Resources to help you home educate
There are a number of printed and online resources that you can use, and groups to get involved with to help you provide an education to your child. Why not join local groups to meet with other parents who educate their children at home.
As with all resources, explore them to see whether they suit your child and their learning style.
We are not responsible for the content of external websites.
Education advice
- Advisory Centre for Education - independent advice for parents on education issues
- Department of Education - responsible for education and children's services in England
- Education Otherwise - a UK charity offering information and support to families providing home education
- Home Education Advisory Service - advice and practical support for families who wish to educate their children at home
- National Curriculum - sets out the programmes of study and attainment targets for all subjects at all 4 key stages.
- Step Education - for families who experience interruptions to education due to travelling or cultural reasons
Resources
- BecomingX Education Home Edition - independent support for parents and homeschoolers to help students build skills and support learning, behaviours and emotions.
- Kent Children’s University - provides all children aged 5 to 14 years with the opportunity to take part in exciting and creative learning activities outside of the normal school day
- Libraries - join the library to get free access to over 2 million books, eBooks, audiobooks, online resources. Library members can access our online reference library including homework resources and find out about events and activities in your local library
Outdoor schools
- Fir Tree Forest School
- Outdoor Schools - All areas of the curriculum can be delivered using the outdoors, children offered regular outdoor learning opportunities often become active participants in their own learning and take ‘ownership’ of their own local natural environments.
Virtual schools and online resources
- Apricot Learning Online
- HE Exams Wiki
- Interhigh
- Northstart Worldwide
- Seneca
- Studyladder
- The British E-School
- The Smartest Revision App - ED place
- Wolsey Hall Oxford.
Educational days out
Kent is home to many attractions that provide self-guided and group tours for home-educated children. Take a look at their websites below to find out what they have to offer, including prices and online resources.
Visit the Kent Attractions website for a list of educational visits. For ideas on days out for your child with special needs, visit our SEND Information Hub.
Find out the discounts for elective home educated students (PDF, 580.2 KB). << to be deleted
See the national curriculum for the primary programmes of study and attainment targets for key stages 1 and 2.
Helpful resources to download or purchase:
Text-based resources
Online resources
Visit our guide to elective home education for more details about what to teach, how to get started and how we can help you.
See the national curriculum for secondary programmes of study and attainment targets for key stages 3 and 4.
Helpful resources to download or purchase:
Text-based resources
Online resources
Exam boards
- AQA
- Cambridge
- City and Guilds
- Edexcel (Pearson)
- OCR
- Council for the Curriculum, Examinations and Assessment
See a list of provisions in Kent that accept private candidates (PDF, 146.4 KB).
Distance learning providers
- National Extension College (subscription required)
- Open Study College
- Oxford Home Schooling
- InterHigh
- Northstar
- Apricot Learning Online
Visit our guide to elective home education for more details about what to teach, how to get started and how we can help you.
There are a range of options available for young people who have completed their statutory education. See the following sites for more information:
- Kent Choices - find out the choices open to you after you leave education and training after the age of 18
- Ready to Work Kent - find great training opportunities, build your skills and put you on the path to your ideal career.
- Apprentice Kent - register on Apprentice Kent for apprenticeship opportunities that suit your interests.
- Kent Training and Apprenticeships - find out about a range of opportunities available to you when looking to enter the world of work. Browse our latest vacancies and apply now.
Youth Hubs
Staff in our Youth Hubs are happy to talk to you about anything you need support and advice on. Whether this be education, employment and training, whatever your needs we are here to help.
- SEND information hub - includes health (physical, speech and mental) advice, education support and community groups.
- SEN resources to help you home educate (PDF, 1.5 MB) - a list of online and game based resources.
- HE Special UK - a website run by a group of families who home educate children with special educational needs and disabilities.
- Information, Advice and Support Kent (IASK) - offers support to Kent families of children and young people (0 to 25 years) with special educational needs or disabilities.
- Independent Parental Special Education Advice (IPSEA) - offers free and independent legal based information, advice and support to you to help get the right education for children and young people with SEND.