Cambridge - progressive / alternative secondary school?

[AnnaFiveTowns]

Does anyone know of any progressive or alternative type (secondary) schools in the Cambridge area?

What do you mean by progressive/alternative? What are you looking for in a secondary school?

how far are you willing to travel? St Christophers in Letchworth (so around 40 mins from Cambridge) might be worth a look?
www.stchris.co.uk/about-us/why-choose-st-chris/

I'm looking for a school that puts the emotional wellbeing of the child above all else but that is also fairly academically rigourous; preferably non-uniform, no / very little homework, small relaxed classes etc. Not necessarily a democratic school but something with similar values.

I'll have a look at St Christophers, thanks

Something like this
totnesprogressiveschool.devon.sch.uk/

but in Cambridge

Sorry, link fail.

https://totnesprogressiveschool.devon.sch.uk/pages/about-us/about-us-and-our-ethos/106

I think St Christopher's would fit what you described above, the only thing that would be slightly different is the amount of homework as the amount changes as you move up the school (check the FAQs page for more info)

Thanks, Sleep. That looks promising.

There's a Steiner school, or sanction Wood is very nurturing and small. They do wear uniforms though I'm sure.

Is the Steiner school just primary though?

I think the steiner school goes up to age 14, so your dc couldn't sit GCSEs there x

Cambridge Steiner school now goes to age 16 "and beyond"

There is a thread about it in the mumsnet Cambridge local section which talks about whether it is more of a cult than a school which tallys with what I have heard about the Cambridge school. Lots of parents liked the idea of the school but then found it to be an uncomfortable community to be part of.

St Christopher's is a long way away, a tough commute for a child imo but if you lived somewhere between Letchworth and Cambridge rather than in Cambridge obviously more do-able.

St Bedes (state sector)seems quite big on pastoral care but is very definitely a faith school. Sancton Wood isn't the strongest academically.

Has anyone got any recent opinions on Sancton Wood school please? My son is bright enough - not super bright but in top sets at current school but he really hates his current school and is desperate to leave. He has enough friends but finds the teaching quite stressful. He is very sporty but does a lot out of school. Would be nice to have some school competitions though obviously covid aside. I think I’m after a school which has good quality teaching and allows children to have an active interest and discussion in the subject they are learning. Positive teachers. Somewhere which is not a hot house but extends the children to be the best they can. Somewhere where the students are encouraged to look out for each other and take care of themselves and each other. SW looks to take a very mixed intake and that considered seems to get good results at gcse. My son is currently year 8 and is on the waiting list for an alternative state secondary but came across SW and thought it may be a viable alternative. Thanks