The Home Ed Daily

18/01/2025

One of the mysteries of life for me is why we have designed school in such a way that it requires children to do so many things which are very hard for them - and which become much easier in adulthood.

We require them to sit still when they are desperate to move. To stay in their seats when they want to crawl under the table. To keep quiet and listen when their body wants to play and shout.

We tell them to walk not run, when every part of their body longs to move fast. We put them into nylon trousers when they’d prefer soft leggings. We make a big deal out of things they can’t do yet, but which almost everyone learns as they grow up. Shapes, colours, telling the time. We teach them to read before they have the desire for themselves, and make them do maths which they find incomprehensibly difficult, but that a few years later will feel so simple as to be trivial. No matter whether you go to school or not.

We’ve designed school so that it’s hard for immature brains and bodies, and then we blame children and parents when they can’t follow the rules. We tell them they aren’t school-ready, or they need to try harder. We point out all the many ways in which they fall short. Too noisy, too active, too impulsive, too….childish.

By the time those children reach adolescence, the urge to roll on the floor or hang off the chair is fading, but the years of being told they have to sit still and listen have taken their toll. They’ve lost the raw energy of childhood, but it’s more than that. They’ve lost their joy in learning, because school wasn’t built for the child they were, any more than it is for the teenager they’ve become.

And then again, it’s them who are blamed. Disruptive, rude, bad attitudes. It would be so much better if they simply did what they were told.

But what we’re telling them to do in school is squashing our children. Children aren’t built to sit still and absorb information. They are built to keep moving and playing. To hang upside down and climb on the roof. To dream and shout and talk all the time.

But when our children tell us so, we’re not listening. We tell them that the problem is them. Their behaviour, their energy, their whims and their propensity to roll on the carpet if they get the chance

Who are the slow learners?

Not them.

17/01/2025

👉 Part 3 of 3 - Home Education Tips. Read all the tips at The Home Ed Daily:
https://www.thehomeeddaily.co.uk/article/2025/01/14/home-education-tips

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Don’t compare your children with others:
Learn their strengths and what they’re interested in learning about, focus on that and go from there. Don’t get too overwhelmed or feel like your children are falling ‘behind’. We all learn at a different pace and learning never stops. Don’t compare it with school style curriculum learning, it’s completely different.

Make hay while the sun shines:
Take advantage of days during term time. Visiting places when everyone else is at school; quiet, no queues, easy to park, cheaper off peak prices etc. If it’s a gorgeous day (whatever that may be, sun or snow), the ‘learny’ stuff you’d planned can wait - go out and enjoy it. I recommend investing in good outdoor clothing for all weathers, waterproofs are an essential here in rainy Dartmoor! I keep a selection of essential things for all weathers in the boot of my car, like a spy's 'go bag' for families!

Plan some down time:
It's tempting to fill every single day with activities, but home ed is 24/7. You don't need to do ALL the things from 9am to 3pm. It's incredible how much they learn through things you do together like board games, watching a documentary, doing the food shop, and household chores. An ‘uneventful’ day is full of educational things and life skills. Enjoy spending time together and plan to have some days off.

Flexibility is key – every child learns differently:
There isn't one way to home educate - and it's different for every family, adapting over time as needed. There is much to be learned from daily life and play, and you can try many different styles and approaches. If something isn't working, change it. If a particular topic fascinates your child, delve deeper. The home education journey is as unique as each child, and there's no one-size-fits-all approach.

💚Share your tips in the comments.

16/01/2025

👉 Part 2 of 3 - Home Education Tips (split to make the posts smaller!). Part 3 is tomorrow, or read all the tips now at The Home Ed Daily:
https://www.thehomeeddaily.co.uk/article/2025/01/14/home-education-tips

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Don’t feel you have to justify yourself to others:
People will ask you questions. Have a few ready to go responses and then move on. Don’t waste time and energy trying to convince other people of your decision and life choices. Question if these people genuinely matter to you before you offer any information. Don't listen to negative people. There is more than one way to educate, and you know your child best.

