Where there is ignorance, prejudice and discrimination tend not to be too far behind. Despite COVID introducing the concept of ‘home schooling’ to the UK, ‘home education’ remains a mystery to most, leaving myths to be confused with facts, and out-dated, deep-seated prejudices room to find new life.
When new parents ask about HE and exams, they think the worst part is getting started on the GCSE ladder, little do they know that, for so many of us, it is the getting your child to the exam centre that leaves you with sleepless nights and cold sweats.
Since schools have started back, we have been wanting to get back to HEing too, but like most people, I was getting very confused as to what we could or could not do in terms of meeting up with other people, so I decided to investigate.
20,000 students still having no grade at all after this summer’s cancelled exams. Many of whom are home educated. A case of ministerial incompetence or deliberate neglect of a minority group? Either way, we need to talk about Gavin.
Many home educators give up careers, two incomes and any number of other things in order to educate their children themselves, but what’s it all for? What is the purpose of education?
The education gap doesn’t just stop at the school gates. Home educators are feeling the impact of inequality too.
It has been a question many have been asking, ‘how has the parenting world taken to homeschooling?’, but no one seems to be asking, ‘how have home educators taken to lockdown learning?’
This article has been put together by the kindness of the Cambridgeshire home educating community in response to the school shutdown following the COVID-19 UK lockdown.