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Primary education

Join our Primary Education forum to discuss starting school and helping your child get the most out of it.

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Original poster

KAS // King Alfred School NW11 Academics

7 replies

happyyppah · 26/08/2023 12:36

Hi, hoping to hear from any current KAS parents. I love the school's ethos and holistic education but hoping this isn't at the detriment of the academic offering. Do they stretch the more academic students in both lower and senior school? Are the teacher receptive to this? Do any children sit 7+ or 11+ and subsequently leave the school for more academically selective schools? I think KAS is a fantastic school on paper/when visiting but want to make sure my child has a holistic education, whilst reaching their academic potential and, if we felt it wasn't right, would we be severely on the back foot applying for other schools at 7+/11+? We totally buy into the KAS education but it's always that what if... thanks in advance for any comments/insights.

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mycoffeecup · 27/08/2023 21:04

It's not there for academics. Largely full of kids of very wealthy and/or famous parents. Earning a living isn't going to be an issue. Any parents who are interested in academics tutor.

KASmom23 · 15/11/2023 11:47

I wonder if mycoffeecup has actually first hand experience. Very shallow argumentation.

As a KAS parent I could not be happier. My child joined in Year 7 after looking at many, many secondary schools. KAS seemed unique in its ethos and it has not disappointed. Our naturally curious child is thriving socially and academically. Her friends are down to earth and kind. She enjoys learning and is getting a lot from the lessons, no need for tutoring and yet achieving fantastic results across all subjects. She is an independent learner, and KAS has nurtured this aspect even further. Another thing to note is that many teachers choose to send their kids there as well, because they believe in the school, so the assertion that it's largely full of celeb kids is wrong, actually they are the minority and even if that was the case, the majority of the kids at KAS are nice and care about their education. However, you need to truly believe in the ethos and trust the different, low pressure approach. If you need old fashioned structures, detentions, and teaching methods, this school is not for you.

IamTabasco · 20/11/2023 21:16

Can I ask where you sent your child for reception please? Do you think reception at KAS is okay too? I need to decide this month if I should send my child to KAS for reception next year and I’d be grateful for some feedback

Original poster

happyyppah · 21/11/2023 11:18

@IamTabasco we did send our little one to KAS for reception and are very happy with the decision. I couldn't think of a better school environment for a child to begin their formal education. My child is very happy and is being supported very well both academically and pastorally. The teachers are incredible and genuinely know each and every child. Good luck with your decision making, I know they have a lot of siblings in next year's cohort, so well done on getting a place.

OP posts:

StKEssie · 02/12/2023 21:45

Hi, My kids attended King Alfred's for 5 years and we were very happy for the primary years, less so for senior, before we moved. My children all have learning challenges-autism, dyslexia and other things going on! I would strongly recommend King Alfred's but perhaps only if your children have complex profiles like mine. They all had fellow classmates with similar diagnoses, so the school definitely are very open to taking on kids like mine. We couldn't get into any other private school in NW London so were very grateful they took us! My friend however, whose kids are now at Oxford, and medical school took them out for senior as she didn't feel King Alfreds was able to support more traditional paths. But from my experience, if your children don't fit into other models of schools, then it is somewhere where all sorts of kids can feel at home. Sure the parents can be challenging -there really were lots and LOTS of celebs (far more than anywhere else locally but perhaps it's got better recently), lots of huge multi-generational wealth, and lots of people wanting to fit into those worlds, but I just stayed clear, and kept myself to myself!

mycoffeecup · 03/12/2023 15:11

I've always been unimpressed with the behaviour of KAS students when seen in a group - loud, rude, uncaring of the public around them....................

77summers · 06/04/2025 11:56

Hi there,

Looking for current parents of this school, how do they approach SEN, and also do they have a transport shuttle buses. I'm also interested to hear where do the children end up after 6th form. Would they fit around a SEN child that is also highlly academic? Is there any bullying and how they deal with it?

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