Sixth Form Stories: Live Your True Colours

Elisbeth doesn’t like looking back. Instead, she has her sights set firmly on the future. It’s one of the reasons she chose to study A level Politics at KAS. She values its focus on how we can make the world a better place and gives her a deeper understanding of how the world works. 

As for her own future, Elisabeth believes that her time at KAS has given her the best possible start. She joined the School in Year 7, and didn’t consider going anywhere else for Sixth Form, opting for A levels in Geography and Sociology alongside Politics. She knew the small class sizes and individualised support from her teachers would help her to achieve to her best abilities 

Alongside her studies she has also made time to keep up sewing as a hobby.   

“I used to be quiet, but that has changed since starting at KAS. The School allows you to be yourself and reach your full potential. You have more freedom to do what you want and to learn in your own way.

“There’s such a strong community here. You’re taught to be social, as well as how to respect and treat others. You’re always encouraged to listen to other people’s opinions and to voice your own.

“KAS has taught me the value of respect. I’m allowed to be myself but that doesn’t mean I can do exactly what I like. I learnt to treat others the way I’d like to be treated not only in the classroom, but in life.”

Currently weighing up whether to go straight to university or take a gap year, Elisabeth would ultimately like to use her education to help people, possibly as an aid worker. 

Despite moving between learning environments in Canada, America and Italy throughout his childhood, Jasper had always loved school. His love for learning wasn’t confined to one subject. He played the lead in primary school productions and enjoyed art, specifically drawing, and when he joined KAS in Year 9 he enjoyed the variety of options at GCSE.

But when it came to selecting his A levels, the choice was easy: Sciences and Maths were the subjects that brought him joy. Cycling to the Chemistry Department of Imperial College on his way to do work experience in Year 12, he was beaming. It was exactly where he wanted to be.

Chemistry is his favourite subject because he loves the idea that humans can use their brains to understand and manipulate the world around them on an atomic level.

“I love that KAS fosters an environment where I feel motivated to learn by myself. With small class sizes, and teachers who are supportive and passionate about what they do, I’ve felt ownership over my own learning experience. I’m writing letters to the teachers who’ve had a big impact on me and the phrase which keeps coming up is ‘you have provided me the opportunity to become the person who I am today.’

“Alongside my studies I’ve been part of Sixth Form Council and I’ve been able to work with the Physics Department to further my love of astrophotography. Having an environment where I can be myself and am challenged to achieve to the best of my ability is priceless.”

Jasper is on track to secure straight A* grades at A level in Physics, Chemistry, Maths and Further Maths, and has an offer of a place at Imperial to study Chemistry. And he plans to do at least one PhD after that!

Isabel stands on stage in KAS’s Phoenix Theatre, speaking to the assembled audience with a familiar round red carpet under her feet. She is delivering a TEDx talk, titled Rewiring my Mental Algorithm, at an event organised and hosted by the School.

Isabel joined KAS as a new student in Year 12, opting to study A levels in English, History and Politics. She hoped a change of school would prove a valuable personal challenge and continue to build her confidence before going to university. She says that the TEDx talk, along with a warm welcome from her cohort and the School’s focus on individuality and independence, has helped her achieve just that.

“I’ve struggled with self-discipline in the past, but the freedom aspect of the School has actually helped me harness more discipline. At first, I wondered what I would do without someone telling me what to do, but I reminded myself that this was an opportunity to find that support within.

I was always writing stories for my parents when I was younger so I knew these subjects would suit me. Because they are all essay subjects, it’s a challenge to balance the workload but the teachers give great guidance and support.

“You’re very much encouraged to use your own initiative. That sense of independence is key when you go to university, especially if you’re not going to be living with your parents or in the same city.

Outside of my subjects I’ve been part of the peer education programme, helping to teach younger students how to deal with stress or build self-esteem which is really rewarding. I feel like this School has given me a rounded perspective on the world and I have definitely grown as a person.”

For Isabel, she hopes that step into higher education will involve studying politics and international relations with hopes of one day representing her country in a diplomatic capacity.

