King Alfred School

Story

The King Alfred School is a co-educational independent school in Hampstead in North West London. It was founded in London in 1898. The school was radical when started in that it provided a secular education and that boys and girls were educated together.Today it remains true to its roots by providing a holistic educational experience that values equally academic achievement and personal development. It does so within an informal environment characterised by minimal rules that seeks to develop intrinsic rather than extrinsic motivation. In order to enable every individual to flourish, the school seeks to minimize unnecessary pressure and maximise a broad sense of well-being.AimIts aim is to "help train up its scholars in the way of the good life, to help to fit them for effective work in the world, for effective sympathy and for effective joy." (John Russell, Head 1901-20).ReceptionThe Good Schools Guide reviewed the school in the following terms: