Quirky learning and unexpected happiness for school refusers at alternative schools - really? Who would have thought that school refusers turn out to be secret gems rather than sad misfits? The reader learns how the principal began her alternative schools with no money, no teaching resources, no premises, and few guidelines. One trained teacher; she was it. The only truly dependable resource was unhappy school kids, more than anyone expected. The results are both surprising and delightful. "Secret Gems - not Misfits! True tales of school refusers and the case for alternative schools" puts forwards the case for alternative schools and why they are so desperately needed all over the country. In an age where teachers are leaving their profession in droves, where kids academic results seem to stagnate, or plummet, alternative schools provide a refreshing insight into how we can do schooling differently and make education enjoyable again for teachers, parents and all kids, but particularly those kids called to the beat of a drum.