Why We Chose Home Education
Deciding to home educate was not a decision we took lightly, but it has been one of the most rewarding choices we’ve made for our family. Our 15-year-old daughter, Atlanta, has been home educated for nearly a year, and while it was ultimately her decision, it was inspired in part by her observations of how her younger brother, Jenson, aged 8, has been learning outside the school system. Jenson has complex special educational needs (SEND) and is currently on an Education Other Than At School (EOTAS) package, which provides a tailored and flexible approach to his education.This experience highlighted the potential of learning beyond traditional classrooms. Witnessing Jenson’s progress and the difference that a personalised education has made to his confidence and wellbeing, Atlanta began to consider whether a similar approach could work for her.
Day One of the Journey
It all began on the first day of my career break when, just before leaving for school, Atlanta asked, “Can I home educate for my GCSEs?” At the time, she was in her second term of Year 9 at her new school. Her request completely took us by surprise, and our initial reaction was one of concern: “What’s wrong? Is something happening at school?” Atlanta had endured a challenging Year 8 at her previous school, where we often saw her upset and distressed. But since starting at her new school, she seemed like a different person - happier, more at ease, and thriving. By all accounts, things appeared to be going well.
Naturally, we worried. Was she unhappy? Was she being bullied or feeling isolated? Atlanta quickly reassured us that wasn’t the case. She enjoyed her new school, had strong friendships, and was managing well academically. Her reasoning was simple: she wanted more autonomy and control over her education.
“I want to learn subjects I’m passionate about and motivated by - not ones I’m forced to do because school says I have to,” she explained.
We couldn’t argue with her logic. Children thrive when they are genuinely engaged with what they are learning, and the results speak for themselves. There’s a saying, “If your child isn’t great at maths but is brilliant at tennis, get them a tennis coach, not a maths tutor.” This philosophy resonated deeply with us and cemented our decision to explore home education further.
Addressing Concerns About Home Education
Like many parents considering home education, we had questions and doubts. My husband’s first concern was socialisation. However, when we reflected on Atlanta’s school experience, we realised that social opportunities in schools are often limited. Students are grouped by age, rushed between lessons, and expected to focus on learning rather than forming connections during class. Break times are short, and after-school clubs don’t always suit every child.
In contrast, home education offers the freedom to build friendships in a variety of settings. Atlanta has maintained friendships with some of her school friends while also making new connections through her dance community and other activities. Her ability to socialise hasn’t diminished - in fact, it’s flourished.
Another common worry is whether parents are “qualified” to home educate. Many people feel they aren’t clever enough, but this belief often stems from the idea that education must mirror the school system. In reality, home education is flexible and can be tailored to suit your strengths, your child’s needs, and your family’s circumstances. You don’t have to be an expert in every subject - there are resources, tutors, and online platforms to fill the gaps.
It’s important to acknowledge that home education isn’t for everyone. Not every family has the capacity, time, or resources to make it work, and that’s okay. Every child’s needs are different, and what works for one may not work for another.
The Trial Period
We were fortunate that Atlanta’s independent school supported a trial period. For several weeks, we explored different approaches to learning, including one-to-one tuition, online group sessions, self-directed study, and even me teaching her (though we quickly realised that wasn’t the best dynamic!). Atlanta thrived during this time, proving her commitment to the process.
When it became clear that home education was the right choice, we gave the school our notice. Although they were sad to see her go, both the headteacher and her housemistress were supportive of our decision.
Atlanta’s Home Education Journey
Since leaving school, Atlanta has been able to fully focus on the subjects she is truly passionate about, many of which are creative. In a traditional school setting, students often face limitations on the number of creative subjects they can pursue, as core subjects like science, maths, and humanities must take precedence. While Atlanta may not have chosen maths or English as subjects of interest, we recognised their importance in keeping her future options open. That said, it's important to remember that children aren't required to sit GCSEs.
Maths: Her tutor identified her potential to sit the higher GCSE paper, yet at school, she would have only been offered the foundation paper, based on the set she was in. Her confidence as soared!
English: She has already completed coursework and achieved a Grade 7. She has a lovely rapport with her English tutor.
GCSE Dance: Through a blend of online one-to-one theory, online group lessons, and in-person practical sessions in Hounslow, Atlanta is completing the entire GCSE course in just one year.
Travel and Tourism: After switching to a tutor whose style better suits her, Atlanta is excelling in this subject. She does one session at our house and one session at her friends each week which helps mix things up a bit.
Business Studies: Atlanta thoroughly enjoys her live online group lessons, which allow her to actively engage in the subject.
Photography: By following a self-guided NCFE Level 2 course, she is able to develop and refine her creative skills at her own pace.
Food and Nutrition: Atlanta is set to begin this course in September 2025 with one of her home-ed friends. The course includes weekly online sessions and three full days over the year in a dedicated kitchen facility in Wiltshire for the practical exam element.
