Bedales?

[anniehart]

Bedales? i'm thinking of sending my daughter there - i've heard alot of bad stuff about it and children i've known have been unhappy there.... opinions anyone?

If you have heard bad stuff and know children who have been unhappy - why are you thinking of sending your daughter there?

How bizarre!!

DD's best friend has just started there and loves it. Not what you'd call a traditionally academic school, though!

I know of two very academic children who have absolutely thrived in this wonderful school, I cannot praise it highly enough! The school has nurtured them both and developed their 'whole person'. One is incredibly academic and the other very bright but more creative and sporty. The school has recognised their gifts and you couldn't meet two nicer children (well adolescents now).

I know something about the school and I am wildly impressed, if we lived closely I would be seriously considering. The staff are committed and enthusiastic and they have a physics teacher who apparently believes in ghosts! How interesting, my physics teacher was as dull as ditchwater if they'd tried to explain ghosts through physics I'd have paid much more attention!

It is a bit unorthodox in that teachers are known by their first name and children don't have to wear uniform. They pick their battles and good manners, respect for others and good behaviour in the classroom are all expected.

Wouldn't touch it with a bargepole - everything you have heard is true (I know lots of families whose kids go there)! Lack of discipline, parents too liberal (mostly arty and media types) and lots of teenage promiscuity. Bedales is defintely a lifestyle choice.

How very strange

Not my experience voulezvou. It's not an academic 'sausage factor' and it's often misunderstood I think. Many assume i 'must' be incredbily lax due to the way the pupils address teachers and no uniform but not the case IME.

I think it's heartening when a school has a slightly unorthodox approach.

That should be 'sausage factORY'. Just made myself laugh thinking of The Sausage Factor, whatever that might be!!

And it should read 'many assume IT must be incredibly lax'. Apologies

Horses for courses but not for us. DS is already too liberal!

I know of two sisters who moved to B from a very academic south London school part way through secondary, and never looked back. Neither was particularly academic, and their family is definitely free range, but they are lovely young women and say they enjoyed B tremendously.

A friend sent her daughter there and she turned out a totally delightful girl. My kids went to a primary for while where they called the teachers by their first names and didn't wear uniform - it's not a sign of impending chaos!

If you are thinking of Bedales from a boarding point of view, you could also check out Frensham Heights (if you're looking for a slighly leftfield kind of education). DD was considering it for sixth form but went elsewhere in the end - I loved the vibe when we went to look around, first names for staff, no uniform, fantastic opportunities for cross year/age group bonding for pupils etc etc...