Home ed in sussex

[minimathsmouse]

I am new to this. My DP and I are considering Home ed for DS 9yrs and DS 5 Yrs.
DS 1 has been unhappy at school since year 1 when he moved from a very small school into a state primary. He has very few friends and prefers adult company. He is bright and bored. His maths has been independantly assessed to be three years in advance but the school refuse to recognise or make provision for him. He has been asking to home ed for nearly two years.
DS 2 is keen on school and makes friends easily but is playing havoc with his teachers. He is bright but independantly minded and at home keen to learn but as school he refuses any activity that borders on testing. He refuses to count, refuses to attempt reading. He is seems to be protesting! Has anyone else exp this?
I am also sick of the testing rather than teaching, the demands to read/write at home to the prescribed system and then constantly feeling reminded that the teachers are experts! For pitty sake, if they are, why am I being told to make up the shortfall at home? Sorry I am ranting! but if school makes my kids want to rebel, it sure as hell makes me too!
I think they would both benefit from home ed and autonomous learning. Does it suit children of independant spirit? Also I am concerned about letting them down, what if home ed doesn't live up to their expectation.

Did anyone here make the move to home ed because their children asked or did you just reach a stage where you felt instinctively that it was right for them? Should I trust my children to know what is best for them? Am I mad to respect their rights to make choices?

My other concern is the social side for both boys. Where can we meet others?

"Does it suit children of independant spirit? "

Oh yes.

"Also I am concerned about letting them down, what if home ed doesn't live up to their expectation."

How can it be worse than their school experience as you describe it?

"Did anyone here make the move to home ed because their children asked or did you just reach a stage where you felt instinctively that it was right for them? Should I trust my children to know what is best for them? Am I mad to respect their rights to make choices?"

I trust my children. If I think they are really wrong about something I do my best to make the alternative case, but I respect their autonomy. It's not you that has to spend 6 hours a day in a place you hate, yk?

"My other concern is the social side for both boys. Where can we meet others?"

There's a thread I'll bump for you on finding other HEers

Lots going on EHE-wise in Brighton.

Thank you Ommward, wise words. I trust my children to know what makes them happy but I still feel responsibility to know what is really best for them! Trouble is I sometimes confuse myself worrying if I will make the right choice. You are right though, that happiness is the starting point and I worry that unhappy primary schooled children will become totally disaffected later on.

My eldest son thinks his teacher is stupid! thankfully he is happy learning at home and it's just me that needs convincing to go the whole HEd route.

I'd be greatful if you have any info on local groups. It would really help , I am keen to find courses and activities for them. It might also be good for me, as I don't want to become a recluse over night!

hi mouse

just saying hello, we're not HEing (strongly considering it, DCs are 2.11 and 9mth). we're in crawley but haven't found much here yet.

I reckon if your DS is really wanting to be HE, it's worth a go. Our DD is already desperate to go to school so we might not do it!

Hi there! Are you West or East Sussex? We have a great facebook group I can point you to but we are West Sussex.

Does it suit children of independent spirit?

I'll second the "Oh yes" . My DD2 didn't exactly refuse to learn as such, but in the first year or two of school she would never answer any questions put to the class, wouldn't read to them properly, etc. I once went on a field trip with the class. They were asking all these questions and she didn't put her hand up once. They directed one question at her and she just remained silent. I knew she knew the answers!

Later I asked her why she didn't answer. She said she couldn't see the point! I like the phrase "bright and bored". It summed her up completely. IME, the provision for bright children gets worse as you go through primary school. DD2 had exhausted the national curriculum levels by the start of year 4 and they didn't have a clue what to do with her, except put her in with 11 year olds which was totally wrong for her emotionally. Primaries aren't equipped to teach secondary work, and the national curriculum is too narrow to let them branch into other areas instead (like the astronomy she has studied out of school).

Out of school, she is thriving. She was a square peg in a round hole. Now we can fit the education to the child, not the other way round.

I don't think you will let your children down. I think you have everything to gain.

Hi Musicposy, I agree the provision just seems to get worse . This year, Yr4 has been a complete waste for DS1. His teacher is very young, very flustered and very disorganised. My son asks questions and because of her nervous nature the relationship between the two has just got worse. Not to mention the fact that she is seldom even in the classroom! There has been no differentiated work for maths and where he needs extra help with English, none so far. DP and I are hoping to trial HEd over the summer hols and if the kids are happy, they won't go back in sept.

We are in West Sussex, well mid sussex really. I have been looking on the web and I can't find anything going on in this area.

Home Educating in West Sussex facebook group

It's a fantastic group. Anyone can post an event, anyone can go to the events published. There's stuff on every single day.

Only thing is, I think it's a closed group so I'm not sure how much will show up on that link. If it doesn't, let me know and I will invite you. Do you have a facebook profile? You probably won't find me on a facebook search even with my name because my RL name is extremely common and there will be thousands of us! I'll think of a way!

Hi Musicposy, I am new to facebook! I tried the link and it doesn't come up with anything. However I did find a group in west sussex. Its a group that offers tutoring at different sessions, in blocks that can be pre-booked! Am I in the right place?

can I join the FB group even though we're not actually HE yet? as I said we're in Crawley (don't hold that against me )

link didn't work for me either.

musicposy - do you have MrsWobble or ButterPie on your FB friends as you could search friend list for me

Hi there, I think the link will only show up if you are a member, unfortunately - I found that out after linking it.

minimathsmouse, maybe you have the website for etudeo. We did some gym classes there.

No, the only person I have is Riven on my FB. OK, email me on musicposy

at yahoo dot com

with your names or details and I will add you or try to give you enough details to find me!

Thank you Musicposy and yes you are right it was Etudeo. I thought it looked quite good.

I'll message you and give you my f/book details. I have an account, but I'm so new to any form of networking on the net! I'm lost.
Speak soon

thanks I emailed you, you should be able to add me by email address