Got questions about homeschooling or home education? Ask two experts from the world’s most experienced online school

[MaddyMumsnet]

Whether you’re thinking about homeschooling for the first time, exploring home education as a long-term option, or simply curious about how it all works, it can be tricky to know where to begin. From choosing the right curriculum to supporting your child’s social development, there’s a lot to consider – and every family’s situation is different.

That’s why we’re working with Wolsey Hall Oxford, the world’s most experienced online school, to give you the chance to put your questions to two of their senior leaders: Christine Armstrong and Ruth Young.

Just pop your questions in the thread below, and Christine and Ruth will be online next month to share their advice and insights. Everyone who posts a question by 28/08/25 will be in with a chance to win a £200 voucher (T&Cs apply).

About Christine
Christine is a mum and experienced educator, with over 20 years’ teaching and leadership experience in UK and international schools. As a member of the senior leadership team at Wolsey Hall Oxford, she’s passionate about the power of flexible online learning to meet diverse student needs and expand access to high-quality curricula. Christine also has over a decade’s worth of experience as a SENDCo and supporting families navigating different educational pathways, meaning she understands the importance of inclusive, student-centred learning that supports the whole child.

About Ruth
Ruth is a mum and an experienced educator, with over 20 years’ teaching and leadership experience in UK and international schools. As a member of the senior leadership team at Wolsey Hall Oxford, she’s passionate about the way homeschooling can be shaped around each individual child – personalising their learning and nurturing their unique potential. Ruth is also a trained schools inspector, with expertise in curriculum development, student support, and the diverse challenges that parents face.

These are all excellent questions. We will answer each one in turn:

How do you support neurodivergent kids?

It is worth saying that we believe that one of great strengths of homeschooling is that it often gives children more freedom to explore their interests, manage their own time, and take responsibility for their learning, which are important skills for the wider world of university, work, and life. At Wolsey Hall Oxford, our courses are designed not only to deliver strong academic results but also to help students develop their independence, confidence and resilience from day one.
Many of our families join us because their child has found mainstream school a difficult fit, including many children with neurodiversity and Special Education Needs and Disabilities. We have a dedicated Learning Support team who can offer advice and guidance, and our Tutors and Student Progress Managers are experienced in supporting students with a wide range of needs. Our flexible approach to learning also helps – children can learn at their own pace and in their own time, which reduces stress and builds self-confidence. You can read more about our three tiers of support over on our website.

Do kids have a main class teacher that gets to know them well, or a succession of different subject specialists?

All our students are assigned a different specialist Tutor for each of their chosen subjects, who provide detailed, personalised feedback on course assignments. They also have a dedicated Student Progress Manager who gets to know them and oversees their learning journey from start to finish, offering advice and encouragement. This combination means your child benefits both from someone who sees the bigger picture and from detailed academic guidance in each subject.

Do you offer trials or taster days for people who are considering this route but not sure if it will work for their child?

We don’t run traditional trial days, as our courses are designed for long-term study. However, unlike other online schools, we offer free course samples for every single one of our courses – giving parents and students a genuine feel for what it’s like to study with us. You can find these course samples over on our website.

Do you operate in term times only, or can kids go at their own pace throughout the calendar year?

We don’t follow mainstream academic term calendars, so students can enrol with us at any time. Our Student Progress Manager create personalised assignment schedules for each student within these timeframes, tailored to each child’s needs – and if travel, illness or family circumstances mean adjustments are needed, we can help to re-arrange study plans. For exam-level courses (GCSE Level and A Level), we recommend speaking directly with our Admissions team so they can offer more tailored advice.

Do you offer online tutoring to supplement school, especially in the holidays?

Holidays are fully flexible – you can take breaks whenever suits your family. If your child needs additional help, we do offer optional 1:1 tuition in English, Maths, Science and Modern Foreign Languages at GCSE level, for an additional cost. We also offer Learning and Wellbeing support, including 1:1 sessions, which many families find invaluable.

In short, we aim to provide the right balance of flexibility and support so that families feel confident that homeschooling can work for them.

I’ve just calculated the fees. How long does that cover for? Per term? Or annual?

