A Home Away from Home: Afjal’s Journey from KES to Imperial 

In a sunny corner of Hyde Park, Afjal reflects warmly on his years at KES as a 100% bursary student. Now studying Computational Mathematics at Imperial College London, Afjal speaks with genuine affection and gratitude for the place he describes as a “home away from home.”  

“My time at King Edward VI School was really magical,” he begins. “I could honestly go on for hours about it. The teachers, my friends, the subjects I took – all of it was so important in shaping who I am now.”  

Finding his feet in Year 7  

Afjal joined KES in Year 7 and, like many pupils, arrived feeling a little unsure. He was the only one from his primary school and remembers those first few days clearly.  

“It was quite scary as a year 7,” he admits. “But my tutor introduced me to her son, who was in my year, and I made friends really quickly. Some of the people I met in that first week are still close friends today.”  

Discovering his passion for maths  

Afjal didn’t always know what he wanted to study. In fact, he explored a whole range of subjects and interests while at school – art, architecture, philosophy, linguistics, and more.  

“I joined every club I could. I’d be convinced one day I wanted to study linguistics, then completely change my mind the next! But maths kept drawing me back.”  

It was Mr Barley, his long-standing teacher, who helped him see the possibilities. From competitions like Ritangle (yes this is how you spell it!) to independent projects and a memorable sixth form maths modelling contest, Afjal’s love for the subject grew stronger.  

“I realised maths could link everything I was interested in. That’s what really drew me to computational maths – it brings together so many disciplines.”  

Inspired by a love of learning  

One of Afjal’s favourite things about sixth form was the way lessons often sparked something unexpected. He shares a story about a physics class that veered off-topic in the best possible way.  

“We all had so many questions about something the textbook didn’t explain fully. Instead of brushing over it, Mr Lawson let us explore it ourselves – we did our own mini experiment and spent the whole lesson investigating. That sort of learning really stuck with me.”  

This perfectly captures the inquiry-based approach that encourages pupils to ask questions and think critically. It’s this curiosity and love of discovery that Afjal has taken with him to university.  

“I’m doing so many research projects now, and I can see clearly how the skills I learnt at KES have helped. It was never just about memorising things – it was about thinking, asking questions, and being curious.”  

From pupil to student leader  

Fast forward to sixth form, and Afjal found himself at the heart of school life in the student leadership team as Head of Sustainability, a role he threw himself into with enthusiasm.  

“I wanted to make the assemblies fun and memorable. In one, I staged being pushed off the stage to make a point about plastic waste – it got a big laugh!”  

He recalls looking up to the sixth formers when he was younger, and being in that position himself felt like a full-circle moment.  

“It was such a privilege to be part of the student leadership team. It really rounded off my time at KES.”  

Clubs, connection, and community  

Outside the classroom, Afjal was a regular at after-school clubs, particularly in science and maths. These experiences helped him build lifelong friendships across different year groups – some of whom he’s still in touch with today.  

“Lunar Society was a big one for me – I gave talks on topics like calculus, and I loved that younger pupils would come and ask questions afterwards. It felt like a real community.”  

He speaks passionately about how that sense of belonging extended across the School.  

“Even now, when I go back to visit, I bump into people in the corridor, and we just pick up where we left off. It really does feel like home.”  

Looking to the future  

Afjal is currently juggling an impressive range of projects. He’s working on research alongside master’s students, completing an internship with a venture capital firm, and developing an AI tool for the NHS – all while travelling and catching up with old friends. His work connects him with the wider world, allowing him to contribute meaningfully to healthcare innovation.  

“It’s been hard to balance at times, but I’m loving it. I’ve got so many exciting things going on, especially in the field of computational linguistics, which is what I’d love to pursue in future. I am also going to a computational linguistics conference this summer in Germany which I am really looking forward to.”  

Despite the whirlwind of activity, he’s clear on what success means to him now : “When I started at KES, I was very focused on grades. But the School helped me see the bigger picture – that it’s just as important to enjoy what you do and live a full, balanced life. For me, success means doing something I love and having a good time while I’m doing it.”  

A final word  

When asked to describe KES in just a few words, Afjal’s answer is simple – and heartfelt.  

“In three words (chuckles) actually four – KES is a ‘home away from home’.”