If you would like your details to be included in the freedom in education contact list, please read the information and guidelines, and then send  details of your name, e-mail address, city, county, country, and further information to: 
gareth.lewis@freedom-in-education.co.uk  

Name:     Sarah Sellers

Email:    info at sarahsellers.co.uk

Location: Dorset/Hampshire border

Date:     21 Jun 2007

Hi, been home educating (officially!) for 5 years now - we have 2 daughters aged 9 and 2.5.  I'm looking for other parents either home edding or thinking about it, living in roughly the same area as us, who would be interested in getting together to form a small, alternative learning group based on Waldorf/Montessori principles.  I have a fair amount of experience of both plus, in the case of Montessori, quite a lot of materials. The group wouldn't be a registered school but would perhaps meet up a couple of days a week so the children could all work together - along the lines of the School in the Woods near bath - the remaining days of the week would learn at home.  The learning would be very earth centred with a large focus on environmental studies and the kids could perhaps work outside during good weather.  Anyone interested please contact me! :)  Thanks! Sarah

Name:     Donna Kemsley

Email:    donna.kemsley at magicka.co.uk

Location: Plymouth, Devon, UK

Date:     20 Jun 2007

Would be very interested to have communication with other home educating families.

Name:     jo

Email:    joanne@fah-consulting.co.uk

Location: Warwickshire

Date:     20 Jun 2007

Have just started home educating my 5 year old son who has ASD after he could not cope with reception class.  Also have second son (3.5 years old) who has Aspergers. Would love to chat to other families in similar position also would like to meet other home educating families in warwickshire

Name:     hilly harrison

Email:    hillyharrison at tiscali.co.uk

Location: chertsey/surrey/england

Date:     19 Jun 2007

I am a trained primary school teacher and would like to get involved with local groups both as a teacher and as a parent. I intend to educate my 10 month old son from home and was educated from home myself from age 13.  I also teach piano and singing (and school choirs); this is an area which I feel may be lacking in the home schooling curriculum as it can be difficult for parent teachers to implement and benefits from a group. I would love to start some musical theatre groups or choirs for home schoolers in the Surrey/Bucks/Oxfordshire area. I live on a sailing barge on the Thames and we also run activity weekends for children, teaching many areas of the curriculum in a very practical and fun way through using the boat and river environment.

Name:     Ceri de Boo

Email:    ceri at boocorner.com

Location: Mozambique

Date:     17 Jun 2007

Recently moved to Mozambique and are home edding our 3 kids aged 6,5 and 3. Love to hear from anyone else in remote situations.

Name:     jackie pearson

Email:    brude at freeuk.com

Location: spain

Date:     16 Jun 2007

I am a qualified steiner teacher with 9 years experience teaching, i am living in spain and have a daughter, 5, and a son 8 months. we are thinking of moving to france, near carcasonne and want to know more about home education in france or the possibility of starting a waldorf school in that area. thanks jackie

Name:     Sarah Erskine

Email:    sjderskine at btinternet.com

Location: West Sussex

Date:     11 Jun 2007

Fairly new to all of this but would love to meet folks! We live in Horsham with boys aged 11, 9 & 4.

Name:     Ellie

Email:    ellie at rsbankes.com

Location: Surrey, Weybridge

Date:     10 Jun 2007

Hi, I have recently decided to take my daughter 10)out of school and educate her in a home school environment. The past year5 has been hard for her, although very bright she has emotional problems and we have not been happy with the way the school has dealt with it. The new school offer a short 4 day week and emotional support. Fab place.

Name:     Julie Beviss

Email:    julie at beviss.net

Location: Wales

Date:     07 Jun 2007

I am moving to North Wales in the next few weeks and i have a son who is 14 who suffers with a school phobia and social anxities.  Main stream school has not worked out very well and my husband i are considering home teaching.  Anyone out there got any useful information and where do you get home education packs from? Would love to chat with someone whose child has similar problems.  So please drop me a line it would be great to hear from you!

Name:     debbie

Email:    debbiecozens at yahoo.co.uk

Location: SOUTH AFRICA

Date:     06 Jun 2007

I am based in Kloof Natal SOUTH AFRICA (not england) Should anyone want to meet up in this area.

We have a failry active group going at present but welcome growth

Name:     Kate Goddard

Email:    kategoddard3 at aol.com

Location: Barnsley, South Yorkshire

Date:     05 Jun 2007

We are considering selling up and living in our Motor home, touring the world.  This would mean home schooling our 9 year old.  Where do we start?

