I need to write to the LEA....

[Piratejones]

Explaining how the reduced school week (6 hours - 1 day off) has benefited my 6 year old, what I have done in that time and, if i wish to continue, what my lesson plans are for the future.

The problem is that i don't really have lesson plans or anything, or records of what has been done, we just do stuff. What do i put in this letter?

[Saracen]

Have a look at some educational philosophies for some ideas. If you just "do stuff", without plans or records, look specifically at "autonomous education" or "unschooling". Explain the approach, give some examples of what you have done in the past. If you focus your attention on the educational value of what you're doing you will quickly have plenty of info to give them.

Example: One day we went to the park. Learned about household management and planning as we had to ensure everything was thawed and ready for dinner before leaving home and that we had all ingredients. Stopped to watch building work and talked about building materials and techniques and safety. Found a spiderweb and talked about different kinds of spiders. Developed gross motor skills by several hours of play, and practiced social skills through free play with other children there. Had a useful discussion about peacefully resolving differences after children's dispute at the park. Child watched mum consulting bus timetable and is beginning to understand why and how timetables are used. Observed appropriate behaviour on buses. Stopped at shop on the way home; child observed appropriate social interactions in this situation and learned more about money and budgeting: I explained why we bought the cheaper bread although we prefer the expensive bread. When home, we read a story and talked about why elephants live in herds; child recognised some words and is developing decoding skills and is beginning to understand rhyme.

Don't promise to do anything specific in future, just say that you plan to continue with this successful approach for the time being, but you will adapt it in response to your child's changing needs. (For instance if your child asked you to do some formal teaching on a regular basis then I'm sure you would agree to that.)

I don't know so much about describing the benefits of a reduced timetable but I could imagine they might include a more relaxed child, more time to explore child's interests, less illness, more exercise, higher self-esteem, possibly more enthusiasm at school as a result of being better rested (has the teacher noticed any difference? If so you could quote him/her about that).

[Piratejones]

Thank you Saracen, this is all extremely helpful. I was a bit lost with the type of things they wanted.

[Piratejones]

Would it be an idea to get his teacher to send a separate letter in about how it's helped during the school day, or should I just add a.statement to the end.of mine?

[NinnyNoodleNoo]

Lesson plans? You are under no obligation at all to produce lesson plans, or records as a home educator.

I'm guessing from what you've said that you're not home edding, though, you're flexi-schooling (in which case the continuance of flexi-schooling is down to the head's discretion and they may well request that you justify it continuing).

I think saracen has a good point that it is better to be less specific, future-wise, as your child's needs may change in that time. Everything is, and can be written up as, a learning experience.

If his teacher is supportive of flexi-schooling that a positive statement, certainly wouldn't hurt. :)

[Piratejones]

Thank you for the help, yes it's flexi-schooling, he still goes to school.

[NinnyNoodleNoo]

Hope it goes ok for you! x