King Alfred School

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King Alfred School

Motto	Ex Corde Vita
Established	1898
Type	Independent
Head	Dawn Moore M.A.
Faculty	94 including part-time
Students	Around 500
Grades	Reception - Year 13
Location	Golders Green, London, England
Website	http://www.kingalfred.barnet.sch.uk/index.html

1 History
2 Community Attitudes
3 Events and Traditions
4 Departments
5 Exam Results
6 Notable Alumni

[edit] History

The King Alfred School was founded in 1898 by a group of parents who believed in the then radical idea that boys and girls should be educated together in a secular environment that encouraged learning for its own sake. It wanted to provide an education that focused on what was best for the whole child, on the development of character and individuality. Its objective was to "help train up its scholars in the way of the good life, to help to fit them for effective work in the world, for effective sympathy and for effective joy." (John Russell, Head 1901-20).

[edit] Community Attitudes

King Alfred School stresses close ties between teacher and student.^[1] Throughout lower and middle school it is rare for a class to have more than 18 students. During the GCSE years most classes contain around 12 studens, most Sixth Form classes contain fewer.

Students and parents both play a role in determining school policy. Students can air their opinions through two venues: by annually electing members of Year 12 to the “School Six, who discuss issues with the school’s administration, and a weekly “Pupil’s Council”, an open forum attended by pupils and staff for the debate of issues and policy.

Though non politically affiliated, the KAS’s politics tend to the left, with the Liberal Democrats and Green Party making a strong showing in the school’s mock elections. Much emphasis is placed on charity and humanitarian work, with an annual Rag Week, frequent cake sales, and a concert held under Squirrel Hall every Monday lunch time from which the proceeds go towards charity.

The school’s liberal attitude attracts many creative individuals to send their children. Represented among King Alfred School’s parents are actors (Clive Owen), TV personalities (Jonathan Ross), musicians (Liam Gallagher) and architects, producers, and university professors.

[edit] Events and Traditions

[edit] Departments

At GCSE level students are required to study English language, English literature, mathematics, double science and either French or Spanish (though exceptionally dyslexic students are exempt from this). Optional choices include modern history, geography, music, drama, art, CDT, and photography.

At A level students may take English literature, French, Spanish, modern history, geography, chemistry, biology, physics, mathematics, further mathematics, music, theatre studies, media studies, business studies, CDT and IT.

AEAs are offered in a few subjects.

The school has recently built a large CDT studio on the Manor Wood Site, and has built a new maths department on the main site.

Though academic achievement is generally high in all departments, it is especially strong in photography, in which no student has ever achieved less than an A at GCSE or A level, music, where many students progress to Guildhall and other prestigious music institutes, and English, which last year saw all 5 students who sat the English literature AEA achieve a distinction.