Secondary with good pastoral care for quiet boy with confidence issues, commutable from Bromley?

[Becksforthewin]

I'd love recommendations for a secondary that could help my very bright, creative boy grow in confidence on his school journey. His state primary has not been remotely helpful so I'm looking for a nurturing secondary that celebrates individuals and will help him see his worth without him needing to shout to be seen. We are very prepared to go private but it needs to be in Bromley or Croydon (or somewhere that has a school bus on this route). Any suggestions very welcome! Thanks.

Babington House in Chislehurst? Bishop Challoner in Shortlands? Unless he has an EHCP you must have an idea of what state schools are possible - you'd need to be within a couple of miles for most. Avoid Harris academies.

Thanks, yes I do know state school-wise but I'm ideally looking for personal recommendations from people who may have been in a similar situation and found somewhere brilliant (and we would be prepared to move in the area – I have an older one who is very happy in her school so it can't be too far)! He is very clever so I'd like to nurture that if possible, as I think he draws some confidence from that (long story but school don't seem to have noticed. He has an 11-plus tutor who has been blown away and he loves doing extra maths with her and then works on it for fun in his down time). I think the above may not stretch him as much as he needs. He has been assessed by school and doesn't have SEN, he is just very quiet.

I would recommend Babington over Bishop Challoner if your son is very bright, or Trinity might be a nice fit. It is Croydon but Shirley isn't far from the Bromley border, depending where in the borough you are.

Another vote for Babington. There are some very bright children there who get top results but many people think of it as “non academic” which is not correct : they are able to cater for a range of abilities. It has been brilliant for my daughter.

Thanks so much! I'll definitely go and take a look at Babington in that case. Good to hear such a lovely report from somebody with a child there, @Bananafofana. Trinity is on the list!