Old Lennensians Association chairman, Andrew Stephen, joins KES Academy Council, thus forging new links between the OLA and today’s school, as he explains …
OLA chairman Andrew Stephen with KES head, Sarah Hartshorn
I WAS both surprised and delighted when Sarah Hartshorn asked if I would consider joining the Academy Council, what would, in former days, be known as the Governing Body. She made it clear that the school would like to build on its links with the Old Lennensians.
Naturally, I expected a rigorous interview and, although this was done via Zoom, it was clear that some very probing questions were to be expected and answered. I was able to say that the Old Lennensians, under the current committee, had become more involved and interested in the life of the present school. Members have attended a number of school events, most notably perhaps the Celebration Evening, where our distinguished President, Peter Jacobs, spoke so eloquently about how all ex-pupils of the school are Old Lennensians and should be proud of the fact. A school consists of the pupils and staff who are working in it at any time, irrespective of its designation or the educational fashions of the age.
The OLA and the Foundation Trustees paid for most of the prizes. We have also supported the charitable efforts of the pupils, including a concert in aid of Foodbanks and a drive to raise money for Samaritans. But, of course, the Old Lennensians have more to offer than money. We aim to give the school moral support in an age when Ofsted and the media make life difficult for many schools. Everyone can be criticised but encouragement is rarely wasted!
Andrew Stephen in his younger days, as a pupil at KES, circa 1968
My new role has yet to be discussed and agreed, but I hope that my many years of running a highly-successful English Department in a Nottinghamshire school will stand me in good stead. I can also say, as Chairman of both the Foundation Trustees and the Old Lennensians, that there is a great deal of talent in the school, a lot of good work being done and that Sarah Hartshorn has made a great start in turning our revered school around. It has been, very much, a sleeping giant.
I don’t believe in living in the past but I believe that there is value in showing the present school that there is a glorious tradition to be lived up to and that it can be done. It is not separate from them. It belongs to them. King Edward VII was always one of the best schools in Norfolk. It will be again.
Andrew Stephen