Utilise diverse resources:
There are countless resources, from online courses and educational apps to local museums and libraries. Have art supplies, stationary, pens, paper and craft materials. You'll often find many great educational books and materials in charity shops. Tailor your resources to your child's interests and needs; don't be afraid to think outside the box.

Listen to your children:
At the beginning, it's daunting and you feel the need to set boundaries, but relax and listen. By educating at home you discover how talented your children are and how they can follow their chosen paths. Home ed allows them to become the individuals they want to be, it’s their education and life, guide them and facilitate.

Celebrate wins, big or small:
Acknowledge and celebrate milestones, even little ones, to boost their confidence and enthusiasm. Ice-cream, plushies, and addons for Minecraft work well in our house!

There will be wobbles:
Those ‘I can’t do this!’ or burnt out days. Everyone has them. Trust yourself and your children. Some of the best advice I was given was that it's almost impossible for a child to not be learning something. Learning happens everywhere in all types of situations. You may have to juggle work commitments, family, and finances, which can be stressful. We all have wobbles as parents and days when we worry if we've made the right choice.

💚 Share your own tips in the comments.

16/01/2025

CAN'T NOT WON'T

Back to school often results in an influx of messages and emails from parents whose children are exposed to the failings of an education system that fails to or is unable to recognise, understand and accept that it is discriminating against neurodivergent students.
In particular, behaviour policies that are conducive to crowd control and conformity are not conducive to neurodivergent neurology and experience. all of which are adding to our children's anxiety.

Too many children are being punished for having very natural and needed responses to the environment. When they receive negative responses from those around them, they are left feeling like they are the problem. In fact, many of those around them believe that they are the problem. This is never good for a child or young person, this only ever harms them.

The result is punishment for many. Some will go on to then mask/internalise their distress. This is also harmful.

When a child or young person is not conforming, can we exercise levels of curiosity, recognise that they 'can't' not 'won't'. Understand that this is not a 'behaviour problem' and accept that sometimes the problem lies with you, the systems, the policies and the expectations of an institution and thats what needs to change NOT the child.
The cycle needs to be broken.

15/01/2025

👉 Part 1 of 3 - Home Education Tips (split to make the posts smaller!). Part 2 is tomorrow, or read all the tips now at The Home Ed Daily:
https://www.thehomeeddaily.co.uk/article/2025/01/14/home-education-tips

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Don’t buy or subscribe to anything until you have found your feet:
Don’t panic buy all the stuff, even if it is discounted or a bargain! Borrow, look in charity shops, sign up for free trials. Just enjoy getting to know your child’s interests. The amount of resources that we haven’t even touched is ridiculous. Go with the flow at first, and discover what works for you.

Join local home ed groups & activities:
Join local and online home education communities to share experiences, resources, and gain support. Find your local HE groups for meet ups and home ed activities, Facebook is useful for finding these. At first go to lots of things until you’ve found your tribe or activities your child enjoys (though I know this can be hard work). Chat with seasoned home edders, it's reassuring at the start of your home ed journey, and they always have words of wisdom.

Create a cosy learning space:
If you can (it doesn’t need to look like those slick Instagram posts), create a dedicated learning area for focus and creativity. A space in your home for educational activities can help distinguish between study and leisure time, though in our home, home ed is all over the house! Space is tight for us - we have a corner in the living room with the PC and use the dining table for most other tasks.

A lot of things will not get finished:
Lower your expectations. Yes I’d love all our workbooks or projects to be finished, but move on, you waste precious time dragging things out trying to get them completed.

Know the law around HE:
Know your rights. Research the legal requirements for home education with your LA, your local home ed Facebook groups are useful for this. In the UK, parents must ensure their child receives a ‘suitable education’, but there is considerable freedom in how this is delivered. The Educational Freedom website is great for this.

💚 Share your own tips in the comments.

11/01/2025

Poppy Coles & Jodie Coles made a profile picture to share 😍 They are happy for anyone to use the image as their profile picture, to show their support for the home ed community. Solidarity! 🖐️

Click on the picture and download it to your device to use it. Feel free to share this post 🧡

10/01/2025

Watch the third series of 'Finding the balance' on low-demand parenting with the wonderful Dr Naomi Fisher and Eliza Fricker. The series of seven free webinars is for parents and carers to understand more about low-demand parenting approaches. Each episode features a conversation on a different topic with entertaining and relatable illustrations and practical tips.

