Advice on Transitioning to Homeschooling: Pros, Cons, and Starting Points
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lionofjudah5
New member
Depends on the major reason why you are thinking of homeschooling? Personally I would want my kids to experience relationships, positive and negative, teach them how to deal with difficult situations, face the tougher part of growing up.. if they are at home till 15 or 16 how are they going to feel when they go out in the real world? This is all apart from academics...when it comes to teaching your own kids, you need to ask if they co-operate fully with you? And take you as seriously as they do their teachers at school? Do you have the right environment? Tools? Distraction free area in the house? As you say you are not sure about your ability to teach because of your personal results, learning changed from a decade or 2 ago, and you might find it harder then you think, I am being the devil's advocate here, but thinking what I would be concerned about if I was in your position
@lionofjudah5 You do know that HE children aren't kept in cupboards? HE children get out and about in the REAL world - not behind 4 walls and lock gates and fences. They aren't micro-managed.
What is the 'right environment'? What 'tools' do you need?
What is the 'right environment'? What 'tools' do you need?
I wish I could home educate my children but it's not something we could afford! I'm a primary school teacher and I do feel schools are under such pressure to make all children the same! Every child is different with different needs. If you think you can do it, do it. Don't put yourself down for getting a C in gcse. How many years ago was that? You have now gained many life experiences. As I say to all the children I teach, you can achieve anything you want to, believe in yourself!
queenofethopians
New member
Have you considered looking at an online virtual school such as @funkybunch52. The flexibility of homeschooling without the pressure of having to teach.
It's not for everyone but something that may suit your family.
It's not for everyone but something that may suit your family.
You would be better asking this question on a home education page so you can get realistic answers. The home ed community is very supportive, they will share the good and bad sides of home ed you need to consider. You can also read through some of the previous posts to get a feel for the kind of areas people reach out for support in.
I took my children out of school when they were in years 4 & 2. We still get the "what about socialising" question that's because it's different from the norm and they don't realise how big the home ed community is.
We love home education but it's not for everyone. It is not an easy option, it takes a lot of effort, but if done well it can be incredible for all the family.
It is possible to give a high standard of education even if you didn't get one yourself.
Remember that when your children are in school you still have the option to deregister, parents of home educated children have the option to register them in school if circumstances change or it doesn't work out. Neither door is closed.
I took my children out of school when they were in years 4 & 2. We still get the "what about socialising" question that's because it's different from the norm and they don't realise how big the home ed community is.
We love home education but it's not for everyone. It is not an easy option, it takes a lot of effort, but if done well it can be incredible for all the family.
It is possible to give a high standard of education even if you didn't get one yourself.
Remember that when your children are in school you still have the option to deregister, parents of home educated children have the option to register them in school if circumstances change or it doesn't work out. Neither door is closed.
shingler7992
New member
Be careful. As stated above.
So the myths here are abundant.
If your child doesn’t do homework willing this does NOT mean your child won’t do work if home Ed, there is a big difference between learning at home and doing a full day at school then being expected to do more work once home! ( there are definitely school days their teachers might as well be talking to themselves all day too
).
You don’t need to be academic yourself for your kids to be home educated, this is what the internet and libraries provide.
There are so many ways to approach home Ed and you can do what works for you and your family (this may sometimes look very different for each child, it’s literally a bespoke education).
Exams and curriculum aren’t compulsory but equally they can be taken (and they don’t all have to be done at once so your kids can focus on different subjects and take exams different years if they wish).
There are lots of social opportunities ( depending on your location a good bus route or having your own car helps a lot).
Most say it doesn’t have to be expensive and it doesn’t really but it can be personally we particularly enjoy or have enjoyed the various science, gardening, geography, stem subscriptions available, we also enjoy the more affordable things like twinkl and paw print badges.
There are lots of options for qualifications too. Aqa awards, arts awards, cooking qualifications and more all come with different costs involved.
If GCSEs are wanted once they are at the age of taking them you would need to find somewhere that accept external candidates find out what exam bodies they use and follow the study for those specific awarding bodies but you are responsible for all the costs involved for the exams.
There is options of tutors, tutor groups, home study, self lead learning approach.
Functional skills can be accessed online or at exam centres.
