How To Home Educate
Getting started with home education: your step-by-step guide
Starting to home educate your child is a big step into something new and unknown. So, how do you actually get started? Let us explain how the process works in the UK.
When you’re starting with home education, there are many things to consider. You need to plan what you will teach your child and gather the necessary resources. The beginning can be overwhelming, but don’t worry. Our step-by-step guide will help you navigate through those initial stages with confidence.
1. Remove your child from school
The first step in starting your home education journey is to remove your child from school if they are already enrolled. You can do this by writing a letter to the head teacher, requesting to have your child’s name taken off the school register. If your child has not yet started school but you have accepted a place for them, you will need to relinquish that place, usually by filling out a form provided by the local authority.
While you are not obligated to inform the local authority about your decision to homeschool, they may reach out to you once they realize that your child is not registered at a school. They may inquire about the educational arrangements you have made for your child.
2. Join a home education group
While not mandatory, it is highly recommended for new home educators to join local homeschooling groups. These communities consist of experienced homeschoolers who can offer valuable advice and support. By connecting with them, you can gain insights on where to find resources and learning opportunities in your area, access shared materials, participate in group learning activities, and provide socialization opportunities for your child with other homeschooled children. Education Otherwise maintains a comprehensive list of such groups across the UK.
3. Work out what approach you'll take
According to Greg Smith, head of operations at Oxford Open Learning, if you gathered a hundred home educators in a room, each of them would likely have a unique approach to teaching. Unlike traditional classroom settings, home education allows for personalized learning that caters to you and your child. Generally, there are two methods: structured and autonomous, but most families find their own balance between the two.
Structured learning follows a formal approach, with set timetables and a curriculum covering various subjects. This method can be beneficial if your child plans to return to school, as it keeps them familiar with a structured learning environment. It may also work well for children with special needs who thrive on routine or for those who are dedicated to a specific sport and require a schedule that accommodates their training sessions.
On the other hand, autonomous learning offers flexibility. It empowers children to take the lead in deciding what, when, and how they learn based on their interests. As a facilitator rather than a traditional teacher, your role is to provide opportunities, experiences, and resources that support your child’s individual interests. Autonomous learning is often suitable for self-motivated children who didn’t respond positively to the structured school system, but its effectiveness may depend on their age.
Writing an educational philosophy can be helpful in clarifying the approach that best suits your needs and your child’s learning style.
4. Work out your child’s learning style
It’s important to consider your child’s personality and learning preferences when determining your approach to home education. Observe how they absorb and enjoy information.
Do they have the self-discipline to explore their own learning interests and follow through on them? Or do they thrive with structured workbooks and a designated study area? Are they more engaged when actively involved in hands-on activities, or do they prefer taking detailed notes or listening to music while studying? Pay attention to your child’s cues as you learn together and be open to frequent pauses to address their questions. Keep track of their interests so you can adapt and tailor the learning experience accordingly.
5. Come up with a plan
Developing a study plan, also known as a scheme of work, can be advantageous when approaching home education in a structured manner. While not mandatory, it provides a roadmap for covering specific topics and keeps you organized. Involving your child in creating the scheme of work can enhance their engagement and motivation.
Consider the following points during your planning:
- Determine your goals: What do you hope to achieve through your child’s education?
- Outline desired outcomes: What tangible results or projects do you want to accomplish?
- Identify necessary resources: Determine the materials, books, and online sources required.
- Estimate timeframes: How much time will be dedicated to each topic or activity?
By tailoring the scheme of work to your child’s needs and interests, you can create a unique plan that supports their learning journey.
6. Work out your 'working hours'
Not all families who educate their children at home follow a strict timetable, but having one can be beneficial, especially in the beginning stages when establishing a routine and fostering good study habits. Your timetable can be a flexible framework that outlines the subjects you plan to cover each day or a more detailed schedule with specific hours allocated to each subject.
In a traditional school day, subjects like English (literacy) and math (numeracy) are typically taught for about 70 minutes daily, with additional weekly lessons in science, geography, history, physical education (PE), religious education, art, music, drama, modern languages, computing, design and technology, and personal, social, and health education. There are breaks for lunch, as well as shorter breaks in the morning and afternoon.
