13th May 2010 9:00
By Blue Tutors
There are an increasing number of students in the UK who are home-schooled. Whether it’s due to a mistrust of the government’s ability to educate their child properly, or simply something where a parent feels happier to have a more ‘hands on’ approach, it’s an increasingly prevalent education system, and one which cannot be overlooked.
There are obviously many advantages for a student who is home-schooled. The perks that students might think about first are getting up slightly later, not wearing a school uniform, and all the other things that annoy students about school, but we want to focus on the educational aspect of home-schooling, and how that differs from a traditional school education.
One of the first questions is whether parents are qualified to teach their children. This is something which is difficult to regulate, but it’s fair to assume that most parents won’t take on the responsibility of home-schooling their child unless they’re confident in their ability to successfully teach the material. Also, it’s very common for home-schooled students to begin attending school as they begin GCSEs or A-levels, or for parents to employ a private to continue their child’s education once the material becomes too advanced for parents to teach themselves.
However, the quality of academic education shouldn’t be the only consideration for home-schooled students. What about their social education? Some people would argue that, at a younger age, the social aspect of being at school, and mixing with your peers is even more important than what you’re actually formally taught in the classroom. The skills created by talking and playing when we’re young are vital to our development, and shouldn’t be overlooked when considering the best route for your child.
It’s undeniable that home-schooling can be a great way to educate your child. The benefit of the personal one-to-one tuition given by a parent can be massively more effective than being in a class with 20 students. The important thing for each parent to remember is that their child needs balanced development, and must interact as often as possible with their peers.