If your child doesn’t do homework willing this does NOT mean your child won’t do work if home Ed, there is a big difference between learning at home and doing a full day at school then being expected to do more work once home! ( there are definitely school days their teachers might as well be talking to themselves all day too
). You don’t need to be academic yourself for your kids to be home educated, this is what the internet and libraries provide.
There are so many ways to approach home Ed and you can do what works for you and your family (this may sometimes look very different for each child, it’s literally a bespoke education).
Exams and curriculum aren’t compulsory but equally they can be taken (and they don’t all have to be done at once so your kids can focus on different subjects and take exams different years if they wish).
There are lots of social opportunities ( depending on your location a good bus route or having your own car helps a lot).
Most say it doesn’t have to be expensive and it doesn’t really but it can be personally we particularly enjoy or have enjoyed the various science, gardening, geography, stem subscriptions available, we also enjoy the more affordable things like twinkl and paw print badges.
There are lots of options for qualifications too. Aqa awards, arts awards, cooking qualifications and more all come with different costs involved.
If GCSEs are wanted once they are at the age of taking them you would need to find somewhere that accept external candidates find out what exam bodies they use and follow the study for those specific awarding bodies but you are responsible for all the costs involved for the exams.
There is options of tutors, tutor groups, home study, self lead learning approach.
Functional skills can be accessed online or at exam centres.
sarah92083
New member
I’d ask in one of the home education groups. Start with educational freedom. Unfortunately asking here you will mostly get answers from people who have little understanding of what home education is about.
Pros: too many to mention but include cheaper than school (unless you do exams), can learn however and whenever you want as you don’t have to stick to Monday to Friday, term times or 9-3. Can holiday whenever you like. Get museums and other places virtually to yourselves (many do home Ed days for reduced cost than normal entry), better socialisation skills for your children as they aren’t limited to the same children and room day in day out.
Cons: you have to pay for any exams they sit and you will get judgemental people who know nothing about home education negatively commenting on your choice.
Pros: too many to mention but include cheaper than school (unless you do exams), can learn however and whenever you want as you don’t have to stick to Monday to Friday, term times or 9-3. Can holiday whenever you like. Get museums and other places virtually to yourselves (many do home Ed days for reduced cost than normal entry), better socialisation skills for your children as they aren’t limited to the same children and room day in day out.
Cons: you have to pay for any exams they sit and you will get judgemental people who know nothing about home education negatively commenting on your choice.
sarah92083
New member
Anyone questioning or doubting if you are capable of educating your own children to a good enough standard (aka school standard)… if you’ve been through the school system and don’t feel confident you are able to educate your children, why are you entrusting them to that same system that has left you feeling unable to educate your children? 
clementpulaski
New member
Just be aware that if they want to do gcse you will have to pay if your homeschooling and it’s not cheap. Are you planning on homeschooling all 4 as honestly that would be a challenge - absolutely doable but you’d be teaching two children how to read yourself. It absolutely is achievable but you should very likely look at getting some advice from others that homeschool. Be aware they can be rather militant and often not willing to accept if your wanting to maintain any real access to more formal lessons. Get some advantages and disadvantages and then decide if it is something that will work for your family
Hi Nicola , I'd advise joining educational freedom UK on fb , there's lots of advise ,and they can advise you on your legal standing to home ed your children .
Also join local home ed fb groups , your find lots going on , as the home ed community is a much larger one than people imagine, there are tons of free resources to support both you , and your children's learning , and lots of social opportunities. I've never regretted making the decision to home educate. Do your research join as many groups as possible and find your tribe . One last thing ,negative comments usually come from people who have never home educated, I'm not sure why people feel they are entitled to an opinion on how you raise your children, I'm sure they wouldn't appreciate the same in return .
Also join local home ed fb groups , your find lots going on , as the home ed community is a much larger one than people imagine, there are tons of free resources to support both you , and your children's learning , and lots of social opportunities. I've never regretted making the decision to home educate. Do your research join as many groups as possible and find your tribe . One last thing ,negative comments usually come from people who have never home educated, I'm not sure why people feel they are entitled to an opinion on how you raise your children, I'm sure they wouldn't appreciate the same in return .
contemplationmachine
New member
1st thing you need to do is join local and nation wide home Ed groups on FB where you’ll gain a wealth of knowledge, and please do not listen to anyone on here who talks about their own opinions of schools, teachers and the education system when they have no knowledge of HE. Way too many uninformed opinions on here 
Contact louise at @timogustavao for advice