What I REALLY Learnt at School - Alfredian Voices

In this episode over a Zoom call, Tamlyn Worrall speaks with Wendy Jago, a psychotherapist, teacher, and Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) practitioner. Wendy shares insights from her career, discussing the practical applications of NLP and her long-standing desire to create NLP resources for children. She reflects on her time at King Alfred School, recounting vivid memories of influential teache...

How does a "painfully shy" student who struggled with O-Level English end up leading global communications for Coca-Cola? In this episode, Development Director Tamlyn Worrall sits down with Carol Essex (OA 1986) to trace a journey that spans from the pottery classroom of North London to the boardrooms of Bahrain and the communities of central Africa. This episode is a must-listen for anyone intere...

In this episode, Old Alfredian Ali Kazimi sits down with Tamlyn Worrall to reflect on a transformative journey through King Alfred School. Arriving with limited English and navigating a completely new cultural landscape, Ali shares how the school’s ethos of respect, individuality, and open discussion helped him find his voice. From lively debates to unexpected moments of encouragement, these forma...

In this episode of What I Learned at School - Alfredian Voices, Heather Roberts has an informal conversation with Old Alfredian Dana Karic, Class of 2003, about her enduring memories and experiences at King Alfred School. Dana reminisces about building the first treehouse with her peers and constructing a boat, highlighting both the physical scars and the pride these projects brought. She delves i...

In episode 17 of Alfredian Voices, Stephen Brandes (OA 1971) speaks with Tamlyn about his profound experiences at the King Alfred School. Stephen recounts his late entry into the School at age 12, navigating the tightly knit KAS community, but still being warmly welcomed and forming lasting friendships with fellow Alfredians. As a former council member and past parent as well, Stephen is an Alfred...

In this episode of Alfredian Voices, Heather Roberts sits down with Old Alfredian Joe Leader, a professional musician who revisits his formative years at King Alfred School (KAS). Joe shares fond memories of 'The Axe Monsters,' an early collaborative musical performance, and reflects on how KAS's progressive and open-minded environment in the 80s and 90s nurtured his musical talents. Joe attribute...

In this episode of Alfredian Voices, Old Alfredian Juliet Mitchell shares her vivid and heartwarming memories of her time at King Alfred's School during World War II. Juliet recalls her initial experiences coming from New Zealand and describes the unique democratic governance of the school, which deeply influenced her personal values. Juliet highlights how the school's culture emphasized reading,...

In this episode of 'What I Really Learned at School, Alfredian Voices,' Old Alfredian Stephanie revisits King Alfred School, sharing her journey and reflections with Deborah Castillo. Stephanie recounts the heartwarming experience of reconnecting with past classmates and influential teachers.. They were pivotal in shaping not just her analytical skills but also her understanding of the world and t...

In this episode of 'What I Really Learnt At School, Alfredian Voices ', Old Alfredian Nick Nielsen delves into his formative years at King Alfred School. Reflecting on his journey that began in Reception, Nick shares how his mother's unique background in Brazil and her left-wing views led him to this creative and unconventional educational institution. Despite initial fears, his reception year gre...

In this episode of 'What I Really Learnt at School,' Heather interviews Sarah Eyles , about her experiences at the King Alfred School (KAS). Sarah reflects on the transformative impact KAS had on her, sharing how the school's unique environment and ethos instilled in her confidence and a sense of equality. She recounts fond memories of diverse educational activities ranging from academics to creat...

In this episode of 'What I Really Learnt at School', Tamlyn Worrall sits down with alum Richard Thomas. Known for directing the first Dalek stories of Doctor Who, Richard reminisces about his time at King Alfred School. He shares vivid memories of learning calligraphy, his experiences with teachers like Renée Soskin and Miss Marsh, and how attending the school helped him flourish after struggling...

In this episode, Helen Craig (OA 1950), renowned for her work on the Angelina Ballerina children's book series, reflects on her school days and the major influences that shaped her artistic career. This detailed narrative offers a deeper dive into Craig's educational experiences, the challenges she faced, and the inspirations she drew which set the foundation for her future work. From her vivid me...

In this engaging episode of 'What I Really Learnt at School - Alfredian Voices,'  Ian Lush, OBE candidly reflects on his challenging yet fulfilling journey during the COVID-19 pandemic. Recorded in early 2021 via Zoom with Tamlyn Worrall, Development & Alumni Relations Director at King Alfred School, Ian shares his experiences managing NHS charities amidst unprecedented circumstances. Ian shar...

In this episode, Tamlyn visits Sara in her London studio for an in-depth conversation about her unique creative process and life journey. Sara explains the fundamental basis of her art: the 'trickster whore' character derived from the Harlequin pattern and its roots in Italian comedy. Her work deconstructs female roles, societal expectations, and gender dynamics, using large-scale, textured painti...

In this episode, Preeyus shares his profound journey of growth, learning, and self-discovery at King Alfred School. He emphasizes the unique, open environment of the school that allowed him to overcome the constraints often found in traditional education systems. Having struggled with dyslexia, Preeyus found King Alfred’s supportive and flexible learning methods crucial to his success. The school...

In this episode, Honey Kinny Ross shares her cherished memories of King Alfred School, a unique educational environment in Central London. She recalls the school's sense of freedom and open space, highlighting experiences from playing in the mud as a child to lounging on the grass during summer breaks. Honey revisits her involvement in school musicals, particularly her fond memories of being the l...

In this episode, Esmond Harris MBE (Class of 1945), recounts his childhood fascination with trees, spurred by Sunday walks with his father in the Chilterns and his early exposure to sapling trees and their labels in the grounds of The King Alfred School. Despite a challenging early education, including evacuations and unsatisfactory prep schools, Esmond found his passion in forestry, guided by inf...

In this episode, Julian Anderson (Class of 1956) shares his memories and reflections on the unique educational philosophy and community spirit of KAS, comparing it with his experiences in other educational institutions and the broader world. He discusses the importance of small class sizes, individual attention, and a curriculum that encourages independent thought, leadership, and respect for othe...

An in-depth conversation with Richard Oblath, Class of 1970, discussing his upbringing, education, and career journey. Richard shares his educational journey with a particular emphasis on King Alfred School, where his initial values were instilled. He learned the importance of treating people equally, irrespective of their gender. He talks about how the inclusivity in the school atmosphere influen...

Julie, a former King Alfred's School student, describes moving to England in 1947 due to her father's deployment in the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF). Adapting to the climate and infrastructure of improvised army huts, she recalls her educational experience, emphasizing a variety of subjects and activities as an important part of King Alfred's learning model. She often played 'boys' parts' in...

Having been named in Forbes 30 under 30 in 2023, and recently invited to speak on a panel at Downing Street with Rishi Sunak, we caught up with Jordan, Co-Founder of Arcade Media to reflect on The King Alfred School’s impact on his successes. Jordan talks about the unique, individual-focused approach of his school that instilled in him a passion to experiment and try new things. He highlights bein...

Take a stroll down memory lane as we delve into the diverse experiences of former students from The King Alfred School in North London. In this podcast series, we bring you the firsthand accounts of Old Alfredians, each sharing their unique journey through education and the  invaluable lessons they've taken away. Our episode introductions are narrated by Amy Cash actress, VoiceOver artist and an O...