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Schooling 'does not work for us' Schooling 'does not work for us'
(about 10 hours later)
By Alison Smith BBC News education reporterBy Alison Smith BBC News education reporter
While the debate continues about school systems and which type of school works best, thousands of children and families decide that no school provides what they want.While the debate continues about school systems and which type of school works best, thousands of children and families decide that no school provides what they want.
Special needs, bullying, philosophical views or dissatisfaction with a particular school offered are all typical reasons behind home education.Special needs, bullying, philosophical views or dissatisfaction with a particular school offered are all typical reasons behind home education.
Parents and children talk about why they have chosen this option - or a combination of home and school - for the education they find most appropriate.Parents and children talk about why they have chosen this option - or a combination of home and school - for the education they find most appropriate.
'School pays for me to be taught at home''School pays for me to be taught at home'
Jamie McDonald's mother June founded a home education group in Bedford which was the first to obtain any form of state funding.Jamie McDonald's mother June founded a home education group in Bedford which was the first to obtain any form of state funding.
Six years ago, her group decided to collaborate with a local secondary school to use the resources of school but keep the autonomy of home education.Six years ago, her group decided to collaborate with a local secondary school to use the resources of school but keep the autonomy of home education.
The only condition of joining the group is that the children sit national exams.The only condition of joining the group is that the children sit national exams.
Her son, now 18, was one of the first to go through the project and describes how he found it.Her son, now 18, was one of the first to go through the project and describes how he found it.
href="/1/hi/education/8081457.stm">Click here to read about Jamie's unconventional schooling href="/2/hi/uk_news/education/8081457.stm">Click here to read about Jamie's unconventional schooling
Junior school was 'abuse'Junior school was 'abuse'
Callum enjoyed infant school, and his school successfully implemented a detailed plan to support him.Callum enjoyed infant school, and his school successfully implemented a detailed plan to support him.
Asperger's Syndrome means he has some communication difficulties and cannot always see the relevance of what he is asked to do.Asperger's Syndrome means he has some communication difficulties and cannot always see the relevance of what he is asked to do.
Once in primary school, his mother Sheila says, the bullying began and the school did not give Callum the support he needed.Once in primary school, his mother Sheila says, the bullying began and the school did not give Callum the support he needed.
She described the stress of watching her child crying and begging not to go to school, before deciding neither of them could take any more.She described the stress of watching her child crying and begging not to go to school, before deciding neither of them could take any more.
href="/1/hi/education/8056183.stm">Click here to read Callum and Sheila's story href="/2/hi/uk_news/education/8056183.stm">Click here to read Callum and Sheila's story
'No suitable school place''No suitable school place'
Holly O' Toole questioned how any child could learn in the school allocated to her son Harry.Holly O' Toole questioned how any child could learn in the school allocated to her son Harry.
A school where only 8% of children achieve five good GCSEs and almost half have some kind of special educational needs was not a school where her son would thrive, she said.A school where only 8% of children achieve five good GCSEs and almost half have some kind of special educational needs was not a school where her son would thrive, she said.
When no other school place could be found, she and other parents in the same situation decided to go it alone - and won compensation from their county council.When no other school place could be found, she and other parents in the same situation decided to go it alone - and won compensation from their county council.
href="/1/hi/education/8040966.stm">Click here to read Holly and Harry's story href="/2/hi/uk_news/education/8040966.stm">Click here to read Holly and Harry's story