I am Home Educated.

What would you like to tell everyone?

I love how my mummy and daddy teach me. I can go to nice places, the beach is my favourite, and the aquarium. I learned how sharks lose lots of teeth, so they have lots of shark fairy’s under the water that rescues the teeth and give the shark a pirate coin.

What makes you happy?

Having my mum and daddy teach me, going to the park, doing lots of painting! Oh and dancing and being a princess like Brave!

Have you ever been to school?

No.

I am Home Educated.

What would you like to tell everyone?

I’m frightened about having to be forced back to school.

I’m worried for mine and my little brothers future and safety growing up with this government its not fair they make decisions for us when they don’t know us or listen to us i was bullied by teachers and children in my secondary school and it gave me bad Anxiety.

I wasn’t sleeping and cried everytime I had to go even in school teachers always said I was lying even when other children told them and writ statements to head of year teachers told other kids about my anxiety and made it worse most of the time I hid in the field behind a shed or in the toilets they kept suspending me for not being in lessons and not helping me or listening.

They didn’t listen to my mum either in meetings and never did what they promised to do in front of my mum when my mum left they changed and would shout i recorded the teachers and my mum kept me home we decided to home educate.

Im now safe and have friends.

Im learning more i don’t trust school or government I’m worried my mum will get in trouble and I will because I won’t go back to school it’s not safe you feel alone and they don’t listen but you have to always listen to teachers and follow rules adults in school don’t follow.

It’s to noisy and busy to learn at school.

At home is pieceful and not rushed i actually like learning now I feel calmer and happy.

What makes you happy?

Home educating
Family and friends
Animals
Makeing my own choices
People listening to me

Have you ever been to school?

Yes

I am Home Educated.

What would you like to tell everyone?

I like home educating.

I like everything about it.

I felt bossed around at school and that made me feel really sick of being told what to do.

All the teachers told me what to do. To sit at a desk and do boring work.

Learning at school made me feel stupid. I hated it.

Home education is way better. I love it more than anything.

YAY!!

What makes you happy?

Learning with my family makes me happy!

Eating when I want makes me happy.

Running round in circles makes me happy!!

Have you ever been to school?

Yes

I am Home Educated.

What would you like to tell everyone?

The world is my classroom and i love it that way!

I see plenty of people and plenty of people see me… including one of the police officers at Downing Street recently who we were speaking to and he showed us around the police vehicles!

What makes you happy?

That I am in control of my own body; I can make noises when I need to, go outside to get fresh air anytime, go to the bathroom whenever it’s needed etc.
I love seeing my friends, going out for bike rides, I love the Sea Cadets but most of all I love learning all day everyday in whatever way that looks at the time.

Have you ever been to school?

No

I am Home Educated.

What would you like to tell everyone?

The government has no right to my personal information.

Given how incapable they are of protecting us with the information they have, I think they need to sort their own lives out before they start interfering with anyone else and wasting tax money.

I love being home educated. It allows me to study the subjects and take the exams I want, rather than being shuttled through a few basic exams by an overstrained system.

What makes you happy?

Reading makes me happy, as does studying history and drawing.

I also enjoy listening to podcasts and history talks.

Sometimes I enjoy writing stories as well.

Every Friday I attend the local Explorer’s unit, which I greatly enjoy.

On Thursdays I go to a church youth group nearby.

Have you ever been to school?

No

I am Home Educated.

What would you like to tell everyone?

I went all through primary school suffering from chronic eczema and I struggled with anxiety and would have panic attacks, sometimes I would be sick.

I didn’t feel safe and looked after at school. I started high school and my skin was so bad that I couldn’t hold a pen because my fingers would crack and bleed.

I am now home educated and my anxiety has gone, my skin has cleared and I feel free to learn.

I am so much happier learning at home.

What makes you happy?

I still see my friends from school each week and I can take part in more active things like skating, trampoline and indoor climbing because my skin isn’t sore anymore.

Have you ever been to school?

Yes

I am Home Educated.

What would you like to tell everyone?

I just like it because we’re at home together.

It wouldn’t be fair if I couldn’t learn at home.

I go to lots of sessions and get out and about with loads of my friends we have fun and I choose what I learnt about so I can enjoy it. We do great projects.

What makes you happy?

Learning at home, going to the beach, forest school and walks with my family and friends.

Have you ever been to school?

Yes

I am Home Educated and attend an Alternative Provision.

What would you like to tell everyone?

I never want to go back to school.

I always cried and missed my mum.

I didn’t like when teachers pulled me from my mum.

I didn’t like wearing uniform.

The only thing I liked was home time.

What makes you happy?

I like gaming with my mentor.

I like learning with my mum, sometimes late at night.

Dogs make me happy and soon I am doing some learning with dogs course.

I love my physio sessions and play therapy.

I love playing pickleball with my family we play every Friday together.

I also love cooking and baking and do it lots. I love bouncing on my big physio ball.

Have you ever been to school?

Yes

I am Home Educated.

What would you like to tell everyone?

I have been home educated for 7 years and I do not want to go back to school.

I like the freedom that home education gives me and how I can learn about stuff I’m interested in!

I like to be able to move around and not sit in a classroom for hours and be able to wear clothes that are comfortable for me.

I also enjoy being able to spend more time with my family and friends!

I do not think that school is the best option for everyone, I think parents and children should be able to make their own decisions because we know what’s best for us.

What makes you happy?

Spending time with my family and my dog makes me happy, I also enjoy seeing my friends.

