Making Homeschool Life a Little Easier artwork

Making Homeschool Life a Little Easier

39 episodes - English - Latest episode: about 1 year ago - ★★★★★ - 6 ratings

Sarah chats to home school families and professionals, drawing on her own experience as a home school mum and ex headteacher. If there’s a topic you’d like to see discussed please contact us [email protected]
Intro Track 1Happy, Joyful ChildrenHappy and Joyful Children by Free Music | https://soundcloud.com/fm_freemusicMusic promoted by https://www.free-stock-music.comCreative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported License https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/deed.en_USClose Track 3Positive HappyPositive Happy by PeriTune | http://peritune.comMusic promoted by https://www.free-stock-music.comAttribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0)https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Education for Kids Kids & Family Parenting homeschooling home education homeschooler parenting primary secondary education home school children
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Episodes

Education - What Happened?

April 22, 2023 10:00 - 36 minutes - 25.1 MB

This podcast is a very brief and selective overview of what has happened in education or should we say schooling in England throughout history. It is focused on what might be called 'public' or 'state' education so doesn't include much about the independent or private sector. What it shows is the concept of education and schooling has often been used interchangeably even in legislation and perhaps this is less than helpful.   Link to resources Collage App Article & References

Transformational Coaching

April 07, 2023 06:00 - 37 minutes - 25.6 MB

Tuning into what you need can sometimes be hard when you are a busy homeschool mum and feel overwhelmed. In this podcast, Essie Richards chats to me about how you can find yourself and enjoy the journey even if you've already lost yourself in the process of motherhood. Tune in and learn how to reclaim your identity and fall in love with the woman you were meant to be. Essie also shares some golden nuggets, ways that you can carve out time for yourself. This enables signals to reach your nerv...

Embedding Well-Being

October 28, 2022 06:00 - 1 hour - 48.1 MB

This podcast feels like an important one, with its focus on well-being as the foundation of any approach to supporting young people. I interview Fabienne Vailes, an educator with over 24 years of experience, a home-educating mum of 2 boys, an author and a podcaster on a mission to change the face of education. We talk about embedding well-being into everyday life so that it becomes integral to all that we do, enabling us to live fully, with purpose and in balance. Grab back a little bit of ...

An Interview with Julia Black: Lights On® learning

October 08, 2022 12:00 - 53 minutes - 36.5 MB

Julia has transformed the lives of thousands of families through her Lights On® work. In this podcast she shares how one simple strategy can transform the personal growth of your whole family,  talking through her own experience with her daughter and how that led to more than a decade of exploring cutting-edge educational practice, developments in neuroscience and mental well-being research to create Lights On®, otherwise known as the rise of the passion-led learner. This is one podcast no...

My Experience as a Teaching Assistant Made Me Choose to Home Educate

October 08, 2022 11:00 - 57 minutes - 39.2 MB

In this podcast, a mum shares her experience from inside the classroom, as a Teaching Assistant. She talks about how it made her realise that school wasn't the best place for her child to be and despite all her worries about home-educating, it was still a better option. She worked out that she could offer her child a much more relevant, rounded and personalised learning experience at home.

Body Scan Meditation

July 21, 2022 06:00 - 12 minutes - 8.56 MB

A calming 12-minute body scan to relax the mind and body before sleep. I recorded it for myself and my children but it can be used by anyone. Music John Kensy Music

Body Scan Meditation

July 21, 2022 06:00 - 12 minutes - 8.56 MB

A calming 12-minute body scan to relax the mind and body before sleep. I recorded it for myself and my children but it can be used by anyone. Music John Kensy Music

Reviewing Children's Homeschool Learning

July 07, 2022 17:00 - 5 minutes - 4.12 MB

By involving your child in the process of reviewing their learning you are putting them at the centre of learning. They then become autonomous in their thoughts and feelings as you are enabling them to become self-directed learners which is one of the end goals of home education. This podcast looks at ways in which you can reflect on learning at any point in your child's learning. Collage app Trello

Gaining GCSEs & A Levels Whilst Home Educating

February 18, 2022 16:00 - 54 minutes - 37.5 MB

In this podcast Sarah chats with Amelie and her mum Kathryn about their experience of gaining qualifications whilst homeschooling. Amelie shared how she found studying at home and Kathryn talks about how they organised the exams. Show Notes: Blog with loads of useful links to exam boards and resources GCSE blog  Le Loft French Tutoring BBC Education: GCSE help https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/learn The Exam House‘, is a new site that may help you find sites which enable private candidates...

