Home Schooling Resources UK: 38 Home Education Resources

Considering home schooling for your child? Or perhaps you’ve already embarked on this educational path and are on the lookout for more resources? You’ve come to the right place.

Home schooling offers a flexible and rewarding approach to education, allowing you to tailor your child’s learning experience to their individual needs and interests. However, it can also be a daunting prospect, especially when it comes to finding the right resources and ensuring your child receives a well-rounded education.

In this guide, we’ll explore a variety of resources available to support you on your home education journey. From online lessons to interactive games, these resources cover a wide range of subjects and cater to different learning styles. Whether your child is a budding scientist, a future mathematician, or a creative writer, there’s something for everyone.

Key Takeaways

• Explore Home Education: Learn about the benefits and legal aspects of home schooling in the UK, and how it allows for a tailored educational experience for your child.
• Getting Started with Home Schooling: Discover the initial steps to begin home schooling, including deregistering from school and planning a flexible learning schedule.
• Diverse Learning Resources: Find out about the wide range of interactive and educational resources available online to support your child’s home schooling across various subjects.

Understanding Home Schooling

Home schooling, also known as home education, is a legal alternative to school education in the UK. As a parent, you have the right to educate your child at home. The law states that it’s your responsibility to ensure your child receives a suitable education from the age of 5 to 18. You don’t need to be a qualified teacher, and your child isn’t obliged to follow the national curriculum, take national exams or go to school.

However, the local authority can make an ‘informal enquiry’ to ensure your child is getting a suitable education at home. This can involve providing samples of your child’s work, reports on their progress, or a visit from the local authority. It’s important to note that you can choose how to show evidence of your child’s progress.

Home schooling can offer a personalised learning experience tailored to your child’s needs and interests. It allows for flexible learning hours, a broader curriculum, and the opportunity for your child to learn at their own pace. However, it also requires a significant time commitment from parents, and it can be challenging to provide social opportunities that school would typically offer.

Getting Started with Home Schooling

Deciding to home educate your child is a big step, and it’s natural to feel a bit overwhelmed at first. But don’t worry, we’re here to help you navigate through this process.

Firstly, if your child is already registered at a school, you’ll need to deregister them. This involves writing a letter to the head teacher stating your intention to home educate. Once the school receives this, they are legally obliged to remove your child from the school roll.

Next comes the planning phase. Unlike traditional schooling, home education doesn’t require a strict timetable. However, having a loose schedule can help provide structure to your child’s day. Remember, the goal is to create a learning environment that suits your child’s needs, so feel free to experiment with different schedules and teaching methods.

One of the biggest challenges of home schooling is creating a diverse and comprehensive curriculum. Luckily, there are numerous resources available online to help with this. These resources cover a wide range of subjects and are often interactive, making learning fun and engaging for your child.

Home Schooling Resources

When it comes to home schooling, having a variety of resources at your disposal can make a world of difference. Here are some of the best online resources available for home education in the UK:

• Scholastic: Offers a wide range of books, activities and lesson plans for all ages.
• Topmarks: Provides educational games and resources, covering a wide range of subjects.
• Discovery Education: Provides digital textbooks and multimedia resources.
• Activity Village: Offers thousands of colouring pages, crafts, puzzles and educational resources.
• BBC Bitesize: Offers a variety of resources for children of all ages, including interactive lessons and revision materials.
• TedEd: Offers educational videos on a variety of topics.
• Fuse School: Provides a range of free secondary school level educational videos.
• The Children’s University of Manchester: Offers online interactive learning resources for children.
• Twinkl: Provides a wide range of educational resources including worksheets, powerpoints and activities.
• National Geographic Kids: Offers a variety of resources on geography and science.
• Duolingo: A fun and interactive way to learn a new language.
• The Reading Realm: Offers a range of reading and writing resources.
• DK Findout!: Provides information and quizzes on a variety of topics.
• ICT Games: Offers educational games focused on numeracy and literacy.
• 123 Homeschool4me: Provides free worksheets, lesson plans and educational activities.
• Seneca: Offers free revision and homework for A level, GCSE, KS3 & KS2.
• Primary Resources: Offers a range of lesson plans, activity ideas and resources for primary teachers.
• Mathsframe: Provides a range of maths games and activities.
• Sparklebox: Offers hundreds of free printable resources for teachers.
• Oxford Owl: Provides a range of free ebooks, activities and advice for parents.
• White Rose Maths: Offers a range of maths lessons and resources.
• Crickweb: Offers a range of educational resources and games.
• Math Playground: Provides a fun way to practice maths skills.
• Maths Zone: Offers a range of interactive maths games.
• Corbett Maths: Provides a range of videos, worksheets and activities for maths revision.
• NRICH: Offers a range of maths resources and activities.
• Hamilton Trust: Provides a range of resources and lesson plans for primary teachers.
• Maths Chase: Provides a fun way to practice times tables.
• UR. Brainy: Offers a range of maths and English resources.
• A Maths Dictionary for Kids: Provides an animated, interactive dictionary explaining over 600 maths terms.
• World Geography Games: Offers a range of geography quizzes and games.
• BP Educational Service: Provides a range of STEM teaching resources.
• 3D Geography: Offers a range of geography resources including diagrams, worksheets and quizzes.
• NASA Kids Club: Provides a range of space-themed games and learning resources.
• Blockly Games: Offers a fun way to learn programming.

