Framlingham College helps sixth formers enter adulthood confidently, says principal Louise North.
For parents, ensuring that their child leaves school ready to establish their place in an adult society is imperative.
At Framlingham College, we focus on understanding, guiding and inspiring each sixth former to find their voice, discover talents, grow confidence and challenge themselves to achieve more than they thought possible.
Through our diverse curriculum, tailored timetable structure, intimate class sizes, individualised ethos and vibrant activity programme, we inspire curiosity, self-development and critical thinking – equipping our pupils with the tools to thrive in an ever-changing world.
Our unique extended learning programme focusses on developing essential micro-skills, and with our plethora of clubs, pupils can feel assured as they venture into adult life.
From learning first aid with our MedSoc club, enhancing public speaking and debating skills with the politics society, understanding global issues with our MUN club, addressing climate change with our sustainability committee, or knowing how to re-attach a button to their school blazer with our sewing club – the skills gained from these ignites each pupil’s self-confidence.
“We talk about skills all the time in terms of the education but we also want our pupils to develop key life skills,” says Principal Louise North. “I’m sure plenty of employers would say that yes, you need grades on a piece of paper and they matter, but what also matters is that young people can look you in the eye and shake your hand, that they can think creatively, that they can be challenged on the spot, that they can think outside the box – those skills are just as valuable. Other essential skills like managing money to changing a tire on a car, through to cooking, it’s those skills that schools often forget about that are central to confidence and development ahead of adult life.”
We believe that everyone has the potential to be a leader, and our exceptional leadership programme is designed to ensure that leadership opportunities are experienced by all; from being a wellbeing ambassador, prefect, subject ambassador or charity committee member. In these roles, pupils have a voice on real world topics and a responsibility to bring effective, lasting change at Framlingham College.
We are a diverse international community with an entrepreneurial spirit, and we understand that our pupils’ time here is a pathway to their adult world. Alongside career aptitude testing, CV workshops and interview practice, our in-house Oxbridge co-Ordinator and UCAS advisors provide support for every pupil’s journey beyond Framlingham.
Talking about how we support pupils with career opportunities, future apprenticeship and life beyond university, Principal Louise North, said: “Everything we do right now is all for that next step, whatever that might be. The world is changing rapidly and the possibilities for our pupils when they leave school is extraordinarily vast. Our role is to support every pupil in whatever direction they want to go and to carve their own future pathway with determination and confidence.
“It used to be that if you didn’t head to university straight after school, that was a failure, which is so far from the truth. Every year we have pupils who go straight into employment, take on apprenticeships, start their own businesses, head off on gap years, head to university after their gap year or in the following September.
“In terms of universities, we are not a school that is worried about the number of Russell Group acceptances or where we rank on a league table because it is not about that, it is about our pupils finding their own individual path. From ancient history at Leeds, criminology and forensic science at Portsmouth, music production, business and games design at Nottingham Trent, zoology at Bristol, fine art at UAL, veterinary science at Cambridge, law at Oxford, economics at Exeter… it goes on and shows the wonderful breadth that we have here.
“Many pupils will change their mind and change it again, and that’s okay. We are here encourage every pupil to explore all avenues and interests.”
The world needs independent thinkers, risk takers and autonomous learners who can listen, debate, question and respectfully challenge others.
At Framlingham, we develop these skills in every pupil, ensuring that they leave us with the knowledge, confidence and empowerment to embrace their adult world, make a positive impact on society and in doing so, create their own story.
Discover Framlingham College Senior School on our next open day or book a private visit today.
