Independents for bright but anxious girls

[flipflopping]

I'd be grateful for any advice. DD is at an academic London independent- it's a great school and gets great results. She is academically bright and near the top in most subjects. However, she also has a tendency towards anxiety and perfectionism and I'm starting to worry that the culture of the school (quite academically pressured) isn't helping.

I don't think she wants to move immediately and I don't know how difficult it would be (as it would be a move outside normal admission years). But I'd like to think a bit about whether a move would benefit her- perhaps for sixth form if not now (Y9).

I'd welcome suggestions for schools that offer opportunities for bright students but without the relentless pressure and focus on results. She doesn't need any external pressure, she has quite enough of her own! The only possibility I've though of is Bedales.

Boarding anywhere or day schools accessible from North London, girls or mixed.

Thank you.

I would highly recommend Wychwood School in Oxford. It is a tiny school - but caters for all abilities. It's cosy and quirky and gets a number of girls who have fled from high pressure academic schools in the area. Girls get very individual attention. Excellent school for building self-confidence in a non-threatening and supportive environment. My daughter is there and thriving. Not a school for the sporty as provision is limited by numbers.

Northwood College or St Helens are worth a look, it I think it depends where in North London you are.

Wychwood, definitely. Cosy and quirky but tailored to the individual. Takes all abilities hence not always high in school rankings, but if you're bright you can get to Oxbridge, and if you're less academic then the school really works to ensure value added, and you can explore lots of non-academic options. Pastoral care is excellent.