Dance: Being home educated has allowed Atlanta to return to her previous dance school, Variations Academy, where she was invited to join the Elite Competition Team. This is a significant commitment, with over 16 hours of training each week and travel across the country for competitions, demonstrating her dedication and passion. This was not feasible during her time in school due to Saturday school and the fact that her school day finished after Elite training had already begun.
Pantomime: Home education also provided Atlanta the opportunity to audition for a local theatre’s pantomime. She was successful and cast in the chorus. While some students from school also made the cast, they had to miss lessons or rush back after performances to catch up. With home education, we were able to rearrange Atlanta’s lessons to accommodate her pantomime commitments.
Her tailored schedule enables her to work in the mornings when she’s most productive (she is always up at 6am!), leaving afternoons free for other activities, including the gym, swimming, and socialising with friends. She has even published her own dance journal which you can buy on Amazon!
The Right Environment Makes All the Difference
One of the biggest benefits of home education for Atlanta has been learning in an environment where she feels comfortable contributing. In school, she was naturally quiet in the classroom, and every parents' evening, we were told, "She needs to contribute more." Yet, since home educating, this has completely changed. With her tutors, she contributes all the time - engaging in discussions, asking questions, and voicing her thoughts with confidence. It’s a reminder that the right environment brings out the best in a person.
I remember my own school days, particularly in Italian lessons, when the teacher would go around the class expecting every student to answer. Instead of listening and learning, I was gripped with panic, anxiously rehearsing what I would say when it was my turn. That anxiety blocked my ability to absorb anything else, and so much learning was lost because of it.
Atlanta had similar experiences, particularly in maths. I remember her telling me that her entire group had scored less than 10% on a topic test. Instead of recognising that the class hadn’t grasped the concept and reteaching it in a different way, the teacher simply moved on to the next topic, telling students to attend extra maths sessions at lunchtime or ask for help outside of class. In contrast, with her maths tutor, he never moves on until she fully understands a concept. He quickly adapts his teaching if she isn’t grasping something, ensuring she truly learns rather than just moving through the syllabus. Sadly, that level of personalisation isn’t possible in a school classroom.
We’ve also had the flexibility to change tutors when needed. Atlanta initially studied Travel & Tourism in a group setting but didn’t connect with the teaching style. So, we switched to a different tutor, something that would never be possible in school. I remember when I was studying for my A-Levels, I dropped physics simply because the teacher’s entire approach was copying from the board. I don’t learn that way, and neither does Atlanta. Home education has allowed her to learn in ways that truly work for her, without the limitations of a rigid classroom structure.
One of the unexpected joys of home education has been the ability to travel during traditional school terms. This has allowed us to enjoy quieter destinations and reduced costs, enriching Atlanta’s learning in the process.
For example, a trip to Canada provided invaluable opportunities for her photography coursework. She captured stunning landscapes, applying real-world skills to her studies. Similarly, term-time trips to Centre Parcs have been a wonderful experience for Jenson, offering a more accessible and less crowded environment that suits his needs.
Concerns About the Children's Wellbeing and Schools Bill
While home education has transformed our family’s life for the better, recent developments in legislation could have significant consequences for families like ours. The proposed Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill includes measures such as compulsory registration for all home-educated children and increased oversight by local authorities.
While the intention may be to ensure children receive a suitable education, I fear the bill could inadvertently harm families who are already providing an excellent education tailored to their children’s needs. Increased scrutiny and bureaucracy could place unnecessary pressure on parents and potentially disrupt the very flexibility and freedom that makes home education so effective.
Families like ours often turn to home education because the school system has failed to meet our children’s needs. Instead of offering support, this bill risks penalising those who have found an alternative path to success. It’s vital that any legislation recognises the diverse reasons families choose home education and respects their ability to provide for their children without unnecessary interference.
The Bigger Picture: Why Families Choose Home Education
Home education is not a one-size-fits-all approach. Families choose it for various reasons, such as:
- Supporting children with SEND who struggle in traditional school settings.
- Allowing children to pursue specialised talents, such as sports or performing arts.
- Addressing concerns about mental health, bullying, or academic pressure.
- Following alternative philosophies, such as unschooling or world schooling.
Every family’s journey is unique, and the beauty of home education is its flexibility.
Working with the Local Authority
Two weeks after deregistering Atlanta, we received a request from the local authority for our education plans. We provided a detailed outline, which was approved. They now check in annually, but this doesn’t worry us - Atlanta is thriving.
Supporting Others on the Home Education Journey
Since embarking on this path, I’ve supported several families considering home education. If you’re exploring this option and need advice, please don’t hesitate to reach out.
Home education has transformed our family’s life, offering a level of freedom, flexibility, and fulfilment that we never imagined. While it’s not for everyone, it has been the perfect choice for us.
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