Home Education and benefits issue....

bestpud

StrongWork wrote: »

You'll never get a chance to further yourself in industrial or scientific fields without formal qualifiations. Those at the cutting edge of research are typically highly qualified. That's just how it is. A mature student doing computing at an ex polytechnic or someone else doing colouring in are not exceptions to the rule.

Your above post although very optimistic, is unfortunately somewhat naive and far too idealistic. Formal exams are required to demonstrate competency in a given subject/field.

Without sounding very very harsh, with this kind of airy fairy attitude it comes as no surprise to me that your children were bullied at school. I know that sounds scandalously terrible (and I'm not in any way saying they deserved it at all), but the whole thing suggests of individuals not wanting to face up to the real world.

Apologies for sounding like a git, but I do think that's the case.

Ouch!! But actually, I do see where you are coming from.

I guess I'd question whether they are wrong to think that way or just different though?

If they choose that path in life then what's the problem so long as they are happy with it? We don't all want to be at the cutting edge of life and there isn't room for everyone there anyway!

I guess the moot point is whether the children have an active choice or not? No answer to that really, I guess - some will and some won't.

It's the same in mainstream education though - some children will have brilliant home support and be able to take full advantage but others will be held back by their family.

Bennifred

If the OP's daughter has no faith in her local school to educate to her requirements, then maybe she should be looking to move to somewhere there is more choice (and more opportunities for suitable employment.) It is a big wide world out there, it seems a pity to allow oneself to be restricted in that way.

viktory

StrongWork wrote: »

Your above post although very optimistic...

She really knows how to use an adjective though, doesn't she? :T

curlyshirley67

Sorry, don't have the time to trawl through the thread seeing what everyone else has said, but have had a quick look.

Just wanted to say that it appears that people think that home educated children aren't going to be able to gain qualifications. Not true. Loads do GCSEs and many other qualifications as private candidates - my daughter for one, plus dozens and dozens of others I know either in real life through the social groups we attend or virtually on home ed forums. The beauty of doing them while home educated is that you have real choice in subjects and the age at which you sit them rather than being constrained by the timetable and demands of a school. Also choice to look at different types of qualifications rather than bog standard GCSEs. And, yes, many of them go on to universities.

Not going to start down the socialisation route, apart from to say that if you don't know how home education works, please don't make assumptions and judgements. It really isn't anything like how you imagine it to be!

For anyone considering home education, don't take advice from people who don't know anything about it. Do your own research. For example, search for the Home Education Network or THEN UK for short (sorry, I'm a new user so it won't let me post links).

bestpud

Absolutely true!

As a newbie to HE, I've found it a sharp learning curve and, yes, there are some less than ideal bits, but my honest opinion is the benefits outweigh them by far.

It obviously depends on the parent to a large extent but then so does progress at school; they only do so much when it comes to basics like reading and times tables - the rest is up to parents, let's face it.

I too would urge people to look into HE rather than believe all the age old myths and stereotypes floating around. You can only make an informed choice when aware of the facts.

curlyshirley67 wrote: »

Sorry, don't have the time to trawl through the thread seeing what everyone else has said, but have had a quick look.

Just wanted to say that it appears that people think that home educated children aren't going to be able to gain qualifications. Not true. Loads do GCSEs and many other qualifications as private candidates - my daughter for one, plus dozens and dozens of others I know either in real life through the social groups we attend or virtually on home ed forums. The beauty of doing them while home educated is that you have real choice in subjects and the age at which you sit them rather than being constrained by the timetable and demands of a school. Also choice to look at different types of qualifications rather than bog standard GCSEs. And, yes, many of them go on to universities.

Not going to start down the socialisation route, apart from to say that if you don't know how home education works, please don't make assumptions and judgements. It really isn't anything like how you imagine it to be!

For anyone considering home education, don't take advice from people who don't know anything about it. Do your own research. For example, search for the Home Education Network or THEN UK for short (sorry, I'm a new user so it won't let me post links).

mumps

I think it is important to remember that HE doesn't always mean children won't ever go to school. Mine started at nine, we just thought rising five was too young. Mine went on to get excellent GCSE and A levels. I met lots of other HE people who always planned on children going into formal education at some stage, quite a few seemed to go to local colleges sometime between 14 and 18. HE varies alot, I met all sorts from the pushy parent to the libertarians who believed it was wrong to ever say no to a child. I didn't fit into either of those camps.

The person I know who went to uni with no qualifications was early 20's and read psychology.

Bambywamby

Some posters on here have been quite ignorant and rude to the original poster who asked for help. Unless you have home educated your child you shouldn't be so quick to denigrate it or her.
Her daughter has experienced both state schooling and home schooling and therefore imo has a more rounded opinion than the others on here that have been spouting twaddle about something they know little about.

State schooling - imo - a neccessary evil.
Home schooling is totally superior. Children are given the best one on one education in a nurturing environment - combined with an active social calendar - you cannot beat it.

I believe if you can afford it, have the capability to do it and want to do...GOOD ON YOU.:T

StrongWork

Bambywamby wrote: »

State schooling - imo - a neccessary evil.
Home schooling is totally superior. Children are given the best one on one education in a nurturing environment - combined with an active social calendar - you cannot beat it.

:rotfl::rotfl::rotfl: Kwalitee.

GlasweJen

Bambywamby wrote: »

I believe if you can afford it, have the capability to do it and want to do...GOOD ON YOU.:T

The problem is that the OPs daughter can't afford it and wants benefits to subsidise her choice to stay at home with her kids. If the OP simply asked on the families board for advice on home schooling she would have got loads of advice but as she's posted on the benefits board asking for money to fund a lifestyle choice then she can hardly complain about the thread getting tough. It's not as if the children cannot be educated elsewhere.

Bambywamby

StrongWork wrote: »

:rotfl::rotfl::rotfl: Kwalitee.

^ An example of state education?