Thank you for your questions, all of which are very important when you are considering embarking on a home education pathway. With us, the amount of time a student spends studying each week depends on their age, level and pace of learning. Families often find that their children spend fewer hours studying than they would in a traditional school day, as we don’t offer any live lessons and there are no disruptive classroom distractions. Each child’s Student Progress Manager also creates a personalised assignment schedule for them to help keep them on track within their course access periods (one year for most courses, two years for GCSE Level and A Levels). This schedule can be adjusted if travel, illness or family circumstances mean adjustments are necessary.

When it comes to creating a dedicated study space at home, this can be very helpful. It could be a desk in a quiet corner, or a spare room if you have one, but it doesn't need to be elaborate. The main thing is that students have somewhere calm where they can focus on their studies. In terms of textbooks, the good news is that these are included in our course fees – you can find further details on our website.

Thank you for your question. Because the homeschooling situation is complex and varies by region, we always recommend that families seek local legal advice before making any decisions. What we can say is that our courses follow the Cambridge curriculum, are internationally recognised, and can be studied flexibly from anywhere in the world. If you’d like to explore your particular circumstances further, our Admissions team would be very happy to discuss your options. We work with families in over 130 countries so we have a wealth of experience in advising parents to find the best educational option for their child.

Home education can be a really positive option for young people with additional needs because it allows them to learn at their own pace and in ways that suit their strengths. This flexibility often helps students to build their confidence and reduce the stress that can come with a traditional classroom setting.

At Wolsey Hall Oxford, we support students with a wide range of learning needs, including dyslexia and dyscalculia. Our online courses include helpful accessibility tools such as Immersive Reader, which can read text aloud and adjust colours and fonts, and every student also benefits from detailed assignment feedback from our UK-qualified Tutors. Each family’s Student Progress Manager also helps them to plan study schedules and make adjustments when needed. For students who require more tailored strategies and advice, our Learning Support team can also provide specialist SEND support. And when it comes to exams, once a formal diagnosis is in place, exam centres can apply for access arrangements for students, such as extra time or the use of assistive technology – and we’re always happy to provide supporting information to help with this process.

How do people afford to homeschooling and not work. I would love to homeschool my son who struggles to attend school but I need to work full time.

We’re 9 months in to the WH experience and our daughter is flourishing

Shes starting to enjoy learning again.

We started WH as she was struggling with mainstream school. WH assessed her as being an academic year behind due to the amount of school she’s missed.

Each module is broken down and clear instructions are given. Yes it’s a lot of ‘self led’ but the resources are all there.

She’s nearly finished her ‘first year’ and we’re looking at doing the same for the next academic year.

She has a good group of friends outside of school, always has had and other interests which take care of the PE side of things.

I only wish we’d found WH sooner.

Most home ed parents work.

Bumping this comment as I can’t see a reply yet. Thanks

Are there any famous people who were home schooled? People who can be used as role models to raise awareness about the advantages of this

Whether the Local Authority (LEA) visits your home depends on where you live and your circumstances. In England, Wales and Northern Ireland, parents have the right to home educate and there is no legal requirement for regular home visits. The LEA may ask for information about your child’s education, but you can usually provide this in writing or by sharing samples of work rather than arranging a home visit. In Scotland, the system is slightly different, as you need formal consent to withdraw your child from school in order to home educate them, but once this is in place the principle is the same. You need to show that your child is receiving a suitable education, but this does not mean the LEA will request a home visit.

Many families find reassurance in following a structured curriculum, as it ensures they are covering the key areas of learning that a local authority will expect to see. At Wolsey Hall Oxford, our courses are Cambridge curriculum, and our Tutors provide detailed feedback on assignments. Our Student Progress Managers also keep a clear record of students’ progress, so if your LEA asks for evidence, you’ll have a strong record to share with them.

Please note that this reflects the legal position at the time of writing. Requirements may change in the future, and we always recommend checking the latest guidance in your local area.

That’s a thoughtful question, and the truth is there isn’t a single answer. Some children do well in state schools, while others flourish with homeschooling. The advantages of homeschooling are significant. Children can set their own pace – revisiting tricky topics when needed, or moving ahead when they’re more confident. They can also choose the learning environment that suits them best, study at the times of day when they feel most focused, and explore different ways of learning. Many families value the freedom this brings, whether that means being able to travel more, support their child in elite sport or performing arts, or simply enjoy spending more time together. A small challenge of home education is that parents need to be more involved in shaping routines – but many parents find that this becomes one of the biggest positives, as it allows them to be more engaged and present in their child’s learning.

