Choosing Home Schooling
Choosing Home Education Because of Bullying at School
Bullying is a difficult problem. It can be hard to understand why it happens, how bullies pick their victims, and how schools deal with it. Bullying is not allowed in UK schools. But solving the problem can take time. During that time, you may feel the school cannot keep your child safe, either in school or on the way to and from school.
When speaking to the school, it is best to stay calm and clear. This can be very hard when your own child is being bullied. To help you prepare, you may want to look at the ChildLine Bullying page or the parents’ advice section at Bullying UK.
Many parents find that schools are slow to admit bullying is happening. Sometimes schools do not respond quickly, and the problem takes longer to fix than expected. In these cases, some parents decide to move their child to another school. But moving schools is not easy. Local councils do not have to give you a place in the school you want. Often, the schools with free places are the less popular ones in the area.
It can also be hard for parents to accept that the bully needs help too. This is especially difficult when schools do not explain why. In these situations, the victim and their family may feel they are the ones being asked to move, without really understanding why.
Home Education for Children with Asperger’s Syndrome
We know that learners on the autistic spectrum can face big challenges in daily school life. They may find social interaction and communication difficult, and this can make it hard to understand the feelings of others. This may sometimes cause conflict with classmates or teachers, or lead to high levels of stress each day.
Many autistic learners have average or above-average intelligence and may do very well in certain subjects. However, schools do not always make full use of the valuable knowledge that parents have about their child’s needs, strengths, and likely behaviour in different situations. This can have a serious effect on the child’s confidence, their learning, and their chance to reach their full potential in class.
Home schooling can be a positive choice for some autistic learners, though it is never an easy decision for families. Home education allows more flexible study hours, which can match the learner’s natural routines. There is more time to focus on one topic and to revisit it as often as needed. The learner can also have a say in planning their time. Most importantly, they can learn in a space where they feel safe and calm, with far fewer conflicts.
G.A.D & Depression
And Homeschooling
Some learners may have Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD) or Depression that is not noticed or diagnosed for a long time, even if they visit the Children and Adult Mental Health Service (CAMHS) at their local hospital.
Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD) means having very strong worry and fear about everyday things, even when there is no clear reason. Learners with GAD may always expect something bad to happen. They often worry about schoolwork and friendships. This can sometimes show up as tummy aches or headaches that do not have a clear medical cause.
Depression is a common but serious mental health condition. It affects how a person feels, thinks, and manages daily life, such as sleeping, eating, or learning. To be diagnosed with depression, the symptoms must last for at least two weeks.
Both GAD and depression usually need special support called Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), which is a type of talking therapy. But waiting for this through the NHS can take a long time, sometimes up to 40 weeks, which is almost a full school year.
Home schooling can help during this time by giving the learner a safe and calm environment. It also allows them to take the time they need to finish tasks at their own pace.
So Is Home Educating An Option For You?
There are no funds available for parents who decide to home educate their children but many families do successfully home educate on a budget. Inevitable you will incur some expenses, for books, materials, resources, educational trips, physical exercise, examination fees and tutors or distance learning, courses, work experience or a college placement for under 16's year olds.
Two good questions to ask yourself is "Why do I want to home educate?" and "What do we want to achieve by home schooling?"
Some helpful points to consider are:
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Is your child positive about the suggestion of home education?
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Are you convinced this is the best course of action for your child?
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Do you have the time to devote to your child's education on a regular basis, not only to deliver the education but to research the requirements for each level ?
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Do you have sufficient education and the necessary expertise to teach your child effectively?
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Are you prepared to buy the necessary resources, if you do not already have access to them?
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Do you have enough family and friendship support?
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Do you have enough space to create a quiet working area and somewhere to store resources you will use?
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How will you provide opportunities for physical exercise?