An Idea, How to find new pupils without advertising Options

[just helen]

I have recently emailed the local home education group and immediately got a response for piano and possibly violin lessons.

Home-ed pupils are available during the day, which I find convenient as I'm quite busy later on. They also have parents who are really keen to give their child a good education and are looking for teachers during the day in a variety of subjects, music especially.

Anyone else tried this route?

[music margaret]

Hi!

I teach lots of home ed families. They are lovely! They are committed parents and enthusiastic students. My teaching practice has grown significantly and it's great to be able to fill up the day times.

I also run workshops sometimes for groups of families - at the moment we are working on choir material, other times we've explored the 'building blocks of music' and have done some detailed workshops on pulse and rhythm.

The families are all very different and have different reasons for home educating. For many of my families, their faith (evangelical christian of various denominations) plays a big part and I'm sometimes asked to work on church type material in lessons. This is no problem for me as it is my faith too, but may be little more tricky for some. They always do all work they are asked and often more - this morning I've been played songs by Madness and Robbie Williams alongside the pieces I'd set them to work on!

The key thing i've learnt about working with Home Eds is that they are all different and never to assume anything. Also, it involves a very close working relationship with their parents - they often attend lessons, or wander in and out - this has only been an incredibly positive experience up to this point, but could be a little off-putting if you're not used to it.

Please PM me if you want any more details of my experiences

Em.

[Hils]

I teach lots of home ed families. They are lovely! They are committed parents and enthusiastic students. My teaching practice has grown significantly and it's great to be able to fill up the day times.

I also run workshops sometimes for groups of families - at the moment we are working on choir material, other times we've explored the 'building blocks of music' and have done some detailed workshops on pulse and rhythm.

I'd agree with musicmargaret very strongly. Hadn't thought of the group idea though - might try that with a few of mine too. Are any of your students secondary school age? Mine are still mainly primary.

[music margaret]

Hi hils

My home-eds range from 5 - 13. I get this age range at the workshops too, so have to ensure I differentiate appropriately - I trained and worked as a classroom teacher and so don't find this too much of a problem.

I think, also, that it's obviously important to have a respect for what they are doing. My children are in school and I have no problems with the 'system'. But I can appreciate lots of different reasons why parents might choose to home educate their children and all my families without exception are clearly learning well and are either at, or above, the level of their same age peers in the 'system'. They also, without exception, have a real love for learning.

[Banjogirl]

I love being referred to as a 'home ed'. I might get a t-shirt with it on.

Our teachers don't teach during the day, unfortunately for us, but practising is so much easier without school to worry about. Theory is easy to cover too. it feels like English AND Maths so we can go out for the rest of the day without feeling guilty!

Anyone want to draw a king for our history timeline?

[angelvoice]

I wandered quite by chance into home ed territory and absolutely love it- the kids are fantastic and parents so supportive and enthusiastic. Must say that if you manage to schedule your lessons just after 'cooking time' you get very nice cake with your tea as well... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

[twinkle]

This is a really good idea. But, how should I get into this?

[Catey]

This is a really good idea. But, how should I get into this?

Exactly what I was thinking!

Does anyone have any good tips on how to get in touch with home schooled children and their parents?

Cheers

Catherine

[funkiepiano]

Can't find contact details of my local home-ed group, only the general one across the country. (Education Otherwise.) I'd really like to know how to contact someone in my area. Cheers.

[Banjogirl]

Education Otherwise has contact lists for a lot of local groups.

[Pixie*Porsche]

Sounds fab (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) Will have a look on google see if there is anything for Derbyshire going (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

[Catey]

The South Yorkshire group is suspended on their website so I'm going to try a general google search for my area.