Autumn is just around the corner, my favourite season, Halloween, Bonfire Night, Christmas Preparation, the rugby season starts and of course lots of planning for the new term.

I have sorted out work books for the older two, plus past exam papers and specifications for B who is aiming to take at least on iGCSE next year.  I also spent £10 on about £80 worth of workbooks from the charity shop, so definitely sorted for the next couple of years in that respect.

Now on to my little one, who is now 6 years old.  I had a letter through from the LEA inquiring about his education, and apparently now some of us can do our reports over the phone. What made me laugh though, when I read out the letter to M,  J was really chuffed that he is in Year 2.

My plans for J will be put into action this September, especially as he likes to follow his older siblings lead, so even though his education will be strongly following the child led approach, I will be throwing in a bit of structure here and there for him to feel that he is a "proper Year 2".

He loves to do science experiments, so am starting a science jar, so he can pick out an experiment as needs be, and this way I can make sure that I have all the ingredients.

First experiment to go on this list, is one I found on one of my blog subscriptions at An Ordinary Life, involves sweets so I think it will be a hit.

The older two are studying biology, so am going to do a little Human Body project for J that they can also help him with.

History - M has just made J a wooden castle, just out of MDF, pringle tubes and magnolia paint mixed with black poster paint, marker pen, screws (obviously) and a bit of string..  He was off for two days, so they both set to work and this is the end result.

I think this is brilliant, much better than any you could buy.


Consequently J wants to visit a Castle, so I think a little Castle project could be in order too.

As for the other stuff, maths and english and all that, he has workbooks, games, cbeebies, internet games, learning to read books with little puzzles at the back which he loves amongst other things.

Have to squeeze Geography in as it is my favourite subject, so will be looking at maps, and also a country study each week, or couple of weeks, depending on how long the interest lasts - may even only be for one day.

So this is my task for the next few days - prepare J's Home Ed plan.

Other Stuff

Autumn Cleaning  - no time like the present to start, as we have a guest staying over today, plus visitors on Friday so will have to be extra tidy anyway.  Have already started with the oven - we have two ovens but the bottom part is not working properly, which may be due to the fact that it needs a good clean, or it needs fixing.  So now it is spotless, and although I do not like using harsh chemicals, it seemed I had to this time to get the oven clean.
Also have had a de-clutter, books, clothes, CD's., although having recently got a stereo system from freecycle which has a tape deck, will now be cluttering up the place with old tapes.

Freecycle - I just love it - have so far collected a meaner than mean hoover that is ace at picking up cat hair (white cat and green carpet = white carpet) also a hanging clothes rail from Ikea and this evening M is collecting  a TV!

Lots of people put "wanted" on their posts, for all sorts of things - I haven't done that yet, and have only offered one item, a big one though, a dishwasher.  Thinking about asking for a flux capacitor next time I sign on there - you never know!

August so far.....

Started off with my eldest sons birthday, 13 years old (and 6 ft tall).

He wanted to spend his birthday money, which meant a trip into the city to the games shops.

We then went to the Uni, for a little walk and a cappuccino at Cafe Reed.

J climbing a tree with his favorite cuddly toy, "The Hulk"

In the evening we went to The Three Little Pigs for a meal along with my parents

Back home for his Birthday Cake which B made and J helped with the decoration

The weekend after, M and D went on a Rugby social for the boys which was paint balling, and B ended up going as well.

On the Sunday it was off to the Athletics track to watch D in the Discus (in the wind and the rain).  He came 2nd with a PB of 28 44.  He was also entered into the Shot, just for the points, and ended up coming 2nd in that too.  Very good.

Also that was the end of the season for D, as after a visit to the Physio it was discovered that he had sprained a ligament in his back, so the nature of the turn in the discus event has made it worse, also he is aiming to be match fit for the first rugby game of the season in September.

On the Monday we all went to the Cinema to see Wolverine, using our free tickets from Tesco Club card, quite handy . Film was brilliant, and so was Wolverine ;-)

The weather has not been as good as July, but we have managed to get in a few walks in the country

As J likes to think of our walks as an "adventure" he decided he wanted to dress up as Rambo on returning from a walk, so M tore an old pair of combat shorts up and made him look like Rambo

J and I went to the Cinema again, using up the rest of our free tickets, and saw Planes, which although the reviews were bad, I thought it was quite good.  J thought it was brilliant of course.

This week we have had visitors from the North, my sister E and her partner B and their lovely dog, Jessie. We met up on Tuesday and went for a picnic by the River.

Which also included a short ride on the local ferry

Also this month we have been trying to get to see all the Gorillas on the The Great Gorilla Trail - have managed to find some

Now we are into the last week of August, Bank Holiday Weekend (bound to rain).  Rugby training is back in full swing with the first match in a couple of weeks, and I am starting to get all the Home Ed stuff all ready and prepared for the start of term in just over a weeks time.

I did get the reports through for both B and D this month

The EHE Adviser considers that B is receiving an education that is ‘suitable to her age, aptitude and ability and to any special educational needs she may have’ and, therefore, is in accordance with Section 7 of the Education Act 1996.

The reason for this visit was to meet the family since B and D have returned to home education having attended (name of school) for almost a year. B spent the majority of Year 8 at school before deciding she would be happier being taught at home.
L has helpfully provided a report on the children’s activities so to avoid repetition this is a brief summary. 

