Are there any benefits of Primary school that HE can't usually provide?

[carolinecordery]

Hello all, I haven't registered my DD for Reception, which she would be eligible to start in September.
I was just wondering if you thought there were any benefits of primary school that HE can't provide. What things are good about primary school that are only available through attending?
I'm planning to HE and am convinced of the benefits of doing so, but want a rounded picture. It's easy to think of loads of things that would be, relatively, a bit crap about primary school, but is there ANY really good reason to go? DD's non-resident dad would rather she went.
Thanks, Caroline

Interesting thread. I think schoolies and home eders are equally good at misrepresenting although most comments coming from schoolies are ones where there is no experience of home ed, whereas a lot of home eders have experience of school.

At the end of the day it seems that a lot of us criticise other people's choices to make us feel we are doing the right thing - the private v state threads prove that point! My options would be private, then home ed if private failed. I'd never send my kids to state school again, although they did go when they were younger.

But,yard broom, the trouble is that he ers see that accusation even if nobody has actually said it!

My son goes to school and I've never met anyone who home educates their children, but I have found this thread v interesting. One thing that jumps out at me about HE is the cost - seems to me that it's really only a choice for well-off families. Is this fair?

Just from my own point of view - I'd have to give up work but presumably would still need childcare for my younger son? Plus do you pay for the HE groups and activities that have been mentioned? That's just not an option for most families.

So I would say from my v uninformed POV that the biggest advantage school has is financial...

not sure seeker, but in my experience (have he's but not at present) it is the first thing I was asked, and still am if I talk to people about HE. They cannot get their heads around 2 things.

1. What about socialisation
2. How on earth can I take my child out during the hours of 9 and 3 to be seen in public!

and actually the 3rd is how can I teach if I am not a qualified teacher.

Generally in that order. Some friends have asked genuinely, but I know when someone is sneering at me.

Anyway, I generally stay off the school/HE threads, because it runs on and on, everyone gets cross, and in the end the thread blows itself out.

For anything whatsoever there are pros and cons. I generally draw a line down paper and put them on each side. I assume that for the HEer the pros outweigh the cons for HE. If they are so blinkered to see no cons then I would worry about them doing it. I know the alternatives, I am open minded. I was very happy with my DCs schools but I could still give you things that I don't like. As a teacher I was constantly questioning if I was doing a good job, if I could do things differently. I would expect anHEer to do the same.
If anyone thinks that you can get 5 year olds sitting still for 2.5 hours they can have no experience of 5 yr olds- I wouldn't even get 10 year olds doing that!

It is the cost Mrskpbw. My friend who does it is very rural and a car is essential for a start.

There are obviously pros and cons to both. As a home educator, I think I know the pros and cons of both. I've found in most things where I am part of a small minority that I become hyper-aware of the positives of the majority, wrestle with it quite a bit, but don't tend to discuss it with people outside of my circle because I don't expect them to understand (that I just want to discuss rather than want them to try to push me to the majority or solve a problem or admitting defeat for them to crow over) and I don't need the draining effect of talking in circles. When people are actually open to conversation, it's lovely, but most of these threads are people fighting for the high ground and I have no energy for that.

I never know why people open it to discussion, goodpharisee, it is like my advice with MIL and babies- smile, nod, say 'it suits us'. They won't agree so don't even try to justify.

People haven't agreed with my choice of school - I'm other going to waste time- smile 'it suits us' and change the subject.

I would love to debate this issue. And I try. But then I get told I want my children to be institutionalised or I'm only interested in child care, or if I really cared about my children I would He. Or I don't know what I'm talking about, or have no right to post because I don't he.

And there is a debate to be had about the socialisation of he children. I can't understand why we can't have have it.

Sorry predictive text other should be not.

What seeker said. Absolutely the case.

I come on because I love the debate and then I get asked why I post when I don't HE. You will find me on 11+ threads and last time I was again told that since mine were over 11yrs I shouldn't post.
Apparently I am banned from opinions on selective education, HE and I was told on a feminist thread 'me and my friends were discussing this - as in 'how dare you butt in and disagree'!
Some of us just like a debate, rather than saying 'how wonderful we all are'.

There is also a debate to be had about school socialisation too, which I find worrying!

I hate the feminist threads - feminists are sooo narrow minded...and scary!

i would be up for a debate about socialisation. It wouldn't bother me if it was done in an adult fashion.

I'll start.

This house believes that a child who is Home Educated has no less socialisation opportunites, than a schooled child.

I also have to add that I have a dreadful hangover, and cannot think straight let alone type a proper sentence!! But will try.

Another one who likes a debate here. :) First time I've ventured onto one of the HE threads, and probably won't bother again as people clearly don't want to engage in the debate. Fair enough, I suppose.

Rather reminds me of some religious groups which don't want to engage with different points of view. :)

I ought to know better- every time I have an opinion on HE it is inferred that I shouldn't post.

:) x posts.

So, what do you find worrying about socialisation in schools, colleger?

And is it the case, yard, that a typical HE'd child would mix with lots of other children for several hours per day on a daily basis? And would they be the same children, day in day out?

"There is also a debate to be had about school socialisation too, which I find worrying!"

This exactly.

Socialisation: I have come to realise that on the whole - if you're parents are odd quiet, shy, not social then kids tend to end that way too regardless if they are homeschooled or schooled.

jinsei = in general yes, they could mix with lots of other children for several hours a day. There are HE groups of children who meet for several hours per day. But maybe this would not take place every single day, day in day out with the same children. There may be a different group of children the following day at a different location.

Would it need to be the same children, day in day out? Would it be detrimental to the child NOT to mix with the same children all day every day?

I was a teacher and have thought about the differences between school and home education. I am too institutionalized to do it myself due to being brainwashed by the National Curriculum but believe that you could provide a balanced education for children who would otherwise find school a difficult place to be. Not all children cope in the school environment and don't benefit from it at all - after all we are all individuals and the one size fits all doesn't suit everybody. HE seem to have support groups so the social aspect is covered.

Presumably most HE ers do it because they found it difficult at school?

Do you really think so colleger? Not my experience at all. I jave always been quite shy and socially awkward, definitely lacking in confidence etc., but my dd has always been very confident and super-popular - a natural social butterfly. I'm not sure that this has anything to do with education though - she has been like this since she was a toddler.

Jinsei, I have an issue with how the socialisation is controlled in terms of the classroom and integration with other year groups. Let's be realistic, most kids will stay with their peer group even at playtime as older kids don't want the younger ones to join in. In work and socially I do not have any friends who are exactly the same age as me and most couples I know are not the same age. On the whole, most home ed kids tend to stick to the same groups but why would six hours per day, five days per week be any better than three days a week or in some instances more or less? Who said five days was the right thing to do? School hours have come about to fit in with working patterns not because it is the best thing, which it may be, for childrens socialisation.

I worry more that we live in a society that questions nothing and blindly follows whatever the government says - vaccines, school etc. I bet parents used to panic about sending little Johnny to school in the 1880's because of the odd thought of contrived socialisation of having 30 in a class. Society got on fine socially before school became common place, not that I'm saying there should be no schools but lets not just blindly follow the status quo...