Homeschooling can provide an important option for children. We look at these reasons, the pros and cons, and adapting for SEN. The role of the tutor, resourcing, sociliasation and some legal aspects are also explored.

The Ultimate Guide to Homeschooling

Have you considered homeschooling your child? You’re not alone! Homeschooling is a growing trend in the UK. This guide covers everything you need to know about homeschooling.

Why Homeschool?

There are many reasons why parents choose to homeschool their children. Here are some common ones:

Individualised learning: Homeschooling allows you to tailor your child's education. For example, you can focus on their strengths, weaknesses, and interests. Imagine a child who excels at science but struggles with traditional classroom settings. Homeschooling allows you to create a science-rich environment that caters to their love of discovery while providing additional support in areas that need more attention. This approach is not possible in a busy classroom.
Special needs: Homeschooling can be a great option for children with SEND. It allows a more individualised approach. If your child struggles to keep up, you can create a learning plan that meets their specific needs. For example, this could involve a multi-sensory learning approach.
School refusal: We have observed a key and growing area post-Covid of pupils refusing to attend school. This is often because of anxiety and lockdown seems to have accelerated this trend. Homeschooling can help a child thrive under these circumstances.
Advanced needs: Homeschooling can be a great option for gifted children. It allows a child to move ahead at their own pace. If your child is easily bored in a traditional classroom, homeschooling allows you to create a learning plan that meets their specific needs. For example, this could include accelerated coursework.
Concerns with schools: Some parents feel that traditional schools don't meet their child's needs for different reasons. For example, homeschooling can provide a safe and nurturing alternative where your child can thrive.

Homeschooling is becoming a more popular choice in the UK.

When to homeschool?

There’s no one-size-fits-all answer. Some parents homeschool from the beginning. Others decide to homeschool after their child has started school. Here are a few things to consider:

Age and needs: Consider your child's maturity level, learning style, and any SEND. Think about whether they're self-directed learners or require more structure.
Your lifestyle: Homeschooling needs a big time commitment. It also offers flexibility. Be honest about how much time and energy you can dedicate to it.
Your educational background: You don't need to be a qualified teacher to homeschool. However, you should be comfortable learning alongside your child and fostering a love of learning. Many resources are available to support your journey.

Homeschooling Pros and Cons

Potential Pros

Personalised, flexible learning
Homeschooling allows you to create a tailor-made education. One that suits your child’s unique needs. Every child develops and learns at their own pace. Some require more time to solidify certain skills or concepts than others. A classroom environment caters to the needs of the whole rather than the individual. The group is expected to cover a certain amount of work within a specific time frame. This takes precedence over individual needs. This is despite the best intentions of caring teachers. Students with SEN especially benefit from an environment where they can learn at their own pace.
One-to-one teaching is very effective
Children can progress more with less teaching time when supported with one-to-one teaching. A school day’s worth of learning may occur within two to three hours of focused teaching. A tutor is an ideal way to incorporate this support. This also applies to online tutoring if this is a potential option.
Ignoring the distractions of sharing a classroom with up to 30 students may be difficult. This might impact your child’s ability to concentrate and process or absorb information. Compared with the focus that a homeschooling setting brings, you can understand why it may be more conducive to learning. This is particularly so for learners with certain special needs.
Application of learning into everyday life
A key strength of homeschooling is that children can apply their learning to real life. For example, this could be from cooking to paying the household bills to budgeting and dealing with challenges. With this relevance, learning takes on a whole new meaning. It goes from simply absorbing different pieces of information to developing fundamental skills to apply in the future.
Freedom from peer pressure and bullying
You don’t have to be as concerned about the harmful effects of peer pressure or bullying when teaching your child at home. Your child will be assured of a safe and secure environment. It can help them learn and focus on growing into a happy, confident individual.
Freedom to ask more questions
Pupils sometimes avoid asking questions in a group setting. This could be from fear of losing face or embarrassing themselves. Homeschoolers can confidently ask (and keep asking!) until they understand. A tutor or parent is much less likely to say, “That is off-topic”, compared to a busy teacher.
More organised socialisation
Since socialisation will have to be more organised, a homeschooled child can meet people who share their interests and hobbies rather than merely their age. They can get involved with a range of extra-curricular activities.
Improved work and study habits
Besides fostering an improved attitude towards learning, homeschooled students can also learn positive work and study habits. These skills can help prepare your child to achieve their goals both in and outside of the educational environment. Your child can learn to do school work independently and grow personally as they take more responsibility for their studies. This, in turn, provides a great sense of achievement and increased self-esteem.
Short-term need
Homeschooling offers flexibility. For example, this could help on a short-term basis if a child is out of school due to health needs. Alternatively, it offers a solution for a child away for sports or cultural commitments.

Potential Cons

The time commitment
Any parent homeschooling their child will likely have to make a significant time commitment. This is especially the case if their child has SEND and complex needs. Parents will need to carry out a myriad of tasks. Tasks include planning and teaching lessons, making timetables, and preparing resources and field trips. In addition, joining local groups and arranging for socialisation are important.
The cost
While home education may be cheaper than an independent school, parents who homeschool their children will incur much higher costs than a state school. Parents may need to hire tutors, which can be expensive, depending on frequency. If a parent has to give up their job to homeschool, there are also high costs due to lost earnings.
Lack of teaching diversity and specialised skills
A homeschooled child may not be able to learn from a diverse range of skilled teachers as found in a school. This is especially true if a parent does not utilise additional support.
Reduced socialisation opportunities
Whilst a parent may enjoy directing their child’s interaction with other children, there is generally less opportunity to socialise with peers. This requires parents to proactively arrange to keep their homeschooled child engaged with other children.
Less structured routine
Attending school provides a structured routine for children, with a set timetable and school hours. Depending on how homeschooling is structured, this loss of routine can be a drawback.

