Deep Dive: Navigating Home Schooling

In Today’s Email;

• What is Home schooling?

• Key Action Points for Home Educators

⏳ If you are focused on revision;

• 5 FREE revision resources you might not have tried yet

Hello Parents!

We have had a large number of parents who home school or are interested in home schooling contact us about our courses so we wanted to provide some information for those parents.

For those of you that are preparing for the upcoming GCSEs at home or in school then use these resources.

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What is Home Schooling?

Embarking on the home education journey from primary through to secondary education presents a vibrant spectrum of opportunities and resources designed to support both you and your learner. If you're considering this educational approach or have already embarked on this journey, you're in the right place.

Home schooling, at its simplest, means taking charge of your child's education at home. It allows you to tailor your child's learning experience to their unique needs. And, given the challenging times we are living in, it's become an increasingly popular choice for many families.

Home schooling comes with a heap of benefits. It presents an opportunity to create a flexible learning environment, free from the one-size-fits-all approach of traditional classrooms. Plus, it enables parents to nurture their children's interests and foster a deep love for learning.

But, as you might have guessed, it's not always smooth sailing. Home schooling can sometimes feel like a juggling act—managing the curriculum, keeping your child motivated, and dealing with any gaps in your own knowledge.

But fear not! We're here to help you navigate these challenges. With a little bit of planning, patience, and perseverance, you can turn your home into the perfect classroom.

Here are a few tips to help you chart your course:

• Decide on a structure that fits: Home schooling doesn't mean you need to mirror a typical school day. Experiment with different schedules and find one that works best for your child.

• Make learning relatable: Try to connect what they're learning with real-world applications. This can make lessons more engaging and memorable.

• Use resources wisely: Don't be afraid to use online resources, local libraries, and Home schooling networks. They can be a lifesaver! We have more on this below.

Key Action Points for Home Educators

1. Provide Evidence for the Local Authority (LA):

   It’s essential to keep the LA informed of your home education plans. Prepare a concise outline of your educational approach, including objectives and the curriculum you intend to use. This does not need to be exhaustive but should show that your child will receive a suitable and effective education.

2. Choose Structured Courses:

   Numerous structured courses are available that cater to the home education sector. These courses offer detailed curriculum coverage across a range of subjects from primary through secondary. For instance, IGCSE courses such as Human Biology provide a more specialised pathway often not available in mainstream schools. Here is a free 1 hour IGCSE Biology lessons so you can see what the course is like.

3. Leverage Free Resources:

   Many organisations offer free educational resources that can be incredibly useful. Websites like Khan Academy (khanacademy.org) offer comprehensive lessons on a wide range of subjects. Another great resource is BBC Bitesize (bbc.co.uk/bitesize), which provides study guides and video lessons tailored to different educational stages and national curricula.

4. Finding Exam Centres and Organising Exams:

   As your child progresses, finding a suitable exam centre will become necessary. Contact local schools and colleges to inquire if they accept private candidates. Additionally, explore dedicated examination centres that cater to home-educated students. Early registration is crucial as deadlines are often several months before the exam dates.

5. Exploring Free Online Courses:

   For secondary education, consider exploring free online courses to supplement learning. Platforms like National Tutors (www.nationaltutors.co.uk) and edX (edx.org) offer free courses from universities worldwide on various subjects, including advanced level content suitable for older home-educated students.

5 FREE revision resources you might not have tried yet

If you are a home educator or your child is in school getting the best resources for them in essential. Here are 5 places they can go this week to help them revise for their GCSE exams.

Free resources from National Tutors

1. YouTube - We have a range of full 1 hour free lessons and exam question walk-throughs on our YouTube channel

2. FREE Parent’s Guide to GCSE Exam Revision - Just refer 1 other parent to this newsletter and get our parents guide to GCSE exam revision. You can do this at the end of this email. Also, remember you have a free exam preparation training in your welcome email from us.

Other great resources

1. https://www.footprints-science.co.uk/ - This website has a huge selection of GCSE Science quizzes and animations for FREE

2. https://corbettmaths.com/5-a-day/gcse/ - A 5 a day series where you can complete maths questions and there are worksheets for parents

3. https://englishgcse.co.uk/collections/free-resources - Free PowerPoints lessons that cover a range of English Language and Literature topics

If you liked these we have a some FREE resources emails coming out over the next few week with a separate newsletter dedicated to each of the core subjects.

Here is the referral program for the FREE Parent’s Guide to GCSE Exam Revision

Thanks for reading and we will see you next week with more GCSE support.