Autonomous home ed - am I doing this right?

[Lookslikerain]

Background is that DS is 5 and a half, dx with autism at 3, and technically should just have started school (Scotland). He attended an amazing mainstream nursery for 2 years, but school is just the wrong thing for him.

His attention can be awful, especially if he isn't particularly interested. From what I've read, a child-led, autonomous approach is definitely the best fit for him. I'm just concerned that I'm not doing it right, or missing something. I guess the problem is that we're just continuing to do what we've always done day-to-day. He tends to stagnate if we stay in the house too much, so we've always been a busy family both during the week and at weekends (also have DD and baby DS). We do lots of museum visits, parks, library, baking/cooking, playing, meeting friends anyway, and he's always really enjoyed that stuff. And we do all the other stuff like going to the shops, post office, running errands etc. We have also met some other home-edders too, though he was pretty uninterested.

At the moment, he's into bugs and was trying to build a bug house in the garden using an empty box today so tomorrow we're going to the library to look for some books on bugs, and we might try and build a proper, big bug house so we can attract lots of them for watching. But this is something I'd have done anyway, just because he was interested, not something I'm doing because we home ed.

Am I getting this right? I almost feel like it should be more difficult and less fun!

[Charis1]

Thankfully there are tutors and institutions who don't take that approach.

no there aren't. Ofsted would close them! You don't understand, you have to assess the potential of each student. For that you use the tools available. There is leeway for exceptional ircumstnces. But HE is not an exceptional circumstance.

[petmyunicorn]

Also want to say that we are part of a thriving community within a large city. Every single family we know autonomously educates - the only ones we know who follow a curriculum are American or religious. Our circle of close friends has a good number of children with ASD.

It is very plain to see that these children would not thrive in school. I think they'd be isolated, angry, scared. Instead they are supported, nurtured, following their interests, and making solid friendships. They are blossoming when given the time and space to be who they are, to pursue their joy.

I guess it goes without saying that I think THIS is the work of childhood, and life. To be authentic, to engage creatively with life and your passions, to have a solid sense of self and contentment.

[NormanLamont]

Yes there are. In London.

I'm looking at three London sixth form students right now. In my kitchen. None of them have the 5+ GCSEs taken in one sitting that you describe. They have mixtures of IGCSEs, GCSEs and Level 2 certs, taken over different time frames.

[NormanLamont]

(On three very different courses, but all very bright, high-achieving students. Well-read etc etc)

[NickiFury]

Great posts Norman.

[ommmward]

Norman I have a bit of a crush on you now

[BertrandRussell]

"I guess it goes without saying that I think THIS is the work of childhood, and life. To be authentic, to engage creatively with life and your passions, to have a solid sense of self and contentment."

Absolutely. And also not to close doors you may not even realise you want to go through. To give yourself all the opportunities you possibly can.

[NormanLamont]

Maybe some institutions are taking the view that HE IS an exceptional circumstance Charis?

However they are doing it, kudos to them for being true educationalists and prioritising matching aptitude and potential to the most suitable courses over concerns about box-ticking and fulfilling rubrics.

[Charis1]

I'm looking at three London sixth form students right now. In my kitchen. None of them have the 5+ GCSEs taken in one sitting that you describe. They have mixtures of IGCSEs, GCSEs and Level 2 certs, taken over different time frames.

yeah, well, good luck with that.

[NickiFury]

That's not very gracious charis

[Tinuviel]

DS1 got into sixth form last year with 5 GCSEs taken over 2 years. Normally they need 6 to do 4 A levels but they were fine that he only had 5. He just got his AS results which are OK - not brilliant (but reflect his effort!) and I'm glad that our sixth form looks at people as individuals. They also have an excellent reputation in the area. (Not anywhere near London, if that makes a difference!) DS2 isn't sure whether to do A levels there or a level 3 course at the college but I'm sure they will be equally fine with what he hopefully will have and the same for DD.

I think I recognise Charis1 from another forum and she will never say anything positive about HE!

[BertrandRussell]

"I'm looking at three London sixth form students right now. In my kitchen. None of them have the 5+ GCSEs taken in one sitting that you describe. They have mixtures of IGCSEs, GCSEs and Level 2 certs, taken over different time frames."

