tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5990013432459445862.post2267734235636357337..comments2023-05-14T01:57:50.979-07:00Comments on Catholic Home Education UK: First term impressions in sixth form.Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5990013432459445862.post-77316603312265713952012-11-15T08:43:17.850-08:002012-11-15T08:43:17.850-08:00A home educating friend sent this comment in regar...A home educating friend sent this comment in regards to further education. It is both insightful and helpful and her daughter has achieved highly;<br /><br />Hello,<br />Just thought I could add a little bit. Our eldest daughter took GCSEs in 2009. We had a lot of help from our local home ed group with the organiser doing the paper work, and also taking a small group of teens once a week for 3 or 4 hours in term times for about 14 months. She offered help with Classical Civilisations, English Lit, maths, sociology and general studies. For us this was any five to get into 6th form, but my daughter really enjoyed the first two. At home we just had a lot of art, reading, visits to exhibitions and a relaxed approach to learning what she found interesting while trying to cover all the subject areas. For the GCSEs she worked by reading and completing assignments.The course work was sent away to be marked but I'm sorry I didn't follow how that was organised. We paid for it to be marked and then paid to take the exams at a college.<br /><br />On arrival at 6th form to study Art, History and English Lit, and meeting children who had standard GCSEs she at first said she wished she had science GCSEs etc but then as the course went on general knowledge of all sorts, including science, came up, she realised that she did actually have enough knowledge and often more. She was good at making connections etc. In answer to Karen I would say it was helpful for us to keep going with our normal approach to learning and not letting exams take over. She retained a real enjoyment of learning. However, I agree with Elizabeth that it depends on your child. Our second daughter is at school, partly because she wants 11 GCSEs and can cope with the way schools get you there. She seems to enjoy most of it but also seems to need deadlines and pressure! <br /><br /> Amanda's blog is great for having ideas for subjects and links to sites to find out more. Thank you, Amanda and I'm sorry not to contribute beyond the first posting. I didn't really get that involved in the GCSEs in 2009. I was going to write something about 6th form, although it is the kind of inner London college many people would avoid. She just went in for lectures and tutorials; there were not really any extras but the teachers were so happy with her and she made some lovely friends and got 3As and then went to St Martin's for foundation art, getting distinction and is now at uni studying fine art. It helps to have the first trail blaze but mainly because it helps stem the comments from people who might only just be biting their tongues about home ed. Each child is so different I think you just have to research the possibilities and be open to what seems right for them and what you find you can manage.Amanda Lewinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02393388911844784899noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5990013432459445862.post-9691523947604159132012-11-08T07:32:19.085-08:002012-11-08T07:32:19.085-08:00Well written, Ben! First hand, positive observatio...Well written, Ben! First hand, positive observations like yours are so important for parents with much younger children who are wary/nervous about what lies ahead. You prove that home-education can successfully produce articulate, clear-thinking, confident young people who are comfortable in their faith and not afraid to stand up for what they believe without feeling the need to force their views on anyone else. Wishing you a happy two years ahead (homework aside ;-)<br />Kathryn HMichael Hennessyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11508449342905472380noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5990013432459445862.post-24845091233714431612012-11-05T18:51:09.460-08:002012-11-05T18:51:09.460-08:00Oh, Ben, I cannot believe what a grown-up man you ...Oh, Ben, I cannot believe what a grown-up man you are now! The little Ben served in my nuptial Mass in 2006, and now, in 2012, the big Ben's writing sounds highly intelligent, confident, and so well thought out. What a fantastic, clear writing - I could just tell that your devoted mom's homeschooling her children has been so divinely paid off! - Deo gratias! <br /><br />I must tell you that, when you said, "I have seen this first hand already, many times, when a teacher has said “go home and read up about all this and put some independent notes together” and the people in school previously find it really hard to do, when it is almost second nature to me.", your words encouraged me so much, for I am a novice mom who's embarked on homeschooling my own children here in the U.S. <br /><br />Having read your new experience at school, I am relieved that you are well adjusted already to the new schooling system, and enjoying the school life; your friends are kind and understanding. <br /><br />And I realized that, while I was reading your new journey, after having been homeschooled in your faithful Catholic home until you are formed into a confident Catholic man, going into the world isn't that scary. : ) May God bless you in your new life, and your Gurdian Angel be always with you, Ben! We pray, Catherine <br /><br />Yunahhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11864787176333028168noreply@blogger.com