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This is the difference we can make to families
From the mother of a 14 year old with SEN and long term illness…..
‘While previously uninterested in drawing classes
and generally reticent and reluctant about joining in anything...
last night he said that he would like to try drawing
and possibly a few other classes when they start up properly! ‘
From the mother of a 9 year old who has recently left school after failing to thrive…
‘The hugest mega thanks to all of you. What a wonderful day and what a
wonderful achievement.
S was "so, so, so, so, so, so, happy" and excited after meeting
such a lot of warm, welcoming, interesting and dynamic people.
This was our introduction to home-ed and we really enjoyed ourselves.’
From the mother of a 6 year old with epilepsy who suffered many difficulties in school….
’When J first left school he was very shy and would never talk to
adults that he was unsure of, or even children that were not in his
age group.
Today at the YMCA, he proved to me that his confidence has grown a
mile high, he chatted away with many adults, he did not shy away from
any of the children, and he actually made a friend of one of the
volunteers who helped him learn new circus skills.
Since coming home, J has not stopped talking about his new
experiences, he went around to all of the neighbours showing them his
name using the sign language that he had learnt, lol...and boring
everyone silly when telling them of the new circus tricks he had
learnt, regarding the Tai-chi he giggled when telling everyone that
his auntie and Mummy fell over trying to balance, something that
he managed not to do.........(no comment from red faced me!!!lol)..
In J's words, " Today was the bestest day ever, it was soooo COOL,
I can't wait to go back again"!!!!!!!! This was certainly music to my
ears........It has taken months to settle J, but with all of your
help, I think we have definitely made a real break through, the only
way is up now, no more worrying for me, I have made the best decision
for J's future at long last he is now a happy little boy.
Thanks again everyone, I had to tell everyone how we felt about today's events.....I really
appreciated having the opportunity to see all the childrens happy
faces smiling, playing together and not a bully in sight!!!
Wonderful.. Sooooooo Different to school outings.....!!’
Mother of 10 year old girl
"As a new comer to home education I was delighted by the atmosphere and
culture I encountered when I first visited Wise Up at the YMCA in Port
Talbot. Deciding to withdraw your child from school can be quite
difficult and upsetting due to the enormous pressure to conform and
frequently family and friends react in a frightened and critical way.
Imagine the huge relief I felt when I met happy, sociable and
responsible children all interacting and learning together. All ages,
abilities and backgrounds enjoying the classes and not only keen to
learn themselves but actively supporting and encouraging each other.
These children had eye contact, manners and enthusiasm. There were out
going, loud and shy, quiet children equally catered for. There was no
apparent judgement, just a simple realness which meant that
difficulties were discussed and dealt with rather than swept under the
carpet. This experience took all the anxiety out of our decision to
home school and transformed it into something really healing and
exciting."
10 year old girl on her first day of home education.
"I thought, Oh!, My gosh! I don't have to sort out any fights today.
I really liked the Tuesday Club. I was a bit shy and nervous about
going but I met some really nice people. I was so happy and it
was very good. I think maybe it was because I could relax? The lessons
were brilliant. "
From the mother of a 10 year old who has spent 5 years trying to settle in at school and suffered behavioural problems as a result….
‘I loved the day at port talbot it is the first time in years that I have left my 10yr old in the room with strange adults and he stayed and not started hanging on to my leg’
From a family who recently started to home educate
We started to home educate because both my boys were being let down badly by the school that they were in. My 10 year old was bullied on a daily basis and felt that in his own words "no one ever listens and I don't like school". His brother who is nearly 8 was becoming more and more insecure as a result of his teachers refusing to make allowances for his dyslexia. He was coming home on a daily basis feeling let down and picked on right up until the point when he refused to go to school at all. I was in the school at least 3 day out of every 5 trying to make things better for the boys but teaching staff either couldn't or wouldn't help.
Finally my sister suggested that I teach them at home, I was flabbergasted still believing that people went to prison for keeping their children at home and not realizing that home education was a viable and realistic option. That was when I started to research Home education and finally made the decision to deregister. That was also the point when I started to join email lists of home educators so that I had ample resources and social contacts for the boys once they were out of school. I heard about the YMCA open day from one of those lists and decided to attend with the boys so that we could see for ourselves just what support and social life was available. It was very much a test for us the boys were still in school but were very keen to leave and I was feeling very nervous about taking responsibility for their educations.
When we arrived at the YMCA we were all feeling a mixture of nerves and excitement, we were greeted by a very friendly lady who took us around a few other families and introduced us. It was very quickly after that I found that the boys were off playing with other children as if they had been friends for years and we were taken on a tour of the building. I found that it was really easy to talk to other parents who were there simply because we all had something in common. It was great to have the support from email lists that I had joined but nothing beats being able to voice your concerns to like minded people who are either in the same position as you or further on and more experienced. Our trip to the YMCA gave me the support and confidence that I needed to ask questions about how Home Education works and reassured me that with a good support group behind me that my children would flourish and that I would be able to deal with anything that came up in the future.
Needless to say after visiting the YMCA and meeting everyone there I went on to take my children out of school knowing that there are experienced people out there willing to support me if I have a problem and also new people to home education like myself who are working through the same issues.
From a 13 year old boy
I think the club is a wonderful opportunity to join in with new activities and meet new people of all different ages and I enjoy doing all the classes that have been set up and I like the fact that we get trained people to come and do the activities with us like circus skills which I love. I think it's great that kids who are being bullied in school can get out of school and get an education instead of being scared all the time.
From a mum of 2 children with Dyslexia
After years of 'failure' due to dyslexia, unmet needs and bullying in mainstream state schools we found out about the facts about home education and withdrew our younger two children from school. Im so glad we did! Now they flourish - at home. In the company of other children in the 'Wise Up' home education group and out and about in the community they learn the things we believe they need to learn. They make new friends, experience new things and try things we never envisaged they would. No longer are they 'failures' they are valued and talented, interested and interesting! They are also excelling academically.
In the world of Home Education they are allowed to be themselves and are thriving!
We are very much looking forward to the time when the 'Wise Up' group goes weekly, look forward to sharing our talents and learning new ones at each meeting! Keep them coming!
If you even think ! " I'm sure I could do a better job than my kids school" for a second, follow your heart and join us. It feels like the biggest step ever but Im sure you wont regret it!
From a new home educator
Im so glad we came last month, Wise up really has been what we've needed to reassure us we are doing the right thing and provide the kids with much needed things to look forward to!
And another!
The kids have come home raving about yesterday and demonstrated their first aid skills on dad.
They can't wait for the next one. It really was brilliant, huge thanks to everyone who organised such a wonderful day
Blogger's Verdicts
The State I'm In - 15th May 2008
Life in the Little Red House - 13th May 2008
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