Don’t know what to do please help 😢

[Vlyn]

Hi,

Good day. Can I please ask, do you have to be there if you decided to home school your child ( year 10 GCSE ) like my situation I need to be at work (physical work) just don’t know what to do, I need to work, my child doesn’t want to go to school because of bullying, anxiety and pressure too. Hope to hear from you soon.

Yes you would have to be there. You can’t home school and work at the same time. Contact sendiass asap and see what else they can suggest. There are alternative provisions for children who cannot access school but it is hard work getting access to them.

If you're not there then it isn't really home schooling is it, it's just that your child is at home. I think you probably need a meeting with school to discuss the next steps to help him/her.

It depends on the child, if they are motivated to work and you can set things for them to do every day and check/test what they have done in the evenings and help with any problems maybe. I believe there are lots of resources online as well. It would obviously be better if you were home, good luck.

Can you look at moving schools instead/ different programs nearby?Op you know you have to be there full time to home school but for the moment see if your work arrangements can be more flexible/ whether you can take time off/ reduce hours to help out while you figure this out. If you can then work with the school. Take a deep breath as you are in panic mode and that won’t get things fixed. Hugs op

There are online schools and online course providers, it ultimately comes down to how independent your kids are

You need to join Home Education for All on Facebook who will give you correct advice. There is absolutely nothing they don't know about home education.

It really depends on your child but I think it could be possible.

If you sign them up for online classes that follow the curriculum and set work to be done every day, you can check progress online whilst you're at work and talk them through what they have done when they get home. You could also check in with them at lunchtime to see how they are getting on. There are some amazing online learning resources these days. If you have the budget you could also get a weekly tutor to check in on progress and give them a chance to chat through their work.

I would suggest you organise activities in the evenings (sport and social) so they get used to being outside the house as well, it would be good for their mental health and social skills.

Ultimately if you get them through their GCSEs with as little stress as possible and they've given it their all, then you can take that as a win. I'd line up a college course or A levels at college afterwards so they know what they are aiming for and know this is just an interim measure.

With a little planning and commitment on both sides you could absolutely make this work if your child is willing to.

Good luck and don't be put off by the naysayers 🙂

No you don't have to be there.

I have a good friend whose DC is HE (for a number of very good reasons). They use an online school (which tbf is ££) and work full time. The DC's older sibling is sometimes around as they are at college and have free time, and my friend’s partner works part time so is sometimes there (and he has educational expertise), but the teen (who is now in year 11) has been HE like this since the start of year 9.

That said, it's quite an undertaking and as I say, can (should) cost quite a bit, whether on an online school or tutors in specific subjects. Also the child needs to be self-starting and able to get on with the work.

I also would look into other possible schools first. If you don't have the money it's not really fair on your DC not to offer them the specialist support needed for GCSEs. I could teach some GCSEs for sure but several I would have no idea. And I am a qualified secondary teacher.

Of course you can work and homeschool but you have to plan well.

You do not need to be at home and can work.

But your child needs an actual education, that you can evidence they are accessing, rather than just nit going to school.

If your child is motivated to do home learning, and you can find suitable work for them to do, you dont have to be there.

Sounds like you would be better taking yo the school and resolving the issues though. You'll not do your child's self esteem and good if the answer to facing challenging situations is to run away.

Just to check, are you aware that you have to pay for exams if you are home educating? It can add up to quite a lot.

Or you're teaching them important life lessons about not putting up with toxic situations and empowering them to know when a situation isn't good for them.

I think using the term running away is unhelpful and reductionist. School shouldn't be an endurance test. It should be a place to learn and thrive not just survive. A lot of schools cannot provide that or basic physical security these days, so it's logical that a different approach is sometimes required.

Resilience and self esteem are built through building up confidence not eroding it. A full career in the military has taught me that.

Thank you everyone for all your help it means a lot ♥️🫂🙏

You sound like you're trying so hard to find a way through this. I wonder whether school might be open to a conversation about what could make it feel a little more possible for them to go in, even for part of the day? Thinking of you.