were due to sit GCSEs, A Levels or Pre-U examinations, the information from today’s press conference has brought a little more clarity and I am attaching the link to the Government’s bulletin (https://www.gov.uk/government/news/further-details-on-exams-and-grades-announced). The key point is that our teachers will be asked by the exam boards to submit their judgement as to the grade they believe each pupil would have received if the exams had gone ahead. We are expecting clear guidance from Ofqual on how to do this fairly and robustly. It is reassuring to know that following the announcement this afternoon by the Secretary of State for Education, Gavin Williamson, the HMC was represented by Fiona Boulton and Sue Bishop at an online conference with Ofqual. This is the start of a longer engagement with the regulator to arrive at an equitable and just process for awarding grades at GCSE, A Level and Pre-U at the end of July.
My advice for all pupils, including those in Years 11 and 13, is to keep attending your lessons and stick to your work schedule. Once we know exactly what is required by the exam boards, our staff will adapt the focus of their teaching to suit what is needed. Please see the details from OCR (https://ocr.org.uk/news/coronavirus-advice/) and from AQA (https://www.aqa.org.uk/coronavirusupdates). Suffice to say that the work produced by pupils over the next few weeks and months does matter.
I hope that all of you will find time this weekend to take stock and to prepare yourselves for the week ahead. Please alert your child’s HM, Form Teacher or Tutor in the first instance if you have any concerns or queries; we are all here to help. As we live through these extraordinary times, we should remember that a true community is not just about being geographically close, it is about feeling connected to and responsible for others. I have no doubt that once we emerge from the difficult weeks ahead, the Framlingham College community will be stronger and more united than ever before.
Louise North
Principal
Letter sent to all parents from Lucy Flack on behalf of Louise North, Principal at 09:25 GMT on Wednesday 18 March 2020:
Please find below the Framlingham College Remote Learning Policy. The document will guide you through the plans that we have put in place to enable your child /children to continue learning from home.
Prep School Remote Learning Policy
Senior School Remote Learning Policy
The key points are as follows:
Years 7-13
> Pupils will follow their normal timetable.
> All staff and pupils have been trained in the use of Microsoft Teams and this will be the key method of teaching that we will use.
Years R-6
> Teachers will be in contact with their pupils by 8:30am every day outlining the plan for the day.
> Pupils will be given work to do each day which reflects what they would have done at school.
> Pupils are not tied to following their school timetable.
The policy gives you much more detail and I would encourage you to read it carefully. In case you need more guidance on the use of Microsoft Teams, our IT department will be on hand at helpdesk@framlinghamcollege.co.uk for specific advice. Please click here for a short introduction video to Microsoft Teams.
Should you have any queries or questions, please contact your child’s Form Teacher/Tutor in the Prep School or your child’s Housemaster/Housemistress at the Senior School.
– Ends –
If you require any further information, please contact Susan Wessels, Senior Deputy Head, who is co-ordinating the College’s response to the Coronavirus outbreak on 01728 723789 or email swessels@framlinghamcollege.co.uk.
As you will be aware, the advice regarding COVID-19 is changing regularly. As a precaution we are asking all visitors not to enter the school if they have developed:
Further information can be found on the government website at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-to-educational-settings-about-covid-19/guidance-to-educational-settings-about-covid-19.
Please call the College Reception on 01728 723789 or email reception@framlinghamcollege.co.uk for further details.
– Ends –
We have been closely monitoring the advice provided by Public Health England on the Coronavirus (COVID-19) and in the interests of members, staff, pupils and all users of Fram Leisure facilities we have decided to close the Centre from 10.00am on Tuesday 17th March until further notice. This includes all users of the Fram Leisure facilities, the Community Swimming Programme and hiring of all external sports facilities.
We are understandably sorry to have to take this decision and will keep the situation under constant review with the intention of re-opening when it is safe to do so. Thank you for your understanding and do contact us if you require further information.
– Ends –