In Kerrison House, we aim to provide a happy, caring and supportive environment in which boys from around the world and from diverse social backgrounds can grow and mature. The atmosphere that we try to encourage is one of an extended family; each member of the House is encouraged to respect one another and learn to live in a community. Each individual is given the tools and strategies to achieve his full potential and to develop, through education, communication and example, a set of transferrable and life-long standards, skills and values that will empower and facilitate success in the real world. We believe in fortitude, integrity, diligence and compassion and try to embody these traits in all that we say and do. Ultimately, we hope that through unrelenting guidance and care, pupils will learn to respect themselves and all those with whom they come in contact both now and in the future.
Meet the Housemaster: Steve French
I took over as Housemaster in September 2015 having taught at the College for the previous year and been a tutor in Stradbroke House. Prior to this, I worked in the maintained sector for ten years. I also spent 2011-2014 working at the British International School, Shanghai (now Nord Anglia International School, Shanghai) where I was Head of Upper School and taught English (KS3/IGCSE) and was Head of Film for the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme. Here at Framlingham, I teach English to A-level and am the Coordinator for the Extended Project Qualification. I founded the Framlingham College Film Society and run the badminton programme. I’m a keen musician and have played lead/rhythm guitar and keyboards in bands for many years. I love reading, am an avid cinemaphile and enjoy playing football, badminton and road cycling. I’m married to Laura, ballet teacher at the Framlingham College Prep School, and former professional dancer. Together, we have three children Emilia, George and newborn Molly. Our four-year-old cockapoo, Luna, is the official Kerrison House mascot!
History of Kerrison
Possibly the most important of the College’s founders was Sir Edward Kerrison. He was the eldest son of a General who fought at Waterloo and in 1852 he succeeded his father as M.P. for Eye, overseeing the creation of a branch railway line to his constituency. Clearly the apophthegm noblesse oblige applies to Sir Edward as he took an active part in many aspects of Suffolk life – described as ‘a great friend of the agricultural labourers’, he was a good judge of livestock and a formidable huntsman.
Within weeks of the Prince Consort’s death, he and his wife Lady Caroline conceived the idea of using the Hitcham bequest to enable the College to be founded in Albert’s memory. Sir Edward played a leading part in the campaign to raise money, personally contributing £2,500. This figure was by some distance the largest single sum given towards the cost of the building, showing a generosity later matched in 1886 when Lady Caroline gave a further £500 to help the College out of a financial crisis. He continued to take an active interest in the College as Vice-President of the Corporation for more than twenty years and briefly acting as President of the Corporation before his death in 1886.
