Zacsmaster, that's exactly what I was getting at. Every state school in the country is different in terms of its ethos, specialisms and people. However, they all teach the same, basic curriculum and foster the same values. They all work to the same, basic philosophy. They have to because they belong to the government and they are paid to. The child either suits the system or has to learn to suit it, because the system won't bend (it's just so flakey that it looks flexible).
Private schools, however, exist to suit just about every type of child and family you could find, from Eton to Summerhill. Somewhere on the spectrum, you will find a school whose philosophy suits your child. Admittedly, most parents want a school that will enable/encourage a child perform well academically, which many private schools do - they know where the money is, after all. But it's not - and shouldn't be - the only definition of education and not every child needs or benefits from that. If you want something different without going down the home-education route, then you have more chance of finding it in the private sector.