What I REALLY Learnt at School - Alfredian Voices The King Alfred School

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 others beyond their titles or positions. He also reflects on how these experiences and values shaped his life, career, and worldview, emphasizing the importance of questioning authority, making informed decisions, and the value of community and family ethos in education.
This interview was conducted on a Zoom call between Tamlyn and Julian in 2021 during the pandemic. 
 
Julian's legacy, including a generous bequest to the school, reflects his gratitude and lasting impact on the King Alfred community. His passing in late 2022 marked the culmination of a life dedicated to honouring the school's values. We are deeply grateful for his contributions, which have enriched the lives of countless KAS students. 

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 influenced his worldview and interaction with people of varying backgrounds. This led him to nurture strong relationships within culturally diverse groups and engage in mentoring activities later in life, especially when he moved into the business world after his PhD.

Richard dives into his aspirations of becoming an engineer and making contributions to the energy industry, inspired by early moments in his life living opposite the first suspension bridge in the world. The conversation also provides glimpses of British society in the 60s and 70s, touching on the themes of feminism and LGBTQ+ rights. Oblath also shares poignant memories about his mother, who escaped Nazi Germany. The episode draws to an end with Richard expressing gratitude for his educational experiences, reflecting the substantial influence of King Alfred School.

This conversation takes place outside in the school garden.

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 drama courses and was the only girl in her cricket team. After leaving school, she studied at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts (RADA), pursued directing in a male-dominated theatre industry, and built a career in television. Julie credits much of her success and resilience to King Alfred's School's gender-inclusive environment and the encouragement to try everything.

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 being a part of multiple projects, and his early interaction with digital culture. Against societal norms, Jordan talks about leaving university after a term to focus on gaining practical experience in the creative industry instead. He shares his valuable experiences working at Vice, LAD, Roundabout and YMU that led him to starting his own agency, Arcade Media. He stresses the importance of work experience, the downfall of traditional education structures, and the promise of apprenticeships for the youth. He credits his school for providing the creative foundation for his career success to date.
 

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 Old Alfredian from the Class of 2020. Amy joined The King Alfred School (KAS) for Sixth Form.  Since KAS, she has gone on to train at Mountview Drama School and is pursuing a career in acting. Amy  kindly offered to lend us her voice and record the introductions for Alfredian Voices - with a little help from Dan in music. Make sure to watch out for an Amy shaped space on a stage or screen near you soon!