
King’s College School Association
When pupils leave King’s they are offered the opportunity to become lifelong members of the King’s College School Association.
It is important for us to facilitate a means for past pupils to remain in contact with the School and with other alumni. If you have any recent shareable news/achievements (whether a part in the school production, a place at university, a doctorate or a knighthood), please send a brief (max 200 words) summary to kcsa@kcs.cambs.sch.uk.
If you are a former King’s pupil and would like to join our mailing list please sign up here.


Alumni news
David Higginbotham (1939-2024)
Members of the KCSA will be deeply saddened to hear of the death of David Higginbotham, affectionately known as Higgo, who loyally served KCS for 55 years, including 24 years as Deputy Head.
Interviews for King’s teachers took on an informal aspect in this period. One appointee’s interview largely consisted of listening to an organ recital in the organ loft of the chapel, while another consisted of a long, leisurely lunch at the Higginbotham’s delightful house in Barton.
It quickly became apparent that here was a very supportive colleague, with a special gift and rapport with young children and that King’s was also a very different school from the ordinary. It was not so much that here was a Maths specialist teacher with a History degree or that, as Deputy Head, he had no office – nor indeed with much material requiring an office – such anomalies were not unique to King’s then; it was more the humorous relations he enjoyed with all different kinds of pupils and adults.
Former pupils invariably recall lessons packed full of jokes and gimmicks. But underneath was much serious learning. Two of the great mathematicians of our age, Tim Gowers and Andrew Wiles were among his Maths students.
For many years David was Head of Sport, being himself a keen follower of Rugby and Cricket as well as Squash and Tennis, in which he ran highly successful King’s teams.
After retiring from full time teaching, Higgo for many years acted as President of the KCSA and being part of the organisation team behind many Cambridge and London Reunions. He also served as the School Registrar, showing round prospective parents and organising prizes among other tasks. He finally retired in 2018.
The family invite all KCSA members to attend the funeral, which will be in the West Chapel at the Cambridge Crematorium, Dry Drayton, CB3 0JJ on Wednesday 11 December at 2pm. They look forward to seeing you there if you can make it.
Gerald Peacocke – former Head
It is with deep regret that we share the sad news that Gerald Peacocke passed away peacefully on 25th November 2024 at the Lake View care home in Canterbury. Funeral arrangements are still to be announced.
Hazel Perfect
Members of the KCSA will be saddened to hear of the death of Hazel Perfect on April 2nd, 2024.
She taught at KCS between 1961 and 1999 and was more of an institution than a teacher, associated especially with the dogs which closely accompanied her: Benji, Jason and Chad to name but three.
She was a form tutor at Year 4 level, fondly remembered by countless generations of children, including for example several members of her very first class (among them a head teacher and two acclaimed musicians), who continued to meet up with her for an annual dinner until quite recently.
Many alumni will recall weekly trips to Cambridge library, visits to brass rubbing centres and annual skiing trips abroad (which she initiated. and still continue today). She was a frequent spectator at school sports fixtures and regularly attended chapel, going on a few choir tours latterly. She also ran the junior boarding house for a time.
After retirement in 1999 she continued her service as secretary of the KCSA for over ten years.
In celebration of Hazel’s exceptional contribution to the lives of so many children at the school over several decades, the School has made a donation to the Bursary Fund, which exists to support the payment of school fees for families in times of particular hardship. The Association will contribute an additional £500 to that fund.
Keep in touch
It’s always wonderful to hear from former pupils. If you would like to share your news with other alumni please do send us a brief update (we suggest 200 words limit).
To contact us and join our mailing list please do so here: kcsa@kcs.cambs.sch.uk

Notable Alumni
Christopher Tye
1509 – 1512 (chorister)
1522 – 1536
Notable Tudor composer. Possibly Master over the Choristers
Orlando Gibbons
1596 – 1599
Composer
John Cowell
1562 – 1567
Became Regius Professor of Civil Law in Cambridge University and in 1598, Master of Trinity Hall.
James Essex
Born 1724; school 1734
English builder and architect
William Sterndale Bennett
1824 – 1826
–
C J Sorley
1906 – 1908
War poet
Lord Ramsey of Canterbury
1916 -1919
Archbishop of York form 1956 – 1961
Archbishop of Cantebury from 1961 -1974
Sir Michael Swann
Jelf era
Chairman of the BBC
Lieutenant General Sir William P Oliver
Jelf era
A Vice-Chief of Imperial General Staff and British High Commissioner to Australia
Simon Preston
1952
Christ Church, Oxford and then Westminster Abbey
Andrew Wiles
Born 1953
Mathematician: proving Fermat’s Last Theorem
Ben and Jonathan Finn
1982
Writers of the Sibelius Music Notation software