Small secondaries for eccentric children?

[ElsieEisler]

We're prepared to move to find a good secondary choice for DS, state or private. Our local state options are large, harassed and impersonal, the private options academically pressurised and extremely sporty. Ideally we want somewhere that can bring the best out of an academically under-performing, socially immature, non-conformist, extrovert, easily-stressed child who loves history and drama and hates sport (though prepared to dance and swim). Who is, as you'll have guessed, highly unlikely ever to be cool.

I'm familiar with the Oxfordshire options, such as Leckford Place, though comments welcome on these. Any suggestions for secondary schools I might investigate in your part of the country?

St christophers letchworth

Frensham Heights and Bedales, although increasingly expensive. However some large state schools can provide a home for such children too (need to be big enough to have a critical mass of non-cool non-conformist children).

Leighton Park is brilliant - simply fantastic. Although it is in Reading - they have very late pick-ups. My daughter is there until 9 some nights. They have very good drama facilities. Lots of clubs that include a variety of subjects. Less than 500 pupils - so everyone knows one another. My daughter has been there three weeks and she is so happy.....

They also have boarding facilities....

I think he sounds lovely, by the way....

I wouldn't automatically rule out the larger school.

My ds1 fits your description to a tee and has settled really well in a large (state) secondary. He's 13 now and is part of a sizeable group of geeks, who all hang around together, and compete with each other for their eccentricities!

I get the impression he is the most unusual/eccentric in the group, but there's still a group to belong to.

In a smaller school the odds are he would be more likely to stand out like a sore thumb.

Thanks for everyone's interesting and encouraging suggestions so far. Keep them coming...