Is it ok to take the kids out of school?

[BacktoBoats]

look into cyber schooling. There both public and private cyber schools that really only require the ability to down link/and a lap top. Is your family up to the structure that will be required to progress through the age appropriate curriculum? If you think so, then go for it. Your LEA (local Education agency /local school district will be able to make sure you are not in any breach of parental responsibility with an approved cyber school.

Half Moon / on the hard till spring ; (recently retired from special education)

This is rather misleading. In the UK at least you don't need to follow any specific curriculum or course or to stick to any pre-ordained "structure".

Many home educated children have a rich, engaging and fulfilling education without taking any GCSE or "A" levels, and happily go on to university and do well. Neither do families need to check with any local authority to find out if they are in breach of anything. The law says that every child of school age "must have a full time education that allows that child to reach his or her full potential". Thank God the powers that be haven't handed down to local authorities the power to examine children and parents and pass judjement over whether, in their opinion, this requirement is being met.

As a home educating parent you reject the option 99% of parents take, which is to delegate the enlightenment and enrichment of your childrens lives to government run institutions, and you choose to do it yourself. Most parents that care enough about the options to even consider home education are perfectly qualified for the job. Yes it all takes time and effort and all children are different and have very different needs so you will need to find out what these are for each of your children as you go along. It can be hard at times. It is also one of the greatest things you can choose to do with your child.

Apologies if this comes across rather strongly, but this is such an important subject about which there is too much misunderstanding so I feel the record has to be put straight.

 

[Heckler]

With so much publicity recently about parents being prosecuted for taking kids out of school during term time, I am wondering if there are families out there who are held back in their desire to take the 'trip of a lifetime' through fears or concerns about kids' education?

Could the solution be to take a tutor?

We had a good relationship with the head of ther primary school, he gave us work to do when we went to Oz for 5 weeks, when we came back they were ahead of their peers, it had snowed and the school had closed!
Stu

 

[njamesphoto]

Home schooled our two boys (now 5 & 8) for the last two years while we sailed around the med visiting Rome Stromboli Pompeii etc. Now back in school till May, the projects his class were doing was "Roman" "Volcanoes" and one on Dolphins!
Best question " What do you think it would be like to see a volcano?" having anchored under two and seen mini eruptions at night! Cannot get better than that?

 

[gavin_lacey]

I am sure that most liveaboard couples are as capable of educating their children as the schools they would otherwise attend. The advantage of individual attention, and a genuinely individually tailored education versus class sizes of 30+. No contest. The problem comes in the social aspects of schooling. Most liveaboard families have to work hard to provide company for their children and do not always manage it. Winters can be spent in marinas with no other children. Liveaboard children can surprise with their confidence and social skill in adult company, and this is obviously a good thing but it can disguise their difficulty in forming lasting relationships with their peers. As always no right answer. Some children thrive in schools, others are bullied. Pre teenage children will probably benefit from close parental contact. Teenage children seem to either love the sailing life or continually yearn for 'normal' life. I have seen parents distraught at the prospect of returning to shore life but feeling they have to give their child what they are desparate for.