The series of seven webinars, with Dr Naomi Fisher and Eliza Fricker, is for parents and carers to understand more about low-demand parenting.​

10/01/2025

The proposal in question was an opposition amendment to the Bill. However, the majority of MPs voted against it, with the 'noes' prevailing. The Children's Wellbeing and Schools Bill has passed its second reading, marking its next legislative step. The Bill will proceed through the remaining stages of the legislative process, a thorough and often lengthy undertaking. During these phases, it will be subject to detailed examination, allowing MPs to propose amendments, scrutinise its provisions, and discuss its specifics in-depth.

Join the Home Education Action Group to keep up to date with planned actions and the Bill; they really know their stuff!

https://homeedaction.com/ This website has up-to-date information and guidance for writing to your MP.

This article explains the issues with the Bill: https://www.thehomeeddaily.co.uk/article/2025/01/08/what-it-is-and-its-implications-parents

Suggested actions for now:

Petitions
There will be at least one petition—possibly several—to gather the broadest possible support. These will aim to engage a wide and diverse group of signatories, maximising impact and visibility.

Protest event
A protest outside Parliament is highly likely. This will be planned strategically to ensure maximum attendance, with sufficient notice given to allow as many people as possible to participate.

Engaging MPs
The most critical action right now is to contact your MPs and urge them to support home educators.

Host a meeting:
Organise an event with fellow home educators and invite your MP to attend.

Collaborate:
Consider teaming up with neighbouring constituencies for a joint event to amplify your reach.

Prepare Presentations:
Create a compelling presentation to highlight key issues, and ensure children are present so MPs can meet and understand the community.

Face-to-Face Connection:
The more MPs we can engage in person, the stronger our influence will be.

08/01/2025

The Children's Wellbeing and Schools Bill. What it is, and its implications for all parents.

The proposed Children's Wellbeing and Schools Bill has raised significant concerns within the home education community. Many of the provisions outlined in the Bill risk undermining parental rights, disrupting children’s education, and imposing unnecessary and invasive measures on families.

This article highlights the key issues with the Bill, explaining how these changes could negatively impact home educators and their children. It also provides guidance on how you can raise your concerns with your local MP to help protect the right to home educate.

Read the full article here:
https://www.thehomeeddaily.co.uk/article/2025/01/08/what-it-is-and-its-implications-parents

07/01/2025

Absolutely this 👇

Literally why is that statement not enough to change EVERYTHING we are doing in our current system?! We’re witnessing a passion being destroyed in real time and then wondering why we have a whole generation plus of people who don’t care about pursuing new things, have no motivation or interests outside of work, don’t ever pick up a book to read for pleasure, and generally don’t seek out ways to improve themselves.

We’ve become so focused on the performance of the knowledge through testing and grading that we have lost the actual point of learning: THE CONTENT.

Right now I’m sharing these words with you. I hope you’re reading them and learning something. But I’m not going to send you a follow-up email with a quiz. Because I trust that the people who need to read these words and desire to implement change from them will do so, and that the people who don’t need or care about this right now will swipe on by, and maybe I laid a foundation somewhere in their mind for their future.

That’s enough for me. And it should be enough for our educators and our system. The forced proof of knowledge is one of the worst things we’ve done to kids. I am unmovable from that stance.

Want to read more about this topic? Check out my Substack article today. I shared in stories and you know where to find l!nks 👉

07/01/2025

Socialisation...

School is the best place for a child to develop social skills.

But, just so we’re absolutely sure, let’s break it down.

Look at how humans naturally connect. It happens through shared interests. Common goals. Genuine curiosity. Everyday interactions. It happens in museums and markets. On sports teams and in scout troops. In community theatres and neighbourhood parks.

It happens when young minds teach old minds about technology. When small hands learn patience from weathered ones in a garden. When skilled fingers guide untrained ones across piano keys.

It happens when different ages, skills, and perspectives combine. In places where people intentionally choose to gather for reasons that matter to them. It happens as and when they want it to, and not when they don’t.