Potential pros and cons depend on your circumstances. For example, how do you envisage providing your child with a home education?

Using a suitably qualified tutor to complement a parent’s teaching can significantly help your child. It can also reduce a parent’s time commitment. This is especially the case for children with SEN. With the right tutor, you can enjoy the benefits of homeschooling with fewer drawbacks.

Do I need a tutor for homeschooling my children?

We outline a few reasons to consider a homeschooling tutor.

Your child is getting older

Children between the ages of 10 and 14 gain more self-awareness. If your child has fallen behind, it is important to tackle this before it impacts their self-esteem. At this age, they compare themselves to others and become acutely aware of their deficits – whether real or imagined. It can benefit your child to develop rapport with an experienced tutor as a supportive and positive influence.

Homeschooling can also limit harmful bullying during this phase. However, awareness is still needed for cyberbullying. A tutor can help if this is an issue, as they represent another reference point besides parents. In these instances, a holistic approach is beneficial.

Your child is not making sufficient progress

Some students have more of a deficit in working memory, processing speeds and executive function than others. This may result in slower learning, and you might find your child is not making sufficient progress at home. In this instance, your child can really benefit from having a patient and experienced tutor guiding and supporting them.

If your family dynamic makes offering consistent support a challenge

Sometimes, the demands of modern life and parenting make it hard for parents to be consistent with their children and effect the needed change. Regular and consistent tutoring is recommended to ensure much-needed input and progress. This is particularly important for children with SEN.

If teaching your child is putting strain on your family relationships

Children with learning difficulties such as dyslexia, autism or ADHD often have a low threshold for frustration. This can result in meltdowns and/or anxiety. This has a ripple effect of creating stress in the home. Children will often behave better and try harder for a tutor than for their parents. This may not be true for every family, but if it’s true for yours, hiring a tutor with a nurturing approach to learning may be highly beneficial. This approach can also reduce unnecessary stress and tension at home.

What resources do I need for homeschooling?

There are resources needed for all children being homeschooled, regardless of age:

A dedicated space with desks, chairs and whiteboard
Appropriate lighting
A selection of writing materials and stationery
Availability of lined, unmarked and graph paper (loose or in booklets)
A clock
Shelving space for files or drawers

For more age-specific resources, parents should consider:

Curriculum textbooks and awareness of any exam boards (GCSE / A Level)
Tactile learning supports and manipulatives
Subject posters to put up on walls to create a learning atmosphere
Tactile devices to help with fidgeting for children with concentration and anxiety challenges (these are usually more appropriate for the classroom)
Activity and reward stickers and a reward chart (to acknowledge progress and promote engagement)

What about socialisation? Will my child have challenges to develop socially?

Socialisation is a common concern of parents embarking upon this path. However, we’ve observed that there is often more time in the afternoon due to the effectiveness of one-to-one tuition. This allows good availability for extra-mural activities. Parents often connect with other homeschooling parents to socialise their children.

There are no indications that home education hinders social development, provided there are activities outside of the curriculum.

To help connect with other parents, we outline key homeschooling groups on Facebook:

There are some good articles written by parents which cover these concerns:

You can do an online course covering socialisation for homeschooled children:

Homeschooling children with special needs

Homeschooling can be a great option for children with SEND. It allows you to tailor your child’s education to their specific needs. This provides a safe, supportive environment where they can learn and grow at their own pace. However, it’s important to be aware of the challenges as well.

Potential Pros

Individualised learning: You can create a learning environment that meets your child's specific needs and learning style. For example, you can use teaching methods and curriculums to cater to strengths and weaknesses.
Focus on strengths: You can focus on your child's strengths and develop strategies to help them overcome challenges. This builds confidence and self-esteem.
Reduced anxiety: Homeschooling offers a less stressful learning environment for children with anxiety. This allows them to focus on mastering concepts without the pressure of classroom competition.

Potential Cons

Parent training: You may need training or support to teach your child with SEND effectively. This could involve attending workshops or collaborating with specialists. Some parents join online communities or hire specialised tutors.
Limited resources: Fewer resources may be available specifically for homeschooling children with SEND. However, many organisations offer support and guidance.

What are the legal requirements for homeschooling in the UK?

Understanding the UK’s legal requirements for homeschooling is crucial. This is especially important if your child has an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP).

Elective Home Education: In the UK, homeschooling is called Elective Home Education (EHE). You must formally notify your local authority (LA) of your intention to homeschool your child. There is no formal qualification required to homeschool, but the LA has the right to visit your home and assess your child's education provision.
Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCP): It's important to note that having an EHCP doesn't mean your child can't be homeschooled. However, the LA must satisfy itself that a parent choosing to homeschool their child is making provision for the child according to the EHCP. This is equally the case if your child is registered as a pupil at a Special School. If this is the case, you should not withdraw your child from school without the LA’s consent (non-consent can be challenged).

If your child has SEND, they may be eligible for an EHCP. An outlines your child's specific needs and the support they should receive. Bright Heart covers EHCPs in this blog

Bright Heart support

At Bright Heart, we understand homeschooling can be a daunting but rewarding experience. We’re here to support you on your journey! In addition to this guide, you can find more information and resources on our website. This includes a blog about homeschooling children with SEN.

We’ve also attached the most recent EHE Policy from Merton LA. This is a helpful legal guide.

We encourage you to contact us with questions or if you need further help. Happy homeschooling!

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