Name:     Verity Lovegrove

Email:    lovegrove_family at tesco.net

Location: Poole, Dorset

Date:     05 Jun 2007

Married with 2 beautiful daughters aged 3 and 1. Always looking to make contact with other HE families in our area. Also would like to chat with HE families from anywhere in the world!

Name:     sarina gray

Email:    sarina1323 at aol.com

Location: somerset

Date:     04 Jun 2007

hi, I am home educating my 12 yr old son, He has been unable to attend his new secondary school due to a rare condition called PANDAS, is gifted in maths and IT, but also has special needs due to his anxiety and ASD.

Really love to chat to others that may be new to home educating!

Name:     sue

Email:    susan.Jackson at orange.fr

Location: France Gers

Date:     03 Jun 2007

Hello, we are relatively new at home educating in France although we have home educated for the last seven years in the UK. So far we haven’t had any hurdles but lots of support although my 5 year old has chosen to go to school but my 8 year old and 13 year old are at home. As of yet we haven’t met any one who home eds in the area although we have found the children can do all the activities they want as if at school in France with no restrictions its great we don’t really know any thing about the ed system in France but have support from the lea in the UK if we need it. Any advice would be great on the french system though thanks. Sue

Name:     Mary Buesnel

Email:    monktonwyldcourt at btinternet.com

Location: West Dorset

Date:     01 Jun 2007

Part of a new group meeting on Mondays during term time from 10-2:30.  Shared vegetarian lunch, crafts, gardening, baking and outdoor activities.  Ring Mary at 01297 560342

Name:     Ealasaid Cromack-Davies

Email:    ealasaid28 at aol.com

Location: Llanelli, South Wales

Date:     31 May 2007

We are educating our three children (7, 5 and 3) at home. We would be interested in meeting up with other families or groups with similar age kids in our area.

Name:     jude

Email:    jroea at yahoo.com

Location: san gabriel valley , calif. usa.

Date:     30 May 2007

just started homeshooling , very interested in the waldorf method and intergrating into our curriculum, lived in england many years and glad to see the interest in home and freedom in education is worldwide, we need to stand our ground not all are likeminded in this thinking , we want the best for our children. we've had nothing but hideous experience in our 5 yrs in the system can't even go into detail at the crookedness and lack of sensitivityand insight some of these institutions have . we look forward to a better and more pleasant experience in education.

Name:     Tanya

Email:    realityshines at talk21.com

Location: Norwich, Norfolk, England

Date:     29 May 2007

I withdrew my nine year old daughter from her mainstream school at Easter, as she was very unhappy. Though the school and teachers were actually very approachable and relaxed, she struggled with the transition and her own emotional development. She has always been academically gifted, but finds it hard to deal with her feelings. She recently enrolled at Summerhill school in Suffolk, which allowed her freedom to make her own choices about what she wanted to do, but she decided she did not want to be there after a half term, never really connecting there. She found it incredibly difficult to function without any guidance. At the moment, she is at home with me and I am looking at Steiner education as a possibility, or flexi-schooling.

I'm also a single parent (since she was a year old) and so home-schooling does not seem possible, as I have to work.

Name:     dr s chakraborty

Email:    scsrinagar at gmail.com

Location: india

Date:     27 May 2007

i want to be of help

Name:     Dawn Dingwall

Email:    thirdeye1 at compuserve.com

Location: Berkshire

Date:     27 May 2007

Hi there

I have been home educating for years my daughter is now 16 years old and my son is 13 years old.

I set up the Heroes group in Berkshire where we meet three to four times a week and run a variety of workshops and socialise.  We have the use of a brilliant venue and we have people travelling for miles.  We have a monthly drop in day once a month

run teen camp over weekends and also run a summer club.  We have over 35 children who attend. Main age group is 8 years to 17 years.  Check out our website. www.homeeducators.co.uk

Name:     Jan Sharkey-Dodds

Email:    jsharkeydodds at stratfordeast.com

Location: London

Date:     21 May 2007

Wanting to contact others in East London interested in or practising Home Education.