Now look at what we’ve built for our children:

A place they’re required to be almost every day, whether they like it or not. Where mandatory groups sorted by birthdate create one of the most rigid age-segregated environments in human society. Where off-topic conversations are seen as a disruption to 'learning'. Where natural connection comes second to whatever is on the schedule. Where the desire to connect is often treated as a behavioural issue to manage.

We give children short blocks of frantic playground time twice a day and tell them to harden up if it’s all a bit much. We pack them into overcrowded spaces, tell them to 'play nice', then treat any conflict as a problem they’ve caused. We micromanage their interactions and police their social circles. We say things like:

'You're here to learn, not socialise.'
'Save the talking for lunch time.'
'If you can't work quietly, I’ll have to separate you.'

Then, when we see a child living outside all this walk by on their way to meet friends at the park, we frown and ask how they could ever possibly develop the social skills they’ll need for the ‘real world’.

That question couldn’t be more absurd.

Perhaps a better one would be:

How did we ever convince ourselves these skills are best learned in a classroom?

06/01/2025

The home education community is an incredible, diverse network of families with unique stories, challenges, and triumphs. Right now, we have a powerful opportunity to shape the narrative surrounding home education and share the positive, authentic experiences that rarely make it into the mainstream media.

I Need Your Help to Do This.

The Home Ed Daily isn’t a business. It’s a labour of love—run by me, an unpaid, dedicated home-educating parent passionate about giving our community a positive voice in the media. Most groups sadly decline my posts trying to publicise the site wrongly believing it to be business promotion. Let me be completely transparent:

Any banner ads on the website (designed to give me a tiny commission if someone makes a purchase through them) have earned me exactly £0 to date! 😆

I actually lose money maintaining this platform because I believe so deeply in the importance of sharing information and resources with our community.

This isn’t about self-promotion. It’s about citizen journalism—telling the real stories of home education, by those living it every day. And that means I can’t do it without you.

Why Share Your Story?

Change the Narrative: The media often focuses on the negatives of home education. Let’s counter this with inspiring, truthful accounts of what home education really looks like.

Inspire Others: Your story could encourage families considering home education, reassure those just starting out, or provide fresh ideas for experienced home educators.

Celebrate Our Community: Each of our journeys is different, but together, we show the world the beauty and possibilities of home education.

If you’ve ever thought, “I wish people understood home education better,” this is your chance to make that happen.

What Can You Share?

A day-in-the-life of your family.

A home ed success story.

How you overcame a challenge in your home education journey.

Your child’s creative project or unique learning method.

Anything that shows the joy, flexibility, and success of home education.

How to Submit.

It’s simple:

1. Register on the website: https://www.thehomeeddaily.co.uk/article-submission-guide

2. Create your content. You can remain anonymous and I won’t share your data.

3. Your submission will be checked by me and then published on The Home Ed Daily as part of a growing library of real, positive stories.

Help build a pro-home-education narrative that combats misinformation, vital right now with all the negative media coverage, and the proposed new Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill. This platform isn’t mine—it’s ours. It’s a space to amplify the voices of home-educating families everywhere.

Sasha 💚

🙏Please share among home ed groups TIA

02/01/2025

Words matter; especially with all the recent negative media coverage and The Children's Wellbeing and Schools Bill.

They shape how others see us and define how we see ourselves. For the UK home-educating community, choosing “home education” over “homeschooling” isn’t a small detail—it’s a statement of who we are and what we stand for.

“Homeschooling” can suggest replicating school at home, while “home education” reflects something far more meaningful: a flexible, dynamic, and child-centred approach. This distinction is crucial. It helps challenge outdated assumptions, prevents misunderstandings with local authorities, and pushes back against negative media stereotypes.

If we all consistently use “home education,” we unify as a community, shaping a positive narrative that showcases the creativity, individuality, and holistic nature of our children’s learning journeys.

It’s more than a term; it’s a powerful way to represent and protect what we value most.

