When home education isn’t a choice but a must
Traditionally, the UK has had an education system that has been the envy of the world, and in many ways, it still does. Unfortunately more and more families are feeling forced into home education because the education system is, in some way, failing to provide an education that helps their child thrive.
Despite what we’re led to believe, there isn’t a time limit on learning. If your child needs time to mentally regroup, regain academic confidence, figure out which further education route they might like to take, giving them that time will not harm their academic progression long-term. GCSEs do not need to be taken at 16, and indeed, are not the only route to qualifications. Don’t let the pressure of following traditional schooling routes & time-frames add additional stress to an already stressful situation.
Taking a step back from focused learning whilst transitioning from ‘school’ to home education is known as ‘deschooling’ and is an effective way of re-engaging children who are disconnected from education/struggling mentally. Using a ‘Study Week’ approach might be useful for disillusioned learners starting home education after a negative experience in school and would give you, in your role as home-educator, time to understand HOW your child learns best: Knowing your child as a parent and understanding them in the context of how they learn are two different things and you should allow time to figure this out.
ps. I think about education in terms of academic building blocks. If you’re struggling with the idea that your child is falling behind, why not have a read of this and, ignoring the age brackets assigned, use it as a guideline for thinking about education as simply a way of helping your children progress from one stage to the next.
If home education has become your family’s education choice because of traditional schooling having failed your children in some way, don’t worry about the long-term plan initially. Homeschooling is daunting even for parents who actively choose to home-educate; if you’ve found the choice thrust upon you, it’s natural to feel overwhelmed.
Take some time out to help your children reignite a curiosity for learning and plan a curriculum and educational road-map later, when your child is once again a happy, engaged learner.
Remember!
You do not have to teach to home educate
The idea that you have to actively become your child’s teacher in order to home educate is a myth: You can 100% help your children learn at home without actively teaching them. From using online schools or facilitating subject learning via a series of online courses, supervising independent studying using textbooks & supporting that learning with tutoring, there are many ways to provide an education at home. If you’re worried about home education because you don’t want to teach, read this.
Your children do not have to follow conventional paths of learning
The legalities around home education in the UK do not require your children to study the same subjects or follow the same learning paths as they would have done in school. If your child struggles with the workload necessary for GCSEs, functional skills qualifications might be a better option. If they have a passion for something creative, alternatives like these level 2 qualifications might support their academic needs better.
Your home-ed classroom can support their needs
Home education doesn’t have to look anything like school. Learners who have struggled in school because of the learning environment often thrive in home education because the environment can be tailored to their needs. Read more about creating a positive learning environment here.
The home-ed timetable you use can reflect your individual learner’s needs.
Home education doesn’t need to follow a 9-3 model. Lessons can be scheduled around routines, sleep-cycles, alternative commitments. Schedules can follow a term-time timetable or take a year-round approach to learning giving you more flexibility week on week. It’s entirely up to you. What matters is that at the end of the home-ed journey the learner has learnt what they, uniquely, need to learn.
Home educating is hard – even when it’s an educational choice that you freely make. If you’re struggling to find the balance between home and school, are unsure how to support a disillusioned learner or are just wondering how to practically manage this new routine life has thrown at you, please reach out.
It might take a little time, you might need to try ten different routines before finding one that works but eventually you’ll find the groove that supports your learner without leaving you feeling frazzled. You’ve got this.