King Alfreds, Golders Green

[Thorn79]

Hi, just wondering if anyone has up to date information on KAS? I know the new head Robert is shaking things up (for the better I think though I'm sure not all agree!) and that the LS head is great however I still have some concerns. Anyone out there with a child in the Senior School of KAS and happy there?
Thank you!

Hi Thorn79,

We can't be of any help on this topic unfortunately as we're not familiar with the school but we're just dropping in to give your post a bump and see if anyone can help answer your question about KAS.

That's kind, thank you FlissMumsnet.

www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/kastonbury-2019-tickets-61786793964

I have little to add apart from that it’s the school summer fair tomorrow KAStonbury. It might be worth getting tickets and go to chat to people.

A summer fair undersells it somewhat. It’s a small festival.

Yes, we have a DC at King Alfred and are mostly happy with the school. It is low-stress and liberal, carrot and no stick, artsy, friendly, informal, chaotic, focus on enjoyment and participation rather than competition. It has a range of abilities (does not select by ability but is not easy to get into for year 7). It suits some children including ours very well.

What are your concerns / questions about the upper school?

My DD's boyfriend went there for 6th form - just left so maybe the regime will change if there's a new Head. He reckons it was a huge mistake for him. What he would say is that he got a shit A level education - he actually ended up with one A* for Art and two fails. It was fine with the Arts but not for anything very academic. He thought it was too liberal, not focused on getting the best performance out of the kids and full of famous people's not so bright, druggy, well off kids. A fuck load of drugs and entitlement.

I'm not being mean - that's what he would say. By the by, he is a totally lovely well rounded human being and totally feet on the ground - (and has a famous Dad). But next steps werent helped by his results.

Watching with interest

@Thorn79 Hi, I've a child in senior at KAS, very happy, was somewhere else for primary. Were there any particular things you wanted to know? Do DM me, happy to answer any questions!

Hi, we are relative newcomers to KAS having moved in Primary. There have been peaks and troughs, and we have had the same sorts of issues that you have at any school (speaking from professional experience) but they have been dealt with quickly and with genuine consideration. It is not an exams factory, and if my kids were persistently unmotivated, reticent or disruptive/ attention-seeking, they would need to be somewhere else. The teaching is cooperative and supportive, the class sizes are small; engaged kids who want to learn, irrespective of their ability (although obviously, some kids are just more able than others) are stretched and do seem to flourish. There absolutely is homework, at all levels, it's not a total free-for-all. I think the kids love it because they fell listened to and not like they are fighting the system all the time. Overall, we're all very happy there.

Lovely school.

I was personally acquainted with a staff member many years ago and went to a couple of school events. My friend's children were both KAS pupils and really liked it.

I didn't live anywhere near KAS (think opposite end of London), but had I been nearer I would certainly have considered the school for mine.

It is liberal but 'liberal' comes at the cost of academic success, which other private schools will probably deliver on, so you are more likely to have full return on your investment elsewhere if this is important to you.
Unless I am missing something I have not seen in the past few years any distinct, ground shaking initiatives from above. Head seems a bit 'blah' and generally weak. Seems that the the way to deal with difficult stuff is to get rid of the problem.
I think it's a bit of a bubble really and trying to sell tranquility and peacful all-freindly community, but really there are many issues and shit they have to deal with like any other school. It's not that sterile.

Betzy, the school's approach is different, and it is not right for every child and certainly not parents who believe the stick is the only way to get results

Your logic is flawed, and I believe a neutral observer would conclude that you are also proven wrong by the facts when you say “It is liberal but 'liberal' comes at the cost of academic success”

The fresh 2019 GCSE results: over a third of results at grades 9 and 8 and half at grades 9-7. Overall, 96% of results were graded 9-4

What you must of course keep in mind that the school is not academically selective – it achieves this with a mix of abilities

The school’s approach is not a good fit for all children – but it can be great if an informal, pleasant and encouraging atmosphere inspires curiosity and work rather than slacking off.

You can stick with the stick if you wish - but some children will respond better to carrots, whether or not that is the ethos you prefer as a parent.

KAS has very good academic results.