- The King Alfred School, a coeducational day school, was founded in 1898 by Charles E Rice, a former master at Bedales School, whose ambition was to “provide an education that focused on what was best for the whole child”. As it says, “We are less hierarchical and more democratic than other schools.” Pupils and staff use first names to address each other and there is no school uniform.
- Co-curricular offers include clubs, camps and trips. One rite of passage is “the Village”, in which year 8 pupils live in self-built huts in a corner of the school grounds for a week in the summer. The school describes it a “coming-of-age project”.
- As well as A-levels, King Alfred offers UAL Level 3 extended diplomas in performing and production art and music performance and production.
- Past pupils include the actress Zoë Wanamaker, the comedian Nina Conti and the TV presenter Gaby Roslin.
- A limited number of bursaries are offered for entry at years 7 and 12.
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