What Homeschooling in the UK is Really Like: Pros and Cons

**Collaborative post**

There are obvious benefits of homeschooling, like more independence and greater well-being. Yet homeschooling in the UK is a very new area – both for students and parents. The pandemic changed this by opening a new door into remote learning. Now, it has become a more attractive route. But what is homeschooling really like? Let’s explore the pros and cons.

Pro: More Flexibility

A huge pro of homeschooling is that you don’t have to follow a pre-set curriculum. As long as you cover the basics (English, Maths, Science), there’s more leeway into the topics that you teach and learn. Typically, teachers are more constricted as they have to follow a curriculum.

But home education allows students (and tutors) to get into the nitty-gritty. It promotes more passion! They can choose the subjects they enjoy, like art or psychology. Having this flexibility is a more encouraging atmosphere to learn in. 

Con: Less Structure

One issue with home education is the lack of structure and timings. How do you know how many learning hours per subject are enough? Since homeschooling in the UK is so new, it’s a bit murky in these waters.

Further, there’s a slight complication with boundaries. It can be harder to get into the zone (or relax) when we learn, eat and sleep in the same room.

Pro: Create Your Own Schedule

Realistically, no student likes starting school at 9 am. They’re tired, unenthusiastic, and are quickly caught napping in boring lessons. Everyone prefers to work during their peak performance time, whether that’s 11 am or 11 pm.

Home learning means you have the ability to create a schedule that suits your lifestyle. Thus students will be more motivated to learn and take breaks when needed – without any pressure.

Pro: Better Wellbeing

It’s no surprise to know that pupils’ general well-being excels outside of school. Statistics show that bullying and mental health issues like social anxiety are on the rise. Homeschooling removes these negative aspects that fuel a poor learning environment. 

Contrary to popular belief, homeschoolers don’t lack social interaction. They can still join clubs, choose activities they enjoy, and meet friends. Hence why students are more excited about learning when they are happier and calm.

Con: Lack of Resources

It’s important to consider that not everyone has access to appropriate resources. For example, textbooks, a computer, stable wireless connection, and stationary — these are the basics required for home education today.

Some homeschoolers may not have the materials they need to succeed. Despite this, there are alternative approaches that match everyone’s requirements. This ensures everyone gets a proper education.

Pro: More Support

The majority of public schools today are incredibly strained on resources. For most classes, there is one teacher assigned to an average of 30 pupils. SEN students also need more support to meet their age-related requirements. This means it’s harder to measure and track the progress of each individual.

Home learning ensures your child has more access to support. In fact, with 1:1 tuition, students’ grades and comprehension improves. They have the luxury of time to practice and solidify their knowledge if stuck on a particular topic.

Pro: It’s Less Expensive 

Sending your child to a public school can cost a whopping £1500 per year. School uniforms, trips, and extra-curricular activities can be quite expensive. However, depending on the needs of each student, it is fairly simple to follow an education plan on a budget. Read this post on how much it costs to home school

To homeschool or not to homeschool – that is the question…

When we explore what homeschooling is really like, the pros definitely outweigh the cons. There are positive improvements on students’ education, performance, and wellbeing. Now, many parents are looking into how to start homeschooling in the least stressful way. 

Companies like Tutor House specialise in programmes for homeschooling in the UK. Hiring a qualified homeschool tutor takes the hard work away; yet you can rest assured that your child’s education is in the right hands. So the question becomes: to homeschool or not to homeschool? The choice is yours.

Written by Naida Allen

Naida is a witty wordsmith with a love for writing and reading. She is a Content Writer and Social Media Executive at Tutor House — the top UK provider of online and in-person tuition. She specialises in topics relating to mental & physical wellbeing and career advice.