I like going places and seeing new things. I enjoy cooking new recipes and trying new foods. I’m also learning to roller skate.

Have you ever been to school?

Yes

I am Home Educated.

What would you like to tell everyone?

I choose not to go to school. I find that I struggle under pressure, if there’s a time limit I start to panic, my mind goes blank and I can’t remember or think properly.

Home ed means I can do it in my own time. It means I don’t have to learn what everybody else learns. Not everybody has to learn the same things. Every job isn’t the same is it? I get to learn about whatever catches my interest. We’re not stuck to a rigid schedule. If we suddenly decide to learn about Romans we can do that for an hour or a week until we decide to start learning about something else.

What makes you happy?

Cycling, trivia, tidying, maths, roller skating, toy car collecting, reading, eating, athletics, drawing, looking at wildlife and being with others.

Being able to practice my talents, not being restricted to weekends. I love being able to practice using tools, taking things apart and fixing things. Friday is mechanics day with dad.

Have you ever been to school?

Yes

I am Home Educated.

What would you like to tell everyone?

I love being home educated because I get to make lots of art and play with my friends and make terrariums which is really fun and I love the flexibility of it.

What makes you happy?

I love baking sculpting coming up with stories and I LOVE drawing and dressing up my cat.

Have you ever been to school?

No

I am Home Educated.

What would you like to tell everyone?

I did not like school because no one understood me and sad and upset, the school was strict i even got put into isolation for not making eye contact and not smiling, even though they knew i am autistic and don’t like eye contact.

What makes you happy?

Being home educated, i can eat when i want i can use the toilet when I want. i can do lots of subject, i love researching my favourite singer Bob Marley I wouldn’t get to do this at school as one of my piece of work. i love that i get to cook everyday. now i get to be myself.

Have you ever been to school?

Yes

I am Home Educated.

What would you like to tell everyone?

I didnt like school because it would make me very anxious the teachers did not understand me i did not feel safe going to school due to how a staff member was being with me it made me very uncomfortable . I am scared to be sent back to school.

The government is saying how it isnt safe to be home educated but in my case it was not safe to be in school around a teacher i should of been able to trust and home is my safe place

What makes you happy?

being home educated
being able to learn subjects i love
getting to express myself
getting to spend more time and have a better bond with my family
being educated by someone that understands me and my needs

Have you ever been to school?

Yes

I am Home Educated.

What would you like to tell everyone?

I was always being punished for shouting at my bullies to leave me alone, I was always sat in the office of my school with no work to complete, and when I fought back I would always get suspended, whilst me and my parents would be told that the kids are little angels who would never do anything wrong.

My Parents last straw was when I had 2 massive concussions and bumps on my head – one of which was caused by an unqualified teacher pulling a group of us to a local park and not watching the other child attack me, I also had a massive nose bleed with bleeding and bruises all over my face and I was crying every hometime at the start of the new school year, wanting to never return.

At the time of my nosebleed and bruises the teachers only made the bully sit on a different chair but still in close proximity to me and the teacher was completely dismissing the state my face was in to my parents evening lying about it. I was year 2 (I was technically year 3 but was pulled back a year to see if it helped me to concentrate on work, but the bullies were friends and neighbours with each other).

I am now 12 (so year 8) but I try to have little social interaction as it protects me, but with my work I have actually improved I couldn’t even write properly as they would force me to use my right hand and told me to be normal. I had SEN support while at school but they never helped me, when I said that writing looks funny they demanded my parents get my eyes tested – they said my eyes are perfect.

What makes you happy?

Having my mummy learning and teaching me, going on local trips and even going on a plane to Menorca.
I also love pigeons and mummy takes me to feed them and bought me books to learn about them

Have you ever been to school?

Yes

I am Home Educated.

What would you like to tell everyone?

I didn’t like nursery. It was too loud and busy. Too many people. I missed my mummy.

What makes you happy?

Mummy. Daddy.

Have you ever been to school?

No

I am Home Educated.

What would you like to tell everyone?

School was overwhelming
Especially secondary school
You have to change really quickly and theres loads rules that you don’t understand
Theres always bullying and teachers dont listen and just walk past or shout at wrong people

They make plans in front of parents and dont do them in school they promise to talk to you then dont and expect you to get on with it
Some teachers shout and swear and laugh and be nice to kids bullying you they never get in trouble your supposed to listen to adults in school but they don’t listen to you or follow rules themselves

Teachers lie to your parents sometimes
I am very clever and really well behaved and I try really hard school made me feel like I was naughty when I wasnt I couldnt concentrate and loud kids got all good comments I was told I was to polite and to quite I should be the same as the others I didn’t like secondary school and didn’t fit in i didn’t learn anything I remembered I couldn’t wait to go home that was my favourite part of the day

What makes you happy?

Learning in quiet place so I can concentrate
Learning new things
Home education
Being with my family and friends
Building lego and playing games
Playing with my dog

Have you ever been to school?

Yes

I am Home Educated.

What would you like to tell everyone?

I was always scared at school. I never felt safe. The teachers often said I was fine. I wasn’t. They told my mam they were helping but I don’t feel like they really cared.

I was so scared that I stopped talking in school. Then I couldn’t talk to anyone except my family at home. I felt awful, all the time.

What makes you happy?

Learning at home, animals, holidays, playing football, being outside.

Have you ever been to school?

Yes

I am Home Educated.

What would you like to tell everyone?

