Anyone's child go to an 'alternative' school?

[belindarose]

If so, can you talk to me about it please? DD is starting at an alternative school soon (holistic, 'human scale', democratic) and family think we're mad...

Well if you are happy with the school and have researched its methods and are comfortable with it and believe that it will work for your child and can afford to pay for it ( assuming it is fee paying) then I don't think you have to justify yourself to anyone!

Although slightly different situation, we moved our kids to an indie which I can't describe as "alternative" but it was certainly different to other local indie schools- big focus on holistic, sometimes prioritised outdoor pursuits/music/drama over academia, long school days etc. It was also a 30 min drive from our house and we got panned for it by most of our local friends and lost some of them.

All I can say is our DCs thrived- my DD was stimulated and gained her confidence and DS learnt to read properly, enjoy learning ( primary school claimed he had significant number and reading problems- never had any learning support at new school) and excel in Maths. Both passed Common Entrance well and got into senior schools of choice - never looked back.

Only you know your own child best and where they will thrive- go for it!

I went to one age 12-13 (Summerhill model). I'm glad I didn't stay there long term. I seriously considered sending DS1 to Summerhill but am glad I rejected that, too.

Our three oldest did. It has sadly since shut. They had a lovely time- it was very free but with good academic standards- the kind of school every child should be able to attend. They all went on to competitive entry senior schools, as did most of the children they were at school with. They have all done very well academically since then (DS doing very well at university having been through a few wobblies at A level, DD1 and DD2 have just done extremely well in the exam treadmills of Years 10 and 12). Alternative does not mean compromising academics. Depends on the school.

I'm not worried about the academic standards, although that's what family are concerned about (and that they think she'll be 'spoiled' and think she can do whatever she likes).

I've been a teacher for 16 years. You'd think they would trust my judgment on this! DH and I are happy. I'm sure it'll be great.

Deviating from the accepted norm frequently brings criticism from friends and family and even strangers you meet in the park. We chose to full board our children from 7 yrs old and I have been virtually lynched for it. What matters is that you believe youre doing the right thing; assuming you've carefully looked into your choice, asked all the right questions, have sufficient intelligence to grasp the implications and most importantly believe in what the school does, go for it.
One word of warning even if it's an obvious success don't expect those who initially critisised you to come round to your way of thinking and especially congratulate you on your wise decision they won't!

I work in a Prep school, quite traditional, just a regular school really though, and we seem to pick up a fair few children each year from another local prep school where the children address their teachers by their first name and they can wear what they like. We find that parents often want more rigour by Yrs 5/6 rather than the free and easy that seemed so appealing to them when they picked the school when their child was younger.

You just have to do what you believe is right for your child and if it doesn't work out don't be afraid to go back to a more traditional school.

Not sure if it's what you mean by alternative, (althpugh it really is alternative in the fullest sense of the word. I mean it is really different in terms of set up, from the bulk of all other schools. But perhaps not in term of philosophy. Although I guess many of the kids going come from quite altie familes.)

But my son starts here on Monday, and I'm so excited my head might fall off

This is the first time I haven't dreaded school going back since 2004.

How exciting for you and your son, Suocera!

that looks interesting

I keep checking the computer to make sure it's still working as a hysterical displacement activity.

They have been so flexible. I'm putting him in year 7 although he is 12 cos although bilingual he has only been to Italian school and when I HEed him I had to prioritise the Italian for all subjects cos of the mandatory (that turned out to be big Fat Lie) annual exams. No quibble from them at all. Loads of extra classes like Spanish, Chinese, Creative writing, Science club etc...and no issue with me not wanting him to do French. So I can stick his Italian tutor on Thursdays with worrying he is going to be overloaded.

His freinds keep looking at him like he is going to sprout a flying jet ski type skatboard any minute cos they think it is so spaceage this going to school on a computer

He is pleased. But not boucning off the walls cos the British school year starts two weeks earlier and finishes a month later. But I am bringing him around by pointing out all the extra hols during the year.

wow thanks for the link suocera, that really just might suit my son who is 13 and in a PRU (Pupil Referral Unit), which I am just dreading him returning to.

Nelly

They also enroll kids where the LA coughs up the fees. Kids who can't attend school for a variety of reasons, sickness, phobia, kids who otherwise would attend PRUs etc. If you have a chat with them you might be able to sort something out so he has access where the LA funds his place.

I know a couple of people who have used Interhigh and been very pleased with it suocera.

It's my back up if secondary goes tits up for any reason at any stage.

I know a couple of people who have used Interhigh and been very pleased with it suocera.

Oh thanks for telling me that

I did ask around but couldn't find anybody who'd BTDT. So far I have been working on the basis that it couldn't possibly be any worse than the last 8 years and they seemed so helpful on the phone.

The demo lesson the other day went really well. Aside from DS hissing at me to go away and stop bouncing all over the room with excitement cos I was putting him off.

If this works it can take him up to A levels and then I can bundle him off to The UK (or the Netherlands) for FE and not beat myself up for the rest of time that accidentally buying the perfect house (with a reasonable price tag) in the wrong school area screwed up his education.

My "baby" is going back to school and I don't feel this huge lump of dread sitting on my chest and there is no "pre firding of loins" going on. Farkkking hell this has been a long time coming.

or pre girding even

I went to a progressive secondary school which I'm guessing would be similar to an alternative school. It used many aspects of the Summerhill model, but had a bigger emphasis on discipline, although we were still considered 'spoilt'. I think it worked well for most pupils, and academically we did do well - exam results were better than the public school about 100 yards down the road. Saying that though, the school was selective so the vast majority of the pupils were motivated and did want to be there, I'm not sure how well it would work for kids who felt differently. There were a few in my year who did move to conventional schools.

Overall, I can honestly say that if I still lived in that area I would have sent my children there.

If this works it can take him up to A levels and then I can bundle him off to The UK (or the Netherlands)
that does sound interesting, as my son is talking about the netherlands as a destination for HE. Could I pm you please?

Of course!

All I know about the Netherlands is that they do degrees taught in English, and as EU residents it costs a fraction of what a UK uni will cost. I looked some of them up and while the choice of courses is a bit limited at the moment they are planning on expanding the range.

If Italy gets chucked out of the EU for being "bad with money" that option may disappear though.

Not sure where it would leave us with a British uni either actually.