The King Alfred School’s outstanding exam results prove that our unique approach works. In 2024, over half (58%) of A level grades, including UAL Performing Arts, were an A or A* – more than double the national average (28%), and higher than the independent school average of 49%, too.

Meanwhile, the School’s value-added score (which quantifies how much performance improves over the course of students’ studies) was in the top 7% both nationally and in the independent sector. 

Our latest ISI inspection also rated both academic attainment and personal development at the School as ‘Excellent’. 

For as long as she can remember, Alanna has loved reading – and writing. She believes that books are important, that they can make a difference and that they can influence change.

Her love of books grew even more at KAS because she so enjoyed the way she was taught English. Now, in Year 12, it is one of her chosen A level subjects, alongside Drama and History.

Alanna chose Drama because she loves performing as she finds it a great way to express emotions and to get rid of what is bottled up inside. As someone who loves reading – and writing – plays (Tennessee Williams is her favourite playwright), it is a natural progression to want to act in them too.

She chose History because it fosters good skills such as examining and evaluating evidence and essay writing – and Alanna believes in order to effect change, we need to look at the past. Also, it gives her the added bonus of being able to write period literature confidently and knowledgeably.

Not surprisingly, Alanna wants to go on to university to study English and, potentially, to become a writer.

“The dynamic between the teachers and the pupils at KAS is really important. Teachers go out of their way to help; to organise revision timetables, to offer wellbeing meetings during the stress of GCSEs. At KAS you are allowed and encouraged to explore who you want to be, to make your own decisions instead of having them made for you. You are not forced to follow a particular route but you are supported in finding what is best for you.”

Louis grew up watching his father and his grandfather fix the unfixable in awe. He looked up to them and wanted to emulate them. So he immediately started Design Technology when he joined KAS in Reception. He naturally excelled at it and now as a Sixth Former is studying DT at A level, along with Politics and History.

Louis chose Politics because he is genuinely interested in current affairs all over the world and wants to be sure he votes with knowledge. He selected History because he feels it helps him to understand how we got to where we are.

Louis is considering either Law or Architecture for his degree and subsequent career; Law because his father is a solicitor and so has grown up hearing about legal matters, and Architecture because it ties in with his love of DT. He also plays a couple of hours of video games daily and loves music.

“I’ve been at KAS since Reception and it has helped me in many, many ways. The teachers are all incredibly supportive. You genuinely have a personal relationship with them, and if you are not doing well in something they help you rather than judge you. It’s not about pressure, it’s about encouragement.

“I was always really bad at both Maths and spelling, but the teachers supported me with so much extra help that now I am confident and good at both. They have encouraged me with the stuff I love and helped me develop.”

When Harriet was given the part of Rizzo in a KAS production of Grease, she was shocked, scared and decided there was no way she could stand on stage and sing three solos.

But she did – and did it brilliantly. Her confidence soared and, whilst serious drama (specifically period pieces from the 20s and murder mysteries) is where her love lies, now she has musical theatre firmly under her belt too.

Harriet is in Year 12 and as well as doing our UAL Performing Arts course because of her love of drama, she is also studying photography. Coming from a thespian family, acting has always been in her veins. But photography was something she discovered at KAS and she has never looked back. She says she now sees everything differently – she notices buildings, nature, people – and is always shooting (even with just her phone) and editing.

“I came to KAS in Year 5 from another school and have never looked back. KAS gave me the freedom and the independence to discover what I enjoy most and encouraged me to develop in areas I never thought I could – musical theatre is a great example of that. I have grown in confidence because of the faith and support KAS has shown me and, as a result, I feel much less self conscious and vulnerable and more self assured.”

Harriet plans to either go to drama school or to university to study Photography, but ultimately would like to combine both her passions.

Tara has known since she was very young she wanted to be a lawyer. And now, in Year 13, she is well on her way towards achieving that dream.

She is taking Politics, Spanish and English A levels and is about to apply to Exeter, Warwick, Edinburgh, Sussex and Leeds to study Spanish and Politics, before doing a Law Conversion.

She chose her subjects because Politics has always been the dinner table conversation in her family, so she has grown up with a familiarity and passion for it. She selected Spanish as, whilst doing it at GCSE, she discovered a natural ability for it and really enjoys it. English was her final choice and, guided by her teachers, settled on it as the writing and analytical skills it requires would be great assets for her future career.

