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King Alfred School is a co-educational independent day school in North London. Situated on the edge of Hampstead Heath, near Golders Green station, this unique, democratic school aims to develop students into creative, compassionate and resilient individuals.
The modern-day school honours the vision of its Victorian founders: to provide an education that focused on what was best for the whole child, on the development of character and personality. There is no uniform, first names are used between students and staff, and there are ‘as few rules as can be managed within a community’. With a school farm, a school dog, and a tree house, both the green setting and compassionate, supportive approach create an environment where young people are genuinely happy to be at school.
For its 640 pupils aged 4–18, King Alfred School provides an active and challenging curriculum. GCSE results are consistently high, with 74% achieving grades 7–9 (A–A*) in 2021. A level results are also excellent, with 73% achieving A–A*. Popular 2021 leavers’ destinations included UCL, Cambridge, Manchester, Leeds, and Bath universities, with many students studying degree courses in languages and arts.
Key information for King Alfred School
Headteacher: Robert Lobatto
Address: King Alfred School, North End Road, London NW11 7HY
London Borough: Barnet
Admissions contact: [email protected], 020 8457 5285 / 5170
Age range and gender: 4–18, co-educational
Number of pupils: 640 (approx.)
Number of places in Year 7: 8–12 for external applicants (the rest are reserved for students moving up from King Alfred primary years)
Ratio of applicants to places: Undisclosed
Open day dates: Thursday 15 September 2022 – 9.30–11am – book here
Overview of selection procedure for Year 7 entry in 2023: report from current school, two assessment days, interview with parents
Registration opens: Thursday 1st September 2022 – apply online
Registration closes: Monday 26th September 2022 (4pm)
Initial assessment date: Saturday 1st October 2022
Second assessment date: Saturday 19th November 2022
Offers: January 2023
King Alfred School fees and financial assistance
The current fees for King Alfred School are £7,092 per term, £21,276 per annum. This includes some educational materials.
When accepting a place at the school a deposit equal to one term’s fee is payable, which is retained until your child leaves the school.
What’s not included in the school fees
The fees do not include lunches (which are optional at £280 per term or £4.90 per day), camps and school trips, textbooks, specialised materials, or exam fees for GCSEs and A levels.
King Alfred School bursaries
King Alfred School offers a limited number of bursaries for children coming into Year 7. To apply, you need to request a bursary application form by contacting the Bursary Manager, Tricia Still, on [email protected]. The deadline for bursary applications is 4pm on Saturday 29th October 2022.
King Alfred School scholarships and awards
The school does not offer scholarships.
King Alfred School term dates
The term dates at King Alfred School for 2022–23 are:
Autumn term: 6th September – 9th December 2022
Half term: 24th October – 4th November 2022
Spring term: 4th January – 31st March 2023
Half term: 13th–17th February 2023
Summer term: 18th April – 13th July 2023
Half term: 29th May – 2nd June 2023
Admissions process for Year 7 entry to King Alfred School
1. Apply
To apply for Year 7 entry to King Alfred School in 2023, you’ll need to complete the application form. Applications open on Thursday 1st September 2022 and close on Monday 26th September 2022 at 4pm.
Your child should be entering Year 6 at the time of application. On the application form you will be asked to upload your child’s latest school report and any SEND or medical reports which may be relevant.
A non-refundable fee of £100 per child is payable with your application. Your child’s name will be put on the waiting list but this does not guarantee a place.
2. Initial assessment day
Your child will be invited to attend an assessment day on Saturday 1st October 2022. This will comprise written exercises, team activities and interviews.
After the initial assessment day, 36 children and their parents are shortlisted to move forward to the next stage.
3. Online form
If your child has progressed to the next stage, you will be sent an online form which will require you to include two pieces of your child’s work (one of which must be from school).
Your child will also be invited for a half-day at the school consisting of group interviews and activities (see below). The school will also request a confidential reference from your child’s current school.
If you would like to apply for a bursary, this is also the time to request and submit your bursary application form (by Saturday 29th October 2022).
4. Second assessment day
Your child will attend the second assessment day on Saturday 19th November 2022. This lasts about five hours.
5. Parent interview
If your child performs well in the second assessment, you will be invited along with them to an interview in early January 2023.
6. Offer decision
Based on your child’s reference, assessments and interview, the school will make a decision on whether to offer them a place and communicate the outcome with you.
What is included in the King Alfred School entrance assessment?
King Alfred School does not select children based on their academic ability. Their approach is that having a range of abilities in a class is normal, and their teaching is focussed on helping each individual in their next steps in learning.
Instead of academic ability, the King Alfred School assessment days aim to test the following, through small group interviews and team-based indoor and outdoor activities:
How responsive the child is to teachers and to classmates.
How well the child will integrate into the school community.
How the child responds to the demands of schoolwork and how willing they are to work independently.
If relevant, whether the school is able to adequately cater for and meet any special educational needs and/or disabilities. They may ask for an educational psychologist’s or other appropriate professional’s report.
Overall, whether they believe your child will thrive in the King Alfred School atmosphere, in which a wide degree of freedom and responsibility are key. The school will consider your child’s ability and willingness to cooperate and negotiate are essential to this environment.
There is also likely to be a creative writing assessment. Take a look at free resources for preparing for creative writing exams here:
At the parent interview stage they will be looking to see that parents understand and support the aims and ethos of the school.
In previous years the assessment days have included computerised tests in verbal reasoning, non-verbal reasoning and numerical ability – the school has not confirmed whether this will be part of the process for Year 7 intake in 2023.
How Atom Nucleus can help
Atom Nucleus is an online learning platform designed to support your child to build knowledge and understanding in English, maths, science, verbal and non-verbal reasoning.
Your child will explore exciting worlds of interactive, teacher-written practice questions. Our adaptive algorithm keeps your child on their optimal learning pathway to stretch, challenge and motivate them.
Your Atom Nucleus subscription also unlocks access to our lesson library where your child can get inspiration for senior school interviews or getting ahead for Year 7.
Start your free trial today and learn more about how Atom Nucleus can empower your child to start senior school feeling confident and fully prepared.
Get in touch
Our Education Experts are on hand to answer any questions you may have about preparing for King Alfred School. You can speak with us by tapping the LiveChat icon in the bottom right of your screen, email us, or give us a call on 020 3973 9226.
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