II like being home – it’s fun. I like reading eggs and I like the computer.
I like being with mummy and I like making things.
And because I can take my bike.

What makes you happy?

Parks makes me happy!
Being with mummy!

Have you ever been to school?

No

I am Home Educated.

What would you like to tell everyone?

I went to school for 3 years it wasn’t that bad in reception class and my teacher was nice. But I remember moving to class 1 and everything changed. We couldn’t really have fun anymore and we had to sit and listen. I need to be able to get up and move around it helps me focus. I cried for weeks when I moved into class 1.

When I get to class 2 the teacher was so mean. She would shout, not at me but it was still scary. I was once hurt by another child and my teacher told me to stop crying and man up. That made me feel stupid and it made my mum cross!

I remember crying alot because I had to practice for tests. If I got one question wrong it really upset me and I would think about it for weeks. It was too much pressure for me at school.

Now I’m Home Educated, I know that no one will hurt me, I know it doesn’t matter if I get something wrong because my mum will support me until I understand something. At school if I didn’t understand I would just sit quietly because I was embarrassed.

I don’t have to be stuck in a classroom with a person who bullied me. I still have my school friends and have made new friends.

What makes you happy?

I love spending time with my little brother who has autism. He’s funny and cute. I like to spend time with my mum because I know that I’m safe.

I love to make games using code and AI my mum supports me to do this and I have got 500 plus subscriptions on YouTube.

I also love algebra, so I do this everyday because I enjoy it.

I learn better when I’m interested in something. I like to learn about sociology and how society works it makes me happy because I know I’ve always got support form my mum.

Have you ever been to school?

Yes

I am Home Educated.

What would you like to tell everyone?

I love being at home with my family because it makes me feel safe. I learn lots more at home as I am not being kicked by boys in my class and the girls are not telling me I’m in the wrong body.

I have a small group I study with and we just get on with our work. I really love the cooking course I am doing and hope to get a GCSE next year.

What makes you happy?

I love studying online and visiting beautiful places in the UK. We see some special things like stained glass windows in churches. I’m looking forward to going to other countries the most. I can still do my lessons even when we are not at home.

Have you ever been to school?

Yes

I am Home Educated.

What would you like to tell everyone?

I was in primary school some years ago. I am neurodivergent and have an EHCP. School was very busy, very loud. I didn’t always get the help I needed. Sometimes I had accidents in school. I struggled to keep up with my class and this impacted my self esteem.

What makes you happy?

Home education enables me to persue subjects I am interested in such as Astronomy, Palentology and Criminology and Conservation.

I was classed as 2 years behind in school but I found the subjects boring. Without interest I find it hard to remain motivated to complete tasks.

My mum helps me and provides all the adaptions I need. I don’t have to be sat at a desk all day or learn at set times. I even learn through talking, and documentaries.

Going out and about and being part of everyday life, nature and the community makes learning in unexpected places part of my life. Without this I would be really struggling and unhappy.

I do like quiet time and gaming plus movie nights but I also enjoy the ability to choose to engage or not engage in what I want.

Have you ever been to school?

Yes

I am Home Educated.

What would you like to tell everyone?

Home education is fun because you can learn everywhere and whatever you want. I am worried that if I have to go to school I will get bullied. My friend that goes to school has been bullied and it worries me that I will get bullied too because I am different.

The teachers worry me too because some of them might not be nice and that will scare me. My mum knows me better and gives me more time to learn. I am also a visual learner and mums gives me things to help me learn and I can take my time.

What I would like to say to the government is kids shouldn’t be forced into things they don’t want to do. School isn’t the right place for everyone because we don’t all learn the same way.

What makes you happy?

Football makes me happy because I like learning new techniques. I like gaming and use Minecraft for learning. I made a coral reef when I was learning about the ocean and I made some of the ancient wonders of the world. I also like cooking. My favourite things to make are granola bars, chocolate cake and butternut squash Mac and cheese.

I go to lots of clubs and meet lots of people. At my favourite club we play lots of games, learn about Jesus and God and make crafts.

My family makes me happy and I can spend more time with them because we all learn together.

Have you ever been to school?

No

I am Home Educated.

What would you like to tell everyone?

Once I did nothing wrong, but my bully did and I got put in time out. A lot of the time I was disappointed as if the questions where too hard I missed play time. And that was not cool.

What makes you happy?

Getting to play everyday.

Have you ever been to school?

Yes

I go to a Mainstream School.

What would you like to tell everyone?

I want the same choices as everyone else. A lot of things are either good, or accessible but rarely both. The end of year trips have been announced at school and only one is accessible to me, to go to a zoo, which is something that does not interest me at all. I want to be able to go on the same trips and do the same things as my friends, not be grateful that one trip has been made possible.

I want to be treated the same as everyone else. Some teachers and staff are great, some very unfair and treat me as a second class citizen. I have had teachers stand me up in front of the class and tell me they have the same disability but don’t need to use an aid, so I don’t need to. I have had teachers force me to use their computer to type, rather than my tablet to write on (which is in my EHCP). I can’t type and I couldn’t read the screen. I felt stupid and picked on. Some teachers are great – I once tic’d and flicked my art teacher in the face with my paintbrush and she just cleared up and handed it back. No fuss at all.

Since I became a part time wheelchair user, in addition to my other needs, the school have been much more accommodating. It’s been good to have them more on side, but I feel like a ticked box.

What makes you happy?

Plants.
My rats.
My family and friends.
Marshmallows.
Being able to move without pain.

