If I asked your opinion on home education I would probably get a mixed response but I think one of the main things you would say is that most young people who home educate don’t get to socialise with other young people as much as they need to.

I home educate and I love it. However, as a thirteen year old I believe that I should socialise with other young people and do my bit for the community I do this by:

  • Volunteering at Phoenix arts association once a week. I invigilate there; making sure the art isn’t being mishandled. I enjoy it very much. Phoenix is a great friendly place with many interesting people.
  • Every Friday after I invigilate I go to an artists studio in Phoenix and he teaches me how to draw and paint.
  • Next week, the artist who teachers me, my Mum and I are going to London to The County Hall Gallery. The artist is one of my best friends. He is a great person to know and I will never take him for granted!

As well as socialising with adults I socialise with other young people - I see friends my own age at least once a week. We have sleepovers, we meet up in town, watch films, play on the playstation; just like any other teenager really.

I believe there are many benefits to home educating in most circumstances.

  • It’s more flexible than school. This means I get to go more places such as galleries and exhibitions.
  • I get real life experience from volunteering.
  • I can work on interesting and unusual projects as I’m not constrained by a curriculum.
  • I can focus on subjects that interest me and are related to what I want to do in my future career.
  • It has given me the opportunity to be an independent learner. I do my own research and motivate myself to work.

  • What do you think?