Self-directed Learning - Changing Our Minds

January 18, 2022 10:00 - 57 minutes - 39.4 MB

In this episode Sarah interviews Dr Naomi Fisher, author of the incredible book Changing Our Minds. They talk about putting children back in control of their learning and enabling all to flourish in their own time. Book https://www.amazon.co.uk/Changing-Our-Minds-children-learning/dp/1472145518 Website  Self-directed.org  https://www.self-directed.org/tp/changing-our-minds/ Naomi Fisher  https://www.naomifisher.co.uk/ Collage app  www.collageapp.co.uk

Unschooling Part 3

December 03, 2021 14:00 - 1 hour - 58.2 MB

In this video I chat to Essie, this is our third podcast over 5 years, it goes deep into the journey that Essie's family have been on following the unschooling route. Essie shares her heart and soul and talks about feeling free to now live life through joy. Disco Course and Circle Community: https://discolearning.com YouTube channel: Lucy at Life Without School Website: https://lulastic.co.uk Instagram: Lulasticblog FaceBook: Lucy AitkenRead Unschooling Support Akilah S Richards website:...

Portsmouth Home Education Court Case

November 18, 2021 08:00 - 11 minutes - 7.98 MB

I felt the need to share some thoughts about the outcome of the Portsmouth case. If ever there is a time to stick together and support one another it is now. I share some simple things we can do and ways we can think differently about how we record our homeschool journey.   If you want to read the case it here Please sign the government petition to not impose any new requirements on home educators here. Free trial Collage app here.

Homeschool Journey through GCSEs

October 09, 2021 13:00 - 31 minutes - 21.9 MB

This is my second interview with the lovely Faith, the last was when she was 14 and she decided to give school a go. In this interview she shares her journey through GCSEs and her experience of College. www.cgpbooks.co.uk/search-results?searchtext=app&searchmode=anyword&active_tab=product

Homeschooler Becomes an Author

September 30, 2021 13:00 - 46 minutes - 32.1 MB

I'm sure I am not alone in the occasional homeschool self-doubt that  I am doing the right thing? This podcast removed any ounce of worry I had and reminded me to enjoy every minute. I interview Matthew Telles and his mum Liz. He was homeschooled all his life and as a young adult found his passion in writing to become a self-taught author at 19. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09DXZDKH9?currency=GBP&language=en_US

Self care for homeschoolers

May 03, 2021 13:00 - 39 minutes - 27 MB

Are you feeling exhausted or like you have lost your way ? It could be that you need to instil some self care. In this episode I explore: What we mean by self care? Why are so many people unable to put themselves first? What we can do to address self care? What overall difference will it have? Show notes Glennon Doyle Book - Untamed https://www.amazon.co.uk/Untamed-Stop-pleasing-start-living/dp/1785043358/ref=sr_1_1?adgrpid=80790292009&dchild=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjwvr6EBhDOARIsAPpqUPG9a7NA0rVbmAGf...

New to Homeschooling

March 31, 2021 10:21 - 35 minutes - 24.4 MB

This podcast looks at deschooling, methods of homeschooling, resources and lots of other things to consider. Education Otherwise Deschooling podcast Resources Book - John Holt Ted Talk - Sir Ken Robinson Documenting Learning

Unschooling in Norway

March 13, 2021 12:59 - 1 hour - 45.8 MB

Marie shares her unschooling journey in Norway, emphasising the importance of self-love and nurture. Instead of education - John Holt Homegrown - Ben Hewitt The continuum concept by Jean Lidloff Hold on to your kids - Gordon Neufeld and Gabor Maté Calm parents, happy kids

Create Change in Education

February 09, 2021 19:30 - 48 minutes - 33.4 MB

Article by Kathryn Pratt & Dr Caroline Palmer Challenging the damaging covid gap narrative An Education fit for Purpose Envisaging a new era of Education Book by Priya Lakhani Inadequate - The System Failing our Teachers and your Children Rethinking Education Community

Supporting your child through reading, writing and maths

February 02, 2021 15:23 - 1 hour - 44.7 MB

In this podcast I explore practical strategies for helping your child develop reading, writing and maths skills, whether you are unschooling or following a curriculum. UK National Curriculum English National Literacy Trust Nessy - support for children with dyslexia 100 most frequent words UK National Curriculum Maths GCSE's Development Matters  Foundation years handwriting Brave Writer Letter Join Sensory Play and Writing  

Why Record Your Child's Learning?