Learning environment and resources
The children have space to work in the family home, they have access to a computer and are provided with any art and craft equipment they require.  The family use a variety of age-appropriate books and downloaded materials.
 A timetable is followed, described in Mrs Martin’s report, of academic work in the mornings with creative and social activities in the afternoons.  B is concentrating on English, Maths and Science with a view to sitting I.G.C.S.E. exams.

Personal, Social and Emotional Development

Both children are used to the opportunity of following their interests so are
happy to settle to work. Having had the experience of school with the constraints that
entails they enjoy the freedom to spend more time on subjects they are keen on.

The family are regular attenders of local home educating groups so mix with others 
there. B has kept in contact with some members of her peer group from school. Also social involvement with various sporting outlets that the children attend.

Communication, Language and Literacy
B spoke easily to me showing me examples of her work and describing how she felt about school and being educated at home.
B enjoys English and apart from following the I. G.C.S.E. syllabus loves reading. L has found a list of suitable books suggested by a school on the internet which both children are following. 

In order to maintain a good handwriting style both children copy two pages from their current book each week which I saw. At the moment B is reading “A Chinese Cinderella” an account of life for a Chinese child in the 1940’s.
B has studied Spanish in the past and has a flair for languages. The family hope she may resume her studies with a tutor in the near future.  She keeps up her knowledge using BBC Bitesize.

Problem Solving, Reasoning and Numeracy
B is following the G.C.S.E syllabus in Maths using a variety of revision guides and internet material.  

Knowledge and Understanding of the World
As noted in L's report B uses KS3 books for Biology.  B is thinking of becoming a nurse so this should be very useful.

Creative Development
B is skilled at cooking and baking.  She keeps her recipes in a notebook and particularly enjoys baking and decorating cupcakes which her family rate highly.
She also likes to paint abstract pictures.

Physical Development
Beccy uses Wii Fit on the computer and enjoys walking.

Future Plans
The family plan to continue to educate their children at home for the foreseeable 
future.  As previously stated B intends to complete I.G.C.S.E. exams in English, 
Maths and Biology. She has hopes of maybe entering nursing or social work as a 
career……..or maybe baking! 

Summary and Recommendations
The family are experienced home educators so don’t require much in the way of recommendations. It can be seen from L's report that they are providing their children with a broad education in addition to the academic subjects they study. They are mindful of their children’s differing learning styles.
We discussed the possibility of B attending college next year using Alternative Provision funding, I explained the situation had recently become clearer and the family will receive information on this in the near future.  I gave L a list of popular websites suggested by other home educating families they may like to investigate. I also left a current list of venues where I.G.C.S.E. exams could be sat.
If B wishes to sit Biology I.G.C.S.E. it may be an idea to do some KS4 work on BBC Bitesize initially to support the KS3 book work.
Enquire over opportunities for work experience in the catering line if it proves too difficult to secure a place around nursing. Information regarding work experience is on our website.


Child’s comments
“It’s nicer than being at school, you get more attention. If you can’t do something it is explained and if you like a subject you can do more of it.”

D's report, as above except with the following:-

Communication, Language and Literacy
D spoke easily to me discussing his rugby activities and reluctantly showing me his excellent drawings!
D is following KS 3 topics in English as described and enjoys reading. L found a list of suitable books suggested by a school on the internet which both children are following.  D is reading a ‘Star Wars’ book at the moment.  In order to maintain a good handwriting style both children copy two pages from their current reading books which I saw.
L makes sure he is covering the basic rules of English

Problem Solving, Reasoning and Numeracy
D is following KS3 topics in Maths with supporting material from the internet.  

Knowledge and Understanding of the World
D is covering a variety of KS3 books in core Science but is interested in Chemistry particularly.  He enjoys doing experiments with advice from the internet. 

Creative Development
D plays the guitar and is learning with the aid of a book.  

Physical Development

Rugby is D's main interest and he plays for a local team as well as being recently selected for the North Devon Squad.  He also partakes in athletics in the summer.

Future Plans
The family plan to continue to educate their children at home for the foreseeable 
future.  As previously stated D intends to sit I.G.C.S.E. exams in English, Maths
and Science.
D would like to make rugby his career choice and he has made a good start.
Failing that he may follow a Sports Science course.

Child’s comments

“I enjoy it a lot, I prefer it to school, and school’s boring. It’s more varied and you can do the subjects you like”.

No report for J, although he is actually in Year 2 at the moment, but as his education in entirely child led, I don't think the LEA will bother me for a report for him for a few years yet.

So, B will be aiming to take two exams next year, GCSE Maths and iGCSE English Language,so am working with her at the moment to sort out a study plan.  D will start the year after.

I have decided, after a lot of research, and talking to my very knowledgeable and experienced friend, that I will not be paying hundreds of pounds for on line courses for English. B will follow the iGCSE course, and at the end of this year we will pay for a local tutor to assess her work to see how she is getting on.

Alongside the Maths and English she will also be studying Biology, but her main focus will be on her two exam subjects.

J is showing lots of interests in reading and writing, so may do a little of this each day for him, especially as he likes to do the same as his older siblings, so a little structure in the mornings I think, and more outings to museums and local science and history venues.

Today - the weekend, M is working :-( maybe if the weather is OK (not too hot, not pouring with rain) we will go in search of Gorillas!