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Answer the question: Chris Woodhead
After a trip to Canada to study for part of a term, my son, 13, returned disillusioned with the British system, which he said was babyish and boring. We decided to withdraw him from school and I have been tutoring him at home since Christmas. He has started the IGCSE English course, and GCSE maths and science through the National Extension college and has become less lethargic. Despite this, I am unable to reconcile myself to home schooling, maybe because I worry about what others may think. I had considered such schooling to be for ?hippies? or those whose children had special needs. What?s your opinion on this subject?
S Redmond, Hampshire
More and more parents (and not all are hippies) are choosing to teach their children at home. From what you say you had little choice. Children need intellectual stimulus and your son was unlikely to be challenged in a school which was not even prepared to find literature he enjoyed.
The National Extension college provides useful support. You might also explore the website www.education-otherwise.org. If necessary, supplement your own teaching with some private tuition as he approaches GCSE.
Some parents worry about social contact, but if he has a range of friends he is not going to suffer. You are doing the right thing!
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