The King David High School

My parents turned down an offer from MGS and sent me to KD against my will! I wasn’t happy about it, at the time, but it turned out to be one of their best parental decisions. I found the school and the staff to be exceedingly warm and accommodating. I felt free to learn, explore and enjoy my time in lessons, during breaks with friends and in extracurricular pursuits. Some of my favourite memories involve the various shows and events for which I helped design the lighting. Sourcing equipment, climbing ladders and coming up with designs to make the stage look great were sources of endless fun and learning for me. I was fortunate to be one of five students in my class to be accepted to Cambridge, which was a record number for the school at the time. There, I studied Theology and questioned all the philosophical ideas that I had inherited during my high school years. Cambridge was an equally special place to KD and I am humbled and forever grateful that the school helped me gain such an opportunity. After graduating from university in 2011, the Forum for Jewish Leadership (FJL) placed me on a one-month internship at a software startup in New York. When it ended, I managed to hustle a full-time job and moved there to cut my teeth in the tech world. The company was acquired by Groupon soon after and I flew all over the US helping to grow the team. During my 20’s, I was lucky to work in interesting roles in New York, London and Los Angeles, which is where I live now, with my two brothers (also KD alums). We’re working together to build a new kind of social media app, Reclip, that lets you catch and save interesting moments from your life.

My King David career began as a Duckling in 1999, which was - back then - the label given to those in their first year of nursery. Having spent 9 years at the school by the time I was set to make a decision on secondary education, I was ready for a change and planned to pursue a place at MGS. My plans were soon quashed upon realising that there was, in fact, no choice in the matter. As the son of an education minister serving in Tony Blair’s Labour government, private school was not an option. At the time, I felt this political constraint was unfair but, on reflection, it is something I will be eternally grateful for. King David High School provided me with the ideal environment to flourish both socially and academically. The school fostered a strong sense of community allowing me to form lifelong friendships from the age of 12. Becoming Head Boy in my final year was a true honour and the public speaking skills I acquired in the role still serve me well today. Though I relished in the role, it wasn’t without its mishaps, I also gained the title of the only Head Boy in the school’s history to be banned from the sixth form library. That’s part of the school’s charm. You didn’t have to take yourself too seriously to do well. The school’s strong will to assist students in achieving their goals ultimately led me, and three other classmates, to Cambridge University where I studied Land Economy (law and economics). I will always appreciate the resource dedicated by KD to ensure we could broaden our knowledge and understanding far beyond the school curriculum in order to prepare for university interviews. Cambridge was a wonderful experience and, after graduating, I took some time to travel before entering the world of work. I now live in London with my fellow KD and Cambridge alumnus girlfriend and work in Real Estate Finance, investing in real estate and affiliated companies in the UK and across Europe. The school took a Duckling and encouraged it to fly and I’m thankful for that. I’m also very thankful to Joshua Rowe who made the school what it is today and who always took the time to listen and mentor.

With 30 girls, my Yavneh year 7 class was the biggest ever at the school. I can honestly say I loved school and had the most amazing time. Many of my friends from school are my friends now, I even met my husband whilst I was at school! The experiences that KD/Yavneh provided me with are unforgettable. From the annual Yavneh concerts which provided a stage for acting, directing, singing and dancing to the high standard of science education which ultimately shaped my career. After finishing 6th form as Head Girl, I took a gap year in seminary in Israel and volunteered with Magen David Adom. I then studied pharmacy at the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) and did my pre-registration year at Salford Royal. After rotating through a variety of specialities in the hospital, I completed a diploma in Clinical Pharmacy and a prescribing qualification, and very recently accepted a permanent role as the clinical pharmacist for Major trauma, orthopaedics and spinal surgery at Salford Royal. I credit the school with much of my academic and life achievements to date, including my husband and gorgeous little girls.