Have you ever been to school?

Yes

I go to Alternative Provision.

What would you like to tell everyone?

I didn’t like the way I was treated at school. They forced me to do things I didn’t understand or hurt. They didn’t listen to me or help me.

What makes you happy?

Being with mummy.

Have you ever been to school?

Yes

I go to Alternative Provision.

What would you like to tell everyone?

That school is really hard.  Just because I am not crying or screaming, just because I’m smiling, it doesn’t mean I’m ok. People can’t see the masking.

School is too loud, too fast, too bright and there is too much pressure. The teachers shout at you if you get things wrong and my brain doesn’t move quick enough to keep up so I feel really stressed inside. 

What makes you happy?

My family and my pets, animals, music and singing. Slime.

Have you ever been to school?

Yes

I go to a Mainstream School.

What would you like to tell everyone?

No one listened to me. I have ASD ADHD, anxiety and depression. The teachers all laughed at me. My teacher cut one of my dreadlocks off, when I told my CamH worker, who told School the school told my mummy they would not investigate as a teacher had left.

The teacher used to call me silly and dumb she needs to tell me to shut up you see I’m not misbehaving. I don’t misbehave my needs are social and emotional.

My teacher let the children in the class call me the N word and nothing was done. The adults in my school never listen to me every day. The other children used to call me stupid and thick.

I had a one to one but that one-to-one was used for other children in the class as I think I did not need help. In my head I was screaming for help but because I was a good boy, nobody cared and my teacher thought I was stupid.

The adult of my school never listened. Even mummy tried to go to the local MP and the headteacher wrote a letter to the MP to even tell her that they won’t investigate why the teacher abused me and cut my hair because the teacher was left now I feel I cannot speak out against those adults that have hurt me because no one would believe me.

What makes you happy?

I have a cat and I love my cat. I love to be in school. I’m in a new school now. I have new friends and my teachers listen to me. If something goes wrong they do everything they can to make sure my experience is much better.

Have you ever been to school?

Yes

I go to Alternative Provision.

What would you like to tell everyone?

School is like a prison. I have ADHD and ASD but I’d be put in the naughty room because they could not meet my needs. It took my mom forever to get the right assessments for me as the school lost my first referral. My mom had to pay with her own money. The school kept suspending me as I could not go to class. Schools do not like people that are different.

What makes you happy?

Being able to my move about and learn things that interest me.

Have you ever been to school?

Yes

I go a Private School.

What would you like to tell everyone?

I was not diagnosed with Autism and ADHD until I was 13. I struggled throughout primary school and the first year of secondary school was really bad.

I didn’t struggle with my tests and my grades were fine. I struggled to fit in, to make and keep friends – secondary school was noisy and frightening and chaos. I couldn’t stay out of trouble – I was too loud and noticeable and always in the area when things were going on. It was really crowded and smelly and rundown.

I struggled with going to school because I was tired, and tired of getting told off and then I had a mental health crisis and ended up in hospital. That was scary.

Then my mum and dad found a private school with small classes; it was organised and less noisy and not chaotic. Teachers are kinder and have more time. I have some friends and am taking medication now.

It’s been really difficult but I know that if my parents hadn’t found the money to pay for private school, I wouldn’t have been able to go to school at all.

My parents make lots of sacrifices. We don’t go on holiday or have nice cars like lots of my friends. We have a modest home and my parents work 2 jobs each.

What makes you happy?

Being at home doing my art work. Spending time with friends at my house. Baking. Charity shop shopping. Watching a family movie with my mum and dad and dog.

Have you ever been to school?

Yes

I am Home Educated.

What would you like to tell everyone?

I hated school always. I was bullied and hit and threatened. Teachers punished me and I was always stressed. I used to say I was ill to stay at home.

What makes you happy?

Learning what I like and being supported and not going to school.

Have you ever been to school?

Yes

I go to a Mainstream School.

What would you like to tell everyone?

My Mainstream school felt like a prison for children. I found the lunch hall too noisy so I ate my lunch in the corridor alone. My teacher used to shout at me all the time even though she knows I’m finding it hard.

My TA 1:1 told me I can only have a brain break when I’ve done all my work, she makes me put my hand up and wait my turn for help while she helps others but she is supposed to be there to help me.

Because I couldn’t pay attention or sit still in the class they made me stand still at playtime and face the fence in the playground as punishment, I find this hard because I have ADHD as well as autism.

I struggle to write it makes my hand hurt so much, but they make me write even though I should have a laptop. I hate it here I can’t wait to leave.

What makes you happy?

I love my dog, playing dungeons and dragons and being at home with my mummy and daddy. Leaving school makes me happy and so do school holidays. Watching my favourite TV programmes, playing games, swimming and playing sports. I like making things like Lego and playing with slime.

Have you ever been to school?

Yes

I am Home Educated.

What would you like to tell everyone?

My school was bad, very bad!
I was stuck in a room all alone every day (isolation room).
I didn’t like the school and I finished it.
The teacher was shouting at me. They said “stop it, go to blue room”.
I was working, lunch.
Then I said no PE. I was again stuck in Blue room.

What makes you happy?

I am happy that I do not need to go to school. I will build a school for me and other children. That would be a good one without any “blue room” (the isolation room in my school).

I like learning at home every day. I like watching train. I am going to the beach, park.
I love to draw all day . I like eating and sleeping at home.

Have you ever been to school?

Yes

I am Home Educated.

What would you like to tell everyone?

