 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
About EO |
Available to print out in booklet form here |
Support & information network for Education Otherwise (EO) was formed by a small group of parents in 1977 and has evolved into a large self-help organisation which offers support and information to members. EO also contributes to government consultations to preserve the right of families to home educate and assists local groups who are working with individual LEAs to promote better working practices. Our extensive network of members (over 4,000 in 2005) includes those families, groups and individuals who are practising home education as an alternative to school, those who are considering the possibility of home education, and those who support the principle of home education. Our work is carried out by a nation-wide team of dedicated, experienced members who volunteer their services free to support other members and promote home education. EO is not committed to any 'one right way', nor do we have an attitude of 'them versus us'; our aim is to help parents choose the most appropriate form of education for each individual child, the decision being founded on informed choice and full consideration for the wishes and feelings of the child. Since, however, too few people are even aware of their right to home educate, EO aims to raise public awareness of the fact that, in the UK: Education is legally compulsory – |
Parents have the primary responsibility for ensuring that their children receive an effective education. Although this is usually delegated to schools, parents have the right to exercise this responsibility directly, by providing an education based at home and in the community. Now an increasing number of parents choose home education, education 'otherwise' than at school, for a variety of reasons and with very impressive results. Case law has established that a variety of different approaches to education (not necessarily like the school approach) can satisfy the legal requirement for an 'efficient' (etc.) education. In fact, research into home education has reached the conclusion that we should not be asking 'is home education a viable option?', but instead 'why is home education so highly successful, both socially and academically?' Information about many aspects of home education, including such research discoveries, is available from Education Otherwise. The right and responsibility of parents is clearly established in Sections 7 and 9 of the 1996 Education Act, which state that:
Similar provisions are contained in the Education
(Northern Ireland) Act 1947 and the Education (Scotland) Act 1980,
Sections 30 and 28(1) |
Any family can home educate: You do not need to have any formal qualifications, or be a teacher, to educate your child at home – qualities such as patience, enthusiasm and flexibility are valuable. You do not need to 'know everything' – a more important skill is to learn how to learn and think, and how to find out information. Your whole family can become more resourceful and learn many new things alongside each other! You do not have to follow the National Curriculum – unless you wish. It can be a helpful guideline although many parents follow a child's interests and basic literacy/numeracy skills. Such freedom and adaptability can work wonders for a child's self-motivation. You do not need to have a structured timetable – unless you wish. Learning happens any time, anywhere, in many ways. You do not have to 're-create' a school, or anything like it, at home. Research confirms that an autonomous education with a flexible timetable/ curriculum is invariably highly successful in achieving its aims. You do not need to be rich – many low income families home educate successfully since we live in an 'information rich' society, with many resources and educational opportunities available at little or no cost. You can spend as much or as little as you choose. Your child's social life can develop in a way not always possible in a school environment. Having the time and freedom to join a variety of different clubs, special interest societies etc.., with people of all ages, can prove very enriching. Additionallly, local groups exist around Britain for home educated children to socialise together. Research has shown that a home educated child often has greater social skills and maturity than school children. Your child can still work for any desired formal qualifications; the variety of ways to study GCSEs, GNVQs, NVQs, ‘A' levels etc.. (e.g. home or employment-based, college or evening classes, open learning, by correspondence etc..) can be an advantage – less stress, more time, and the freedom to spread courses over several years. You can home educate a child with special needs – the extra care and attention that you are able to offer at home is a great benefit and can make all the difference, as it can for all children. |
MEMBERSHIP of EDUCATION OTHERWISE Education Otherwise has been supporting home education now for nearly 30 years, and has established positive links with most Local Education Authorities, many of whom now refer families to EO if school is not working. Our well-established reputation and experience, and our extensive network of members all over the country, can give EO members confidence that they will have access to the very best support available. With home education both parents and children benefit greatly from the friendship and understanding of other home educating families. MEMBERS OF EO RECEIVE: Free copy of School Is Not Compulsory ‘the essential introduction to home based education’ – normally £4.50 see publications leaflet. Local Contact Support – over 100 volunteers nationwide can:
Contact list - offers access to our extensive and ever-growing network of members - a vital link to the support and information exchange so essential to home educating families. Newsletter - a bi-monthly national newsletter (many areas also have a local newsletter) guarantees a regular link with EO and all our members, acting as a forum for communication and discussion, a source of support, inspiration, ideas and resource information, and of course keeping everyone informed of important information concerning home education, such as changes in legislation and research updates. School Is Not Compulsory - This publication is provided free to all members. It is an essential introduction to home-based education explaining your rights and duties with the experiences of home-educating families Member Handbook - The purpose of the Handbook is to make as much information as possible available to members and, hopefully, to make communications between those doing work for EO, or those wanting to speak to the relevant person, easier. Home Education Card - Many home educating parents are concerned that their children will be picked up by the police during the truancy sweeps carried out by police and educational welfare officers. EO has produced a card which children may carry if they or their parents wish which details the law with regard to home educated children. Local Get-togethers - in many areas and National Gatherings - Camps, Workshops, Conferences, Meetings (3 decision making meetings a year are held around the country, usually combined with informal gatherings for members); Members Area - An area on the EO website where all main policy documents and advice information is available to view online or download, together with discussion forums to chat with other EO members or to become involved in the day to day business discussions relating to running the charity. Free Entry - to an increasing number of places including National Railway Museum, York English Heritage/Historic Scotland sites; Science Museum; National History Museum; Victoria and Albert Museum; Museum of London; and Kew Gardens. Reduced Prices - for EO publications and information leaflets. Family Membership Card - useful to negotiate reduction/school discounts on a variety of resources, educational visits etc. This card is also used to gain the various discounts and free entry to museums mentioned above. Learn Premium Website - Learn.co.uk, an online educational service run by the Guardian, has offered EO members a joint, low cost subscription to Learn Premium, a digital subscription service aimed at primary and secondary age children and their teachers. EO has agreed to pay Learn.co a lump sum and is making a small charge to each user to cover this cost which can be paid when joining or by contacting the co-ordinator at a later date. Click here for more details. MEMBERSHIP of our support and information network
costs £25 for the first year Education Otherwise has a variety of leaflets about home education available for purchase or download here |
Frequent Responses to Home
education and Families who have only recently discovered Education Otherwise and home education, after difficulties in school, often say:
We look forward to welcoming you as members. If you have finished with this leaflet please pass it on to any other people or places where it may help to inform other families. This leaflet was updated in August 2005 Please check current prices if it is more than 6 months old.
|
EO is a charitable organisation: All but necessary administration (two part time paid posts due to the growth of the charity) work is carried out by volunteers who give their time free to help families by offering as much support and information as possible. As a charity, we are funded only by membership subscriptions, sale of publications and information leaflets, and donations from members and non-members. If you feel that EO has helped your family in any way, or if you simply want to support our aims, we sincerely hope you will help us to continue and develop our work by ordering our publications, any leaflets from the EO Information Leaflet Series (there is an Introductory Set for £3), by becoming an EO member (£25 for first year) and/or by sending a donation (any amount is greatly appreciated). Thank you. |
EDUCATION OTHERWISE Web Site: www.education-otherwise.org
|
| Back to About EO Index |
