Climate change champion Alfred named ISA Lexden Prize 2023 Winner; Kings Monkton School celebrates

This month has marked the culmination of the Lexden Prize 2023 and the Independent Schools Association (ISA) has recognised Alfred as the winner of the Prize for the academic year.

The Lexden Prize, named in honour of our Honorary President, Lord Lexden, celebrates excellence from Sixth Form students at ISA Members’ schools. Achievements can be in any aspect of school or community life, and do not have to be academic.

Alfred, a pupil at Kings Monkton School in Cardiff, has shone academically, earning an A Level in Maths two years early with an exceptional A* grade. That is just the start of his achievements to date though: Alfred has founded and encourages many STEM and climate change activities at Kings Monkton and beyond, inspires many of his peers beyond his own school’s gates as a founding member of clubs committed to innovation and positive change such as Club Alpbach London, a UK branch of the renowned European forum, and engages in various charitable causes.

Similarly to the character of previous winners of the ISA Pupil Awards (Lexden, Whitbread & Maxwell Prizes), as well as a commitment to their own studies, students like Alfred have dedicated a great deal of their time within school to developing initiatives for topics they are passionate about, going above and beyond to make these accessible and beneficial to all around them with similar interests or curiosity.

Alfred elevates his passion for climate change awareness and positive action as a Youth Climate Ambassador for Wales, campaigning for new legislations alongside several politicians. He attended COP26, delivering an empowering speech on resolutions and carries this message through Kings Monkton. Alfred has founded and directed the annual whole-school MockCOP for the last two years. This is an opportunity for students to raise awareness in a like-for-like system to the actual COP, also providing them with a platform to improve their debating skills in an exciting manner.

It is no surprise that someone with Alfred’s curiosity also takes a keen interest in the limitless world of space. He’s founded and the led the UK Space Design Competition Club for Kings Monkton for the past four years. As the school reached the national finals of the competition, Alfred later earned himself the role of Vice President for the UK team, then supporting the management of a team of over 60 competitors at the international finals which took place at the iconic NASA Kennedy Space Center. The UK became World Champions with their design for a mobile settlement on Mercury.

Alfred has embodied the values of leadership, community spirit and excellence to date, serving Kings Monkton as prefect, mentor, student president and now Head Student.

Passions for climate change and learning about space are but just two of Alfred’s interests, he’s also an accomplished rower winning silver at the British Junior Championship and representing Wales, as well as someone who enjoys the piano and saxophone, which has led to many contributions to school and community concerts.

It’s clear that Alfred is committed to using the positions of leadership that he has earned with his achievements to make a positive impact to those around him, beyond just his own development.

Alfred is one of 20 young people who were nominated for the Lexden Prize, each of them celebrated for contributions to their school and wider communities. Benjamin from Wetherby Senior School and Vindya from St Michael’s School were awarded second and third place respectively. All 20 nominees are left with pride of place on the Lexden Roll of Honour, which can be viewed here.

Rudolf Eliott Lockhart, Chief Executive Officer of ISA, reflected on the Lexden Prize 2023:

“It is an honour for ISA to recognise Alfred as the winner of the Lexden Prize 2023. He’s been an inspiration. The things he has accomplished have each been outstanding. They range from campaigning on climate change awareness to leading his school’s space design team, as well as impressive achievements in rowing and music. Alfred’s achievements have not been limited to the things that he himself has done, he has also enthused and encouraged his fellow pupils and the people he has worked with beyond his school in his various leadership roles. This means that his impact has been even greater and wider.

“All nominees for this year’s Lexden Prize have made wonderful contributions to their schools and wider communities, and all deserve to be celebrated for what they have achieved. They are an incredibly impressive set of young people.”

ISA President Lord Lexden will host Alfred at the House of Lords this summer to present him with his trophy, certificate and other prizes.