Elizabeth, Berkshire
My stories
My School Story
Half way through reception the teachers started talking to me at pick up. He's distracted, he won't come in from the play area to do maths, he's not eating his lunch, he doesn't join in with the other kids. Never did they ask if I had any idea why these things happened. They also somehow expected me to "fix" these issues. I tried telling them he already knows all the shapes and colours. He's interested in learning the prime numbers and square roots. He doesn't eat food that is touching other food. The noise in the hall is too much, he needs to move while doing activities. School wanted him to sit still and recite the numbers to 10.
It became obvious that school didn't care or want to accommodate his needs, nor did they want to extend his learning beyond what the curriculum demands of a reception aged child. I took to teaching him at home. He picked up reading very easily, he wanted more number knowledge, he enjoyed being outside more. He wasn't having as many meltdowns or shutdowns.
At the end of the school year I deregistered him so he could be home with me and his older siblings (none of whom had ever attended school at all) full time. He's 9 now and can recite pi to 200 digits and explain the immune system in depth. He is in charge of his learning and is never forced to sit through lessons that don't extend and entertain him. Sure, he still doesn't eat his lunch "properly" but that's a facet of his now diagnosed autism.
It became obvious that school didn't care or want to accommodate his needs, nor did they want to extend his learning beyond what the curriculum demands of a reception aged child. I took to teaching him at home. He picked up reading very easily, he wanted more number knowledge, he enjoyed being outside more. He wasn't having as many meltdowns or shutdowns.
At the end of the school year I deregistered him so he could be home with me and his older siblings (none of whom had ever attended school at all) full time. He's 9 now and can recite pi to 200 digits and explain the immune system in depth. He is in charge of his learning and is never forced to sit through lessons that don't extend and entertain him. Sure, he still doesn't eat his lunch "properly" but that's a facet of his now diagnosed autism.
What happened next...
Home education allows him to delve deeply into topics of interest. I allow as much time as he likes for these and don't force any specific topic. I'm a very experienced home educator as my older three children never attended school.
How I think schools could be better.
A complete rethink of curriculum, grouping of children, access to outdoor spaces. Child led learning!
Imagine if continuous provision extended all the way through school.
Kids had access to a huge range of resources and could choose to follow their interests.
Teachers available to facilitate learning and go on learning journeys with young people.
Imagine if continuous provision extended all the way through school.
Kids had access to a huge range of resources and could choose to follow their interests.
Teachers available to facilitate learning and go on learning journeys with young people.