Home educating allows me to give my children the kind of childhood I want for them: slower, calmer, and rooted in nature, connection, and curiosity. It lets us move at a pace that honours who they are as individuals. Home education has allowed me to create a learning environment where my children can grow at their own pace, supported by their individual needs, personalities, and emotional wellbeing. It has given our family a gentler rhythm, deeper connection, and the freedom to build our days around curiosity, nature, and creativity. It has also given me the chance to really know my children: to see how they think, what sparks their interest, what they find difficult, and what makes them light up. It allows me to meet them exactly where they are each day — slowing down when they are tired, following their curiosity when it appears, and stretching them gently when they are ready. Learning has become a natural part of our lives rather than something separate or forced. For me, home education has meant building a family life that aligns with my values: time in nature, slow meaningful mornings, emotional safety and connection, creativity and hands-on learning, respecting individual needs, following the children’s interests, and being present in their learning. It has also given us space for important family moments — time to honour memories, celebrate gently, and let life and learning weave together with compassion. Most of all, home education has helped my children become more confident, curious, and secure. It has created a home where learning feels natural, joyful, and accessible — a place where they are understood, supported, and free to grow as themselves.

There’s so much going on in Leamington for home educators. Monday: forest school, Tuesday: Leam boat centre paddle course, board games at the library, free play at the children’s centre, and football on Harbury Lane, Wednesday: Dice Box board games, Friday: sewing, Games Den board games, bowling, axe throwing, and probably more that I’ve forgotten as well as many informal meet ups between families! There is lots more going on if you’re able to travel to Harbury, Warwick, Coventry and around the rest of Warwickshire. Home educating your children is a huge commitment, but it is so fulfilling and rewarding and the local community is diverse and thriving!

As a woman in her mid 30s who has been home educated her whole life, I did not want a different path for my daughter. I think a lot of the worries that parents are thinking of is “will my child succeed in life?”. I can tell you that myself and my 2 siblings have very well paid jobs and I truly believe I would have not been able to do it if I didn’t follow my own path with the support of my parents

Choosing to home educate my girls earlier this year, was the best choice for them and for our family. After being unable to attend school for months due to anxiety, and watching my little sunshines fade bit by bit, it has been pure joy (and relief) watching their shine come back. My 7 year old with situational mutism now talks to people who she has never met before. My 10 year old participates in unfamiliar home ed clubs. Both have socialised and made friends with children of all ages. We are all having so much fun with learning together, in a way I never thought possible. Including learning more about ourselves and each other. I am tired at the end of the day, but it is nothing compared to the school day trauma we all went through. I have definitely made the right decision for my children's education and for their mental wellbeing.

Debunking Myths about Home Education: * Home educated children do socialise. Our children point out that they spend more time with friends than they ever did at school, where break and lunch times were short and limited. They also spend time with schooled children at after school clubs. They mix with children of all ages and in all sorts of situations, as well with a variety of adults. Socialisation simply isn’t a problem at all. Offering them opportunities and helping them find the ones that feel right is what matters. Being in a building with hundreds of children does not automatically mean a child is socialising, especially if this is not who they are. * It does not hinder opportunities. Children are able to sit standard exams if they wish to (self-funded), work towards alternative qualifications, or build portfolios. Home educated alumni have a wide range of careers, usually aligned with their genuine passions and interests whilst contributing to society. Many universities welcome home educated children as they already have the skills of learning independently, which is half the battle in the first year of uni. * Home educated children are not hidden or stuck at home all day. ‘Home’ education is misleading really as children are out and about in their communities interacting with a variety of people of all ages, and seen by club leaders, sports coaches, GPs, dentists and many others. * It’s generally not ‘school at home’ or anything like ‘lockdown learning’. There are as many ways to home educate as there are children. Even within our family, each child learns differently and approaches home education and interests in their own way! We aren't ‘teaching’ them per se; we are facilitating, supporting and opening doors to their learning. There are so many experts, resources, experiences and opportunities which enable parents to meet their legal duty to provide a suitable education, but that doesn’t mean the parents are the only people involved in that education. The children even learn from each other too! Home education isn’t an ‘easy’ option. it takes effort, dedication and time. But it is incredibly rewarding when you see the positive effect it has on your children, if it is the right choice for them. Once we ‘de-schooled’ ourselves (which is ongoing really!), understand how children really learn and stepped out of their way, that’s when we saw the magic happen.

