When to de-register?

[barksgirl]

Last week we expressed our concerns to son's teacher, that he says he hates school, behaviour at home,etc. She was surprised although she had told us of his lack of confidence in some areas and that he gets upset at school.He's in Y1, we hoped he would grow to like school but things are getting worse.
Yesterday we received a letter from the EWO saying that the school is concerned about his attendance .
I don't feel that the school is being very helpful and that we'll be forced to make a descision to HE soon.
I'd really appreciate some advice please?

[Julienoshoes]

hello barksgirl
First of all I'd have a look at the 'how to find other home educators' thread and see if you can get in touch with some folks near to you.

Also do your reseacrh and check out the main HE websites;

www.education-otherwise.org/ The website of the largest HE organisation.

home-education.org.uk/ -Brilliant (imho) independent website.
Both of the above websites have links to email support groups where hundreds of home educators hang out and are a sorce of great support.

www.he-special.org.uk/index.php For families who home educate children with special educational needs.

www.muddlepuddle.co.uk/ A website especially for parents who home educate children young children. This would be great for you-there is also a support list for families with young children here;
groups.yahoo.com/group/EarlyYearsHE/

home-ed.info/ is the other independent website that I would recommend.

Together all of these websites will lead you to everything you need to know about home education in the UK. All sorts of resources and information can be obtained for little cost from the internet.

I'd also suggest getting a copy of Free Range Education, edited by Terri Dowty-you can get it from the library. It has 20 chapters written by different HE families, about how HE works for them. Several different styles of HE are talked about there.
There are other books about HE talked about on another thread here.

If you join EO, you will get a contact list and a copy of the book "School is Not Compulsory" which is also very helpful.

I know I am biased, but if the school thinks your ds is unhappy in school and they are not being helpful and your child is not growing to like it (suggesting he actively dislikes it) what is to stop you deregiatering now and taking him out of his misery?

If you want to talk privately, you can contact me via the info@ link from our local HE website.

regards
Julie
Home Educating in Worcestershire
www.worcestershire-home-educators.co.uk/

[barksgirl]

Thankyou Julie, that's very helpful, I suppose I'm just a little nervous of taking the plunge!
I have just read the schools attendance policy and there's quite a large paragraph on parentally condoned absence.
I think it's probably best that he's deregistered before the school starts unauthorising his absences, now that they know he has 'tummyaches' and 'headaches'.
Am going to look at all those websites you recommend this evening,
thanks again!

[Julienoshoes]

Our youngest child had terrible 'stomach aches and headaches' every day when she was in school.
Funny how they dissappeared completely when she was deregistered.

All of us were nervous whilst considering deregistration. Personally we just looked at what the alternative of keeping them in school would mean. Didn't take us long to send in that letter after that.

If you have any other questions, just ask.
I'm happy to talk about HE 'til the cows come home

[Runnerbean]

When to de-register??

What about today!!

[barksgirl]

Haha! Yes we did it today! Just waiting for it to sink in...
I have to say 'Thankyou' to Mumsnet and HE discussions, reading everyone's comments has been such a great help to us in making our decision.

[milou2]

what a brave move. Take it easy while you adjust.