Concerns about KAS – Behaviour, Standards & Culture

[LondonMumdon]

Hi all,
I’m a Year 7 parent at King Alfred School and wanted to share some growing concerns, in case others have experience with the school — or with the alternative state options nearby.

We recently received a message from the school about inappropriate and discriminatory behaviour on WhatsApp among some Year 7 pupils. While it’s good that the school addressed it, I’m concerned that this is part of a wider pattern of poor behaviour and a lack of structure.

From what I’m hearing — both from my daughter and from others in the year group — there’s very little accountability in lessons. Teachers are often undermined, and bright children aren’t being challenged. There don’t seem to be real consequences for things like persistent lateness or disruption, and overall the academic standard feels worryingly low.

Socially, the culture among pupils is troubling too — a lot of snobbery and competitiveness, with a focus on money and status, but not much awareness of values or real-world skills.

We only chose KAS because we hoped it would provide strong academic and personal development in a creative, supportive setting — but I’m hearing that quite a few families are now moving their children to high-performing state schools in Barnet, where the standards are proving to be much higher.

If anyone here has children at KAS, or has made the move to one of the Barnet state schools, I’d really appreciate any insights or perspective. We’re trying to make sense of what’s best going forward.

Thanks 🙏

KAS has always been like this. What is it your were looking for? KAS has a lot of spoilt wealthy children and a lot of neuro- diverse children who would or have struggled elsewhere. It has always been a very free thinking school with low levels of discipline with the ethos that children will regulate themselves. if you put this together with the general decline in children’s behaviour in schools generally then you get exactly as you have described

The state schools in Barnet are generally good and you’d struggle to find any that aren’t but they’ll be heavy on the discipline and still have fairly poor low level messing about and attitude. This tends to level out by the end of about year 9 and year 10 & 11 they knuckle down because for the most part they’re kids who want to pass their exams and do well.

Bluntly, OP - @tralalal is exactly right. KAS has never been a school that offers 'strong academics'! It's known to be low on discipline, high on creativity/self expression, with a very, very wealthy student body and all that brings.

There are other private schools that DO offer strong academics together with a creative, supportive setting - Highgate springs to mind - and there are some amazing Barnet state schools of course.

But I think in any school, however brilliant, there will be times where behaviour is called into question, particularly around pupil whatsapps groups etc. A decent school will educate the kids and stamp out inappropriate behaviour quickly - so I wouldn't get too worried about an isolated episode like this. That said, I wouldn't pick KAS for my kids - sorry if that's hard to hear and I do know families who love it, but there's no way I'd be paying that amount of money for that 'education'.

I'm not sure what you expected to be honest? KAS has always and will always be like this. Y7s everywhere are notorious for this sort of thing, Y8-11 will bring other challenges but parents who want a more structured environment move to normal schools in Y7. KAS is notorious at expecting things to sort themselves out at all stages.
If you have a girl, maybe look at Parli, if a boy, look at Fortismere. Both of those are similar in ethos so won't be a huge difference but a bit more structured. Put in year applications in and see what comes back.

This is making me a bit nervous as DD is going to KAS in September. She is academic (she got offers for Highgate and South Hampstead to give you a sense) but we are not wealthy - we are trading off private school for other things because our state options aren’t good (not Barnet).

We chose KAS as DD loved the more laid back vibe and outcomes don’t look bad for a mixed cohort. I’d heard about its reputation but there is a “bit of something” about just about every school we considered. We also know a perfectly normal professional family with perfectly lovely (older)kids there. Our prep weren’t worried either. Can you say a bit more about what the bullying and discriminatory WhatsApp group refers to? She’s got lots of friends and is v calm by nature so I’m worried we’ve signed her up to Lord of the flies.

@Peardropsandlollipops - I honestly wouldn't worry too much about behaviour on a whatsapp group. I have three teenagers - the eldest about to go off to uni in the autumn - and these issues sometimes inevitably occur. Main thing is that the school handles it sensibly, and the kids learn what is appropriate or not for this type of communication.

What I WOULD worry about, in all honesty, is if KAS is the right place for your daughter if she's very academic. I would contact the admissions offices of other schools during this last week of term, and talk to them about waiting lists in September - there is usually some movement. Good luck!

Thanks daisy day

I’m more comfortable about the academic side. DD is bright, self motivated and looking at KAS’s GCSE outcomes they do well at 7-9 in science/maths/arts (for a mixed intake) which is where she is already appears to show strengths. It’s a mild preference of ours to be in mixed ability school having been at a competitive girls school myself.

I am much more worried if “inappropriate and discriminatory culture” in social media is code for sexual bullying, racism etc. As you say, things go wrong at school and it’s how school deals with them that matters. So I’m interested to know what’s gone on because the OPs description of people withdrawing children suggests there has been something ineffective in the response so people have lost confidence. Culture and values matter quite a lot I think.

The WhatsApp stuff is fairly standard across most schools and they seem to be dealing with it ok. I would want to know about the behaviour in years 7-9 and whether lessons are disprupted. Remember the grades 7-9’s will be topped up with tutors for the majority of kids.

Agreed Tralalal

And sorry for hijacking so much @LondonMumdon sounds like you are in a difficult position. Good luck working it through.

I think you're crazy turning down those other schools for KAS. So much so, I don't actually believe this is a real story.

I won’t address the rude petty comment above with a direct reply. I have secondhand embarrassment that someone would accuse me of lying because I’m nervous seeing negative comments about a school my child will be attending. I’ll just say different people value different things.

I have a bright daughter but that’s not all that she is. I’m sure she’ll do well academically because she is curious and hard working, so we thought about the kind of atmosphere which would make her happiest. For what it’s worth King Alfred’s and Highgate were joint favourites for us and we didn’t bank on getting either. We also applied to Northbridge House because of it didn’t have a pressurised culture which we thought would suit her. I’m sure NBH causes palpitations for the petty, snobbish poster full of accusations!

As per my last post sorry for dominating your thread OP as it sounds like you have a real dilemma. You haven’t come back to the thread but if you feel able to PM I’d be interested in understanding your experience as an incoming parent.

Different people do value different things @Peardropsandlollipops - but I think most parents choosing between Highgate and KAS for an academic kid would pick Highgate hands down - that’s probably why people are questioning! You just have to compare the gcse, A-level and uni destinations to see that….

Yes, KAS is way more artsy and ‘relaxed’ but Highgate is also very strong on co-curricular areas, particularly music and art.

@daisydayandnight I don’t mind your comments at all and don’t think you’ve been rude. We thought really carefully about where DD would go and sought out different opinions on KAS - the main reason I jumped on the thread because knowing what current parents think is really useful.

It’s the previous poster who suggested I was lying and crazy who I think has crossed a line and is a bit pathetic.

Thanks @Peardropsandlollipops - and yes, agree it’s not great other posters questioning if you’re telling the truth!

For balance, I do have friends with children at KAS who absolutely love it! Personally it wouldn’t be right for my kids/what I value in a school - but we are all different as you say! Life’s rich tapestry and all that 😀

Any update? Thanks

@AnnaRLN It might be better to start a new thread to get answers tailored to your ds or dd