The school of Mum and Dad

When did you start being home-schooled?

I started being home-educated when I was four. I have two younger sisters and a younger brother who are also educated at home by my parents.

Have you ever gone to school?

I went to playschool, but only for one term. The plan was for me to return to school ready for primary school, but I enjoyed being taught at home so much that I stayed.

Why did you start being home-schooled?

I was being bullied at school by other kids. I was also slightly ahead of the other kids - I could already write and read a little by then and the teachers didn't like that, so I wasn't allowed to write much.

Tell us what your typical day is like.

I usually wake up at around eight. We normally start classes at nine just like schools, but instead of having to go to school I can study in my room or downstairs. We do normal school subjects like English, Maths and Science in the morning, then usually in the afternoon we do lighter subjects like PE and Art. We finish once all of our work for the day is done.

Who teaches you?

My mum teaches me most subjects and my dad teaches me Maths as it's his speciality! Other than the normal subjects that everyone does at school, we also choose a different topic per term to do. Last term I chose to write about natural disasters.

What support do your parents get in order to home-school you?

We get a visit from a welfare officer once a term to make sure we're not being neglected, and another person comes each term to check up on our work. We still sit exams like everyone else does.

What do you think are the best things about being home-schooled?

When it comes to deciding on projects to do, I get a choice. Also I don't have to share a classroom with 30 other people, so it is easier to get help if I don't understand something.

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