Does anyone have info on home schooling in England for a 6 year old?

Question

I am planning on home schooling my son for 3 months prior to emigrating, which will mean he doesn't have to change schools twice.

Any experience/advice? I know there are no set guidelines to follow but others' experience will be appreciated!

Answer 1

Here, in Australia, kids don't necessarily start school until they're 6 so whatever you do/don't do shouldn't become a big issue between him and his classmates once he starts school here.

However, if you wish to give him a 'heads-up' on some of the things his future classmates in Australia may have already attempted....

At any Australian Primary school there is usually an emphasis on English (reading and writing), Maths and the Study of Society and the Environment (SOSE). Students usually also have music, sport, drama, computer studies, science, art, and learn a language (LOTE -- Language Other Than English).

A website such as http://www.primaryschool.com.au will give you a better idea of the things his future classmates (or, at least, those who did prep or transition (which, I think, is called 'reception' in england) ) may have already attempted.

Education is organised at state/territory level though, not nationally as it is in England...and can vary considerably between different states/territories, for instance, at 6 yrs old, your son'll be on level one in some states and level 2 in others. You might also try searching http://www.google.com.au  for 'the name of the state you're moving to+early+learning+standards'. Or see below.

Also if you already know where you'll be living, check out the website of the local primary school(s) as, here, schools still have freedom to vary the curriculum to meet their own (local) needs.  

Depending on where you'll be living...

In S.A. (click on Yrs R-2):

http://www.sacsa.sa.edu.au/index_fsrc.as...

In NT:

http://www.deet.nt.gov.au/education/teac...

In WA

http://www.curriculum.wa.edu.au/internet...

In NSW:

http://k6.boardofstudies.nsw.edu.au/go/p...

In Vic:

http://vels.vcaa.vic.edu.au/stages/yrspr...

In Qld:

http://education.qld.gov.au/curriculum/s...

In ACT:

http://www.det.act.gov.au/teaching_and_l...

In Tas:

http://www.education.tas.gov.au/curricul...

Answer 2

Well, at least you are literate! That is a good start.

You could ask for advice from your local primary school.

Reading and basic maths will be the most important. And just exploring the world around you.

Answer 3

it's not a bad idea... home schooling can have heaps of benefits and it can both be an enriching and a learning experience for the family... keeping it fun is key... who knows, you might stick to it once you get the feel of it... check out the resources, i hope it helps...

Answer 4

You could compare the English curriculum with the Australian one and see what your son will be studying in his new school. You could see what he will be learning and have him on the same level as kids in Oz.

Answer 5

Have a look at education otherwise:

http://www.education-otherwise.org/index...

Answer 6

Your situation is a little unusual :-)

Once you've de-registered as you know you can have him studying whatever you like and clearly the National Curriculum will be even more irrelevant than normal. Under the circumstances I should think learning about his new home would be a good idea. You can cover all the 'school subject' areas with literacy, geography, history, music, etc. and it will all be useful and hopefully interesting for him.

Answer 7

That a sensible idea.  In the UK you can teach him what you like, but should you intend to send him to school once you have emigrated, you would be wise to find out the legal requirements / curriculum  for the country to which you are moving.  The last thing you need is for him to feel isolated in his new school if their education is so different from that in UK.

If you intend to HE him once you have moved, then it is up to you and he to decide how you wish to proceed.

Good luck!