Initially, Tara thought she wanted to be a corporate lawyer but her interest in Politics and her fascination with the Gina Miller case has made her think more about constitutional law. Future governments had better watch out.

“I have been at KAS since Reception and loved it from day one. The most beneficial aspect is the relationship with the teachers and I feel I can go to them about anything. Two of them studied Law and two of them went to Exeter, and I trust them to give me the truth rather than just be the echo chamber which friends or family tend to be.

“KAS are arranging for me to visit law firms so I can see, first hand, the reality of what I am choosing as a career. The School has also introduced me to netball and singing, both of which I love and give me the perfect release from studies.”

Luko is never happier than when he’s not himself. He loves taking on a character, investing them with emotion and finding the reasons for their actions. Seeing the effect his performances have on an audience gives him a great sense of fulfilment.

Having attended KAS since Reception, he looked at other options for Sixth Form, thinking that perhaps a change would be good for him — but ultimately it was the UAL Level 3 Extended Diploma in Performance and Production Arts that kept him here. Being able to combine his passion with an A level in Film Studies has meant two years of hard work. To stop himself from taking the emotional upheaval of acting home with him, he plays tennis and does martial arts to look after both his physical and mental wellbeing.

“When I was younger, I sometimes found it hard to fit in, but the friendliness and freedom of the Sixth Form has allowed me to grow in confidence. I look back on the last two years and I see so many positives, not only in my work, but in my friendships too.

“The UAL course is largely assessed through performances and practical work, which suits my learning style. With amazing experts coming in to run workshops, teachers who allow us to experiment with different styles and the huge variety of plays we’ve put on (Pinter was a highlight for me), I feel I’ve been given amazing opportunities.”

After KAS, Luko plans to start his acting career by applying to Drama schools, and has secured a place on a LAMDA foundation course as his first step.

Ria first fell in love with English when she was tasked and encouraged to write poetry and short stories in the Lower School at KAS. That passion grew as she moved through the school years and began essay writing in English. Although a compulsory GCSE subject, Ria would never have contemplated not taking it and it is now one of her A level choices, together with French and Film Studies.

Ria found the broad spectrum of choice available for GCSE quite overwhelming but felt fully supported and guided by the teachers to make the right decisions for her, and now is very content with her chosen A level subjects.

She chose French because she enjoys languages. She would like to spend time in France as a part of her degree course and to, ultimately, be completely fluent in the language. Meanwhile, her choice of Film Studies was initiated by a lifelong passion of film, and then confirmed with a taster session KAS offered.

“I have been at KAS since Reception and it has been the most amazing experience. There is a reason why I’ve never gone anywhere else. I’ve often wondered whether I should, whether I am missing out, whether I should get new experiences – but I have never wanted to leave.

“KAS really has an atmosphere of community. When you are surrounded by this, you don’t realise it is not the norm. But other schools just aren’t like this. KAS has made me who I am. I don’t know who I would be if I hadn’t come here.”

Ria has a deferred place to study French and English Literature at Edinburgh University and would like a career in film eventually.

Whilst building a drone for an Higher Project Qualification project in Year 10, Felix discovered his love for Physics. He takes his work home with him as his out of school hobby is computer programming — although he gives himself a break by kayaking. Felix moved to the UK from Germany and began at KAS in Year 9.

“I chose KAS because I loved the fact that the teachers I met were so excited about what they teach. That has turned out to be the reality; it is completely different from other schools where the teachers often seem bored with their subjects, particularly if they have taught them for a long time. That excitement rubbed off on me and by working on projects set by the school, I discovered my love of Physics. KAS has encouraged that passion and helped me to get to the level I am at now.

“KAS accepts you for who you are and helps you become the best you can be. They [the staff] have helped me find what I like and what interests me.”

Felix gained four A* grades at A level in Physics, Chemistry, Further Maths and EPQ and has gone on to read Natural Sciences at Cambridge University.

Ready to join us and live your own true colours? Discover more about our Sixth Form admissions process before completing our Sixth Form entry application form.