Good. But they are the lucky ones. There are a vast number of institutions that wouldn't take them. And why risk it when you don't know what you might want to do and where you might want to go?

[Charis1]

DS1 got into sixth form last year with 5 GCSEs taken over 2 years. Normally they need 6 to do 4 A levels but they were fine that he only had 5.

so within the minimal criteria, then, what is your point?

[NormanLamont]

yeah, well, good luck with that.

Charming

Don't you like young people Charis?

Or do you simply not believe in potential unless it is can be demonstrated by 5-12 GCSEs taken in one sitting?

[NickiFury]

I think it's quite offensive to to say they're "lucky" actually, dismissing all the hard work they've done. How about well educated? Which they clearly are or they wouldn't have accessed the courses they're on.

[NickiFury]

Perhaps you don't have much experience outside your own particular organisations. There may well be rules that must be adhered to when admitting students HE or otherwise, but clearly those on the ground have assessed the achievements of students such as Norman describes (and the many I know of) and found that they tick all the required boxes.

[Charis1]

That's not very gracious charis just don't believe it, that's all, we stretch the entrance requirements as far as we can, and as far as ofsted is concerned, far to far. You can use igcses, they are considered easier but most places count them. You can use a Btec level 2 as one GCSE, this falls within the flexibility, ( and we still get students trying to claim it is worth 2 - no it isn't) But apart from that, you can't really bend any further, not for A levels.

We are right at the bottom end of the spectrum,we accept the lowest acheivers that no one else will.

The next school along from us wants 8 grade b and above to be considered for A levels. Or to be considered for anything in the sixth form.They won't even keep any of their own students who only make it to 7Bs, even with an additional 5cs!

[NormanLamont]

Good. But they are the lucky ones. There are a vast number of institutions that wouldn't take them. And why risk it when you don't know what you might want to do and where you might want to go?

Often because a combination of push and pull factors make HE the best or only choice anyway Bertrand.

For example; the proportion of HE children who have Aspergers or SpLDs is staggering. Ditto various health problems.

But I must admit I lost a lot of sleep over the qualifications issue, which is why I like to spread the good news

[Charis1]

I think I recognise Charis1 from another forum and she will never say anything positive about HE!

I am not against HE, I know many young people who it has worked out for.

I am against watching young peoples lives sacrificed on the alter of their parents flawed and ignorant ideology.

[BertrandRussell]

"I think it's quite offensive to to say they're "lucky" actually, dismissing all the hard work they've done. How about well educated? Which they clearly are or they wouldn't have accessed the courses they're on."

I didn't mean lucky that they got their qualifications- I meant lucky that they were able to go on to the next step with their unconventional CVs.

[NormanLamont]

Charis you're just completely hung up on the paper qualifications and clearly convinced the HE teens are scraping in.

They aren't - they are often completely wowing the interviewing tutors. So many of these DC can talk so fluently and in such depth about their chosen subjects. It is genuinely impressive to listen to some of these teens and what subject specialist can resist that?

Anyway, that's what's been happening in London recently to my certain knowledge.

[BertrandRussell]

Norman- I know why people HE- I meant why risk not adding 5 GCSEs to all the other stuff HEders do?

[NickiFury]

I think you're right about that actually Bertrand, where possible. My ds has ASD, I am hoping it will happen for him but do worry it might not.

[NormanLamont]

IGCSEs are still far more accessible to HEers than GCSEs, especially for sciences etc and particularly if one is trying to stay in step with the chronological peer group (or even a bit ahead). Often the most practical way to get GCSEs would be to wait until 16+.

Some colleges are now offering one year programmes comprising 5 GCSEs and making those available to the 14-16 age group. Hopefully that will spread. We would have liked that option. But I suppose different issues apply to different families.

[Charis1]

no, normal, I'm not, I know many teens that HE has worked well for. And many who's hopes and ambitions have been ruined by parents who are short sited, ignorant, and hung up on their own educational philosophy to the extent they bar their children from the choice of returning to mainstream.