When creating your home education timetable, you can draw inspiration from the subjects mentioned above, taking into consideration your child’s interests, attention span, and any commitments they may have, such as participating in home education groups or extracurricular clubs. Your schedule may also include time spent outside the home, such as meeting other home educators, visiting farms, exploring nature in the woods, or attending local music performances. Alternatively, you may choose a non-traditional approach by opting for shorter periods of formal learning spread across all seven days of the week or adjusting the start and end times to better suit your family’s needs.
8. Familiarise yourself with good resources
There are numerous excellent educational resources available for home educating families, and many of them are free. Here are some options to consider:
- The library: You can find a wide range of books, CDs, DVDs, reference materials, and even computer access. Remember, you can also request specific items if they’re not currently available.
- Local council: Inquire if they provide access to learning resources, which may be located in schools or colleges. Additionally, depending on your area, you might be eligible for discounts at local leisure centres or museums.
- The Department for Education: You can access the National Curriculum as a guide for what to teach your child and their expected capabilities by age, or simply for inspiration.
- Museums: Inform them that you are a home educator, as you may be eligible for discounted entry or special programs.
- The BBC: Take advantage of their school television programs, radio broadcasts, and online educational resources. They offer a wide range of subjects, from beginner’s Arabic to A Level maths.
- Distance learning: Consider The Online School, they offer online live education free from anxiety and bullying for ages 7-16. They also help with the deregistration process and have free guides, resources and support on their website theonlineschool.uk.
Remember to explore these resources and tailor them to your child’s interests and learning style.
7. Invest in your equipment and tools
While some home educators believe that an enthusiastic parent is the most essential tool, having a few basic resources can make the homeschooling experience smoother. Here are some items you may find helpful:
- A designated workspace: This could be a dedicated desk in a room or simply the kitchen table, depending on your available space and preferred approach to home education.
- A pencil case: Include essential items like a math set and a handwriting pen.
- Stationery supplies: Stock up on paper (plain and lined), glue, felt tips, crayons, and a stapler.
- A computer: Helpful for accessing online resources, educational programs, and research.
Remember, these resources are not mandatory, and you can adapt them to suit your specific needs and preferences. The goal is to create a supportive learning environment for your child.
8. Familiarise yourself with good resources
There are numerous excellent educational resources available for home educating families, and many of them are free. Here are some options to consider:
- The library: You can find a wide range of books, CDs, DVDs, reference materials, and even computer access. Remember, you can also request specific items if they’re not currently available.
- Local council: Inquire if they provide access to learning resources, which may be located in schools or colleges. Additionally, depending on your area, you might be eligible for discounts at local leisure centres or museums.
- The Department for Education: You can access the National Curriculum as a guide for what to teach your child and their expected capabilities by age, or simply for inspiration.
- Museums: Inform them that you are a home educator, as you may be eligible for discounted entry or special programs.
- The BBC: Take advantage of their school television programs, radio broadcasts, and online educational resources. They offer a wide range of subjects, from beginner’s Arabic to A Level maths.
- Distance learning: Consider The Online School, they offer online live education free from anxiety and bullying for ages 7-16. They also help with the deregistration process and have free guides, resources and support on their website theonlineschool.uk.
Remember to explore these resources and tailor them to your child’s interests and learning style.
9. Keep on top of progress
Many parents choose home education so that their child can embrace their unique learning journey at their own pace and in their preferred style. However, without formal assessments or peers for comparison, it can sometimes be challenging to track their progress.
Fortunately, there are ways to observe their development. For example, you might notice advancements in their ability to play more musical pieces, their growing vocabulary in French, or their improvement in creating detailed life drawings. If your child remains curious, confident, happy, and enthusiastic about learning, it is a clear sign of their progress.
In the case of following a structured learning program, you can utilize the National Curriculum to monitor your child’s advancement. Regular self-assessment tests and assignments can also be beneficial in reinforcing their learning.
10. Adapt with your child
Unlike the structured environment of traditional schooling that caters to the needs of the majority, home education allows you to tailor the learning experience to suit your child’s individual needs. As you spend more time with your child, you will gain a better understanding of their interests, learning style, and preferred schedule. This knowledge will enable you to adapt and customize your approach accordingly. It’s important to remain flexible and open to adjustments, allowing you and your child to establish a routine that works best for both of you.
For a comprehensive beginner’s guide to home education, along with helpful templates to develop an educational philosophy and schedule, you can refer to TheOnlineSchool.
Since March 2020
We've helped over
0
K
STUDENTS REGAIN BACK THEIR SMILE AND ENJOY LEARNING AGAIN, JOIN US 🙂
