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    Joined: Sep 2010
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    A few years ago I had the opportunity to home-educate two children who were obviously going to benefit from having some time out of mainstream school. Despite the scepticism and the negativity of friends and acquaintances, it was truly a fruitful time and one that has, in the memory, taken on a golden glow - like the Vicar of Dibley or The Darling Buds of May.

    That we were doing the right thing at the time was not in question � and looking back it was an undoubted success. But could we provide the right curriculum? What was the right curriculum? Were there any rules? Would we be �inspected�?

    The main criticism came from those who suggested that the children were somehow �missing out� because they were going to be deprived of the company of other children. The word most commonly bandied around at this time was �socialisation�. But before long it was obvious that the children had a very wide and interesting social circle, which didn�t necessarily have to include children of exactly the same age. Former-critics saw the transformation in the children�s motivation and the results they were beginning to achieve, and all talk of �socialisation� ceased.

    And what of the curriculum? We began by writing a set of targets for each child and then engaged each of them in working out how and when those targets were to be achieved. At first our aims were all based around the academic curriculum because we wanted to make sure that the basics were covered and that the children wouldn�t lose out if/when they eventually joined the mainstream again. But then we broadened our targets into large projects, giving ourselves the time and space to investigate subjects in depth and to pursue areas of interest which were not of the National Curriculum. Once we broke free of the chains of the National Curriculum, we never looked back. Every day was an exciting challenge and every moment was precious.

    Was it a luxury? Absolutely yes. But only because we knew these days were likely to be limited. It was always the plan that at some stage the children would go back into the �system� and take their exams. This was a three-year adventure which we would all remember for the rest of our lives.

    I am asked frequently by OLP parents whether I would recommend home-educating. They might ask because their child is not getting such a good deal in school, (not enough challenge? lack of motivation? bullying?) I am sure I must be one of the very few former headteachers who would support the notion of home-schooling, but if you are in the luxurious position of not having to go to work to support the family and if you have a couple of years spare to enjoy your child�s one-and-only childhood, then grab the chance and go for it. You will never look back.

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    Originally Posted by Sync
    ... if you are in the luxurious position of not having to go to work to support the family and if you have a couple of years spare to enjoy your child�s one-and-only childhood, then grab the chance and go for it. You will never look back.

    Nice. We are going into our 3rd year homeschooling (would be 4th and 1st grader). I feel very much the same way. And in our case, we are probably in it for at least the next 2 years (travel plans are already being laid out!). It has been a luxury and a treat. It certainly is not for everyone, but it has been great for our family on many levels.

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    Yep. Sometimes it's the case that one adult member of the family can afford to stay at home to educate the kids. It does seem to be getting harder and harder these days, though, and it's not that common that there is enough 'spare' time for education.

    Well done and good luck to you!

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    Thank you for your post smile I am a single parent and I homeschool my son. I work part time with the support of my partner (we don't live together, hence the single parent status) for childcare. For me and my son the benefits of homeschooling are worth the challenges of living with very little money. Learning to live frugally has in itself been a wonderful (if at times very challenging) learning experience.

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    Hi GreenGully, I wonder if I can help you out a little here. We have a few places left on one of our critical reading courses, based on The Butterfly Lion, by Michael Morpugo (27th-30th December). It's tutorial-based and is online, so you can access it from anywhere. Our tutors are from Oxford and Warwick Universities (UK), and we foster a really positive and supportive atmosphere. Would you like me to reserve you a place (on the house)? pm me if you're interested.

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    That is very generous Sync, thank you smile We will be camping at a festival in the middle of a long awaited road trip (Woodford Folk Festival) over xmas and the new year, well away from the reaches of the internet. I just had a look at the course, I think he would have loved it. I'm really touched by your offer.

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    You're very welcome - enjoy your trip smile

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    What a lovely post, Synch. Sometimes it's nice when I have had a bad day to be reminded of the good, and how much of a privilege it is.

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    Yes! Thank you for that post! Sometimes it is good to step back and take a look at where we are. I'm going into my 3rd year HSing. My oldest is now a 5th grader, my middle son is a 2nd grader and I have a 3.5yr old DD. We just moved, so to say things have been hectic is an under statement. I needed a nice uplighting post right about now!

    Dazey

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    GeoMamma and Dazed&Confuzed, I'm very happy that you enjoyed the post. It is such a privilege to be able to give one-on-one tuition - and even more so if they are your own. It's also very courageous and should be applauded and promoted within our society. All the best to the both of you.


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