“Over the past century the role of parents in the education of children has changed dramatically. This timely book is a call for parents to take back this role, a battle cry to defend our right to do so and a vision for the restoration of family within our nation. It is a handbook to equip and empower families in the daily rhythms and choices of home education.”

Diversity of topics

So begins the back-cover blurb of Another Way to Learn, which is essentially a compilation of voices from across the British Home Education community.

Grouped into three parts, it covers a diversity of topics, including how contributors discovered home education and what it looks like for them. The study looks at both younger years and teenagers, those that started home ed from the beginning and those that removed their children from the state education system.

Within the pages you will find insight on home educating children with SEN (special educational needs), home educating as a single parent, and including families across the generations in the process. The third part delves into the practicalities of balancing the inevitable busyness of life and the importance of carving out self-care time as well (possibly my favourite chapter!).

Re-inspiring and reaffirming

The book covers many of the differing facets of home education in the UK in a practical and thoughtful way. It will inform those who are thinking of travelling down this road and it will encourage and bring new inspiration to those already on the journey. For those who have family or friends who home-educate, the book will provide an insight into the path less travelled, a path that knits the family together.

As a home educating mum of three sons, I have found much encouragement reading through Another Way to Learn, and, being in the midst of the holiday period, it’s a great read to recuperate and re-inspire, a chance to take a breath and reaffirm why and how you are home educating.

Reasons for consideration

In conclusion, I would recommend that:

If you are considering Home education and want to peer through a few windows to see what it could look like – read this book!

If you are already a home educator and would like encouragement, a connection with others on a similar journey, confirmation of your choice to go down a different path and to revisit why you chose to do so – read this book!

If you know someone who home-educates and would like a better understanding of why and how – read this book! …. in fact get two and give them a copy too!

‘Another Way to Learn’ (216pp) is published by John Ritchie Ltd, from where it is available for £9.99 (plus p&p).

Ruth Wall, BSc is a home-educating mum of three sons.