Homeschooling In Essex ‘Skyrocketed’ After Lockdown One

While there was little choice but to homeschool during lockdown, as a result of the pandemic, it seems that many parents in Essex elected to continue lessons away from the classroom after restrictions were lifted.

Figures from Essex County Council show that in September 2020, the number of parents electively homeschooling in the county rose from 1,172 in 2019/2020 to 1793 in 2020/2021 – representing an increase of 52 per cent, Essex Live reports.

The rise in homeschooling was most noticeable among those in primary school, with numbers climbing from 561 to 898 over the same timeframe – a rise of 60 per cent.

A statement from the local authority said that one of the reasons behind this surge in interest in homeschooling was because of parents’ anxiety related to covid after the first lockdown came to an end, or a desire to maintain a smaller bubble.

The council went on to say that the priority now is to make sure that no child’s education is negatively affected by the pandemic over the long term, as well as to provide support for the significant increase in mental health conditions that are now beginning to present themselves.

There are all sorts of benefits to homeschooling, both for you as a parent and for your children. It can be a more flexible way of approaching education, you’re better able to go at your child’s pace, you can set your own timetable, target lessons at times when your child is more receptive to learning… the list goes on!

If you’d like to find out more about homeschooling in Essex, get in touch with us today to see how we can help make the transition from school to home a little easier.