Feel free to share this post.

https://www.thehomeeddaily.co.uk/article/2025/01/02/home-education-vs-homeschooling-whats-difference

30/12/2024

Stop Blaming Home Education: Sara Sharif’s Tragedy and Systemic Failures

The heartbreaking death of Sara Sharif has sent shockwaves across the nation, leaving an enduring sense of grief and anger. However, the aftermath of this tragedy has seen the government and media exploit Sara’s story to unfairly target the home education community, perpetuating harmful misconceptions while neglecting the true systemic failures that led to her untimely death.

The Misplaced Blame
Sara’s death has been wielded as a tool to further an agenda, positioning home education as the scapegoat in a narrative riddled with inaccuracies. Sara was known to social services before she was even born, and her abuse was reported while she was still in school. Despite being on every at-risk register, the systems designed to protect her failed at every turn.

This tragedy had absolutely nothing to do with home education. Suggesting otherwise is not only incorrect but deeply unjust to the thousands of families who choose home education as a safe and nurturing alternative to a failing school system.

If existing protections did not prevent Sara’s death, how would a Children Not In School (CNIS) register make any difference? The Victoria Climbié Foundation has pointedly stated:

“Sara Sharif was not a hidden child – she was known to the authorities. As in the tragic case of Victoria Climbié, she simply fell through the gaps and was failed by services involved in her life. Concerns had been raised and seemingly not acted upon within a multi-agency framework.”
(VCF statement, 16 December 2024)

The Danger of Misguided Agendas
The government’s efforts to tie Sara’s death to home education appear to be part of a broader push to legitimise the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill, which includes the introduction of the CNIS register. This bill threatens to undermine parents’ rights to choose the best educational path for their children and risks opening the door to greater abuses and manipulation within a school system already failing many of its students.

This narrative not only shifts focus from addressing critical gaps in child protection but also fuels distrust and hostility towards home-educating families. Increased scrutiny, unnecessary bureaucratic burdens, and the erosion of parental rights could be the devastating result of this misplaced blame.

Lessons from the Past
The failings of similar systems in the past are well-documented. The ContactPoint database, created under the Children Act 2004, cost £224 million to set up and £41 million annually to run. Despite its vast scope and resources, it was abandoned in 2010. As Tim Loughton observed in The Guardian:

“It’s not a computer system that will save vulnerable children. It’s the performance of the professionals at the sharp end, who need to be properly trained and resourced.”
(The Guardian, 2013)

The risks associated with such databases are clear. They create a false sense of security, where compliance with procedures takes precedence over effective action. The resources spent on these systems could be far better allocated to training and empowering frontline social workers to intervene meaningfully in the lives of at-risk children.

A Call for Accountability
The systemic failures that led to Sara’s death demand urgent attention. Perhaps now is the time for an independent public investigation into the effectiveness of the child protection system, as we mark 25 years since the tragic case of Victoria Climbié. How many more children must suffer before real changes are made?

It’s time to stop scapegoating home education and start holding the appropriate systems accountable. Protecting vulnerable children requires addressing the root causes of systemic failures, not vilifying communities that have nothing to do with these tragedies. Let’s focus on improving the performance of those at the sharp end of child protection and ensure that no more children fall through the cracks.

What You Can Do
This site has links to a downloadable letter to send your MP, how to complain to the BBC and a petition to sign. All handily in one place, so there is no excuse not to add your voice.

https://homeedaction.com/stop-scapegoating-home-ed

* Please share in other home education groups and HE action groups *

Article source:
www.thehomeeddaily.co.uk

24/12/2024

🎁🎄 We've discovered a new way of present wrapping. Well, not exactly new, it's called 'furoshiki'. A traditional Japanese way of wrapping gifts in reusable fabric, practiced in Japan since the Edo Period. It's also a great way to help reduce the tonnes of plastic-finished, non-recyclable wrapping paper discarded every year. The whole endeavour prompted lots of home ed discussion on Japan, recycling and sustainability.

The most sustainable and economical way to wrap furoshiki style is by reusing old fabrics. I used some old curtains, duvet covers and tablecloths that I no longer used. I cut them up using pinking scissors and bought some pretty ribbons for tying them up. There are traditional ways of enclosing the item, but we winged it as our fabrics were too thick to tie (the Japanese method used silk). Once folded around the gift, it was secured with ribbon, tied parcel style.

