Home education advice needed

[meadowkoa]

Hi all,

I am wanting some advice on home education. I have two children, one under one and one over two. I’ve been thinking a lot recently about home educating when the time comes.

I, myself work in a secondary school and have worked in education for a number of years. I feel myself being pulled in to the home schooling lifestyle for various reasons.

I would still like my children to gets qualifications and be taught by a qualified tutor. I have had a quick search on Google and can see some online schools. What are peoples experiences with these? How much does it cost a year on average? Is there a stay at home parent who doesn’t work to support this? please give me all your advice.

many thanks x

There's a Home Ed board on here where you may find better advice.

My experience (as a sometime tutor of my subject to HE YP) is that as a rule parents who want to HE use a child-led process for the primary years, with the parent leading any educational input. Tutors are more often used for secondary as subject specialists (maths, science, Eng lit and lang, MFL etc) with knowledge and expertise that the parent can perhaps not provide (tho if you are a sec teacher @meadowkoa you may be able to cover some aspects).

I am a qualified sec teacher (no longer teach in school) and would be happy to cover my subject and some others for HE but defo not (for example) biology, physics, geography and many others.

But your DC are little so that is way off. What are your reasons for HE?

You would be better joining one of the Facebook groups. They are very active. There are a few. There is also a flexi school facebook page if that interests you.

You could start with Homeschooling & Home Education Information and Support UK and Awe home education

Also look at the £2 tuition hub

thanks for that, I’ll have a look! I’m actually support staff in school (pastoral HOY) so have no experience in teaching.

I have many reasons really. I prefer the more child lead approach however, would want them to do the three core subjects. I see how the teacher employment crisis is impacting the classroom and learning and it’s just something I naturally feel would work better for us. I could go on all day about why!

I would never want to hinder my children hence why I’d like tutors/online school if it’s affordable for us. I never knew people tend to teach primary age school then later on look at this route?

many thanks for your reply x

Thanks so much I’ll have a look!

I never knew people tend to teach primary age school then later on look at this route?

I have tutored primary age DC in my subject (MFL, I'm not advertising!) but I am not a massive fan unless they are 9-10yo as they are a bit young before that to respond well to a tutor. Much better surely if you want to HE for you as the parent and known carer to direct it, led by your child in terms of interest and engagement.

I mean I don’t have a massive knowledge of HE for primary age, as I have worked mostly with secondary, as have others I know who tutor, but I certainly have never come across someone engaging tutors for maths and English for a 5yo. Not to say it doesn't happen obvs.

It makes perfect sense, thank you. I have family in Sweden and children do not go to school until they are 7 because of a similar reason.

Didnt look at that perspective so thank you.

Lots of home ed families never use tutors, and many home ed families get their kids through GCSEs no problem. It helps - once a little older - to look at where the child would like to end up, education-wise - perhaps a specific university course. Then work back through the requirements to get there. For Primary, a love of engineering could just mean facilitating age-appropriate STEM type activities (LEGO etc). It will grow organically as your child grows and changes. The lovely thing about home ed is you work at the pace of your child. They can sit GCSEs age 12, 13, 14, any age or never. They can spread them out, as we've done, and got top marks in all of them, or just sit Maths and English and move on to college, or follow another route.

GCSEs don't have to be the hard graft and grind - they can actually be enjoyed because you can deepen the learning beyond the curriculum. There are literally hundreds of GCSEs/IGCSEs out there and they can be amazing! IGCSE Marine Science has been wonderful, as have Environmental Management, Psychology and Astronomy. Join a Facebook group like HEFA and you'll find a wealth of options and ideas.

You won't hinder your children - you are expanding their options and allowing them to soar. And for those who might chime in about 'socialisation' your child will thrive out there socialising out in the actual world with all kinds of people they choose to spend time with. Home ed generally does not take place at home much of the time.

You will be helping your child to become a self-directed learner who knows what they want, where their strengths lie, and who never tires of education because they are still engaged and intrigued by learning, not burnt out by the school system. Enjoy! (and the opt-in system of school is always there if it's the right thing for your child in the future)