At Wolsey Hall Oxford, families often tell us they appreciate the reassurance of following a structured, high-quality curriculum that covers all the key learning for each stage. This provides peace of mind that their child is making strong academic progress, while still enjoying the flexibility of homeschooling. The personalised feedback from subject-specialist Tutors and regular check-ins from a Student Progress Manager, and our families feel confident that their child is both supported and empowered to succeed.

Ultimately, homeschooling can be “a school like no other,” because it offers the academic structure that children need alongside the flexibility and freedom many families are looking for.

This is a great question, and the good news is that homeschooling two children of different ages is often easier than families expect - especially with Wolsey Hall Oxford’s flexible, asynchronous courses. Because learning isn’t restricted to a set timetable of live online lessons, you can shape your child’s study timetable around their needs and your family’s circumstances.

Some parents prefer both children to study the same subject at the same time, so that support can be shared. Others choose to stagger activities through a ‘swap over’ system, with one child spending focused time with a parent while the other is engaged in a creative or practical task, before switching to ensure that both children enjoy an equal amount of parental involvement. The key is that you have complete freedom to shape the routine that fits your family life.

As children grow older, most become more independent and take greater ownership of their learning. Families at Wolsey Hall Oxford often tell us that this independence is one of the biggest advantages: it frees up parents to balance each child’s education, while still ensuring both are reaching their full potential.

Moving from mainstream school to homeschooling can feel like a big change, but with gentle routines and a balance of structured study and hands-on activities, children usually settle quickly. Many families start gradually, building up subjects over time and finding a rhythm that works for them.

We find it helps to keep explanations positive. For children, you might focus on the benefits: more time to explore what they enjoy, learning in ways that suit them, and having their family more involved in their education. When talking to others, many parents simply say they’ve chosen homeschooling because it offers flexibility and allows their child to explore their passions.

At Wolsey Hall Oxford, we support families through this transition with a clear structure, specialist Tutors, and a dedicated Student Progress Manager. This means you’re never on your own, and your child still feels part of a school community.

I would want to know how I would teach a secondary aged child who is academically very bright. I'm not that efficient in teaching maths or science subjects and also work. How does one do this? And also what happens with GCSE exams where do they sit these

How do you opt out of school if your child already attends mainstream? My son is starting secondary school this year and with the rise of school bullying & teachers being under pressure i would love to home school him. I also would love recommendations on the best home learning online.

Is it possible to do a btec, specifically, WJEC criminology level 3 diploma when not attending a school?
My daughter really wants to do this but although you can do GCSEs and ALevels as a private candidate there doesnt seem to be the same opportunities to do btecs due to coursework assessment element.
Do you know anywhere that supports BTECs for private /home school candidates?

All of our courses include regular milestones where your child submits an assignment to a UK-qualified teacher and receives detailed feedback. This formative assessment not only highlights strengths, areas for development and clear next steps, so families can see exactly how their child is progressing throughout their studies. Their dedicated Student Progress Manager also monitors feedback and grades across subjects, to help ensure students stay on track.

We don’t provide government tests such as SATs, which are only a requirement for children in state schools in England. Instead, we focus on steady, individual progress through our structured, high-quality Cambridge curriculum. This means students can focus on developing their understanding and enjoyment of learning, rather than simply preparing for one-off tests. If they are meeting the progress expectations, this provides peace of mind that they are developing the knowledge and skills needed to achieve success at GCSE and A Level.

The length of a homeschooling day varies from family to family, because every child is different. It depends on their age, how many subjects they’re studying, and the pace that works best for them. Some children move quickly through their work, while others take more time to build confidence – and both are absolutely fine. One of the great benefits of home education is that you’re in control of the pace and can shape the day around your child. At Wolsey Hall Oxford, our Student Progress Managers provide personalised advice and support to help families create the best study schedule for them.

We do find that most students spend fewer hours studying than they would in a mainstream classroom. This is because their learning is more focused, and free from the distractions and transitions that take up so much time in a traditional school setting. You can see the average weekly study hours needed for each of our courses over on our website – you’ll notice that some subjects (like English and Maths) require more time than others.

As we don’t follow fixed school terms, students can start at any point during the year and families are free to take breaks when it suits them. Many enjoy the flexibility this brings, while others prefer to stick to a similar term pattern – the choice really is yours.

These are great questions - we are often are asked about science practicals by families. For us, we aim to provide homeschoolers and their families opportunities for safe and structured science experiments via our courses at all levels.