I am scared they will force me to go back to school and I dont want to. I was dragged about by my nursery teacher in school because I wanted to play, I was 2.

I dont like school at all.
I am happy and I dont understand why we have to share so much information for it to sit and do nothing.

I also dont want to be forced to contact my dad, or keep talking about my bad experiences. I just want to live my life, do my work, have fun, maybe do some traveling.

I am thinking about moving to America when I am holder. I feel like it would be a better place to live than here.

I am 12 years old.

My government doesn’t care about me or my safety. If it did then it wouldn’t be doing things that would cause me to get upset and get scared.

My mom could go to jail because I would refuse to go to school and I kkow she would not force me to go because she knows how scared I am.

What makes you happy?

My mom
Friends
Scooting
Being able to go out to clubs during school times.
Being able to start my gcses early.
Go to meetings during school times like my film studies gcse on zoom.
I am very proud of my assignment feedbacks from my film studies.

Have you ever been to school?

Yes

I am in school.

What would you like to tell everyone?

I used to love school, primary school was fun and interesting.

Since I have started Secondary school, it’s a bit like going to a prison everyday.

The uniform is tight and I look like I’m going to work like my Dad does in a suit!

I wish there weren’t so many strict rules, sometimes I’m not sure if I’m doing something right and I am too scared to ask in case I get a strike and a detention.

What makes you happy?

Learning things I love and enjoy.

Have you ever been to school?

Yes

I am Home Educated and attend a Virtual School.

What would you like to tell everyone?

School was too noisy and too busy.

My teacher and my class were nice to me but I didn’t like school because it was too much and it made me feel really bad and I couldn’t get to sleep because I didn’t like school.

It would be good if there are schools that are more quiet and schools that understand people who are autistic.

What makes you happy?

Since being home educated I have more friends.

I like being friends with people who are really inclusive.

I love my online school and I learn better because I feel comfortable.

I see my friends at the park and at my drama group and we meet up and sometimes go swimming.

My friends are home educated and some of them do the same lessons as me.

Lots of my friends are home educated and one is at school.

I love designing comic books, playing with my friends and I especially love maths!

Have you ever been to school?

Yes

I am Home Educated.

What would you like to tell everyone?

I was home educated until year 3 when I had to go to school. It wasn’t what I wanted or what my mum wanted.

Some other grown ups thought it was best I did and they didn’t give my mum any choice.

School was the worst place ever. Too noisy, too bright, too busy, always sat with people that were horrible to me. I was bullied for the two years I was at school, all the teachers did was tell me there was nothing they could do about it and I needed to be more resilient.

They blamed me. I was pushed over, hit, horrible things said to me, excluded from games at playtime.

No one listened to my needs because I wasn’t naughty but inside I was screaming I just wanted to run away.

I couldn’t focus or concentrate, punished for my hypermobility and not being able to keep up with the work as I was too stressed by the environment and in too much pain from the uncomfortable chairs.

It all became too much and I couldn’t get myself into school, there was so much inside my head, I started hurting myself.

I tried one more time to go to school, the teachers peeled me away from my mum, I was screaming and crying, they pulled me inside and locked me between two sets of doors so I couldn’t get out to my mum. I couldn’t go back after that.

The teachers said they didn’t do it, they lied. All they wanted was me back in school, they didn’t care about me or my feelings they just cared about my attendance.

I changed to a different school, it was right next to home but I still couldn’t make it every day. It was all too much, they tried better than the old school but they still didn’t listen to my needs. They said I just needed to try harder.

I couldn’t sleep at night, I was hurting myself even more, I didn’t want to be here any more.

I didn’t want to leave the house or see my friends well not that I had friends at school, I just wanted to be safe by my mums side.

What makes you happy?

I’m a year into being home educated again. It’s been great. I feel like I have my life back.

I’m not hurting myself any more, I’m not stressed any more. I’ve made loads of friends, I can sleep at night. I’m happy to leave my house and my mum.

I didn’t really learn anything at school and now I’m learning all of the time. All of the things that interest me. We’ve been on loads of trips for hands on learning.

I feel way more confident with numeracy and literacy.

I’m doing great in my swimming lessons, and scouts and I love going to youth club I couldn’t do any of this before as I was too stressed.

The same children that bullied me in school go to activities I now attend, they started to bully me there but the adult leaders there wouldn’t have any of it and they stopped it straight away. So if they could stop it why couldn’t school.

I’m the happiest I’ve been in a long time. I’m looking forward to the future and I never want to go back to school ever again.

Have you ever been to school?

Yes

I am Home Educated.

What would you like to tell everyone?

I like to meet our friends and have fun with them, especially at the beach.

I also like to be with my family, learning at home is good for me.

I like doing a project together with my brother and mum.

What makes you happy?

Horse riding and going to the beach together.

It makes me happy that I can be with my mum.

I don’t have to worry then.

Have you ever been to school?

No

I am Home Educated.

What would you like to tell everyone?

I was having Absent seizures (Epilepsy) in school, they made me very tired. I tried really hard to keep up in school.

My mum tried to tell my school, before a Doctor actually said I had them but they didn’t believe my mum or me.

I like to drink lots of water and two things I could only do in break time was drink water and use the toilet.

We were not allowed to drink if the teacher was talking.

School was too busy and too much shouting. I didn’t feel safe.

What makes you happy?

My dog
Family
Eating/drinking when i want
Water/seaside

Have you ever been to school?

No

I am Home Educated.

What would you like to tell everyone?

