When reflecting on the schools that raise A-list celebrities, one might conjure up thoughts about the Wale’s princessthe alma mater of Marlborough College, the many politicians of Eton or the children in hats of Harrow School.
Not only are there expectations that students learn Latin and play lacrosse, but there are also outrageous prices to fund it.
So a school in LondonHackney district might not be suitable in that case. Well, think again.
A little-known school has challenged the stereotype that VIPs must come from one of Britain’s biggest budget educational institutes: Stoke Newington School and Sixth Form.
Nestled among hippie shops, kebab houses and leafy Clissold Park, the co-educational school has raised stars for generations and is free.
East London’s Stoke Newington School (pictured) has educated numerous celebrities over the years.
Can you tell who these stars are?
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Sex Education star Asa Butterfield, 26, who began her rise to stardom in the film adaptation of The Boy in the Striped Pajamas in 2008, attended Stoke Newington School.
Another famous actor who attended the institution is Saffron Burrows, 51, who starred in Westworld, Everything I Always Wanted to Tell My Daughter About Men and, most recently, the Netflix series You, also went to the school.
Among the famous graduates of Stoke Newington School are also great figures from the world of gastronomy, as was also attended by British baker and Junior Bake Off judge, Liam Charles.
In the music world, its famous alumni include singer-songwriter Labrinth (real name Timothy Lee McKenzie), 34, and rapper Professor Green (real name Stephen Paul Manderson).
Actor Adam Deacon, boxer Lawrence Okolie, cyclist Tao Geoghegan Hart and Arsenal player Lotte Wubben-Moy also attended.
The school has a ‘Good’ rating from Ofsted and therefore does not achieve the maximum score of ‘Outstanding’, but given the number of high achieving students it has produced, the teachers are certainly doing something right.
With a theatre, sound recording studio, photography darkroom, media rooms, sound recording studio, television studio and dance studio, the school is well equipped to spark interest in life in the media.
Children can also have real-life experiences thanks to the school’s partnerships.
The prestigious performing arts center Sadler’s Wells Theater has joined forces with the school to promote dance among its students.
Elsewhere, a ‘Headlines’ program encourages children to talk about the issues that touch them most, and on national television including SKY, BBC and ITV.
Sports also remain a priority. The school hones their skills with Jus Ball, a mentoring program for athletes based on research by experts in motor skill acquisition.
The wealth of associations is a clear advantage, as its themes match those of its stars, from award-winning actors to a Giro d’Italia-winning cyclist.
However, creative thinking is not limited to the dance floor or the photography studio, it extends to the classroom.
“Here at Stoke Newington School, our curriculum supports a culture rooted in high expectations for all, cultivating a love of learning and ambition for success,” the website reads.
“We have a culture rooted in high expectations for all, which cultivates a love of learning and ambition, along with a strong sense of belonging.”
On GCSE results day, 70 per cent of the cohort received 9-4s in English and maths.
Meanwhile, 21 per cent of A level students at Stoke Newington School received an A* or A this year, 47 per cent received A*, A or B grades and 66 per cent of students achieved the best grades: A*, A., B or C – in their exams.
Principal Zehra Jaffer, who has held the position since 2019, revealed in a statement that the school’s Sixth Form is “oversubscribed and a success”.
Headteacher Zehra Jaffer (pictured) is proud of Stoke Newington School for its “vibrant”, “diverse” and “inclusive” community
Jaffer called the school “vibrant, diverse and inclusive” while also “offering excellence for all” on the school’s website.
In her cover letter for the role she wrote: ‘We are at the heart of our local community in North Hackney and strive to provide an inspiring learning journey for every student.
‘We believe that all of our young people have the potential to succeed in school and succeed in life.
“We ensure that students thrive at our school regardless of their starting point or individual circumstances.”
The school’s location, Stoke Newington, naturally also lends itself to creative types.
Known as Stokey to locals, the residential area has a relaxed atmosphere with quirky features and woodland, and is close to central London.
Perhaps adding to the avalanche of top-class alumni at Stoke Newington School are their once-hip parents who settled in the area and instilled star qualities in their children.
Either way, they’ve proven that celebrities don’t need to have forty thousand a year schools on their CV to become the stars of our generation.