We can all remember our school days – the highs, lows, achievements, and challenges. But what we learnt and the experiences that shaped us are different for everyone.
In our podcast series, we bring you the voices of former students here at The King Alfred School (known as Old Alfredians or OAs), a school that has stood out from the crowd for the past 125 years for delivering a deeper learning experience. Their stories show the positive impact schools can have when they are bold, innovative and – crucially – take a child-centred approach to education.
Below you’ll find a playlist containing every episode so far, along with profiles of the OAs featured in our three most recent episodes. If you prefer to also see the video of the podcast, click here: What I REALLY Learnt at School: Alfredian Voices – YouTube
We are grateful to the OAs who have shared their stories, allowing us to bring our school’s vibrant history alive. Our 125th anniversary book, full of photographs from our archive, complements the stories in this series.
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 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 celebrated children’s book illustrator.
Ian Lush OBE (OA 1978) reflects on his challenging but fulfilling time as CEO of Imperial Health Charity and Chair of NHS Charities Together in this episode, recorded on Zoom during the pandemic.
Ian shares his experiences managing a charity campaign amidst unprecedented circumstances. As Chair, Ian led the charity’s national fundraising campaign with the late Captain Sir Tom Moore and helped raise over £155 million for the NHS.
Ian reminisces about his 14 years at KAS, emphasising how the school taught him to be part of a community. “ It was very much about wanting to make a difference,” he shares.
In this episode, we visit artist and fashion designer Sara Berman (OA 1993) in her London studio to delve into her unique artistic process and the impact of KAS on her and her family’s lives (she is one of three generations of OAs).
Sara discusses the foundational character of the ‘trickster whore’ in her work, her intricate painting techniques, and how her background in fashion and weaving influences her art. She also reflects on the values and resilience instilled by KAS, which she believes have been critical to her and her children’s successes.