Page 8 - HGS Suburb News 132 - Autumn 2017

in conversation with...

...Robert Lobatto

Terry Brooks chats to the Head of King Alfred School

Suburb News visited Robert Robert started as a history by the state and to have more an annual tea where students There is a quote from John life, to help to fit them for
Lobatto, who has been Head of teacher in East Barnet before freedom. and members of the elderly Russell, who was Head from effective work in the world, for
King Alfred School for the last going on to lead the humanities The School believes strongly community meet, with 1901 to 1920, which the school effective sympathy and for
two years, to talk about him and department in a school in in what it is doing and the entertainment provided by likes to use in its literature, effective joy.” The language is
the school. Islington. He moved on to education it provides for the some of the school’s many “Our aim is to train up our of its time but it highlights the
become Deputy Head at the children in its care. But teachers, talented musicians. scholars in the way of the good breadth of the KAS vision
ing Alfred School is one of Lister Community School in parents and children sometimes
Kthe few schools developed Plaistow, which at the time was find it difficult to come up with a
from the late nineteenth century a school in need of improvement. simple answer when asked, “What
idea of progressive education. He said he found the job makes King Alfred’s special?”
The school in North End Road there challenging, and difficult and Robert has set out to come
sits on the boundary of the in some ways, but after seven up with a coherent response.
Suburb, and there are always a years he decided to up the It is not just things like the
number of Suburb children stakes and take on the headship lack of uniform, the use of first
among its pupils. of Barnhill Community High in names, the role of students in
Robert comes from Hayes. Robert is certainly not the decision making process, or
Cockfosters and a Jewish family, afraid of a challenge and is also the annual year 8 self-
which, over a couple of capable of meeting one. As is governing village project that
generations moved there from shown by the school, which has make it different.
the East End via Golders Green. over 1,400 pupils, becoming King Alfred’s stresses the
In fact his mother went to one of the 100 Most Improved importance of educating the
Henrietta Barnett School. Schools during his eight years whole individual and preparing
Educated at Haberdashers and as head. for the good life. The answer to
reading History at Oxford, he However by 2012/13 he the above question takes ideas
decided upon a career in found himself becoming more from classical philosophy and
teaching as an act of rebellion. and more disillusioned by positive psychology to describe
He now lives in Crouch End government changes to what KAS seeks to achieve, and
with his family, and has two education, which he felt goes on to look at how to
daughters: one at university bordered on reckless and to be achieve it.
and the other a sixth former. In capable of creating chaos. Robert has helped to distil
his spare time he enjoys One of the results was that philosophy, history and
reading, and is clearly fit as he accountability was shifted so psychology to understand and
cycles to work despite the hills. that decisions were being made articulate what King Alfred’s
He had been expected to in the best interests of the does; and then to use this
become a lawyer or accountant school rather than the child. model as a means to try to
but after a successful stint Then in 2015 he saw an inspire and influence others.
teaching English as a Foreign opportunity and King Alfred’s Always ambitious, Robert would
Language while at university, appointed him their new head like to make the special better.
he went for education instead. so he found himself not only in As part of the school’s vision
The route that took him to King private education but also in a of a flourishing and compassionate
Alfred’s makes for an interesting school well-known for being society, he would like to have a
and surprising story; before different. It was a chance for good relationship and be better
arriving at KAS his only teaching him to shed some of the recent connected to the local
experience was in state schools. restrictions placed on schools community. At present there is

HGST WINTER LECTURE

Poundbury – an Experiment

in New Urbanism

This year’s HGST Winter Lecture will be delivered by Simon Conibear, who was
Estate Director for the Duchy of Cornwall in Dorchester and is now Poundbury
Development Consultant.

Join us for some light refreshments and learn all about the design principles and
development of Poundbury, the urban extension to Dorchester, built to the
architectural principles of H.R.H. The Prince of Wales.

Monday 4 December 2017 from 7pm for a 7.30pm start in the main hall at Henrietta
Barnett School, Central Square.

Please book your place: mail@hgstrust.org / 0208 455 1066.

862 Finchley Road, Hampstead Garden Suburb, London NW11 6AB 020 8455 1066 mail@hgstrust.org www.hgstrust.org twitter: @HGSTrust

8 SUBURB NEWS IS PRODUCED AND DELIVERED TO YOU BY RESIDENTS ASSOCIATION VOLUNTEERS