What is a Full and Relevant Education in Home Education?

Engaging in flexible home education, enjoying a relaxed outdoor learning session.

One of the most frequent discussions I partake in and is a core focus in the 1:1 support meetings is, "How much should we be doing?".

Under current UK legislation, home-educated children are not required to follow the National Curriculum, but parents must ensure their child receives an education that is full-time, efficient and suitable to their age, ability, aptitude and any additional needs their child might have, (DfE, 2019) but what does that look like?

Understanding Full Time Education in Home Ed

Unlike in schools, where full-time education usually means 25-30 hours per week, spread across five days, home education offers flexibility. Many local authorities suggest 18-25 hours per week during term time as representing full-time education at home. However, within home education, these hours can look very different week to week. One week might include 4 hours of focused learning in Maths, whilst the next week, it may include none, especially when learning is taking place through trips, projects or family experiences. The key is to cumulative progress over time, not rigid schedules.

Prioritise Core Subjects

In home education, not all subjects from the National Curriculum have to be covered and unlike in schools which must provide a broad and balanced curriculum for a diverse population of children, home educators can tailor learning to the needs and interests of their own child. That said, a strong emphasis on the core subjects of Maths, English and Science provides a firm foundation for further education, work and life skills.

What might this look like over the years?

• Early Years (EYFS):

  • English: Phonics, storytelling, speaking and listening.

  • Maths: Number recognition, counting, simple addition/subtraction.

  • Science: Exploring nature, simple experiments, understanding the world.

• Key Stage 1 (Years 1-2):

  • English: Reading fluency, sentence writing, basic grammar.

  • Maths: Place value, number bonds, introduction to multiplication/division.

  • Science: Life cycles, materials, seasonal changes.

• Key Stage 2 (Years 3-6):

  • English: Comprehension, composition, spelling and grammar.

  • Maths: Fractions, decimals, long division, geometry.

  • Science: Forces, electricity, human body, habitats.

• Key Stage 3 (Years 7-9):

  • English: Essay writing, literary analysis, wider reading.

  • Maths: Algebra, statistics, ratios, problem solving.

  • Science: Biology, chemistry, physics foundations.

• Key Stage 4 (Years 10-11):

  • English: GCSE preparation, analytical writing, speaking skills.

  • Maths: GCSE content including probability, algebra, data handling.

  • Science: GCSE combined or triple science pathways.

Flexibility and Child=Led Learning

One of the great advantages of home education is the freedom to follow a child's interest deeply and meaningfully. Beyond the core subjects, children can delve into art, music, coding, history, languages or hands-on-crafts, whatever sparks their curiosity. Whilst a school must accommodate

for all students, home educators have the unique opportunity to build an education around one child, without the pressure to replicate the full range of school subjects.

Going forward

A full and relevant education int he context of home education is dynamic and responsive. It balances commitment to core subjects with the flexibility to honour a child's passions and pace. With a focus on Maths, English and Science delivered through consistent engagement throughout the year, home educators can confidently meet the legal requirement whilst nurturing a lifelong love of learning.

For more support in understanding what this can look like for your individual circumstances, register before August to join our founding feedback group and access a wealth of information and resources, 1:1 support meetings and much more!

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