'Progressive' schools - any suggestions?

[indiegrrl]

Hi, a friend of mine is interested in sending her DC (age 8) to a 'progressive' school - non-selective, no uniform, first names with teachers, emphasis on co-operation rather than competition...can anyone recommend a day school in Oxfordshire/Merseyside or boarding school anywhere, please? State or private. Her DC is currently at a primary school like this and ideally she'd like him to go to the socially mixed local comp, but she needs to move abroad by time he starts secondary school and wants him to settle in a school w similar ethos. I'm also interested (though many yrs from considering schooling!) hence asking about Oxfordshire as well as Merseyside. Any advice really welcome!

St Christopher's School Letchworth might fit the bill. Not in Oxon /Merseyside - Hertfordshire - but very much around the lines you are thinking (although no direct personal experience). Google its name for more info.

Summerhill. It's fantastic. Trying to get my child in there next year or the year after.

Frensham Heights in Farnham. It may be a bit far.

The Bedales group of schools near Petersfield. A friend teaches there outdoor work groups rather than PE, their own exam system to 16. Very impressive when I visited to do a careers fair for them. Very popular with families in music, media etc.

Really useful everyone, thanks for these. Some of them look great. The fees are huge aren't they...but I think my mate will get some contribution from her firm. Here's hoping I win the lottery! What a shame there aren't many schools like this in the state system. Stantonbury Campus in Milton Keynes has a similar rep but just not great for where we live.