I like Maths and Physics, especially quantum and theoretical physics.

What makes you happy?

Talking about Maths and Physics with my mummy and daddy.

Have you ever been to school?

Yes

I am Home Educated.

What would you like to tell everyone?

I think the government should go away and leave me alone because I’m perfectly fine.

I think me, dad and mum should be able to make our own decisions about my education.

I like being home educated because I don’t want to sit down everyday and I like to wear my own clothes.

I don’t want to look the same as everyone else and shouldn’t be told what I can and can’t wear.

Home education means that I get to learn about things that I’m actually interested in and I can spend extra time when I need it to understand maths that I find more difficult.

It is important to me that I get to spend with my family and dog, instead of being away from them all day.

What makes you happy?

Loads of stuff makes me happy!
• my dog
• my family
• home
• clothes/fahsion
• nails
• theme parks
• food
• baking/decorating cakes

Have you ever been to school?

Yes

I am Home Educated.

What would you like to tell everyone?

Home education is definitely the type of schooling I want to do, because I think it is best.
I want to be flexible so I can fit in other activities. Also to be able to choose which books I like most for studying that are good.
I like it that I don’t have to get up early in the morning to go somewhere, because all I have to do is eat breakfast, get the books out and I’m ready to go.
Also I want to have time to learn how to do jobs around the home with my mum and dad and learn new skills from them, like cooking and maintenance.

What makes you happy?

I can keep on going at a subject I enjoy, such as handwriting class, see photo, without having a time limit.
I can catch up on other days without having any pressure of having to finish on the same day.
Also, I like practising and playing the piano plus recorder, reading and spelling.

Mathematics are also what I enjoy, especially long division and multiplication.
I like creating and building things, finishing things, following instructions, fine work, creating art projects and making videos.
Also I’m very happy playing tennis, swimming, skiing, cycling, walking, running and most things.

Have you ever been to school?

No

I have Alternative Provision.

What would you like to tell everyone?

What does institutional neglect, emotional abuse and trauma in a school look like and feel like? A child that cannot access the toilet, cannot eat their lunch, cannot go outside, unable to ask for help, feels sick every school day, is refused sen assessments because no one see’s it.

I didn’t feel safe, I didn’t feel I was any good at anything, I didn’t feel included. I didn’t want to be there. No one listened, no one cared, no one came to help. School staff suggested I should be Home Educated or try a part time time table, that bullying was just banter, that they didn’t see any sen, only panic attacks. I wanted to learn online because there would be no bullies and no distractions.

What makes you happy?

To be heard, listened to, believed. Allowed to be who I am and not be attacked or bullied because I look different or I am slower or quieter than my peers. My friends accept me as I am.

I enjoy learning and want a safe place to learn and be supported when I needed help. I enjoy looking after my pet cats, playing rugby and winning at Uno, and spending time with my family and friends makes me happy. I want other people to be happy too.

Have you ever been to school?

Yes

I am Home Educated.

What would you like to tell everyone?

I do not like doing what schools do. I am very dyslexic learnt to read when I was 11 but in school I would have seemed behind. I’m not behind at home and I can work slowly and learn to do things in ways that help me.

I work on online lessons and learn criminology, forensics, law… and loads of other courses. I like to work outside and have done blacksmithing, woodworking, laid a patio, built gates and walls, worked with animals and learnt how to lay paths and turf. I like to grow vegetables too.

I hang out with my friend several times a week, and we chat all the time. I do scouts and volunteer. I’m not hidden or disadvantaged because I get to do more than a lot of school kids do.

I am happier learning at home or in small groups like our co-op so I don’t have to feel stupid, I do hard subjects my way so I can learn without being stressed.

What makes you happy?

I am happiest when I can work on my interests. I like to fish, play darts, build and make things, invent and draw. I am happy moving and not sitting still, I like to learn whilst moving about and I like to do hands on not book learning or writing.

Have you ever been to school?

No

I am Home Educated.

What would you like to tell everyone?

School felt like I was always behaving the wrong way even though I didn’t mean it and I’d get shouted at a lot. It wasn’t nice and made me sad. I needed a smaller class with a more patient teacher. I wish they understood me.

Home education is better than school because you don’t have teachers shouting at you and you can do the things you’re interested in. I can’t sit still so now we can have more breaks. I can also have lunch when I want and I like Cubs and my tutor for maths and English. I’m ahead in maths but I wasn’t allowed to be ahead at school and it was boring.

What makes you happy?

I like coding, animating, games development, film editing, creating electronic music, playing outside, meeting new friends and being allowed to do the things I’m interested in.

Have you ever been to school?

Yes

I am Home Educated.

What would you like to tell everyone?

I love being with my mummy and spending time with my family.

I like that I can go to Woods and parks and the beach.

I like that I am free to be me.

What makes you happy?

Riding my pony
Playing on the beach
I love my gymnastics club
I love dance
I love my tutor group and going to the park with them after pick up.
I love hugs with my Mummy
Playing with my little brother
I like dressing up at Kentwell

Have you ever been to school?

No

I am Home Educated.

What would you like to tell everyone?

Being home educated is loads better than going to school. Nobody is mean to me anymore.

I like spinning on my rope ladder when I need to. I like choosing what I learn about so it isn’t boring. And I can go out when it isn’t really busy because I don’t like it when it’s busy. I can have just 1 or 2 friends at a time without loads of other people shouting in a playground like at school. It isn’t too busy with just a few people being friends.

