Creative alternative schools in london

[Loopyloo80]

I've come across the Acorn School in Morden, which looks amazing.

Any other stand out creative schools in london?

By creative I mean non-standard, doing something a bit different to the rest.

[lalafafa]

There's lots of very wealthy/ high profile families at KA.

[lalafafa]

king Alfred www.kingalfred.org.uk/Fees-and-Bursaries

[sleepwhenidie]

Look at Heathside in Hampstead as well, definitely quirky and not as hard (ie nigh on impossible) to get into as KA

[sarsel]

hi Loopyloo80

ive just googled best creative schools in london and this mumsnet page came up :) ive read through everyones comments and i thought id shed some light on the hole KAS thing (king alfreds) i dont know if you can private message on this thing ? im a new mum, my son is 2 . i have a sister whos 13 and started at KAS last september. i have always wanted to put my child into that school ( since i grew up in the area and know it well, before having a child )..we also have something else in common lol but im not sure about this site so if we can pm that would be awesome. lol

[PaperdollCartoon]

Too far for you, but look at Bloo House in Hersham.

[38cody]

George Eliot nw8 is a forest (state) school, it was rated outstanding and won a few awards a few years ago but I think it not so good now - under new headship. might be worth a look but look at current performance, not recent history.

[38cody]

If cash is no problem then check out the american school nw8 - it will blow your mind! Amazing place.
Somebody mentioned Fine arts college which is a hidden gem.
Portland place, not really alternative but more laid back, Rainbow Montessori - West Hampstead and highgate
Steiner - kings Langley

[JustDanceAddict]

King Alfred is the only one I know.

[SaltyMyDear]

rainbow-montessori-school.co.uk/

[SaltyMyDear]

There are a couple of Montessori primary schools in London.

They're a bit hard to find because most Montessori places are nurseries. But I think there are around 3 primaries. One in Kilburn.

They'd absolutely be my top choice.

[magnolia99]

theothercatpurred
Anthrosophy is definitley not a religion! It's a philosophy. Regardless of how batty it may be, don't conflate the two.

anthroposophy
noun
"a formal educational, therapeutic, and creative system established by Rudolf Steiner, seeking to use mainly natural means to optimize physical and mental health and well-being."

[Davros]

Doesn't Ibstock specialise in performing Arts? Something like that from what I read on the sign when I drive past

[Closetlibrarian]

Yes, Ibstock seems to have stripped out all the Froebel principles, apart from in the pre-prep (reception and YR1). From that point on it looks like a standard London independent day school (i.e. focused on results, facilities, etc).

[AnotherNewt]

I don't think Ibstock Place is a Froebel school any more.

[NotCitrus]

A lot of state schools are embracing Forest schools and sending classes for a half or whole day each week. Often driven by the desperation to reduce crowding on site, but works well. Have a look at good but not outstanding schools and ask questions.

[Davros]

I have to say, we had a Steiner nursery 2 minutes away from us, way nearer than anything else. We didn't choose it because it was too "woo" and poxy premises. I regularly drive past Ibstock Place and it looks amazing.

[theothercatpurred]

On a more positive note - how old are your DC? Do you have very little ones?

If we were still in London I'd love to send my DC to the nursery in Highgate Wood. They literally spend all day, every day outdoors in the woods, building dens, making mud kitchens, climbing trees etc. What a wonderful start to life!

www.intothewoodsnursery.co.uk/

[theothercatpurred]

Steiner schools are based on a religion called Anthrosophy. As an atheist that puts me off.

But also, their reputation as being centres of creativity is misplaced IMO. They are the opposite of creative.

When learning to draw, for example, the artwork of all the DC at Steiner schools tends to look the same. This is because they're taught a set of symbols and encouraged to use them in all their artwork. They are encouraged to use a particular palette and taught stuff like curves are good, sharp angles are bad (I forget why). That's not creative, that's prescriptive - not to mention batshit IMO!

Worth searching the MN archives for threads on Steiner. If they haven't been deleted, you should find some eye-opening stuff from people who've sent their DC to Steiner.

[Loopyloo80]

Wow ginger! I need to go and see this school now! (Slightly nervous it might be out of my league expensive since its in Hampstead...)

[GingerAndTheBiscuits]

I applied for a teaching job at King Alfred's many years ago and absolutely loved it. The children I met were wonderful and the site and ethos both lovely. In fact I subsequently left teaching because I knew i'd never find a school like it! If I won the lottery I'd want my two to go there!

[Loopyloo80]

Just spotted one in Rohampton - Ibstock Place - which seems to get excellent reports. It's miles away from where I live / would move to though! Arg what a shame!

[Loopyloo80]

Ooh I haven't heard of Froebel schools - I am reading about them now!

I can see there's one in Lewes, having a look to see if there's one in London...

[Closetlibrarian]

Is there a Froebel school anywhere near you? I think you'd like their approach (which, unlike Steiner, has no 'woo' connotations and is founded in actual educational research)