Why More Families Are Choosing To Home Educate From KS3
Many families in Torbay begin home education around age 8 or older - and often find it’s the perfect fit. With reading and maths skills in place, children are ready to explore curiosity-led learning. Parents feel more confident navigating KS2 topics alongside them. Discover why starting later can feel easier, more engaging - and why it may be the right time to explore a new path.
Home education is on the rise across the UK, and an increasing number of families are starting their journey later - often taking their children out of school around the ages of 7 or 8. This decision isn’t always made lightly, but for many parents, it opens up a world of flexibility, freedom, and connection that simply wasn’t possible before. We’ve spoken to families who say that starting home education later in childhood feels like a breath of fresh air.
We’re not anti-school - far from it. For some families, school is the perfect fit. But for others, mainstream education feels too rigid, too pressurised, or simply not aligned with their family values. And that’s okay. Home education offers an alternative path, one that’s growing in popularity, particularly in Devon and the wider South West.
A Shift in Schools and Parental Confidence
There is certainly some uncertainty amongst parents at the school gates at the moment. Some schools are mixing early years groups (such as Year 1 and Year 2) into larger classes, which can feel unsettling for both children and parents. Additionally, some schools used to group their five additional teacher training days together, creating a full week off after half-term. This made holidays more affordable for families since they didn’t fall within the traditional school breaks. Now, some schools are scrapping that approach and scattering those five days across the year, which can be far less convenient - especially for working parents who rely on predictable schedules.
It’s no surprise that many families are beginning to question whether school is the only route. Parents tell us that the decision to home educate later often comes after seeing their child struggling to thrive in a traditional classroom, or after noticing that school doesn’t leave much time for family life and exploring the things their child truly loves.
Why Starting Later Works
One of the biggest concerns parents have when considering home education is: “Can I actually teach my child?” But the beauty of starting later is that most children have already mastered the basics of English and maths by Key Stage 2. This means home learning becomes less about teaching fundamentals and more about exploring curiosity-driven learning.
Parents often tell us they find Key Stage 2 (ages 7–11) much more interesting than the early years because they can explore topics alongside their children. It becomes a shared learning journey - researching history, exploring science experiments, or diving into creative writing together. This collaborative approach not only keeps learning engaging but also strengthens the parent-child bond.
“We took our son out of school at 8 years old,” says one parent. “It was daunting at first, but we quickly realised how much more relaxed and happy he was. He spends his mornings reading and writing, and in the afternoons, we learn through day trips, baking, or exploring local museums. We’re all learning together.”
The Benefits Families Love
Freedom to Explore – Home education allows families to take trips during term time, visit museums when they’re quiet, or spend the day outdoors without the restrictions of a school timetable.
Personalised Learning – Children can focus on what interests them most, whether that’s coding, art, or hands-on projects, while still covering the national curriculum where needed.
Stronger Connections – Parents can truly get to know how their child learns, making education feel less like a battle and more like a team effort.
A Space to Support Parents
We understand that one of the biggest barriers to home education is finding time to earn an income. That’s exactly why we launched You Can Sit With Us. A co-learning space in Torbay where children can work independently in a safe, supervised environment. While they get stuck into BBC Bitesize, journalling, drawing, or a podcast, parents get three hours to focus on work, run errands, or simply take some time to themselves.
Home education doesn’t have to mean doing everything on your own. With the right community, the journey becomes far less overwhelming.
Your Turn to Leap
If you’re considering taking your child out of school, remember: it’s never too late to start. Many families say it was the best decision they’ve ever made - and we’re here to help you every step of the way.