We are lucky to have worked in distance learning for many years so have developed experiments that work for our global audience - they are specifically adapted so that they can be carried out at home with equipment that is readily available. Our tutors are also on hand to provide guidance to families in case any adaptations are needed. One of our favourite stories from a tutor was a family not able to complete a quadrat experiment that needs a field, as they were homeschooling from a boat - this got adapted so the student could count sea cucumbers rather than daisies!

At GCSE and A Level, there are still opportunities for students to carry out experiments - however, this is approached differently as, like you say, homes are not necessarily set up with all the specific equipment needed. So, we provide different ways for students to learn when an experiment cannot be carried out at home - such as interactive online experiments or videos. This, alongside the related activities students complete, gives them all the necessary knowledge to apply in examination settings and show their analytical and investigative skills.

When it comes to practical subjects such as music and art - these are available through us and are individual courses for students to develop their skills. We also offer a number of clubs for students that encourage engagement with others - for example our online Choir or Debate Club. One of the biggest advantages of homeschooling is the freedom to shape these activities around your child’s interests and many families join local groups to support in this area.

That’s a really good question. Some families do choose to homeschool independently using free or low-cost resources, but parents often tell us they find it hard to keep up with lesson planning, marking, and making sure their child is on track as well as choose from the plethora of resources available nowadays. It really does come down to the individual circumstances and preferences of each family.

At Wolsey Hall Oxford, your course fees depend on your child’s level of study and the number of subjects they take. We don't have a set number of subjects you need to study with us in order to enrol, and students can enrol at different levels for different subjects, which allows families to create a completely personalised curriculum pathway for their child. For instance, if you felt confident to deliver Geography and History on your own, but wanted structured support for English and Maths, then you could simply enrol your child on our Maths and English courses at the appropriate level.

If you would like to explore what it would cost to enrol your child with us, you can use our fees calculator on our website. Or, if you’d like some personalised advice, our Admissions team are always happy to discuss your family’s needs in more detail and find the right pathway for you and your child.

In the UK, there is no direct government funding for families who choose to home educate. Parents are responsible for covering the full costs of their child’s education. However, in some cases, there may be discretionary support from a Local Authority. We would advise checking directly with your Local Authority if you think that this might apply to your child.

All our courses are self-paced, and there are no live lessons or fixed timetables. This means that each student can study at the pace, place, and times that work best for them. In addition to this, every student has a dedicated Student Progress Manager, who will help them create a personalised assignment schedule to ensure they make sustained progress throughout their course access period. If illness, travel, or unexpected circumstances mean that their child falls behind, we can support families to adjust their schedule so they can catch up at a manageable pace.

For students who would benefit from extra academic support, we do offer optional one-to-one tuition in English, Maths, Science and Modern Foreign Languages at GCSE Level, for a competitive additional fee.

This is such an important question, and one that many parents worry about. I'll answer this question from the perspective of a child being resistant to learning reading whilst they are studying an online course with us. The key difference is that whilst our courses are flexible, they are not unstructured. There are no live lessons or timetables to follow, but children have dedicated subject tutors who guide their learning, give detailed feedback, and set the next steps and therefore critical skills like reading are supported every step of the way as they form part of the learning that students undertake. As there is a structured approach, the risk of them ending up at a disadvantage is minimal - however, in the scenario given, I would say that this is where the supportive partnership with our families comes into its own as parental support is key in circumstances like this. Parents are able to guide their children in real time, and access key support materials via us to find new strategies to help motivate their child.

At Primary level, we use carefully structured programmes designed to build reading confidence at the right pace for each child. Our tutors and Student Progress Managers work closely with parents, so if a child is resistant, we can suggest strategies and alternative approaches. This might mean breaking tasks into shorter chunks, linking reading to the child’s interests, or building confidence through steady encouragement.

Children don’t just “wait until they feel ready” – they are gently but consistently encouraged to progress, with plenty of support to ensure they don’t fall behind. Many families find that once the pressure of a busy classroom is lifted, their child actually becomes more open to tackling key skills like reading.

Yes, absolutely. Wolsey Hall Oxford supports students in more than 130 countries around the world, all following the Cambridge curriculum – which is an internationally recognised, British-style education. Because our courses are flexible and not tied to live lessons, children can study from anywhere, even if their family moves frequently. This makes it a great option for families abroad who want the reassurance of a high-quality British education without needing to attend a physical UK school.