Home Schooler turned Home Educator

A third of UK parents want to homeschool after the pandemic - here’s how to do it full-time.

A third of UK parents are considering homeschooling their children even after schools reopen, new research has revealed, with young parents the most likely to continue.

The study, conducted by home education provider, Oxford Home Schooling, found that 30% of the nation’s parents are thinking of homeschooling permanently. This figure rises to 36% among parents aged between 25 and 34, which is more than any other age group.

This is partly because, despite the challenges, many families are enjoying the homeschooling experience. More than two in five (43%) parents say that they like teaching their children.

Dads are enjoying homeschooling more than mums, with almost half (48%) of male parents reflecting on the experience positively, compared to 38% of women.

Around the country, Londoners are savouring the experience the most, with 55% of parents in the capital saying they are enjoying homeschooling. Belfast is a close second, at 54%. In contrast, just 15% of parents in Edinburgh say they like teaching their children - the lowest rate of any city in the UK.

For those who are thinking of homeschooling full-time, Greg Smith, Head of Operations at home education provider Oxford Home Schooling, has provided five tips on how to make the transition as smooth as possible.

1. Make sure you notify your child’s school

You do not need to ask permission to home educate from either your child’s school or your local authority, but you must let the school know in writing about your decision. If you are removing your child from a special school, then you are also required to inform the local authority.

Some councils will provide guidance and free course materials. Occasionally they will also make informal enquiries to make sure your child is getting a sufficient education, so be ready to provide evidence such as work samples or reports.

2. Consider how long you’re planning on homeschooling

Some parents may want to trial homeschooling for a few months, or even a few years, before returning their child to mainstream education. If this is the case, you should definitely choose a provider or system that closely follows the national curriculum.

One of the benefits of homeschooling is that parents have flexibility with the content they teach, but if there is any chance that the children will go back to school in the future, you should not deviate too much from the standard syllabus. This will make it easier for your child to readjust should they eventually decide to return to school.

3. Identify the best teaching style for your child

If your child is over five years old, you are legally obliged to provide a full-time education, but you can decide what that involves. Every child learns at their own pace and in their own way and the beauty of homeschooling is that you can cater your teaching to complement this.

Some homeschool students respond best to structured learning, with timetables and routines, while others will thrive in a less rigid environment. If you think the latter may be most suitable, allow your child to explore their interests and shape their learning around these. You may find that active or practical exercises are more productive than traditional textbook tasks.

4. Think about the logistics

It is important to consider who will be doing the majority of the homeschooling and whether they can realistically devote enough time to make it effective. The flexibility of home education means it is possible to do it while working full-time, but this is naturally a bit more challenging.

Consider sharing teaching responsibilities with your partner, a family member or someone else from the homeschooling community. Alternatively, you could homeschool on an evening or a weekend, or think about changing your work shifts.

5. Remember you won’t be alone

Our latest research found that homeschooling in the UK has more than doubled in recent years. Virtually every local authority has seen large increases and there are now homeschooling communities all over the country that frequently meet up. These communities are always willing to welcome new members and answer questions, so before you commit to home education, check out your local group’s Facebook page.

People sometimes doubt whether homeschooled children develop social skills at the same rate as those in traditional education. However, in reality, they can often surpass their peers in this regard, as by attending local homeschooling events, students socialise with a wider age-range of children and this massively helps with confidence.

For more information on what is required from homeschooling parents, visit: https://www.oxfordhomeschooling.co.uk/general/home-schooling-the-law/