Independent schools for the quirky/odd/non-conformist/downright difficult!

[Colleger]

Says it all really. If music school doesn't work out then we need to register at a school that will cater for a boy who is bright but only interested in academia when it suits him plus the personality above! I have to assume he won't get into Winchester and although Bedales would fit like a glove I do not want to accentuate the above traits! But let's not argue about Bedales!

Any advice?

.... or the school asked him to leave because he was not progressing ...
oh my gosh, as a teacher in a state school I find this completely shocking. If a child at my school is not making sufficient progress the teacher is expected to put in place a range of bespoke support and interventions to ensure they do make progress - not ask the poor child to leave. Surely it's the school's responsibility to ensure they are making progress, this is what in most of your cases you are paying for after all, not get rid of them when the school fails to do it's job correctly?

This is a specialist music school, not a generalist provider. Of course if child is not delivering as promised it is better for the child to go somewhere more suitable.

Two snappy retarts Wallow and still no suggestions from you ? Come on, you can do better than that.

The description given by OP of her lad does sound quite sad, good at music but can't be arsed to work to hard academically, OP unable to motivate or guide towards less oddity and behavioural difficulties, there is lots in the state system that could support him.

OP is never going to be interested in state, Rosemary. So why waste her time? She is smart enough to work out, google. visit the state schools that nurture talent into recording contracts and conservatoires. That's not the point. She's not buying any of that. Which is as well, because there is a BIG question mark over whether any child of sufficient talent not already closely guided by key players will get into those rare places. Raw talent and brute force of ability is what gets places, and I suspect OP is unlikely to move to play the distance game.

She already has Purcell, that is fine if the boy has enough talent and truly burns for his music. If not, anywhere suitable for her will do. But don't expect the likes of Eton, Westminster and St Paul's to make up for a specialist music school. That's not their portfolio. I wouldn't pay for anything less than absolute top tier and only if it fits my children, so feel unqualified to suggest what she already knows.

Ahhh am getting the hang of this now, this isn't a regular "need ideas choosing a school " its a "could I have some views on a short-list of particular schools".
OK fair enough - have had a read around and it is incredibly interesting, and like you I have nowt on these schools to offer.

Am curious though as to why so many are describing their children as odd or quirky, and even whole schools as being suitable for odd, quirky children. It seems terribly sad, or perhaps just a terminology difference.
Can't help but think these children have high functioning Asbergers traits

Quirky is a positive thing! Anyway, most people with avergage happy-go-lucky kids don't need to post. I've not posted for advice on my eldest.

Agree that quirky is a good thing! Also OP is your son a singer? If so it might be worth looking at choir schools such as Durham Choristers etc because at most if you are a chorister you get substantial fee reductions as well as the opportunity to sing daily.

It's almost certainly too late to consider being a chorister. Most boys start between 7 and 9. (OP's son is yr 6 isn't he?). And they finish at end year 8 - so it'd mean yet another school to find then.

good point, hadn't thought of that!

Rosemaryand Thyme - How rude of you!

And you're wrong about whether whole schools can be suitable for quirky children. My DS went from an Ofsted-rated "good" comp where the children drank beer at break time and he was miserable and lonely to an indie where the boys and girls are polite, tolerant and he is popular.

Schools teach behaviour and values, you know. Sometimes in subtle ways, sometimes more overtly.

terminology difference ume - quirky and odd in RL here wouldn't be positives, more a cause for concern, but in this OP's RL as she's explained it's a positive - it was someone here who mentioned Winchester Collage as being suitable.

He has been a chorister since the age of 7 and he is going to Purcell, so I'm just looking for a back-up really. Will find out if he's flunked Eton soon, then will be assessed at Winchester but I'm really not hopeful for either.

He will go to Eton. Full stop.

I am unconvinced that Eton is the best place for the "quirky/odd/non-conformist/downright difficult" a couple of friends with boys there have also recently made the same comments but maybe I'm/they're wrong.

He will go to Eton. Full stop.

Methinks tis a little early to relegate the boy's musical aspirations to the third tier. However if music is not his life, why not?

Lol at wallow!

Hey Colleger, a school's only a school. Tis your boy that's worth being precious about, not the school. Hope he loves Purcell and they love him.

Oh I am in such a flap about this!

Ds (10) is sort of quirkily intellectual but dyspraxic, slow and useless at IQ type test (as was I at his age- found esn then but went on to Oxbridge etc). He's not a sporty, hearty type and I just can't see him or us at any of the glossy schools (Marlborough, Wellington-and I can't stand Anthony Seldon-Stowe etc.). All his friends are the bright boys, he discusses art, politics etc very intelligently and I think he would be happy at WinColl or Eton. Unfortunately, I just can't see him getting in. He's down for both and for Harrow, which is also v competitive. We too are desperately casting round for fall backs. I've heard good things about Kings Canterbury and Rugby but don't know any current parents and no-one from his school goes there

State school not an option, not because I'm a snob (which I probably am) but because I loathe the national curricululum and league tables and ds loves boarding

?Methinks tis a little early to relegate the boy's musical aspirations to the third tier.?

Here?s for the uninitiated to educate themselves about Eton Music.

Never mind about a school for the ?quirky/odd/non-conformist/downright difficult? and even unbelievably bright let alone ?bright?, Eton will have the resources and ability to deal with all these without so much as moving a hair let alone batting an eyelid.

But let?s just stick with the music here. There?s more than enough opportunities and facilities for your chorister son to fit in somewhere; I?d be more concerned about how he?s going to manage them.

Don?t know exactly what or how many instruments your DS plays but should he decides even to play the didgeridoo or (seeing that he has Scottish blood?) Eton will be more than comfortable to accommodate him that would leave Purcell gasping!

And why. . . if like me, should DS suddenly takes an interest in playing, singing and dancing the peteneras, all he has to do is ask and very soon he?d be playing and singing

Ole!

Tis obvious peteneras that you're an experienced world class performer.

And the rest of us are uninitiated in what Eton can offer a serious aspiring soloist.

No wallowaway, not many (if any) will think Eton is a third tier music school.

Not many (if any) would think Eton a music school.

My son's prep recommend Eton for musically gifted children whose parents don't want them to go to a music school.

"Not many (if any) would think Eton a music school."

That's true to the uninitiated.

The very Foundation of Eton was laid in the memory to God, or rather the ?Mother of God?. The school was then called "The King's College of Our Lady of Eton besides Wyndsor".

Music played a fundamental part in the foundation then as it is now and amongst other things the foundation provided for 16 choristers to sing the praises of God.

Peteneras, can you (or any other poster) help me? My ds2 will be sitting for eton next year but the size of the place scares me. Do the kids get lost/forgotten? 250 in a year group - how do they find their thing? It's making me err towards the smaller all boys schools......yet I know if he gets in he'll want to go. Or am I over analysing this and should just stop worrying and get on with some work?!!