Structured Home Ed..

[curableromantic]

We're thinking of HE, but would want to form small groups and share teaching with other parents, in small groups.

Does this actually happen? I've put out several posts but had no replies.

We live in central London and have a 12 year old. Surely there must be others in the same situation?

Where do I find them!

TBH I'm not sure that does exactly...when I was looking into HE I wondered if it would work like that too. Perhaps because everyone works at such a different pace and have such different priorities it would be tricky. I do see loads of trips and organised classes and clubs to join though.

The school hols are here, so could you take the opportunity to go along to a local HE group with you DC's? (most HE groups just ignore the school hols...) that would give you an idea of how families who have been HE'ing for some time make it work. I could give you some reasons why people in my area don't do what you have suggested, but I guess that those reasons could be different again for people in your area.

My other tip (as a relative newbie myself, I joined a fantastic group a couple of years ago) is to go along, get to know people, watch what is going on and ask loads of questions. I have seen people join a group and quite soon start making...em, 'suggestions' without really figuring out how everyone else works IYSWIM?

Have you read any books? The book 'Free range education' would give you a very good insight into how people make it work. Not sure if that helps at all...

Yes there are groups like that in London. My children are younger and we go to groups that are mainly social - although they do some arranged activities - such as art and craft, drama and music, French, tennis, football, science and have speakers in from museums or the police etc. There are some groups for older children and some specific study groups. I think they tend to get tutors in though and share the cost, rather than parents sharing the tuition. Have you joined CLHE and the north/south/west london yahoo home ed groups(there may be an east one as well)? I think there's also a new group for london, which aims to pull the other groups together. I'll try and find name for you if you are interested. If you posted on one of those groups I'd expect you'd get some responses about specific groups.

Lilyfire, that's really useful information. Anything else you find would be most gratefully received. I found CLHE and will look for the yahoo groups.

Thanks again!