The Role of the National Curriculum

While home schooling gives you the freedom to tailor your child’s education to their individual needs, the national curriculum can serve as a useful guide. It provides a broad framework that covers a wide range of subjects, ensuring your child gets a well-rounded education.

However, it’s important to remember that as a home educator, you’re not required to follow the national curriculum strictly. You have the flexibility to adapt it to suit your child’s interests and learning style. For instance, if your child has a keen interest in science, you can spend more time on that subject. Similarly, if your child struggles with a particular topic, you can adjust your teaching approach or spend more time on it to help them understand better.

Special Educational Needs and Home Schooling

Home schooling can be a particularly beneficial option for children with special educational needs. It allows for a personalised learning experience that can be tailored to suit your child’s unique needs and abilities.

If your child has a health and care plan, you can still choose to home educate them. The local authority must ensure that the special educational provision specified in the plan is made, unless the child’s parents have made suitable arrangements.

When home educating a child with special educational needs, it’s important to focus on their strengths and interests, while also providing support in areas they find challenging. There are many resources available specifically designed to support children with a range of special educational needs.

Remember, every child’s needs are different, and what works for one might not work for another. It’s all about finding the right approach for your child.

Final Thoughts

Embarking on the journey of home schooling is a significant decision, but it can also be an incredibly rewarding experience. It offers the flexibility to tailor your child’s education to their unique needs and interests, and with the wealth of resources available, you’re never alone in this journey.

Remember, home schooling isn’t about recreating the school environment at home. It’s about providing a suitable education in a way that works best for your child. Whether your child thrives in a structured environment or prefers a more relaxed approach, home schooling can adapt to fit their needs.

With the resources we’ve explored in this guide, from Scholastic to Blockly Games, you’re well-equipped to provide a diverse and engaging education for your child. So, here’s to the exciting journey ahead in home education. You’ve got this!

FAQs

What are some good online resources for home schooling in the UK?

There are numerous online resources available for home schooling in the UK, including Scholastic, Topmarks, Nosycrow, Discovery Education, Activity Village, BBC Bitesize, TedEd, Fuse School, The Children’s University of Manchester, and many more.

Is home schooling legal in the UK?

Yes, home schooling is legal in the UK. Parents have the right to educate their children at home, and the child isn’t obliged to follow the national curriculum or go to school.

Do I need to follow the national curriculum if I home school my child?

No, you’re not required to follow the national curriculum strictly when home schooling. You have the flexibility to adapt it to suit your child’s interests and learning style.

How do I start home schooling my child in the UK?

To start home schooling your child in the UK, you’ll need to deregister them from school if they’re currently enrolled. This involves writing a letter to the head teacher stating your intention to home educate.

What if my child has special educational needs?

If your child has a health and care plan, you can still choose to home educate them. The local authority must ensure that the special educational provision specified in the plan is made, unless the parents have made suitable arrangements.

Can I get financial support for home schooling in the UK?

Currently, there is no specific government funding available for parents who choose to home educate their children in the UK.