Home Education

Out,_Vile_Jelly

Glad to hear it's worked out for some people, but I couldn't have stood spending all day, every day with my mum until I was 16. I love my parents, but in small doses.

Mojisola

Kayalana99 wrote: »

That said, I don't agree with them not doing their GCSE's and A levels, children should have as many doors open for them as possible and taking something away from them such as GCSE's or A levels is taking away opportunities that they could very well need in future. It's very easy to say this child got through with an entrance exam, but if they wanted to go on to be a Vet or a Doctor, and hadn't learned basic subjects such as Science or Maths (but in turn had been taught other skills such as photography/cooking etc) then they are going to fall - hard - and find they have to now spend years catching up to chase their dreams.

Home Education can be tailored to help whatever the child's ambitions are.

Reggie_Rebel

Loz01 wrote: »

I just think when kids are young its a shame they miss out on assembly, school trips, play time, special days, discos, end of year party, school photos, school fetes and the like. They are some of my best memories of childhood and you can't replicate that at home. You can't replicate lasting friendships and I honestly don't think you can replicate education the same way.

I agree with this, some of the above are the fondest memories I have of my children at that age.

Mojisola

Loz01 wrote: »

I just think when kids are young its a shame they miss out on assembly, school trips, play time, special days, discos, end of year party, school photos, school fetes and the like. They are some of my best memories of childhood and you can't replicate that at home.

You can't replicate lasting friendships and I honestly don't think you can replicate education the same way.

Even our children (whose activities were restricted because of poor health) got out of the house and took part in events and made lasting friendships!

I'm sure their memories of the things they did are just as precious as your school ones are.

Mela322

For those against home education, it's one of those things that seem impossible and complete until you are put in that position. When you are, you work hard to make sure that your children are educated.

Believe it or not, it works and there are many out there and it's growing. Universities will open door to those that don't have the required qualifications provided they can demonstrate they have the skills. Also, many universities have foundation courses for the first year. There are so many opportunities for home ed children. It's not just open doors for uni either, there are other qualifications they can go for and apprenticeships.

Socialisation only at school is a myth. Do school children only socialise at school? No, they have many opportunities outside of school time. Who cares about school trips and assemblies, not all students like them. My children look forward to enjoying trips while all the other children are in school. We just enjoy being together as a family.

I was on the other side saying, no couldn't do, won't work. But when my daughter's teacher was failing her and I couldn't get anywhere, I had to act. Best decision we ever made. Now we have moved and there is a very good school next door but I really just don't want the garbage that is being forced into our children.

Mojisola

Loz01 wrote: »

I just think when kids are young its a shame they miss out on assembly, school trips, play time, special days, discos, end of year party, school photos, school fetes and the like. They are some of my best memories of childhood

Mela322 wrote: »

Who cares about school trips and assemblies, not all students like them.

I was going to comment on this - kudos to Loz's teachers if the assemblies they held are part of childhood's best memories.

I only remember being bored and thinking that the time could be much better used.

Loz01

Mojisola wrote: »

I was going to comment on this - kudos to Loz's teachers if the assemblies they held are part of childhood's best memories.

I only remember being bored and thinking that the time could be much better used.

Haha Im laughing now because obviously assembly wasn't the bee all and end all of my childhood I just meant certain "things" that stick with you! Me and my friends still laugh about how we used to have to sing religious hymns off the over head projector.

FBaby

Mojisola wrote: »

Home Education can be tailored to help whatever the child's ambitions are.

To get into medicine or vet school, you have to get all As, preferably A*s at GCSEs and certainly A levels. Of course there is always the exception that gets in with Cs, but the likelihood of success is low.

Of course kids educated at home are also to achieve these grades, but I would think that unless the educating parent is particularly skilled in sciences and/or the child is exceptionally gifted, it is likely to be much more of a challenge to succeed with home education.

Add to this that schools are now looking for kids with excellent social and personal skills, able to show resilience and adaptability, they might find it a challenge to explain why the school environment was not the right place for them at interview.

Mojisola

FBaby wrote: »

To get into medicine or vet school, you have to get all As, preferably A*s at GCSEs and certainly A levels. Of course there is always the exception that gets in with Cs, but the likelihood of success is low.

Add to this that schools are now looking for kids with excellent social and personal skills, able to show resilience and adaptability, they might find it a challenge to explain why the school environment was not the right place for them at interview.

I expect any child aiming for those careers would either get private specialist tuition or go into school or take courses at an FE college.

I think my son's proven ability to organise his own studying, his membership of different social groups and clubs and his ability to relate to people of all ages stood him in good stead when he applied for uni.

If a child was emotionally vulnerable, then uni probably wouldn't be the best place for him/her whether he/she had been home-educated or had managed at school.

FBaby

I agree. It really comes down to the reasons that drive the decision to home educate.