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Original poster

Independent schools for the quirky/odd/non-conformist/downright difficult!

186 replies

Colleger · 01/11/2011 15:36

Says it all really. If music school doesn't work out then we need to register at a school that will cater for a boy who is bright but only interested in academia when it suits him plus the personality above! I have to assume he won't get into Winchester and although Bedales would fit like a glove I do not want to accentuate the above traits! But let's not argue about Bedales! Wink

Any advice?

OP posts:
happygardening · 05/11/2011 13:20

I know four at or who've been at Gordonstoun all were bright one super bright. Three did or are doing really well; fantastic A level/GCSE results one was the U grades! You have to be immune to cold weather, like an outdoor life, highly self motivated and keen to put yourself forward if you going to get the most from it none were particularly musical. As I've already said there is a new head whose bound to push up the academic standard. Its definately better than Milton Abbey and the like.

Original poster
Colleger · 04/11/2011 08:12

Not Gordonstoun!!! I have been battling with DS for years about this school! He desperately wants to go, other than music school, and I know he'd love it there. Academics are poor - A'level results recorded more than one U! My concern is that he will happily ease off the academics and fall in with the rest. He was close to top in his academic prep and is now doing poorly in his non-selective, due to boredom and attitude!

OP posts:
happygardening · 03/11/2011 21:51

Here are some more to think about! For DS1 who is certainly quirky eccentric frustratingly lazy at times but also charming at times too and now very happy in an excellent state comp an ed. psych suggested St David College somewhere in north Wales don't know much more than that and one of his friends very bright but odd is very happy at Gordounston which has a new head so the academic side might improve bit of a schlep but good plane links lots of outdoor activities but I believe to get the most out of it you have to be a self started.

BrigitBigKnickers · 03/11/2011 20:01

Brentwood is absolutely fab for music. Selective but really not excessively so. A big school so lots of choice for friends/ personality types and co-ed but teach girls and boy separately till 6th form.

LynetteScavo · 02/11/2011 23:36

I thought Bootham was selective..maybe not, but that would have been my suggestion.

grovel · 02/11/2011 23:26

And Colleger will like the fact that "Ampleforth is what Eton was...a school for Catholic gentlemen".

happygardening · 02/11/2011 22:26

I know St Edmunds Canterbury well it's bland and full of nice middle class children who can't pass the Kent Test (Grammar School entry exam) its a kind school but the music department has recently been eclipsed by Kent College which is opposite neither have many boarders.
Lots of DS's friends went to Kings Canterbury it seems to take all sorts the clever but lazy the not so clever but hard working the lone wolf the quirky the just not very clever and the seriously bright we must know of about 60 - 70 who've been through only one hated it. I have never looked at it but I suspect it might be worth a look.
The other one I know that does cater for the seriously quirky is Ampleforth if you can live with the RC thing I personally couldn't i do understand you dont have to be really strict RC.

spendthrift · 02/11/2011 10:49

Colleger, sending you a pm

sue52 · 02/11/2011 09:53

St Edmunds Canterbury? More laid back than Kings.

mrswoodentop · 02/11/2011 08:08

Was going to suggest Oakham too or maybe Bootham in York

mummytime · 02/11/2011 07:14

Frensham Heights?

kerrygrey · 02/11/2011 06:00

I can second Oakham. My DD was very happy there and the music is excellent. As a practical consideration too, the town has a railway station with good connections. You don't want to be always driving to and from exeats.

Original poster
Colleger · 01/11/2011 21:14

Kings is also quite selective. Confused

OP posts:
grovel · 01/11/2011 20:58

King's Canterbury?
Good name, older than Eton, very good music.

kritur · 01/11/2011 20:40

Chethams in Manchester

Original poster
Colleger · 01/11/2011 20:14

He's going to Purcell so the music is sorted, just keeping options open in case it doesn't work out.

OP posts:
racingheart · 01/11/2011 19:21

If he's serious about music there's Chethams in Manchester or Yehudi Menuhin in Surrey.

upatdawn · 01/11/2011 19:13

would ideally like a "known" school but a school that fits him is better than the prestige.

I wouldn't choose a school based on it being ''know'' - you have to choose a school that will be right for your DS and IME that takes time (decide which ones may be suitable, look round etc).

Good luck choosing, I hope you find the perfect school for your DS (I know it can be a bloody nightmare!) :)

Original poster
Colleger · 01/11/2011 19:05

I think he would suit Winchester but I don't think he is bright enough. At the most he would be bottom of a bright bunch and he would struggle in this position. I had forgot about Oakham - that's one I will definitely consider. Uppingham kids I know are always boozing and sniffing!

OP posts:
grovel · 01/11/2011 18:58

This is tricky because IME the "quirky and odd" are often happiest at the more academic schools (Westminster, Eton, Winchester etc).

MuddlingThroughItAll · 01/11/2011 18:57

I too thought Bootham when reading the thread OP. Like Leighton it is a quaker school and is very musical etc but not sporty. It also gets good academic results but I don't think it's selective so also good for someone not too academic.

Milkshake3 · 01/11/2011 18:55

St Edwards, Oxford or Marlborough? Do you want coed or single sex?

EdithWeston · 01/11/2011 18:51

Uppingham or Oakham perhaps?

Original poster
Colleger · 01/11/2011 18:49

He is too bright for Milton and I'm not sure the music is up to much. :/

OP posts:
grovel · 01/11/2011 18:47

Milton Abbey?