Topic Title: Homeschooling in the UK?

Author 206inUK

Date Posted: 10/10/2011 5:24 PM

Just reading all of your questions . . .

Yes, state schools are "free" with the main requirement for enrollment being your residence close by and space available at the school. Sometimes a school is associated with a church, and preference is given to members of the church for enrolment. If you want to investigate state schools, start with Ofsted, then call and tour the school itself.

There are scores of independent schools in SE England, so you'll likely have more than a few choices. One interesting thing I found is that Catholic schools are not always private, but can be state funded as well.

Author 206inUK

Date Posted: 10/10/2011 5:18 PM

Hi,
I have children similar ages in the local state schools and the generous holiday periods of half-term weeks off and two + weeks at Easter have helped with making time to see the country and Europe. From Windsor, you would be quite centrally located to go all over England and not far from Heathrow or Luton for quick flights to the continent!

Regarding your 2nd grader, what I have observed for children with learning disabilities is often a full-time learning assistant dedicated to a particular student in a school. This assistant will do one on one work with the pupil and stay with them in the classroom. I believe the staff person responsible for coordinating services for pupils with learning disabilities in a school is the SENCo (sorry - don't know what it stands for).

Hope this is helpful. Best of luck!

Author BobthePanda

Date Posted: 10/5/2011 4:35 PM

Hi!

You could try the Mumsnet forum http://www.mumsnet.com/Talk scroll down and look under Education. There are quite a few people on there who does home ed and also many who can tell you about schools in general.

Ofsted http://www.ofsted.gov.uk/ is probably the equivalent to "greatschools".

Good luck!