What makes you happy?

Spinning on my ladder and listening to my music. My dogs make me happy. I love books but not all books only the ones I like.

Have you ever been to school?

Yes

I am Home Educated.

What would you like to tell everyone?

I hated school. I never felt happy. Some of the teachers were nice, but most were very shouty and told people off alot, even when they were not being naughty. Some of the other children were also horrible, and I hated being forced to do the school play.

When Mum took me out of school, I felt so happy and when we started home education I stopped getting so many panic attacks, in fact I can’t remember when I had a panic attack last. My sister says I should go back to school to do gcses, but my mum says that I don’t have to if I don’t want to and I don’t want to. My mum says I can do anything I want to do, we look at what jobs are around and if anything interests me, then we look at what is needed for that job. It’s difficult as I don’t know what I want to do, but mum just shows me to give me ideas.

What makes you happy?

Being with my Mum and being at home.

Have you ever been to school?

Yes

I am Home Educated.

What would you like to tell everyone?

School was kind of stressful because when I was trying to write a word, if I got one bit wrong the teacher would say it was terrible and I need to start over.

Everything was on a schedule and had a time limit, like if I didn’t finish my lunch then it was time to go back to the classroom anyway.

I found school boring.
At school I didn’t learn that much, but at home I have learned all about history- which I love, maths, I learned how to read, how to do origami, and lots of new hobbies.

Being home educated, I have made lots of friends, I find more time to have fun and learn lots of new things.

What makes you happy?

Seeing my friends!

Have you ever been to school?

Yes

I am Home Educated.

What would you like to tell everyone?

School made me feel angry, sad, depressed. It didn’t make me happy.

What makes you happy?

Home education. Because I can be free and happy, and I have lots of friends.

Have you ever been to school?

Yes

I am Home Educated.

What would you like to tell everyone?

The teachers at school would not help me. They shouted and took away my break times when I got things wrong. School made me not want to live.

What makes you happy?

Playing with my friends.

Have you ever been to school?

Yes

I am Home Educated.

What would you like to tell everyone?

I’m writing this for my little brother who is autistic. He can’t write yet, but he can do so much cool stuff.

He doesn’t use words to communicate, but I usually know what he wants and needs. He likes to spin and jump and climb.

He went to nursery for a while but he didn’t like it. The nursery didn’t want him to spin and he wasn’t learning anything because I think it was too dark and creepy in the nursery.

My mum takes us to amazing places we always do fun things and make sure it’s suitable for my brother. My mum works so hard to help my brother and she does fun things that help my brother to learn.

We don’t want my brother forced to school because he can’t tell us if someone hurts him. 😞

He is happy at home spending time with us and all of our friends. Our home educating community understands my brother, everyone is kind to him and share their chicken nuggets with him.

What makes you happy?

My brother loves to spend time outside. He loves to spin and climb. My brother loves eating and his favourite food is chicken nuggets and carrots.

My brother is happy when me and my mum take him swimming he loves the water. My brother loves music and dancing. He has the most beautiful smile you can imagine and we don’t want that to disappear because a stranger in government wants to make him go to school.

Have you ever been to school?

No

I am Home Educated.

What would you like to tell everyone?

I hated school I was always bullied. My mum went in many times to get them to help me and they said I was lying it was just ruf play but I was always going home with bruises and I did not find it fun like it was ruf play it hurt. I had one friend in school who stuck up for me. i had one friend out of school.

I’d have accidents because you was not allowed to the toilet during lessons and mum told them I had problems and filled in a form so I could use the toilet when I needed to but they never let me so I had to get upset and have school call my mum for a change of clothes.

I was always sad in school and not keeping up with maths and English but mum found a way I could learn away from school and I’m doing alot better now and I have more friends so I’m not alone and there’s no pressure to do something because I get to chose what I do for the day and can get up and read a book or go out to the garden to grow fruits and vegetables or do maths in a fun way and we do science experiments and go to fun places to learn it’s so much fun.

What makes you happy?

Being able to learn what I want how I want. having more friends. being able to go places to learn that’s not school. not feeling pressure to do something but still able to learn.

I’m so happy now and mum is helping me get in to collage and then once I’m old enough I can find a job doing what I enjoy. I love my mum for giving me so mutch of her time and help

Have you ever been to school?

Yes

I am Home Educated.

What would you like to tell everyone?

I do not want to go to a school I like to learn in fun ways. I like to play, ask questions, draw and create, bake and learn about the world around me. I enjoy visiting different places and meeting different people. I love to dance and love music. I also love to chat and ask questions.

What makes you happy?

Playing games
Dancing
Music
Drawing
Making new friends
Museums and science
Visiting new places.

Have you ever been to school?

No

I am Home Educated and go to Alternative Provision.

What would you like to tell everyone?

Everyone would go to school if they fixed school. Home education is basically a protest against school. So being against home education is being against peaceful protest.

What makes you happy?

Being with friends and being able to do the things that interest me like cooking.

Have you ever been to school?

Yes

I go to Alternative Provision.

What would you like to tell everyone?

I went to a mainstream school Yr7 and part of Yr8. I was bullied, attacked, hurt. It was constant in person, on my phone even when I went into town. They threatened me all the time and the school didn’t help me. They said there was nothing they could do. Just get on with it. Locked me in classrooms whilst the bullies had their lunch time. Told me to sit in empty classrooms and deal with it.

I didn’t want to be here anymore and started to suffer from anxiety and panic attacks which I still have sometimes. I was so scared to go to school.

