Home education

There are many reasons for opting for home education: illness, problems at school, special needs or simply wanting a better or different education for your children are some of them.

I have 'lifted' the following passage from the website of the excellent organisation Education Otherwise: www.education-otherwise.org. The name was taken from the education act which states that, "Parents are responsible for their children's education, either by regular attendance at school or otherwise."

"Most people choose to send their children to a school to be educated, but contrary to popular belief it is both legal and reasonable to educate your child at home. If you think that you may not be sufficiently resourceful to home-educate, bear in mind that thousands of families in the UK, and millions in the English-speaking world, are now practicing home-education.

The majority of home educators have no formal education, and, once started on the path of home education, soon discover those aspects that vary with their initial expectations or fears. Once you start "home" educating, you will find that you can work on just what you want, when you want, that it isn't expensive, that the children don't get lonely, that it is possible for exams to be taken if you wish, and that it is possible to educate children with special needs."

1. Facts about educating your child at home

• It is legal
• Your child doesn't have to follow the national curriculum
• Your child doesn't have to take exams - you can choose
• You will not be chased by the authorities if you follow some very simple procedures
• There are thousands of families in the UK with children being educated at home
• There are some very good support organisations
• You don't have to be a teacher in order to educate your child
• You don't have to have lots of money - your time is more valuable
• You can educate your child at home even if they have special needs

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2. Where to get support

http://www.home-education.org.uk - The website of Mike Fortune-Wood - a home educator since 1992. A great resource from someone who obviously cares.

http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Lake/3262/ - Home Education in the UK

http://www.schoolhouse.org.uk/ - Schoolhouse offers information and support to home educating parents/carers throughout Scotland

Home Education Advisory Service - HEAS was established in 1995 by a group of experienced home educators in order to provide good quality information on both the legal and practical aspects of home education.

http://www.learning-unlimited.org/ - International home learning

List of support groups - From Mike Fortune-Wood's website

3. More information and links

http://edheretics.gn.apc.org - Educational Heretics Press is a research, writing and publishing company, founded in 1991 by Roland and Janet Meighan. Its purpose is to question the dogmas of schooling in particular, and education in general, and to develop the logistics of the next learning system.

http://www.homeeducationresearch.org/ - researching into home education in Britain and Europe: nature and impact upon mainstream education; support strategies and community resources; understandings of success, welfare and socialisation; influences for and against and benefits to society.

http://www.pathsoflearning.org/ - U.S. site - lots of information. They say, "Explore creative practices and teaching strategies for educators, parents, scholars and policy makers. Learn about progressive education programs that advance holistic education and other innovative approaches. Find ideas that can work for all children, and that support strong parent involvement in education."

Informal Education - an independent, not-for-profit site exploring learning + education

HSE - Human Scale Education is an educational charity promoting small schools and small classes. It's based in Chew Stoke near Bristol

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4. Information for the Bristol (UK) area

http://www.bristolhomeeducation.org.uk/

Although my website is called 'school success', I'm particularly interested in helping children who are being educated at home, so give me call if you'd like some help - 0117 9027875

5. Exams ideally suited for home education

The really important exams are the ones that employers take notice of or that enable you to enter further education. We're talking mainly about GCSE's.

At school, most GCSE's have a coursework element. In science, this is laboratory based. This is difficult to arrange if you are at home - and difficult if you've missed practical sessions through illness. Some exam boards have created syllabuses that are better suited to those that cannot reasonably do coursework.

A new example is the International GCSE offered by Edexcel. Here's the link to edexcel international who are very helpful. I'm currently researching this in more detail - please call me if you want to know more.

6. Flexi-schooling

Flexi- or part-time schooling is that in which a student has an agreement with a school to use the facilities on a part-time basis.

Flexi-schooling report - A comprehensive report outlining all the pros and cons, legal situation and practicalities. Download the report in pdf or word format.

From Mike Fortune-Wood's website - a summary of the main issues.

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