The King Alfred School Archives

As part of the KAS Archives move, we had to take special care to transport largescale items such as handmade posters. This poster from the 2002 Summer Fair is our KAS in 125 Artefacts entry for today. #KAS125 #schoolhistory #kingalfredschool #posterart @king_alfred_school

KAS turned 100 in 1998. Two of our favourite artefacts from the celebratory year are the Centenary Quilt made by Lower School students and the "Green Book" by Ron Brooks. #KAS125 #kingalfredschool #progressiveeducation #schoolhistory #schoolarchives #archives @kingalfredsch

Today's pick from the KAS Archives is "Pond Dipping." These photos show students examining waterborne creatures in the 1910s and the 1990s. They could have just as easily been taken today. #KAS125 #kingalfredschool #outdoorlearning #ponddipping @kingalfredsch

The Village Project ran for the third time in 1994, with huts designed from stretched canvas. Building and living in their own huts has always been a defining feature of the village for students. They'll be doing it again soon for The Village Project 2024! #KAS125 @kingalfredsch

For 1992, KAS in 125 Artefacts salutes the school pick up! This candid photograph of students, parents and staff mingling near the gates dates to the '90s, but it could just as well be today. #KAS125 #kingalfredschool #1990s #90sfashion @kingalfredsch

The King Alfred School simply could not run without an amazing admin team! Here are a few scenes circa 1991 showing school secretaries and student helpers answering busy phone lines and keeping everything in order behind the scenes. @kingalfredsch #KAS125

The first village project took place in 1989-90. Prep for the week spread over the whole school year, as part of which students designed and built their own thatched huts. Stephen de Brett relaunched in 2013 the project and it still runs today. @kingalfredsch #KAS125

KAS in 125 Artefacts is nearing the end of the '80s. It's hard to pick one item for 1989. But, it has to be opening of the new Green Building! Ted Greenway and Roy Greenfield are shown cutting the ribbon on the aptly named Green Building. #KAS125 @kingalfredsch

It's 1988 and KAS is fundraising with a fashion show! The event was organised by the Parent/Staff Committee and took place at The Holiday Inn, Swiss Cottage. Eight local fashion brands featured on the runway and guests were treated a champagne breakfast! #KAS125 @kingalfredsch

Today we're celebrating AxeMonsters, part of KAS History since 1987! Back in the '80s, students decided to host a modern concert where students of all abilities could perform in any genre liked; rock, pop, jazz and even folk. AxeMonsters was born! #kas125 @kingalfredsch

KAS's first ever Medieval Mayfair took place in 1986. The event included a royal procession, Morris dancers, a maypole, Beowulf in music and dance and of course a unicorn. Over £10,000 was raised in aid of a new classroom block. These images are from the Ham & High #KAS125

More goat content by popular demand! The cover of the 1985 KAS Magazine shows headteacher Francis Moran deep in concentration while one of the school goats nibbles his jumper. What clues about KAS in the '80s can you find in the picture? #KAS125 #kingslfredschool #1980s #goats

What's a goat doing in the KAS Archives? Well, goats were a big part of our school in the '80s and '90s. Dulcie was the first KAS goat. Soon to join her were kids Daisy, Dollie and Billie. Caretaker and Archivist Brian Rance served as goatherd! #KAS125 #goats

In 1982, Lower School needed a new playground. In true KAS style, the children and school community designed and built it themselves! KAS parent, grandparent, council member for over 40 years, and original school archivist Areta Hautman was at the heart of the project. #KAS125

The spring weather has us thinking about sunny camp days ahead. This 1981 photo shows students on a barge camping trip. KAS camps run from Year 5 to Sixth Form, often in small groups for a truly memorable experience. #KAS125 #kingalfredschool #schoolcamp #1980s #outdoors #barge

KAS in 125 Artefacts has reached the 1980s! Get ready for power suits, Thatcherism, Live Aid, Ninja Turtles and cutting edge technology! Here's KAS heralding in the age of the computer. #KAS125 #1980s #computerhistory #kingalfredschool #schoolarchives

Here in the KAS Archives, we love a magazine cover! This one from 1979 shows divers on a geometric background. We don't have a school pool, but you might be interested that one was proposed. You can see the 1977 plan for a covered swimming pool in the second image. #KAS125 #swim

Chic Wilson, who worked at KAS as a lab assistant in his retirement, designed this medallion for School Six student council 1976. The emblem was never adapted but the prototype always interests visitors to the archive. What would a 2023 School Six medallion look like? #KAS125

The sunny weather has us thinking about the 1975 Summer Fair. This beautifully illustrated programme gives a flavour of the fun that awaited visitors; fairground rides, musical performances, tombola prizes, exhibits of students work and a Lower School Chamber of Horrors. #KAS125

In 1974, Deputy Head Roy Greenfield took a group of nine students on a field trip to study the most important clocks in London. Big Ben was of course on their list! Roy wrote to MP Peter Thomas who helped arrange a guided tour. #KAS125