Considering Home Ed

[Becc]

Hi :-) Im thinking about keeping my daughter at home to educate her (shes only 22 months old at moment though) because I feel that the state system teaches to the lowest common denominator and that in Britain, govenrment interference has caused education to become more like indoctrination. I know teachers do an exceptional job, so its not them Im worried about (my mother in law is a teacher and my sister is in teacher training) its the system...

What are other people's opinions? My family think I'm mad because I'm 23 and they think I don't know what Im talking about but I really don't believe in a system where teachers don't like to praise a child for doing well academically in case it upsets a less able child (Unfortunately, several different teachers told me that...)

I HE my DS, but not because of problems with school. I think if you want to HE from the start because you think it's the best thing for your child, then that's fine. But I'm not sure I recognise your description of teachers not praising children - my DS always had plenty of praise when he was in school, both for doing something well, and for things like working hard, helping others, etc. He got loads of praise for doing well academically.

The teachers made sure that all the children in the class were praised for their abilities and efforts, some of them perhaps for things which might not be as big an achievement in absolute terms but for the individual child were still a good achievement.

What you say about teachers is encouraging, The teachers I spoke to were from one school, so hopefully it was just an issue local to that school. I thought it was a bit insane. Do you mind if I ask how you approach your homeschooling? Is it more structured or do you take the lead from your DS?

Oh, we're very structured - DS is actually working towards iGCSEs with an internet school, so we're about as close to "school" as you can get without going into the building . Up till 2 years ago he was in school, and really never had any problems with it - the HE for us is a practical solution to giving him an education tailored to his interests.

I think teachers and schools do vary a lot - some on here have had a terrible time with school, but I don't think that automatically means school is terrible. It sounds like you've seen one which takes a rather odd line, but they're not all like that.

If I was you I'd look at both the HE scnee around you and the schools which might be an option, and think through what will be the best for her - your views on that may change a few times over the next couple of years anyway, but if you know about all your options you'll be in a better position to decide.