Name:     lynsey

Email:    http://www.geocities.com/aheadhomeeducation/

Location: derby

Date:     17 May 2007

family activities for families in Derby and beyond. We are a self-sufficient group of home educators in Derby (we do not get funding from the main government funded home education group)

French, tai chi, music workshops, museum workshops, board games, crafts, time for playing and chatting in a hall with a garden. We also have access to a private pool.

http://www.geocities.com/aheadhomeeducation/

Name:     lynsey

Email:    lynseypvic at ntlworld.com

Location:

Date:     17 May 2007

Hello

I am home educating my 6 yr old who is registered blind. I am interested in talking to other parents of VI kids(or VI parents home educating). I also moderate a support group for parents of visually impaired children (and blind adults who want to support us). Not all of us home educate, but there are a few of us who do, so you may wish to join us there too.

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/PVIC/

Name:     Nina Rinkes

Email:    ninarinkes at hotmail.com

Location: London

Date:     16 May 2007

I live in Hackney, East London, with my 11-year-old son and am considering home-educating him. Would love to hear about your experiences!

Name:     sari horton

Email:    sarihorton at rediffmail.com

Location: hullbridge, essex, uk

Date:     16 May 2007

i would like to know if there are any homeschooling meeting groups for ages 13 and 6 in our area - as far as southend and even colchester.  you may also phone me on 07905885072 thanks, sari

Name:     mina stitou

Email:    stitmi7 at aol.com

Location: northolt, middlesex/ kensington london

Date:     16 May 2007

hi, i have an 8 year old daughter who is still in school at the moment but is very behind in school and is not getting much help from the school so i am thinking of teaching her myself at home. I am still looking into this and thought it would be nice to hear from other who have done this or are thinking of doing it. It would also be nice to meet up with people near by.

Name:     Debbie Fulton

Email:    debbie.fulton at gmail.com

Location: Suffolk

Date:     15 May 2007

Recenttly started HE for our daughter aged 12. Would like to meet others in the area.

Name:     YVONNE MCCALLA

Email:    yvonne.mccalla at manairport.couk

Location: MANCHESTER, LANCASHIRE, UK

Date:     15 May 2007

WE ARE SERIOUISLY CONSIDERING HOME SCHOOLING OUR SON WHO HAS HAD PROBLEMS IN SCHOOL. ALSO WE ARE NOT SATISFIED WITH THE STANDARD OF SOME OF THE TEACHING IN SCHOOLS AT THE MOMENT

Name:     KAREN ALLISON

Email:    jamesdallison at btinternet.com

Location: forfar, angus, scotland

Date:     15 May 2007

i am away to inform the academy that i am removing my 13yr old and home educating him as he has been bullied for a year and even family support workers cannot stop them getting to him. he has today got a smile on his face when he knew he did not have to return to school.

Name:     Tracey and Paul Mulryne

Email:    mulryne at littleave.freeserve.co.uk

Location: York

Date:     13 May 2007

Our son is just five months old at the moment and we are considering home educating him. We would be interested to know if there are any support groups in the York area. Although both teaching at the moment, we are looking into a move to France but are unsure as to the laws etc regarding home education over there.

Name:     Teresa

Email:    temack17 at yahoo.de

Location: Wembley

Date:     11 May 2007

I plan to home educate my children in three years, when they have finished primary school. To be well prepared for this, I try to teach them as much as possible outside school, by taking them to museums etc. and I would love to hear from other parents in the area, who plan to or are already home educating.

Name:     amanda taylor

Email:    indogo at nantes.fr

Location: east yorkshire,uk

Date:     11 May 2007

hi there I am homeschooling,I have a 5 year old and a 3 year old boy,looking for other families for support/penpalling  xx

Name:     Eve

Email:    ewastewart at hotmail.com

Location: London, Norbury/Streatham

Date:     08 May 2007

I'm homeschooling my 7 year old boy with a Waldorf Stainer method. I also have a lively & happy 5 year old. We are very keen on nature, outdoor and creative activities. I would love to meet other parents for sharing ideas with and for the children to socialise.

Name:     Amanda Grove

Email:    amanda.grove at btinternet.com

Location: Cheshure uk

Date:     08 May 2007

I am thinking of homeschooling my son who is starting high school in september. I noticed he fell behind in class and with the help of myself and his father and a tutor has noticably improved. He says he doesn't really get to ask questions or the answers he needs sometimes in school and that it's hard to concentrate with the class talking.

I would love to hear anybodies thoughts on homschooling.

