According to Section 7 of the Education Act 1996 which applies to England and Wales: Compulsory education
7: Duty of parents to secure education of children of compulsory school age The parent of every child of compulsory school age shall cause him to receive efficient full-time education suitable— a: to his age, ability and aptitude, and b: to any special educational needs he may have, either by regular attendance at school or otherwise.
As long as the child is not a registered pupil at a school, the parent is bound by no other constraints.
There are many ways to home educate, none are more right or better than another. Choice is the key; do what works! Please remember that you know your child best.
Unless they wish to, parents do not have to:
- seek permission to educate 'otherwise;
- take the initiative in informing the LA
- have regular contact with the LA
- have premises equipped to any particular standard
- have any specific qualifications
- cover the same syllabus as any school
- adopt the National Curriculum
- make detailed plans in advance
- observe school hours, days or terms
- have a fixed timetable
- give formal lessons
- reproduce school type peer group socialisation
- match school-age specific standards.
If your child is at school, you must de-register your child in writing when beginning to home educate. For more information on home education and anything mentioned above, please CLICK HERE.
How it works for us
My philosophy has evolved from cobbling together several philosophies of education over they years. Most pertinent to us has been Charlotte Mason which has been my main influence. Ive picked other bits from Waldorf, Montessori, Reggio Emelio, Danish/Finnish education models, but these aren't my sole sources of inspiration - I have also been inspired by other Homeschool bloggers, Structured home educators, autonomous educators, and life in general.
My oldest son was only out of school a year and H.E offered him the chance to recover from a difficult time before entering mainstream school again. My girls came out of school at 7 and 4 respectively following struggles in their school environment, my 18 yr old began with home ed, choosing school later on, and my 11yo son and9yo daughter probably won't choose school at all, but we are flexible and responsive. We initially 'deschooled' for 6mths which works well for many families but didn't suit us. All of us work better with a minimal amount of parent-directed learning. I am not particularly pushy during the early years preferring play and discovery-based learning.
I have used several different ways of working including National Curriculum workbook type work, Waldorf, Sonlight, TEACH and lapbooks/practical HE. No method was wholly successful. Sonlight was our biggest success! It was rigorous, interesting and suited us all. We did this for two years but learning just from reading began to wear thin and we mixed it up again.
My oldest son did GCSEs in school, A levels in college, got his 2:1 in University and living away from home. My oldest daughter went on to do Maths and English for GCSE as an external candidate and part of a 16+ class, as well as attending a local college to do 14-16 animal care. She followed this with one-year post-16 Animal Care, and one year of Art. She now has a full-time job and lives with her husband and baby doughter.
My 23-year-old took GCSE Art age 13, a 1-year level 1 horticulture course and IGCSE's in English, Maths, French, Chemistry and Physics as an external candidate. She took grade 5 music theory and Piano and flute to grade 5 as well as beginning Guitar. She took AS level Law and A-Level Maths, Further Maths, Physics and Psychology. During A levels she worked three jobs and she is just about to graduate from a Maths degree.
My 18 yo has dyslexia. He got off to a good start at home then moved on to secondary school at 11. Then on to College and is now working full time.
At home, we do 'normals' consisting of All About Reading, Postal Bible School, ACE maths and English, Sonlight HBL and Science, and Apologia Science . We do lapbooks, art, science and hands-on projects. He recently opted to go to school and is continuing to flourish.
My 11 yo is on the go dawn (literally!) till dusk, he is curious and into everything, loves to climb and is ready for many toys that my older kids didn't come across till later. He has done the standard preschool education plus an extra year and has been homeschooled since then, he attends outdoor education as well as learning at home.
Finally is my 9 yr old who is home educated too. She is curious and excited, enjoys hands-on learning, singing, and lots and lots of arts and crafts.
Home Ed has looked, and continues to look, very different for each and every one of my kids and I meet each need, request and requirement as we go - and that is why Home Ed works so well.
My 11 yo is on the go dawn (literally!) till dusk, he is curious and into everything, loves to climb and is ready for many toys that my older kids didn't come across till later. He has done the standard preschool education plus an extra year and has been homeschooled since then, he attends outdoor education as well as learning at home.
Finally is my 9 yr old who is home educated too. She is curious and excited, enjoys hands-on learning, singing, and lots and lots of arts and crafts.
Home Ed has looked, and continues to look, very different for each and every one of my kids and I meet each need, request and requirement as we go - and that is why Home Ed works so well.