Parents say: It’s wonderful to see our children learn in ways that truly suit them; the freedom to explore deeply, wander down various rabbit holes and adapt pace and depth based on capability and curiosity. They’re not constrained by a one-size-fits-all system and there’s a real breadth of subjects, not limited by age or school curricula. They have the freedom to approach learning through lots of different methods, in ways feels relevant to them, not just sitting at a desk. We are able to offer choices to meet each child’s unique way of learning. There are so many amazing opportunities in the home ed community and more broadly, both locally and nationally. It has been amazing to see the ‘lights switch back on’ in our eldest, and for our youngest to learn in ways that wouldn’t be possible in school. As a family we have been able to honour our natural rhythms and adapt with the seasons, as well as creating a deep connection and understanding of each other and mutual respect. We feel much more aligned with all of our needs and values. Recommendation: “Changing Our Minds” by Dr Naomi Fisher is a brilliant starting point, along with the EHE guidelines for understanding legal responsibilities as a parent/ home educator.

Education is compulsory; school is not. Home education is a legal, equally valid and thriving option. Once people are curious enough to truly understand home education, they soon realise what an amazing thing it can be for children. 9 year old says: “I like home education because we are free to learn what we are interested in. We do lots of fun activities with other home ed children. I am glad that I don’t have to go to school because it was too structured and I learn more interesting things now and in lots of different places.” Teen says: “Home ed gives me the freedom to learn what I want to learn, when I want to learn it and where I want to learn it. In home education we learn how to learn and not just to pass tests. We get to explore important life skills and topics that I might not get to do at school. We go deeper and I can ask more questions than I could at school. I love learning again since being home educated. I feel this is a more natural way to learn and it makes me feel more prepared for my future, because I am in control of my education.”

Amazing very resourceful and helpful aswell as a really nice group . My son 13 am I have so much help and information from the group ☺️

If you asked me a year ago would I be home educating my two boys and enjoying it I would say definitely not But if you ask me now I would say it’s the best decision I’ve ever made and the only thing I regret is not doing it sooner My boys have grown in confidence, enjoy learning and wake up everyday excited to see what we will learn. Everyday I learn alongside them and am shocked how much they are learning from everyday activities and play Home education provides flexible fun learning approaches and hearing My eldest son talking about the fun things he's learnt and then adding I would never be allowed to explore that in school. If your considering home educating do not let fear or worry stop you research into different approaches to learn, educate yourself by reading up on guides and the law of home educating and take a leap because believe it when I say the only thing you will regret is not doing it sooner

My son (soon to be 7) has never attended school because I have always felt that our time together is precious. Home educating has allowed us to learn side by side, at our own pace, following his interests without pressure from anywhere. We get to focus on what sparks his curiosity, whatever that is for him.. which is always followed by the numerous questions to why! Which to be honest, I don’t always have the answers to, but we do research together and find out! One of the biggest joys has been the freedom it gives us as a family. We have been able to travel when we can, explore other countries, and connect with worldschooling communities made up of children of all ages. He learns through real experiences, not just in books. For us, home education has given us connection, calm, flexibility and joy. It has allowed me to watch him grow with confidence, creativity and wonder.

Considering that no "expert" can actually predict what the world will look like in 10 years, there is no guarantee any school will prepare our kids for their future so why bother send them there. Some of the most important skills we need as humans is emotional intelligence and that is not fostered at schools which are weighed down with bulling and worse. I have not sent either of my kids to a school and they are both full of life and wonder. They are self led and very enthusiastic. There are so many different home ed classes available, plus discount rates at different venues for home ed kids during term. Home ed community is big and very friendly. You have agency on what your child learns and is exposed to. You can have a day off/lazy day when it suits you (not just on weekends). You have access to playgrounds with no "waiting times". On sunny days, you can spend the day outside!!! (They won't be stuck in a hot classroom!)... and more!

My son is autistic and would struggle in the education system as it is. With home education, He is free to learn at his own pace and the freedom of doing this has made him a much happier child.

They have their childhood back. They are able to be children, to play, to explore, to move their bodies, to learn naturally. The importance of being able to freely play and be themselves with no pressures or expectations is going to be a lifetime impact. The home ed community around us is amazing and the friendships we have made with the most wonderful, interesting, individual, diverse and supportive parents and children is a true blessing. I don’t feel there will ever be a more important and meaningful choice to make than it was to home educate. I love being able to be with my children and to nurture them as much as possible ❤️

Not having to mask every day has let my autistic son show us his true self. Without the stress of forced social interactions with children he just doesn't get along with has allowed him to make real, meaningful friendships with a few children rather than bad friendships with lots of children . He can now work at his own pace, letting him build confidence with subjects he didn't think he liked and advance further on subjects he was already pulling ahead on. Most of all, home edding sent him a clear message that has bonded us even closer as a family: We hear you, we're listening and we care. It would have been easier to shrug off his problems because he was still ahead academically and masking well enough. It would have been easier to accept his teacher's assessment that he was 'fine' at school, but he was so unhappy and didn't have the understanding of his emotions to explain why.

My son has been bullied so much in school to the point that he did not want to do anything for himself.. shower, eat. He fell into a very depressive stage. Once taken out of school, I got my child back. I can see him smiling again and not having that pressure on him constantly is amazing for his mental health. He does online lessons, we spend quality time together and we actually have time to prioritise his interests.