I home educate - my DS has never been to school - AMA

[OvertheUnicornRainbow]

My DS is almost 13, always been home-educated and is thriving. Ask me anything

@Hopefulhalf -,he doesn't really have the working memory for a MFL. He is studying Latin and Japanese, though. We've not really looked into the Science GCSE yet. It depends where he want a to go but probably Arts.
@atankofskunks - I'm aware of what happens at school and the necessary limit on educational trips. If you read the thread you'll see I do shifts. I work when my DS,is with friends or his dad 3 x a week. That leaves plenty of time for me to take him on trips - of course he also does them with his dad and his friends. He's 13 - he doesn't need me there all the time!!

Do you leave him home alone to study during the daytime then OP?

I'm aware of what happens at school and the necessary limit on educational trips

But then there's those things known as weekends, not to mention 13 weeks holiday per year...

Why isn't Japanese a MFL ?

@atankofskunks - you might be impressed with all your DD's GCSEs - but in the real world they're not that important. By the time my DS and your DD have their dad agrees no one will care how many GCSEs they have! What I meant about studying was you seem to lack the knowledge or confidence, maybe to study independently. You need someone else to tell you where you are headed and the next step. I'm able to do that myself.

It might be worth looking into. Many Russell Group universities look at GCSEs as well as A levels, particularly with AS decoupling. I know that Birmingham wants 7 or more, for instance, while most Oxford courses look at the top 8 GCSE grades. Many medicine courses, including non-Russell Group, require similar numbers (some as many as nine). He may not want to go to these kinds of schools or do these courses, but if he does, it's worth considering.

Another question, if I may. You said that your learning was child-led, and I think that's interesting. Do you ever want to/have to make him do something he doesn't already do? If so, what are your lines in the sand? Is there anything that you insist on, whether or not he wants to study it? If not, how do you think he'll cope when asked to do something academic that he doesn't want to do in the future (say in uni)? (Do you think it makes him better at independent work or worse at following directions--or both!?)

(Perhaps different requirements for GCSEs for home education? I don't know.)

What I meant about studying was you seem to lack the knowledge or confidence, maybe to study independently. You need someone else to tell you where you are headed and the next step. I'm able to do that myself

You don't know what you don't know though OP, do you not see that? You can be the most self sufficient student in the world but without someone with expertise you will ultimately hit a barrier in knowing where to head next. I did my masters degree through distance learning whilst on maternity leave from work. I did it alone- however, I still had a tutor to show drafts to, to discuss ideas with etc.

I would add that in my professional job where a degree is essential I have always been asked about GCSEs and A levels on applications.

@hopfulhalf - yes, of course schools offer some trips but obviously home-ed kids have time for lots more! There are a lot of courses/lectures we've done that just aren't available to schooled kids. My DS has only just turned 12 so we've done lots of museums up til now. But they do activities for older ones - they can learn a lot from the historians.

But they do activities for older ones - they can learn a lot from the historians

Almost like a qualified history teacher with a degree in the subject then?

He may not want to go to these kinds of schools or do these courses, but if he does, it's worth considering

Indeed. And if he thinks he doesn't now but then changes his mind later on, then what?

@neome - sorry to hear that.
@atankofskunks - occasionally but not on a regular basis. Oh and home-ed kids get weekends and holidays too!
@hopefulhalf - I was just referring to him not doing a MFL GCSE
@nancydrawn - thanks. Sometimes I wanted to impose things on him - but it all came with time. I whenever required him to do anything. I think Uni will be fine as it is like studying for a GCSE - he has chosen to do it so although he might not like every topic he knows he needs,to do it to pass which is his goal and therefore motivation.

May I respectfully remind posters who are keen on the state system of education that not all parents sending their children to state schools expect they will get 8+ GCSEs and go to a Russell group university.

I’m not convinced all 13 year olds at state schools have a clear idea of where they are heading with GCSEs, A-levels etc. Many suffer from bullying or other social stresses.

Not all state schools provide excellent teaching in every subject in every lesson. Many children experience exclusion.

I can understand that if you are not a teacher and don’t see yourself as an expert learner it makes sense to rely on teachers you trust to educate your children.

@atankofskunks - it's true you don't know what you don't know but you plan your course of study. You look at the syllabus and assignments and exams. Maybe we study differently. I've never needed to discuss ideas - it's all the marking grid in black and white.
The experts in their field I would say about 10x better than a teacher. Not bogged down with a narrow curriculum and discipline issues.

Honestly OP, if you are leaving your 13 year old at home during the day to "study" then you are not home educating him. He is home educating himself. I struggle to see how anyone would consider that to be better than ANY school to be honest.

@atankofskunks - if I needed certain qualifications to do a course I wanted to do - I'd just get the qualifications.

if I needed certain qualifications to do a course I wanted to do - I'd just get the qualifications

Which is in fact what most young people who attend school each day are in the process of doing, whilst your son visits museums.

@atankofskunks - remember I said he is home alone occasionally. Now bear in mind,he can complete in a day the amount of academic work a school does in a week. So a day on his own occasionally doing homework (which I am sure your DD does alone out of school) - hardly means he is not home educated!!

@atankofskunks - museums now or is,it home alone? I'm sorry your ignorance is making me laugh! Bet the kids stuck in the same old classrooms, with the same old teachers would love to be at the museum! I know I would have! GCSEs bored me to tears!

My daughter doesn't work at home alone while I go out to work OP. Not ever. I think you'd be surprised how much work she does at school too- and of course her homework will have been set (and will be marked) by her teachers. It is not left to chance and wishful thinking that her own motivation will teach her all she needs to know.

GCSEs bored me to tears!*

Do you think you may be projecting your own experience of school onto your child OP? You didn't enjoy it- that doesn't mean that it is by design boring.

And for the record I daresay most kids would prefer a day at Alton Towers but that doesn't mean it's in their best interest to go there rather than school.

@atankofskunks - she's never home alone, ever? I suppose they mature at different rates but I thought most were ok by secondary school age! I know how much work is done as I went to school. 1:1 is always going to be faster. My DS also has work marked. It is not motivation that teaches you all you need to know! It is motivation to study and knowing how to learn. I'm sure your DD will develop those skills eventually.

He he OP. You're making me laugh now.

Who marks his work? You?