Welcome to the exciting journey of home education! If you’re looking to start home educating your child in the UK and are searching for a straightforward guide to ease you into this process, you’ve come to the right place.
Home educating – Where To Start
As a seasoned home educator of two uniquely wonderful children, I’ve dedicated more than five years to this educational path. My experiences have propelled me to share insights and lend support to fellow home educating families.
Before taking the plunge into home education, ensure you’re equipped with the right mindset and resources. From the confidence that you have what it takes (or are willing to develop the necessary skills) to understanding legalities and choosing the right educational style—these elements are paramount to a smooth beginning.
To clarify terms, ‘home education’ is the preferred terminology, as it more accurately represents the holistic and flexible nature of teaching children outside the traditional school system, as opposed to ‘homeschooling’, which implies replicating school at home.
Home Educating – Building Confidence Before You Begin
Feeling a bit daunted about home educating? Whether your child has had unpleasant school experiences or you’re seeking an alternative lifestyle, it’s natural to feel apprehensive. I encourage you to check out my posts, such as the ‘reasons to choose homeschooling‘ and what qualifications are necessary, to boost your confidence and readiness for this journey.
Practical Steps to Start Home Educating
Before you remove your child from school, consider logistics like time management, finances, and work-life integration. Once you’re ready, deregistering your child from school is typically a straightforward process in England and Wales—simply submit a formal letter to the school.
For children in special schools, you will need approval to deregister—this involves coordinating with the headteacher and the local Elective Home Education (EHE) officer. While the deregistration process in England is relatively uncomplicated, do check with local authorities for country-specific requirements in the UK.
Kicking Off Your Home School Experience
After deregistering, acquaint yourself with your rights and responsibilities under UK home education law. Remember, you’re not obliged to follow a set curriculum or schedule and can shape your days as you see fit.
However, be ready to address common questions others may have about socialization, qualifications, and formal examinations like GCSEs/A Levels for home-educated children. You may want to read my post ‘can home educated children do GCSE’s‘ It’s an opportunity to embrace the vast freedoms of home education and transform challenges into learning experiences.
Choosing Your Educational Approach
There’s no mandate to follow a specific home education style or curriculum, but it could help to explore different philosophies and approaches to find one that resonates with your family. Some popular options include the Montessori method, national curriculum-based resources, or a relaxed unschooling approach.
My advice as an experienced home educator: re-creating a school environment at home is usually counterproductive. Instead, focus on nurturing a child’s innate curiosity and learn through more organic, conversation-driven methods.
Our Family’s Homeschool Routine
Our family’s approach doesn’t mimic a classroom structure; we prioritize conversation, leverage toys as educational tools, and pursue a relaxed enjoyment of learning. Our weekly routine encapsulates free time, extracurricular clubs, and spontaneous learning opportunities.
We allocate days for activities like read-alouds, art, playing video games, cooking, and outdoor visits. There are also days when we attend homeschool groups and engage in STEM activities.
As a home educator, I’ve learned the power of flexibility and the importance of adapting to the individual needs and passions of our children.
For more insights into our journey and daily life, head over to my blog posts on homeschool/home education. Read how a typical day in our homeschooling routine, examine how home-educated children socialise, and more.
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Homeschooling curriculums in the UK