December 15, 2020 19:26 - 26 minutes - 18.5 MB

Home Education UK (HEUK) Publication www.educationotherwise.org.uk www.heas.org.uk Parliament Education Committee Website www.collageapp.co.uk  

From Unschooling to Radically Unschooling

October 23, 2020 16:27 - 51 minutes - 35.1 MB

In this podcast Essie talks about why they decided to radically unschool. She shares the highs and lows of their journey and gives some great bits of advice! Lulastic https://lulastic.co.uk/blog/ Pamela Laricchia   www.livingjoyfully.ca Sandra Dodd https://sandradodd.com/

UK Government Inquiry Into Home Education

October 16, 2020 08:43 - 23 minutes - 16.1 MB

In this podcast I share my response to the government inquiry in the hope that it will spur many more to respond. A lot of people I have spoken to haven't even heard about this inquiry. It is really important that as many people as possible send in a response by 6th November 2020. Our voices need to be heard! Please share this link with anyone you know who is linked with Homeschooling in the UK. Businesses related to homeschooling can also have a say. Follow the link in the show notes direct...

The Case for Home Schooling

September 27, 2020 12:01 - 1 hour - 46.4 MB

Anna, an ex secondary teacher, freelance writer and homeschool mum to 3 talks about her new book and life as a homeschool mum. www.collageapp.co.uk The Case for Home Schooling Twitter, Not the School Run Website Blog The Homeschool Guru

The Journey Into Unschooling

September 19, 2020 15:39 - 46 minutes - 31.6 MB

Tom & Emily share their first year of homeschooling. The highs and the lows and how they went from formal homeschooling to unschooling. www.collageapp.co.uk Books Sir Ken Robinson - You, Your Child and School & Finding Your Element Peter Gray - Free to Learn Nanda Van Gestel - The Unschooling Manual John Holt -Learning all the Time &  How Children learn  Podcasts Pamela Laricchia - www.livingjoyfully.ca Amy Childs - Celebrating the Unschooling Life Ted Talks. - Sir Ken Rob...

Making the Decision to Homeschool

August 27, 2020 09:59 - 42 minutes - 29.3 MB

Following requests from listeners about processing the decision to homeschool. Shelley shares her story about her recent journey towards a better way forward for her family.

Schooling at Home

March 22, 2020 20:17 - 22 minutes - 15.3 MB

As an Ex Headteacher, home schooling mum of two and founder of the Collage App for home schoolers, Sarah shares her top tips for those who now face schooling at home. Homegrown_Learning Instagram Homegrown Learning Facebook www.homegrownlearning.co.uk Collage App  Happy and Joyful Children by Free Music | https://soundcloud.com/fm_freemusic Music promoted by https://www.free-stock-music.com Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported License https://creativecommons.org/licenses/...

Supporting your child’s journey from home school to school, or the vice versa

February 26, 2020 15:06 - 50 minutes - 34.8 MB

Children return to school for a great many reasons. In this podcast Henry and Walter from Oppidan Education explore some of the things that you may want to consider should you be in this situation. It also works in reverse where you may find yourself home schooling. http://www.oppidaneducation.com/ Happy and Joyful Children by Free Music | https://soundcloud.com/fm_freemusic Music promoted by https://www.free-stock-music.com Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported License https://...

9, What is home schooling like for young people?

January 30, 2020 12:04 - 43 minutes - 59.1 MB

Lots of people have asked me what home schooling is like for young people. They expressed their fears around whether they can help their child learn, be happy and grow in confidence. As soon as I met Faith and heard her story about going to school for the first time I knew that I had to share it. Happy and Joyful Children by Free Music | https://soundcloud.com/fm_freemusic Music promoted by https://www.free-stock-music.com Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported License https://crea...

What is home schooling like for young people?

January 30, 2020 12:04 - 42 minutes - 29.6 MB

Lots of people have asked me what home schooling is like for young people. They expressed their fears around whether they can help their child learn, be happy and grow in confidence. As soon as I met Faith and heard her story about going to school for the first time I knew that I had to share it. Happy and Joyful Children by Free Music | https://soundcloud.com/fm_freemusic Music promoted by https://www.free-stock-music.com Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported License https://crea...

The importance of creativity for our young people

January 10, 2020 17:36 - 39 minutes - 27 MB

The importance of creativity and things we can do at home to help our children thrive. Useful links Lion lady/man https://blog.britishmuseum.org/the-lion-man-an-ice-age-masterpiece/ The tongue of the woodpecker https://www.pri.org/stories/2017-11-11/biographer-walter-isaacson-leonardo-da-vinci-s-art-and-science www.soweni.com Ted talk https://www.ted.com/talks/sir_ken_robinson_do_schools_kill_creativity/transcript The Midnight Disease by Alice Falherty Music Happy and Joyful ...