Name:     Sarah Johnson

Email:    sarah.johnson875 at orange.fr

Location: Normandy, France

Date:     07 May 2007

My husband and I moved to Normandy in August last year.  Our 12 year old daughter commenced the local college in September 06.  However, after careful consideration we have decided to withdraw her from her college in order to homeschool as she has been very unhappy and has refused outright to go to school.  We have registered with a distance learning course from England as it would be very difficult for us to homeschool following a French course as we are still finding the language difficult ourselves.  We would like to hear from other people in France, particularly Normandy or Brittany in a similar situation. We are currently going through the process of withdrawal and we are slightly confused about the legal side of things. 

Name:     mandy coffin

Email:    mandy.coffin at tiscali.co.uk

Location: Elham, Kent

Date:     03 May 2007

just started to HE my nearly nine year old boy, who has asperger's. was at steiner school. would like to meet other families. also have three year old.

Name:     Alice Lane

Email:    aliceindia at hotmail.co.uk

Location: Barnes, London

Date:     25 Apr 2007

I am a single mother to a four year-old. The schools are over subscribed in Barnes and my child did not get into any that I choose. I don't know what to do and whether I should pay for a private tutor or home school. Is anyone in the similar situation as me and has any advise?

Name:     Naomi Turnbull

Email:    nturnbul at glam.ac.uk

Location: South Wales, UK

Date:     24 Apr 2007

Hi,

I work for a project that undertakes science outreach in the Heads of the Valleys region.  We often run hands-on workshops or give talks on science subjects that are likely to appeal to home educators.  These usually take place during science festivals (National Science & Engineering Week, Merthyr Arts & Science Festival, Aberfest etc.).  The events will always be free, and will usually not last more than an hour or two. Free refreshments will often also be available. 

If you would like more information, or have suggestions for future workshops that you think might be of interest in your community, please get in touch.

I can assure everyone that uses this list that we are not a commercial organisation.  Although we are based in a university we have no interest in undertaking research on home educated children, and would never pass on your details to other organsiations.

Name:     valerie Wood

Email:    historicalbabe at hotmail.com

Location: Crewkerne, Somerset

Date:     21 Apr 2007

hi

I have a 10 year old daughter whom I am currently home schooling - would love to hear from anyone who is home schooling their child/children particularly if they are in Somerset. Would really appreciate external imput too.

Name:     Sonia

Email:    hippychicksj at hotmail.co.uk

Location: Salisbury, Wiltshire, England

Date:     18 Apr 2007

I have just started homeschooling my older two children aged 8 years and 9 years and plan on home schooling my youngest when the time comes. I would love to meet other in the area who are doing the same.

Name:     Natasha Chierico

Email:    ilvhrsz at sky.com

Location: essex

Date:     18 Apr 2007

can you please let me know if there is any schools in essex. Thank you

Name:     Jamie Tarrant

Email:    Sjveik at aol.com

Location: Hastings, east sussex

Date:     18 Apr 2007

Hi,

I am very interested in working as a teaching assistant in a steiner school or kindergarten in my area although i can travel. I'd love to hear of any opportunities that arise.

Name:     Nicole Schofield

Email:    nrschofield at hotmail.com

Location: Birmingham West Midlands, England

Date:     17 Apr 2007

I am a qualified teacher in the states and am living in the uk at present. I am interested in information about teaching in alternative learning environments. Thanks

Name:     shazia qureshi

Email:    shaziasq at gmail.com

Location: central london, uk

Date:     17 Apr 2007

Hi,I've got 2 kids (aged 3 and 1) and have not sent them to 'school' yet- we are continuing with our home ed.  Would love to meet other families in westminster/camden for sharing ideas and support networks.

Name:     Paula Guadagno

Email:    pd.guadagno at virgin.net

Location: West Sussex

Date:     16 Apr 2007

Hi as of today I am HE my son Jakob he is 5. I would love to hear from anybody with any help and advice

Name:     Richard Tabor

Email:    r.tabor-3_at tiscali.co.uk

Location: Yeovil, Somerset

Date:     15 Apr 2007

We have a 9 year old soon who is a very able musician and wish either for shorter, more flexible school hours to enable him to practice more and to have more free time, or to teach him at home.

Name:     Kerry

Email:    MTrn40 at aol.com

Location: Shropshire. England.

Date:     13 Apr 2007

Hi, my nams is Kerry and i currently home educate my three youngest children.(11,9, and 8)I've been home educating now for over a year. My eldest daughter has dyslexia, so would love to hear from anyone who is home educating or who has experience or advice on dyslexia.

