This is a copy and paste with names removed of the letter I will be sending and outline of provision let me know what you think anyone please
Dear Sir
We are writing to ask for your consent to withdraw our son from school and are informing you that after careful consideration we have decided to withdraw our son, DS aged 7 from Primary School in ***with effect from the date when we are given consent and DS will be withdrawn from the school roll and hopefully this would be as soon as possible.
In accordance with our rights and duties as parents under section 30 of the Education (Scotland) Act 1980 we propose to take personal responsibility for his education by means other than attendance at school.
DS was progressing well at his previous school, primary and was helped greatly by the staff, however at DS has found it difficult, with the change of schools and his behaviour has changed and his level of learning has diminished as a result of this, the teachers believe he has a lot of difficulties which were not manifested previously at other school to the extent they have at the moment and I feel that changing school has caused this, not the actual school itself who are helpful and supportive. As we are currently in homeless accomodation awaiting housing in one of 15 areas we have to choose, DS would be changing schools yet again in the next 6 months or sooner. I feel that the disruption to his life he has already found it hard to cope with will be greatly increased by yet another change and this is part of the reason I wish to home educate, at least for the foreseeable future.
Outline of provision of Home Education
We are confident that our provision will be suitable to DS needs, we both have a degree level education and have read widely about home education and what is required of us to provide for a child of DS age group and I would not undertake such a decision lightly. I would be the main person educating DS and his Father DH would be on hand to support this education and also participate actively if required on a day to day basis. We have been in touch with Schoolhouse which offers information and support to home educators in Scotland. We would also if necessary employ tutors if there was any circumstance where we were unable to teach a particular aspect although we feel that situation would be unlikely to arise.
We are committed to doing this as we believe our son will be more likely to realise his full potential in a home schooling environment where a mixture of structured education where necessary and also child led time when the learning is autonomous and he can use his own initiative would be beneficial.
DS has areas of difficulty regarding reading and Maths which we will be working on and loosely following the 5-14 curriculum, although there will not be any testing on a formal basis but progress will be assessed on a daily basis as we go along. I will prepare topics to undertake and discuss. The topics will be based on a project or theme which may last from a few hours to a few months which may then lead into or link to other topics. English and Maths and writing would be taught as well as discovery based learning.
We have internet access, two home computers and basic materials including books, workbooks and art materials for arts and crafts, and access to music. We also have at home or have access to: videos and DVDs, CD-ROMS and access to television programmes. We are close to a local library and sports centre would also go on educational outings and visits. Growing things and going for walks and discussing wildlife would be undertaken for example, at the same time as recording what was seen and taking notes, maybe linking into areas such as biology and measurement which link together.
My DS attends a drama class and also kickboxing and goes swimming every week and we would seek to encourage social interactions and social skills by extending this if he shows an interest in an activity, this will ensure a stimulated and physically active child.
We will begin as soon as practicable, and we envisage that by the beginning of the next school term in January, home-based learning will be well established. We trust that you will respect our decision to take this step. Please let us know if you would like us to provide any further information.