Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think if you home educate a child, you (the parent) are the educater?

181 replies

greytartan · 12/06/2015 22:24

I have absolutely no issues with Home Ed and in fact see it largely as a positive.

What I am upset about is the fact a student of mine has been withdrawn from the school I teach at to be educated at home. As indicated above, I am supportive of this if the parents feel it is right.

However, I apparently have to set her work, and mark it,

Surely that's not right? As if she is educated at home then - well, as the name suggests!

Or AIBU?

OP posts:
windypolar · 12/06/2015 23:17

If you've been providing work since October, and marking, then you must have a vague idea of how to gauge what level she is at by now?

Teachers often have to provide work for children still on the school roll, for variety of reasons. Ask the head for clarification if you feel it necessary, but it doesn't sound like she's HE (as that particularly, forgive me if I'm wrong, seemed to rankle).

Original poster
greytartan · 12/06/2015 23:21

I suppose I use Mumsnet mostly, and I just received another email and I am tired, and old, and unprofessional to boot. Anyone would think Girl wanted a row.

However, there is no refusal to provide the work - the fact I've been doing so since October should be indicative of this. My line manager is unfortunately not someone currently available.

OP posts:
EllenJanethickerknickers · 12/06/2015 23:22

I was using PRU as shorthand, as it's now an alternative placement. Certainly not Borstal! Shock

Original poster
greytartan · 12/06/2015 23:22

Well windy I'm afraid it isn't really but I'll spare the details. Work tends to be completed somewhat sparsely and then more work is demanded from me.

I feel like bloody Boxer!

I will work harder. And end up in the knackers yard. Girl will be holding the gun.

OP posts:
ghostyslovesheep · 12/06/2015 23:24

oh I cried when Boxer died - don't be Boxer x

tethersend · 12/06/2015 23:25

Your line manager is not available? Why not?

I would contact your union in that case.

Original poster
greytartan · 12/06/2015 23:28

I won't go into that on here tethers because clearly that would be identifiable.

How many weeks left?

I need sodding wine in its bucket loads.

OP posts:
Mumite · 12/06/2015 23:30

I think yes you need to just take your concerns and questions here to a superior / the education authority / union - basically whoever can give you answers.

There are many reasons why the pupil may not be in school I guess - from a pregnancy / abortion / miscarriage, illness, family safety, etc.

Can you ever speak to her by phone or "chat" online? In these days of ICT that would seem to be fundamental ...

SallyMcgally · 12/06/2015 23:30

We took DS 13 out of school in Jan because of bullying. Got him referred to CAMHS who said his response was entirely normal and his bullies needed help not him, so couldn't keep him on roll on medical grounds. He's now EHE. There's a small chance he might go back in Sep, so they'll let us know if it looks as if there will be a lot of admissions. His Maths teacher marked the first test for him, and when he came off roll sent me revision tests and test papers every half term. We've been following in this way what he would have done if he'd been in school. He sends me the mark schemes so I can mark. If DS doesn't go back this won't continue I'm sure. And I'm very very grateful to him for this year, as I do know he doesn't have to do this.

Original poster
greytartan · 12/06/2015 23:33

Honestly, we have been told she is being educated at home. Those exact words.

This is the source of the confusion to me as those words meant to me that a child is no longer being educated by the school. Clearly, that is not happening here. It is most odd.

I hoped to get some answers by posting here and I have. Some insults too of course but that is par for the course for Mumsnet.

OP posts:
Egosumquisum · 12/06/2015 23:36

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

BumpTheElephant · 12/06/2015 23:38

I was withdrawn and home educated by a lovely teacher who used to actually come to my home and teach me, the school could provide 8hrs and only in three subjects but I was so grateful. I had MH issues as a result of some pretty horrible abuse and was unable to go into school.
The school and staff were wonderful and plenty of them sent work home without even being asked to and wrote me letters of encouragement.

I was still at pupil at the school the whole time and my mother had absolutely nothing to do with home educating me. She did not withdraw me.

ghostyslovesheep · 12/06/2015 23:39

I think what they mean is she is getting her education - from your school - at home. not EHE

The school are still receiving funding for her - ergo they have a duty to keep educating her

that is why you are sending work home

Original poster
greytartan · 12/06/2015 23:39

Well, but when one is told 'this child is being home educated' one does think, well, the child is being home educated.

There are other teachers being asked for work, yes. However, no one knows details. We have had a lot of staff changes.

OP posts:
BumpTheElephant · 12/06/2015 23:40

The teacher who came to my home was paid to do it though.

Egosumquisum · 12/06/2015 23:42

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

ghostyslovesheep · 12/06/2015 23:42

the phrase for home education that means she is no longer on school role is 'elective home educated' - whoever said she is 'home educated' just meant she's at home and we are still teaching her

it's not an ideal situation for either partner really long term

Original poster
greytartan · 12/06/2015 23:42

Oh, I don't doubt it Ego. I just don't feel the current system is workable. Not that it will change any time soon!

OP posts:
Original poster
greytartan · 12/06/2015 23:43

Indeed ghosty!

OP posts:
NormaStits · 13/06/2015 09:32

Can't you look on the school's registration software (sims etc) and see what code she's being registered under? That will help explain what reason she's on roll for.

It's not an uncommon occurrence but tbh I find it difficult to believe that you have so little details. When we've had this situation with pupils we get told roughly what is happening and why. If your line manager isn't available, ask the senco. Or ask one of her other subject teachers if they've heard anything.

sunniest · 13/06/2015 09:43

I feel for you OP as sending some homework home for a little while is one thing but trying to teach the whole years curriculum through work being sent home and no contact time with the student is a huge ask and even if you are spending time writing loads of extra resources it doesnt sound like a very effective way of helping the student anyway. In our area there are some children who are out of school and have work sent home for short periods (up to a term) but this is generally accompanied by at least a couple of hours a week of a local authority home tutor who can actually teach the student any of the bits they are struggling to get.

Fairenuff · 13/06/2015 09:47

I wont go into details, but unfortunately discussing it with management isn't an option.

In that case you need to get in touch with your union. I'm surprised that you are so ignorant of procedures tbh, are you new to teaching? Or are you not in the uk?

merrymouse · 13/06/2015 09:49

It's not the fact that you are sending work home that seems odd to me - it's that you don't know why.

I would imagine that there would be staff meetings where you would discuss this kind of thing.

merrymouse · 13/06/2015 09:52

There are other teachers being asked for work, yes. However, no one knows details. We have had a lot of staff changes.

It sounds as though you are working in black ops, not a school.

EdithWeston · 13/06/2015 09:54

You said you cannot discuss it with your np management.
Lthat's probably the crux of the issue.

This pupil is on-roll but not attending for reasons you do not know, for a potential duration you have not been told. And you have been tasked to provide work. Someone must have tasked you with that, and in order to do this task properly, you do need to find out a little more about the circumstances.

You would probably be unwise to post more about the circumstances, but it's not right that you are unable to discover a basic minimum that would inform what you need to do to support this pupil, and it's of course not right that your management is (apparently) shit.