Name:     Amanda

Email:    amanda at getyourdreamlife.com

Location: Tamworth, Midlands, UK

Date:     13 Apr 2007

I have just started home educating my daughters (13 and 10)due to unhappiness at school.  We are following a semi-structured approach and covering Maths and English every day.  Both are keen to set up their own businesses, so any experiences of this or resources would be much appreciated.  Would love to connect with people in Staffordshire or Warwickshire.

Name:     Helen Savva

Email:    ics5hms at leeds.ac.uk

Location: Leeds

Date:     07 Apr 2007

Want to speak out about Home Ed?

I'm currently producing 'School's Out', a documentary about Home Education for my course at Leeds University. Whether you are already Home Educating, or just considering it as an option, I would love to hear from you. Any contribution, however big or small, will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

Name:     Zena Aylward

Email:    zenafreak at hotmail.co.uk

Location: Stroud, Glos. UK

Date:     04 Apr 2007

EX PRIMARY DEPUTY AND SEN TEACHER, NOW WITH SEN CHILD, BEING FAILEED BADLY BY SCHOOL AND LEA. WISH TO PROMOTE FLEXISCHOOLING WITHIN MY LEA, GET SUPPORT TO DO SO, AND BE AVAILABLE TO RECIEVE AND GIVE SUPPORT / TEACH CHILDREN AND FAMILIES IN A SIMILAR POSITION

Name:     Mark Allen

Email:    bigbunny at ntlworld.com

Location: Bournemouth

Date:     03 Apr 2007

Our son is very bright but has slight Aspergers and was being bullied mercilessly at school, so we pulled him just before easter 07. He is year 8 (aged 13). Anyone else in a similar situation wanting to share ideas?

Name:     Meeghan McEnery

Email:    meeghan at hotmail.com

Location: Bristol

Date:     02 Apr 2007

Hi

My daughter is almost 2 and I intend to home ed her. I would love to meet with other parents of similarly aged children as most of her current crop of friends have started nursery.

Name:     Gill Kilner

Email:    gillkilnerat aol.com

Location: Calderdale, W Yorks, UK

Date:     01 Apr 2007

Happy to supply info and advice to local families, been home educating for 8 years.

Name:     Leah Linehan

Email:    leahlinehan at hotmail.com

Location: Cardiff

Date:     30 Mar 2007

Hi,

We are thinking of home educating our 3yo daughter and 18mo son. I would be really interested to meet others thinking about doing this or already home educators. please email me

thanks

Leah

Name:     Jason Tate

Email:    thetateranch at btinternet

Location: Weeting,Norfolk,England

Date:     24 Mar 2007

I am just starting to home educate my son of 10 years old he has a medical condition called neurofibromatosis witch includes learning difficulties .he has been a t mainstream school but they failed him i feel they are just interested in league tables!

Name:     cheryl campbell

Email:    cheryl.campbell4 at btinternet.com

Location: caerphilly. s.wales

Date:     24 Mar 2007

i have an 11 year old who is at primary school and will be going to secondrary school this september. ive been thinking of home educating but im a single working parent. my hours of work are set around my sons school times.i would love to know from anyone in my position and how they work things out or anyone who couold advice me.

Name:     Peyote

Email:    peyote at tesco.net

Location: burton on trent. staffordshire uk

Date:     23 Mar 2007

I am on the verge of homeschooling my 4 year old daughter who, because she is a sensitive child (in a spiritual sense) is becoming more detached from the other children.

I need to discuss this with her first.

My choice to home school was due to her dislike of school. I believe the reason is because she learns at a different pace and is like myself, quietly intelligent and a none conformist. Willful!

School sees this as a problem.

I see a child with spirit.

I would like to talk to anyone who understands.

I can be contacted via the personal e.mail or if you wish to suss me and Morgan out then visit:

http://www.myspace.com/wishcard

Theres a blog there about my dissatisfaction with the school system 'Freedom begins at home'.

Thankyou.

Name:     Julie Rauschenplat-Pili

Email:    juliepili at yahoo.com

Location: North Caroline, US

Date:     16 Mar 2007

We will be moving to the Sutton Coldfield area in July.  We have a 6 year old son, wondering if homeschooling is a good option for him for his first year abroad?  My husband if from Sutton and attended both private and public schools there. 

Name:     Clare Butler