Home Schoolers: Have You Heard Of Education Otherwise?

Parents who seek to homeschool their children may sometimes face questions from friends and family over whether they are doing the right thing, especially from those who might wonder whether they have enough support to provide the education their children need.

However, there is more support available than some may appreciate. One source of it is the charity Education Otherwise.

The name may sound odd, but it comes from the wording of the Education Act, stating that parents are responsible for providing their children with an education, ‘either by regular attendance at school or otherwise’. Its focus is on the ‘otherwise’.

This means promoting home education and helping to raise awareness of the rights of parents in this regard, as well as the resources that are available to them.

Of course, one of the most important resources parents can seek is home school tutors, who can provide expertise in subjects where a child is struggling, or the parents feel they may lack the aptitude to teach fully.

What Do Education Otherwise Support Groups Do?

Learning what resources are available is a major part of the charity’s work. This includes local groups, which means parents can keep in touch with others taking the same approach to schooling, as well as swapping information such about which tutors are available.

Support groups can also form an important part of your social network, based around a common interest in homeschooling and shared approaches and values. It also offers an opportunity to enjoy organised events and outings.

The charity also offers:

•       Advice and tips on getting started
•       Legal advice
•       Resources such as past exam papers
•       Information on home-schooling SEND children (who make up 40 per cent of home-schooled children)

Our home school tutors will know about many of these matters themselves, but the great benefit that Education Otherwise offers above all is a sense of community, especially through the support groups.

Indeed, this opportunity to share common interests and values greatly strengthens your hand as you seek the best for your child by going down the homeschooling route, as well as extending your social and friendship network.