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Learning without School
While some people look back on school as the 'best days of your life', for others the experience can be unpleasant and gruelling. Learning without School is a practical handbook for parents who want to educate their children at home but are unsure that they have the skills and know-how required to give their child the best education possible. This book explains what home education is; the advantages and disadvantages of choosing this route; how to begin home educating; what you need to do and how to help your child adjust; and how home education affects children's social skills and friendships. It also covers technical aspects, such as the curriculum, core subjects, exams and timetables. Ross Mountney also considers children with 'learning difficulties' or 'special needs' and how to approach home education differently for this group of children. Each chapter contains a summary of key points, useful websites, hints and tips and real-life case studies. This practical guide offers indispensible support for parents who are considering home education for their child, and includes a broad philosophy of education that will interest all parents and professionals involved in education and child welfare.
192 pages, Paperback
First published November 15, 2008
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
July 27, 2010
A thorough guide to home education by a former teacher who has educated her children at home for some years. Good balance of theory and practice; explanations about how to get started, why people choose to home educate, how children learn, and what to do about children with any kind of special need (including the academically gifted). Pros and cons of different styles of home education, encouraging chapter about social skills and friends, and plenty of personal anecdotes from the author and others.
My only quibbles are that some of the legal details are incorrect (the author claims that the LEA is responsible for all children's education; this is not in fact true) and that there's slightly too much emphasis on formal learning. But still, it would be very useful for anyone wanting to know more about home education, or worried about problems their children might be having in school. I wish a book like this had been available when we were starting out on our home education journey nearly thirteen years ago.
My only quibbles are that some of the legal details are incorrect (the author claims that the LEA is responsible for all children's education; this is not in fact true) and that there's slightly too much emphasis on formal learning. But still, it would be very useful for anyone wanting to know more about home education, or worried about problems their children might be having in school. I wish a book like this had been available when we were starting out on our home education journey nearly thirteen years ago.
January 24, 2012
A very good introduction to elective home education, written by a former teacher who has home educated her own children. I felt it was a good introduction to the subject and made it seem not only possible but a very attractive proposition. Definitely aimed at removing any doubts from those who are considering home education and bolstering their confidence in their own abilities to do so.
My only worry would the advice on the legal side of things which doesn't quite match up with what it says in law, giving the LA more authority than it actually has. Subsequently, her view of interactions with the LA's presumes a very rosy relationship between LAs and home educators, which may not always be true. But still a very useful introduction to the subject and as someone new to the idea, I found it very helpful.
My only worry would the advice on the legal side of things which doesn't quite match up with what it says in law, giving the LA more authority than it actually has. Subsequently, her view of interactions with the LA's presumes a very rosy relationship between LAs and home educators, which may not always be true. But still a very useful introduction to the subject and as someone new to the idea, I found it very helpful.
July 25, 2012
Great resource for anyone thinking of home education but don't know where to start.
January 9, 2023
My go-to book for anyone considering home education: I've loaned/ gifted/ recommended it many times now.
It's the first book I read when we were thinking about home educating our own children - I was a bit nervous about the price but it turned out to be SOOO worth it! In it, Ross answered all my questions, from the bigger picture of why school fails some children, down to the practical details of how to learn from home, and gave some more information that hadn't even occurred to me.
Just this book alone gave me the reassuring boost needed to make the leap. We never looked back!
It's the first book I read when we were thinking about home educating our own children - I was a bit nervous about the price but it turned out to be SOOO worth it! In it, Ross answered all my questions, from the bigger picture of why school fails some children, down to the practical details of how to learn from home, and gave some more information that hadn't even occurred to me.
Just this book alone gave me the reassuring boost needed to make the leap. We never looked back!
January 3, 2016
Thorough and easy-to-read introduction to home education in the UK, with pointers for more information where it might be needed.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews