Growing and learning together at home is alternative to school education

Julie Kenwell • Published 25 Aug 2011 13:00 Comments 1 Comment

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The Cairns family made up of Abigail, Daniel, Lorraine, John and Benain and the Jackson family of James, Samuel, Anne and Matty who take part in home schooling.

MENTION the term 'home education' and a whole host of questions and misconceptions are conjured up.

So accustomed are we with the ideals of mainstream schooling that many people believe they wouldn't have the capabilities or know-how to teach their children themselves.

Others think a home schooling environment would deprive their children of that vital early interaction with young ones their age.

But the Cairns family from Fivemiletown and Jackson family from Brookeborough are living proof that home education does work and has plenty of benefits for child and parent alike.

John and Lorraine Cairns and their children Daniel, 9, Abigail, 7 and Benaiah, 2, have been in a home education environment for three years now. Although little Benaiah is too young to really begin his education trail yet, he is still reaping the benefits of watching his siblings learn at home.

On the other hand, Ivan and Anne-Laure Jackson's children, Samuel, 10, Jamie, 8 and Matt, three-and-a-half, have always been home educated.

Originally from Jersey, Anne-Laure was inspired to home educate following the experiences of her sister and her four children. Her work allows her to stay at home and assist her children in their learning whilst her husband has a full-time job.

"I started to see the difference in my sister's children through home educating. I really loved their manner and the love and the respect they had for each other as a family," she explained.

But the Cairns family have had the experience of both mainstream and home educating, and John himself is a post-primary teacher in Omagh, whilst Lorraine is a stay-at-home mum.

"Everyone has their own reasons for home educating," he said, "When we started our family we knew we wanted our children to have a Christian education. We wanted that Christian teaching to be the foundation of their education rather than just an additional part of it.

"We initially enrolled at a Christian School. The children loved it and we were very happy with it. But as the family grew and with Lorraine being at home we thought we would try home education, so they could all grow and learn together and wouldn't be separated for the biggest part of the day.

"We still keep in touch with the Christian School though and would go on trips with them a lot."

The families, who meet once a week to learn French and art together, use the same curriculum to educate their children -- Accelerated Christian Education (ACE).

"As a parent it is important for me that my children see that our faith is real," said Anne-Laure, "That is my biggest hope for them through their home education."

ACE covers all the core subjects a child going through mainstream education would be taught and is also suitable for those with special needs.

The curriculum is externally verified, and home schooled children can study up to an A-level equivalent, recognised by universities.

"Other families put together their own material and just dip in and out of different books, but we prefer ACE," said John, "The children can work at their own pace and it allows them to grasp a topic properly. Once a set of books has been completed, there is a test to sit. If they don't grasp it, we can revisit it again until they understand."

For Anne-Laure, the benefit for ACE is that she nor her husband have to adopt the role of 'teacher'.

"The children mark their own work, we supervise, but the books do the teaching."

And the more relaxed learning environment at home means the children are not confined to desks or timetables.

"It is a 'portable curriculum'," says Anne-Laure, "We move from different rooms, or if the weather is nice we go outside. The children have grandparents living in Belfast so we can even take them up there and they can still learn at the same time."

Both families prefer to complete their academic studies in the mornings, leaving the afternoons free for more creative learning, play and socialising through horse riding, rugby and church clubs to name but a few.

The parents say their children have no problems with socialisation, believing in fact, that these skills have been much improved through their home education.

"Our hope was that the youngsters can relate to everybody of all ages, backgrounds and faiths," said John, "Often through mainstream schooling children only socialise with others their age but through this, they can the can relate to anyone.

"It also helps them to develop their skills, encourage them to work independently and understand the importance of self-motivation. We know of one girl who went through home education and is now the top student in her course at university. Her teachers have all commented on how well-motivated she is and how she takes such an interest in her studies. She has developed those skills of working on her own, setting her own goals and as a teacher I can see great strengths in that."

But the benefits of learning at home aren't just confined to the student, according to Anne-Laure.

"It is so satisfying for me as a parent to be there to answer all those questions that the children have. Home educating isn't just a Monday to Friday thing. They are learning all the time. When you see your child's first steps or hear their first words it is very special for a parent -- home education is just a continuation of that."

Advising anyone considering home schooling for their child to do plenty of research before making their final decision, the parents say they hope they can continue the home schooling experience into secondary education.

"Everyone wants to do what is right for their family," said John, "And this is what works for us. But each family has to decide for themselves."

Anne-Laure agrees, "Seek out the experiences of other families who are home educating. If you have any inkling that this is the right thing to do for your family then face up to the fears and find out more."

This article appeared in Impartial Reporter 25 Aug 11

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AntrimReformer
3 posts
Dec 29, 18:15
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This is an excellent report - fair play to the Cairns family for standing up for their convictions relating to education

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