Shows
What I REALLY Learnt at School - Alfredian VoicesThe VOICE of Sarah Eyles, Class of 1973In 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 creative arts and physical education. Sarah discusses her varied career path into the male-dominated field of IT and her passion for creative pursuits inspired by her well-rounded schooling. She highlights the supportive and progressive nature of...2025-05-1426 min
What I REALLY Learnt at School - Alfredian VoicesThe VOICE of Richard Thomas, Class of 1953In 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 earlier education.Richard also reflects on his acting career, including his role in the film 'Brief Encounter,' his work with the BBC, and his adaptation of Strindberg's p...2025-02-1219 min
What I REALLY Learnt at School - Alfredian VoicesThe VOICE of Helen Craig, Class of 1950In 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 memories of wartime education at Flint Hall Farm during evacuation to her later years at King Alfred School in Golders Green, Helen provides an evocative account of how these formative years contributed significantly to her becoming a...2025-01-2922 min
What I REALLY Learnt at School - Alfredian VoicesThe VOICE of Ian Lush OBE, Class of 1978In 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 shares a detailed account of his year, primarily spent working from home as the Chief Executive of Imperial Healthcare Trust and Chair of NHS Charities. He reflects on the early move to close their office, his role a...2025-01-1533 min
What I REALLY Learnt at School - Alfredian VoicesThe VOICE of Sara Berman, Class of 1993In 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 paintings to portray these themes.Sara shares her transition from a successful fashion design career to painting, driven by a desire for deeper creative expression and influenced by her early experiences in art at King Alfred...2024-11-2923 min
What I REALLY Learnt at School - Alfredian VoicesThe VOICE of Preeyus Patel, Class of 2009In 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 fostered his passion for science, guiding him beyond textbook learning to develop a deep passion for the subject. This holistic approach helped shape his career, leading him to become an Associate Director of Environment at a multinational engineering fir...2024-11-0612 min
What I REALLY Learnt at School - Alfredian VoicesThe VOICE of Honey Kinny Ross, Class of 2015In 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 lead in 'Into the Woods.' She also talks about the supportive environment, mentioning her favorite teachers who encouraged her passions for English and the arts. Honey discusses the founding of...2024-09-2515 min
What I REALLY Learnt at School - Alfredian VoicesThe VOICE of Esmond Harris MBE, Class of 1945In 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 influential teachers and experiences. The narrative unfolds his deep-seated love for woodwork, nurtured during his time at KAS, and highlights various school traditions, weekly crafts, and elective afternoons. His story encapsulates a nostalgic reflection on how h...2024-07-0328 min
What I REALLY Learnt at School - Alfredian VoicesThe VOICE of Julian Anderson, Class of 1956In 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...2024-05-2929 min
What I REALLY Learnt at School - Alfredian VoicesThe VOICE of Richard Oblath, Class of 1970An 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...2024-05-0827 min
What I REALLY Learnt at School - Alfredian VoicesThe VOICE of Julie James Bailey, Class of 1952Julie, 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...2024-04-1627 min
What I REALLY Learnt at School - Alfredian VoicesThe VOICE of Jordan Schwarzenberger, Class of 2015Having 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 th...2024-03-1927 min
What I REALLY Learnt at School - Alfredian VoicesIntroducing 'What I REALLY Learnt at School' - Alfredian VoicesTake 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 pu...2024-03-0701 min