It was actually easier than paper, the fabric stayed put, didn't roll up, and no faffing about with sellotape! They look gorgeous under the tree, each family member has their assigned colour/fabric - so no tags needed either. I can't wait to use them next year 🎁💝

22/12/2024

🎄🍫🪵 Every year my son and I make a chocolate Yule Log for the winter solstice. It's become our own little tradition, we cuddle up and watch The Nightmare before Christmas after it's done. What I love about it now, looking back, is looking at the previous years photos and seeing how he has grown. At some point he may refuse to do it, but not yet 🥰😉☺️ I have family in America and New Zealand that we sadly never see, and they look forward to the annual Yule Log photo every Christmas.

Do you have your own, special to you, traditions for the holidays?

14/12/2024

The government and media are using this tragedy to push their own agenda, making home education the scapegoat - which is deplorable.

Sara’s family was known to social services before she was even born.
She was known and reported to social services whilst registered at school, all the while being horribly abused.
She was out of school for 10 weeks - 6 weeks of that was during the school holidays. Should therefore, all children be monitored during school breaks!?
Her death had absolutely nothing to do with home education.
If being on every at-risk register didn’t prevent her death, what difference would being on a CNIS register make? None. This case proves that.
All our current legislation failed Sara - and that should be held accountable - not the home ed community.

💙
The following is copied with permission from Jodie Coles of the PopArt Home Education group. Please sign the petition (linked further down) and copy and share.
💙

It's been a very sad and angry couple of days for me to see yet again that home education was being blamed for the tragic death of Sara Sharif and claims that schools keep children safe!

It is no coincidence in my view that all MSM were using headlines insinuating she died because she was home educated. Rachel De Souza and the Labour government have an agenda to implement a CNIS register so as soon as the details of this awful case of abuse were published the media were already on the side lines to launch what I consider nothing more than a hate campaign against home education!

As expected all those ignorant of what home education is have jumped onto this with the same old same old with cries that we should be monitored, we should be qualified teachers, we should be police checked, we should be ofsted inspected and so much more.

I feel it is very important to push back against this. Not wasting time engaging with the toxic comments on some of these articles as those people are blinded by authoritarian propaganda but engaging with your closer circles to educate them about home education and the benefits, not to hate on schools but why the system doesn't suit all children. We need to show the positivity of home education.

We all have individual, unique home ed journeys and a miriad of reasons why our children don't attend a school setting, but each and everyone of us parents here at PopArt are united in one main cause - to give our children the best possible education, which suits their own needs and requirements, and allows them to thrive and grow. The freedom and the right to do so needs protecting with a passion.
Poppy and I will be sending in complaints to various media outputs about the bias and slanderous coverage seen over the last couple of days.

There has been a petition drawn up as pushback to the latest slandering of home education, feel free to sign and share if you wish to as a simple way to add your voice:
https://chng.it/QyBtrfT7mh

The most pressing concern at the moment is of course the Children Not In School Register, Sara Sharif has sadly become a political tool used by De Souza to push this agenda through.
In my personal view once a register is in place, there will then be a push for monitoring, home visits etc as these are often mentioned by those intent on keeping us in check and conflating home education as a safeguarding issue!

Most national and local home education groups will not post anything politically aligned so I fear many of our community are often unaware of the current issues and concerns we face with the government's action regarding home education.

Whilst I do not want to spread fear and anxiety I do feel it is important to keep informed and be very aware of your rights as a home educator and what local authorities are actually allowed to do in terms of their contact and requests for reports, especially if you are new to home education in the current political climate.

I am popping below some links to useful groups/information for anyone who might find them helpful.

HEFA - offer great overall home ed support along with good advice regarding LA contact and reports
https://www.facebook.com/groups/hefa2021

Ed Yourself - keeping an eye of the EHE law and legislation
https://edyourself.org/

Home Education Action - coordinating action to fight attacks against Home Ed
https://www.facebook.com/groups/homeeducationactiongroup

HE Byte - run by a group of parents with older/adult children passionate about parents right to nurture and educate their children without undue interference from the State
http://www.he-byte.uk/

Home Education and your LA
https://www.facebook.com/groups/239232119524989