north london home education

[notsoyummymum]

My daughter is due to start reception in september, but I'm seriously thinking of the home education route, are there any others in this area with the same idea.

[iBundle]

has she got a place in a school?

[oops]

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[notsoyummymum]

yes we do have a place, but having serious doubts. Have applied to another school so thinking about home ed until a place comes up there.

[lilyfire]

hi We're in S London. We don't have a place at the moment, but are on the waiting list. I'm sort of hoping we don't get to the top until I have a chance to try HE for a while. Have done quite a bit of reading about it and am sort of excited and sort of think I must be mad and it'll just be too hard (I have two smaller ones). Do have a look at the EO site and also I'm sure you'll find N London yahoo (or maybe google) HE groups you can join. Looking at local yahoo group messages gave me an idea of what kind of meet-ups and outings went on, so I could sort of start to see a structure to the days.

[oops]

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[onwardandupward]

Your EO local contact is on this page

www.education-otherwise.org/About%20EO/About%20EO/LocalGroupsList.htm

there is almost certainly a local email group.

[julienoshoes]

NSYM -If it is North West London-you are in luck-there resides "The Otherwise Club"!
Certainly this club always did meet on a weekly basis and has all sorts of activities organised -don't know what is there for younger children, but I know they do GCSEs -in subjects that interest the young people, as a group and go on trips and activities together.

There is a link to it from the EO website.

Look at the 'finding other home educators thread here.

[iBundle]

if you're leaning towards another school then I'd be tempted to stay with the one you've got rather than go down the HE route - unless you're committed to HE I'd imagine it could be quite tricky

[julienoshoes]

what do you mean, 'could be quite tricky' iBundle-getting into another school, or home based education?

[onwardandupward]

A bit of a from me too.

I don't see any problem at all with HEing a child for a week, a month, 6 months, a year while waiting for a place to come up at a preferred school. If you're badly wanting them to be at that school, why chop and change them around between institutions? Much better to enjoy having them learning with you at home while waiting IMNSHO.

Nothing particularly tricky about HE. It's not rocket science. (well, it could be, but hardly at a level to tax a parent when child is aged 4)

[iBundle]

no problem with doing it but it really doesn't sound as if the OP is committed to HE iykwim - the school she's waiting for is what she obviously wants. never implied it was rocket science - just know someone who HE'd for a bit while waiting for school place and it didn't go well

[julienoshoes]

but then I know hundreds of people who put their children in school (including me) and it didn't go well...........

I don't think home ed is tricky at all-especially in a child so young-you just carry on inexactly the way you did before the child got to reception age.

but then having got our children to the other end of the compulsary eduation age, I don't think home ed is tricky at all-certainly not if you are in touch with and getting supprt from the home ed community.

now keeping unhappy children in school.......... that was very hard.

[Sunnylondra]

I'm a single (working) parent with a 7 year old daughter (who is currently still at school).

We are extremely keen to meet other local families who are/are interested in home educating.

I've heard and read lots about the Otherwise Club in Kilburn but can't find its website/any working link to it. Probably just not looked properly, but if anyone does have contact info for them, I'd be grateful.

I am particularly interested in finding other families who might be interested in pooling resources (eg. helping with each other's children, sharing the cost of a tutor) so that I can keep my own teaching job.

Please do contact me if any of this is of interest.

[Kayteee]

Hi Sonnylondra,

If you email me on [email protected]
I'll send you the email of a lady I know who runs the Otherwise Club you mentioned.

I'll try and dig out some more info local for you too. We go to a rollerblading group in Battersea sometimes...that's a great laugh

[Kayteee]

Just thought Battersea is South innit

[Jackiebt]

Hi we are moving to North London in August and I am finding it almost impossible to get my son into a school. I am interested in HE him. My son is currently 4 and is in reception class he is due to go into year 1 in September. I would love to hear from other parents that are home educating in North London.

[2kidzandi]

Jackiebt, Hello! Sorry don't live north london (bit useless then aren't I?) but i'm sure someone round here knows a group or something. Just wanted to give you a reply and bump up the thread. Someone much more useful will be around soon: Why can't you get him into a school? Not that i'm suggesting you should do obviously, just nosey!

[Kayteee]

Hi Jackie,

here's the north london yahoo group

Just join and wait for approval. There will be some people there who can help.

[Jackiebt]

Hi we are moving to North London and I am finding it very difficult to get my son into a school, I am considering home educating him. He is four almost five. We would love to meet other parents that are home educating.

[Jackiebt]

Hi 2kidzandi I have been trying to get my son in a school since easter but they are totally over subscribed and due to the current climate the schools that I have been visiting are saying that there has been little movement in the school.

[2kidzandi]

Hello jackiebt, I think 4 or 5 is a nice age to try HE since it naturally evolves from the things you probably already do together anyway. Strangely, many people find that once they HE the LEA makes a greater effort to find them a place in a school of their choice, so the option (to try school again later if you want) is always there. Get onto the North London HE list Kaytee's mentioned, you'll find lots of friends with DC your DC's age there. Have fun!

[Jackiebt]

Hi 2kidzandi just wondering if you are HE your children at the mo?

[Jackiebt]

Hi Kayteee Thanks

[2kidzandi]

Hi again Jackiebt, yes I HE 2 DC aged 7 and 10. This year has been something of a learning curve for us! Last year both were attending school. I had a lot of support from others on mumsnet and Education Otherwise when I was thinking of taking them out. The school wasn't awful, but my yongest in particlar just didn't blossom in the schooly environment and with 29 other children in his class, he was often over looked and stopped showing an interest in learning completely. HE has been a lifesaver for him (not sure about me)

Anyway, I think that if you are considering it you should try and join up to a local group as soon as possible. Doing it/considering everything on your own can be tough, it's great to actally meet up with others who are in the place you are, even if it's just occasionally. Also, I'm jealous that you've got the guts to try it with yor DC at this age. Wish I had followed my instincts and not bothered sending mine so early. What was the race for?

And stay around mumsnet. Ask any questions here you like, there are lots of really useful people around. Good luck!

[Jackiebt]

Thankyou 2kidzandi for advice much appreciated at this moment in time. I intend to join as many groups as we can. I am already searching!!