King Alfred School

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This article does not cite any references or sources. (July 2007)
Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unverifiable material may be challenged and removed.

This article or section is written like an advertisement.
Please help rewrite this article from a neutral point of view.
Mark blatant advertising which would require a fundamental rewrite in order to become encyclopedic for speedy deletion, using {{db-spam}}. (July 2007)

This article or section reads like a news release, or is otherwise written in an overly promotional tone.
Please help rewrite this article from a neutral point of view to be less promotional.
Where appropriate, blatant advertising may be marked for speedy deletion with {{db-spam}}.

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	www.kingalfred.org.uk

The King Alfred School was founded in London, England, 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).

1 Community attitudes
2 Events and traditions
3 Departments
4 Exam results
5 Notable alumni
6 References

[edit] Community attitudes

King Alfred School stresses close ties between teacher and student.^[1]

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 however the actual strength of this "body" has been questioned.

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 lunch time from which the proceeds go towards charity.

The school’s liberal attitude has attracted many creative individuals to send their children. Represented among King Alfred School’s parents are actors (Clive Owen, Thandie Newton), TV personalities (Jonathan Ross, Richard and Judy), musicians (Annie Lennox, Liam Gallagher, Emma Kirkby), architects, producers, Directors (Stephen Frears, Stephen Hopkins), politicians (Lynne Featherstone) and university professors.

[edit] Events and traditions

[edit] Departments

At GCSE level students are required to study English language, English literature, Mathematics, Double science/Triple 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, modern history, geography, chemistry, biology, physics, mathematics, further mathematics, music, theatre studies, media studies, business studies, CDT and IT.

Advanced Extension Award (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.