The number of home-schooled kids in Swansea has surged, driven by various factors including anxiety and unmet educational needs
Swansea: More kids are being home-schooled these days, and it’s a big change. Since the pandemic, the number of children learning at home has shot up. Just this spring, there were 388 kids being home-educated, a jump from 259 three years ago. It even peaked at 401 last summer!
So, what’s behind this trend? Well, some parents feel their kids are anxious about school, while others think the schools aren’t meeting their needs. A few families also want to avoid certain parts of the curriculum, like relationships and sexuality education.
Helen Howells from the council mentioned that this rise isn’t just happening in Swansea; it’s a trend across all of Wales. Earlier this year, nearly 6,000 kids were home-schooled in the whole country. She pointed out that while education is mandatory, going to school isn’t the only way to fulfill that requirement. But, parents do need to ensure their kids get a proper education at home, which can be a financial strain.
To keep track of home-schooled kids, education officers visit families to check in. They make sure that the education being provided is up to standard. There’s even a plan to exceed the usual visit requirements this year.
Some of these home-schooled kids have additional learning needs, and there are specific plans in place to support them. The council is working to gather more feedback from these children, wanting to hear from those who might not always speak up.
Cllr Lyndon Jones, who leads the panel, emphasized that school isn’t just about grades; it’s about socializing and building relationships. He worries that kids who are home-schooled might miss out on those important experiences, which could make them anxious later in life.
Helen agreed that social interaction is crucial but noted that there are many groups and events for home-schooled kids to connect with others. When it comes to home visits, sometimes they’re announced, but there are occasions when officers show up unannounced.
As for exam results, those aren’t tracked for home-schooled kids. The panel also discussed how elective home schooling differs from home tuition for kids still enrolled in school.
One panel member, Beth Allender, asked if the council looks into why some kids don’t want to attend school. Helen explained that they dig into this during initial visits, which can sometimes lead to kids returning to school. She firmly believes that school is the safest and best place for children to learn.