7, Sensory Processing

December 20, 2019 10:17 - 52 minutes - 59.7 MB

This podcast looks at the real issues for schools supporting children with sensory processing preferences or disorder and why home schooling can help these children. The Out of Sync Child by Carol Kranowitz The Explosive Child by Ross W. Greene PhD Raising a Sensory Smart Child by Lindsey Biel, M.A, OTR/L and Nancy Peske www.sensoryprocessing101.com Happy and Joyful Children by Free Music | https://soundcloud.com/fm_freemusic Music promoted by https://www.free-stock-music.com Cre...

Sensory Processing

December 20, 2019 10:17 - 52 minutes - 35.9 MB

This podcast looks at the real issues for schools supporting children with sensory processing preferences or disorder and why home schooling can help these children. The Out of Sync Child by Carol Kranowitz The Explosive Child by Ross W. Greene PhD Raising a Sensory Smart Child by Lindsey Biel, M.A, OTR/L and Nancy Peske www.sensoryprocessing101.com Happy and Joyful Children by Free Music | https://soundcloud.com/fm_freemusic Music promoted by https://www.free-stock-music.com Cre...

6 Socialising and Home Schooling

December 07, 2019 13:15 - 11 minutes - 13.4 MB

It is one of the aspects of home educating that people most worry about when deciding whether or not to home school. This podcast explores some of those myths and also looks at the real social experiences gained within the current school system. Links: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/socialization Intro Track 1 Happy, Joyful Children Happy and Joyful Children by Free Music | https://soundcloud.com/fm_freemusic Music promoted by https://www.free-stock-music.com Creative Commons Attr...

Socialising and Home Schooling

December 07, 2019 13:15 - 11 minutes - 8.05 MB

It is one of the aspects of home educating that people most worry about when deciding whether or not to home school. This podcast explores some of those myths and also looks at the real social experiences gained within the current school system. Links: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/socialization Intro Track 1 Happy, Joyful Children Happy and Joyful Children by Free Music | https://soundcloud.com/fm_freemusic Music promoted by https://www.free-stock-music.com Creative Commons Attr...

Why Are So Many Families And Professionals Leaving The Education System?

September 23, 2019 15:48 - 18 minutes - 12.7 MB

A look into what has happened to the system recently and why it is forcing families, teachers and leaders to leave the system. Helpful to home educators facing opposition from friends or family! https://www.theguardian.com/education/2019/apr/01/number-of-primary-school-children-at-referral-units-soars https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-47936211 https://www.specialneedsjungle.com/exclusions-2018-children-with-send-six-times-more-likely-to-be-excluded/ https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/hea...

Unschooling

September 23, 2019 15:43 - 41 minutes - 28.3 MB

What is unschooling, where does it come from, what does it look like and why does it work for so many people? Links: Ted talks Racheous Blog Happiness is here Blog Lulastic and the hippy shake Blog John Holt https://www.johnholtgws.com/growing-without-schooling-issue-archive Pamela Larrichea Podcasts Sandra Dodd http://sandradodd.com Facebook the Unschooling Q&A group Intro Track 1 Happy, Joyful Children Happy and Joyful Children by Free Music | https://soundcloud.com/fm_freem...

Deschooling

September 23, 2019 15:38 - 21 minutes - 14.8 MB

What does it mean, why is it useful at the beginning of your home educating journey and how do you do it? Links: Deschooling Society by Ivan Illich Growing Without Schooling by John Holt https://www.johnholtgws.com/growing-without-schooling-issue-archive Intro Track 1 Happy, Joyful Children Happy and Joyful Children by Free Music | https://soundcloud.com/fm_freemusic Music promoted by https://www.free-stock-music.com Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported License https://cre...

Can Anyone Home Educate?

September 23, 2019 15:31 - 16 minutes - 11.7 MB

With 20 years in education people think I am well placed to teach my children, but the reality is that anyone can do it! Links: Julie Bogart https://thebravelearner.com/#about Intro Track 1 Happy, Joyful Children Happy and Joyful Children by Free Music | https://soundcloud.com/fm_freemusic Music promoted by https://www.free-stock-music.com Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported License https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/deed.en_US Close Track 3 Positive Happy Posi...

Home Educating Children With Additional Needs

September 23, 2019 15:25 - 23 minutes - 15.9 MB

Many families are opting to home educate children with additional needs as the system fails to meet the needs of the child. One mum shares her story about why it works for her. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-36682743 http://edyourself.org/articles/sendstats.php https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Curriculum_for_England https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/695289/Transfer_of_statements_of_SEN_to_education__health_and_...

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