Dear New Home Education Families, Welcome to the incredible journey of home education in the UK!
Embarking on this path is a decision that opens up a world of possibilities for both you and your children. As you begin this adventure I know it can be completely overwhelming so I want to extend a heartfelt welcome to the community, and provide some guidance to make your transition easier.
WHAT IS HOMESCHOOLING/ HOME EDUCATION?
In the UK the term for educating your child otherwise than in school is called Electively home educating (or EHE).
Despite most of the world having a taste of “homeschool” during the pandemic, it’s not at all the same thing. Are all the seasoned homeschoolers out there nodding furiously along with me?
Home educating is not just replicating school at home, it’s not a timetabled tick list of worksheets to complete and a couple of zoom calls thrown in for good measure. It doesn’t have to look like the national curriculum, and your child certainly does not have to sit at the table between 9-3.30pm!
Home education is about tailoring your child’s education to suit their individual needs and strengths, within your family’s lifestyle and schedule. It’s about getting out in the world and exploring, learning in a variety of different ways from watching documentaries to visiting museums. It’s about helping your child find his/her passions and allowing them the time to develop them as far as they desire.
In short home education can look however you want it to – from structured learning, to following your child’s lead; the choice is yours.
EMBRACING FLEXIBILITY
One of the beauties of home education is the flexibility it offers. Unlike traditional schooling, you have the freedom to tailor your child’s learning experience to their individual needs and interests. Whether it’s exploring science in the garden, incorporating art into history lessons, learning maths through cooking, or delving into literature in a cozy reading nook, the possibilities are endless.
Advice I always give to new home educators is to embrace that flexibility. Do not try to recreate school in your kitchen. Spend time getting to know how your child learns & what their interests are. If you want to spend the day on the beach reading you can, if you want to visit a different museum every day you can do that too. Does your child work better in the evenings? Great no need to have them sitting down at 9am.
Don’t start off buying thousands of pounds worth of curriculum you’ve seen on YouTube and realise a week in it doesn’t work for your family. Try things out and be prepared to say that doesn’t work and to change how things are done.
BUILDING A SUPPORTIVE NETWORK
Whilst home education might seem like an independent journey, there’s a vibrant community waiting to welcome you. Connect with local home education groups, both online and offline, where you can share experiences, exchange ideas, and seek advice. Facebook is the best place to start for this; to find both your local and national communities. The camaraderie among home education families is invaluable, providing support and encouragement when needed. Below are a couple of Facebook groups that I believe are invaluable to home educators.
- Home Education for all (H.E.F.A)
- Home Education UK
- Home Education and your local authority: Help dealing with officialdom.
These groups will tell you everything you need to know about home education in the UK. Once you have joined these I would advise finding your local groups. The local groups will help you to find out about all the social events, home ed groups and meets going on on your doorstep. They are the places where friendships form. To find your local community simply search Home education Poole, or Watford home education etc into Facebook and see what comes up. If you can’t find a community ask in one of the groups listed above or pop your area in the search bar and you will more than likely find what you are looking for.
You may also want to search for groups dedicated to the type of home education you plan to implement. At first this may not be something you have even thought about (watch this space for a blog detailing many different home education approaches) or you may already know you want to follow an unschooling, Waldorf, or Charlotte Mason approach. You may want to connect with Christian or Muslim home educators or those that follow a more structured way of learning. The more groups you find the more support you have!
NAVIGATING LEGAL REQUIREMENTS
Understanding the legal aspects of home educating in the UK is crucial. Familiarise yourself with the guidelines – If you join the Facebook groups listed above head straight to the guides / files. There you will find all the laws and legal requirements of home education. Some local authorities are known to overstep and ask things of home educators that are not required by law, and that they are not entitled too. If you are familiar with the guidelines from the offset you will save yourself time and worry if/when they do make initial contact. Make sure you subscribe to this blog if you want to read a future blog detailing the laws and requirements of home educating in the UK.
It is also worth reading the Elective home education laws on the governments website
CREATING A UNIQUE LEARNING ENVIRONMENT
Whilst some home educators dedicate an entire room to home education (if thats the route you want to go down then Pinterest is your friend, and there are many homeschool room tour videos on YouTube) others simply do not have the space, or decide to stay as far away from a classroom type setting as possible. There is no right or wrong way or space. Some families will work from their kitchen table, others spread out on the floor. Whilst I would say you will need some kind of a storage space – be it a book shelf or wheelie trolly you certainly don’t need to create a classroom with floor to ceiling display boards (although that’s my personal dream.) Remember the world is your classroom now so as long as your space is workable for the type of education you wish to facilitate then that’s perfect.
EMBRACING LIFELONG LEARNING
Home education is more than just a curriculum; it’s a lifestyle of continuous learning. Encourage curiosity, exploration, and a love for knowledge. Utilise local resources such as museums, libraries, nature reserves, and community events. This will enhance your child’s learning journey beyond the confines of home. Learn alongside your child, show them that you don’t know everything and that’s ok. Don’t be afraid to say “I don’t know the answer, let’s find out together”.
CELEBRATING PROGRESS, BIG AND SMALL
In the midst of daily lessons and activities, take time to celebrate the small victories and milestones. Home education allows you to witness your child’s growth first hand. Whether it’s mastering a new skill, or simply enjoying the process of learning. Each achievement is a testament to the success of your journey.
CONCLUSION
As you step into the realm of home education in the UK, remember that every family’s journey is unique. Embrace the flexibility, build a supportive network, stay informed about legal requirements, create an inspiring learning environment, and savor the moments of discovery and growth. Welcome to the empowering world of home education – an adventure where learning knows no boundaries.
I am currently writing a blog answering the most asked questions on home education, please if you have any pop them in the comments.
Best wishes for a fulfilling and enriching home education experience!
English