Any advice on Home schooling please?

shirlgirl2004

I home ed my 2 children and I agree although they don't get on with all children becuase the parents are always present it never goes as far as it does in school. If arguments start then the parents intervene.Yes the children and parents will mix with people they like and don't like but that's the reality of life. That is true socialisation, learning how to behave if someone annoys you or says something mean.

On the whole I have found the teenagaers really lovely. There are none of these Kevin the teenager types that just grunt. The teenagers talk to me as an equal and I respond accordingly. That just isn't the case in school. Giving a child lacking in confidence the chance to realise that they need not be fearful of adults is surely giving him/her the skills to survive in the adult world.

Corelli

Useful information on exams for home educators:
http://www.nwilts-he.org.uk/he_exams_wiki/index.php?title=Main_Page

kafkathecat

I home educate my 14 yr old ds. We have started working towards GCSEs, it isn't that difficult. There are various people who offer correspondence courses, some people employ tutors, often for a small group to share the costs, and I know people who work through the syllabus and do it all themselves. I also know children who have got onto college courses at 15 and a couple who have gone at 16. There are a lot of possibilities.
I would recommend Education Otherwise. They have a helpline and local contacts who can let you know what is happening locally. They also have a yahoo group. You might also want to see if there are any local yahoo groups.
I think coinxoperated post is a little extreme although accept that that is their experience. My ds is home educated because he wants to be. Yes, there can be bullying in home ed groups but the child, and parent, can leave if it becomes difficult and return when they are ready. This can't happen in school and I have found it has made a huge difference. I have seen children come out of school suffering from stress and trauma who have blossomed when home educated.
It is hard work and not for everyone but if the child is not going to school anyway it is probably worth a try. They can always go back if it really doesn't work.
I home ed my ds in London and am happy to answer any further questions.
I would just like to add that we may be lucky but my ds has a lovely group of friends both schooled and home educated.