My Mum moved me into a small private non-selective school that supported and helped me, showed me that being me is ok and I should be proud of who I am that I have done nothing wrong. Showed me that not everyone is cruel or mean and encouraged me to work hard. That’s how you make opportunities and have choice in life.

They gave me counselling, gave me space when I needed it. Talked to me. I feel safe there and I am working hard to get good exam results and I’m ready to leave for college.

I want mainstream schools to change no one should have to go through what I did. I was lucky I was able to go to a very different type of school but they are now closing because of the government wanting more money and they can’t afford to stay open. If I hadn’t of gone there I don’t think I would have ever gone back into school.

What makes you happy?

Horses, animals, music, history and being with my family. Exploring the world travelling and losing myself in a good book – I LOVE to read.

Have you ever been to school?

Yes

I am Home Educated.

What would you like to tell everyone?

My name is Maddox and I am 3. I left nursery in December 2024 and started home nursery. In September I will be home educated. I am so happy at home with my mummy and daddy. I am vulnerable due to my immune system and since I left nursery I have not been ill once! Since I left nursery I have learnt to use the big boy toilet, I have learnt to count and to swim! I can now write my name and I go to see all the animals I can name them all now!

What makes you happy?

My mummy and daddy make me happy and I love the trains! I draw trains and I am learning to write the names of trains! I do maths with my mummy through pretending to book train tickets and I love to go on educational visits on the train!

Have you ever been to school?

Yes

I go to a Mainstream School.

What would you like to tell everyone?

I am 9 and everyday I have been kicked and punched by one boy. He had anger issues. I had enough and hit him back I lost my break and was told to be more accepting of his behaviour. I was scared of him and only hit him back because he would not stop. I am glad it’s the holidays.

What makes you happy?

Being home.

Have you ever been to school?

Yes

I go to College.

What would you like to tell everyone?

I’m Dyslexic. Diagnosed at 6yrs old, privately because my state school at the time didn’t have the money! School could not accommodate my high iQ and dyslexia.

My Mum began home Education using private/expensive tutors for Maths & English. After 2 yrs I entered a small and expensive private school that could cater for my educational needs.

This school greatly improved my confidence which massively improved my self esteem which is an attribute that will carry me through life.

My schooling was paid for by an inheritance that my Mum received from her Aunt, without this it definitely would not have been possible.

The state senior school that we looked at before going private did/could not cater for my Educational needs, I would have been grouped with either underachievers or those that did not wish to learn, and they do exist!

I now attend a small college doing an extended diploma in Art & design and am looking to attend University.

Huge thanks to my Great Aunt and the private education system.

What makes you happy?

Feeling normal and accepted by my peers.

Have you ever been to school?

Yes

I go to a Mainstream School.

What would you like to tell everyone?

Boarding school has been brilliant for me, especially now A-levels are just around the corner. While some kids I know have been to loads of different schools because their families move around a lot, I’ve only been to 3, which is pretty lucky. If I hadn’t gone to boarding school, I reckon I’d have been packing up my belongings every time Dad got a new job and we all had to follow him. Plus, it was just so much easier knowing I had my school and my friends when he was away on those really long tours – he was away on his last tour for a year! Someone told me that the government helps military kids like me go to boarding school so we have some stability when everything else at home is up in the air. I’m really grateful it worked out that way for me, and it makes me think that having a stable school like this should be an option for any kid who needs it, without the extra cost of tax.

What makes you happy?

Family and friends.

Have you ever been to school?

Yes

I attend a Virtual School.

What would you like to tell everyone?

Towards the end of primary, the boys behaviour in my class became threatening.
I felt really vulnerable and teachers didn’t do anything about it. There was alot of inappropriate language and bullying.

I wanted to go to a girls only secondary but there wasn’t a place for me.

Mixed secondary was worse. Boys even pushed into the girls bathrooms. There were alot of fights. Even girls became aggressive.

My parents talked to the school alot but there weren’t any changes.

In September I started online school for my GSCEs.

Now I feel safer and can actually study.

What makes you happy?

Having time to work on projects and crafts.

Have you ever been to school?

Yes

I am Educated Other Than at School (EOTAS).

What would you like to tell everyone?

I was scared all the time. I just wanted my mummy. They wouldn’t let me have my mummy. They said I was fine. I wasn’t fine.

What makes you happy?

My mummy.

Have you ever been to school?

Yes

I am Home Educated.

What would you like to tell everyone?

I love being home educated and learning outside in nature. I like to learn about things that i am interested in. I love to socialise with my friends which I do almost daily. I have lots of fun with mummy and daddy learning and love to do this at lots of different locations.

What makes you happy?

I enjoy being outside and going on adventures learning lots of different life skills. I like to not be rushed and to not sit down at a table as I do not have the patience for this and i find it boring. I love to bounce and jump around. I love being with my mummy and daddy. Animals make me very happy.

Have you ever been to school?

No

I am Educated Other Than at School (EOTAS).

What would you like to tell everyone?

I was scared and wanted to hide or get out and go to mummy.they held me. lots of adults and it hurt. i have bad dreams about it. im scared they will send me back. i tried to make my muscles bigger so i could fight them and they wouldnt hold me. i wanted my mummy to make it ok. they wouldnt let me have mummy until i was calm but i couldnt be calm without my mummy. i wanted to die.

What makes you happy?

My mummy and being at home. i dont want to ever go back.

Have you ever been to school?

Yes