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What’s it like to be homeschooled your entire life, with seven siblings, in New Zealand?

In this episode, we talk to a journalist who was home educated from birth through to further education, without ever setting foot in a traditional school.

We dig into everything from socialisation and sibling dynamics to how he tackled exams, discovered his passion for journalism, and whether he’d home educate his own future children. He shares honest reflections on what worked, what was tricky, and what he wishes more people understood about home education.

Whether you're considering homeschooling in New Zealand, the UK, or anywhere else, this is a rare and insightful peek into what lifelong home education can really look like.

If you’ve enjoyed this episode, share it with a friend :)

Thanks for being here and we’ll see you in the next one!

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Follow us on
Instagram: @honeyshouldwehomeschool,
Facebook: Honey Should We Homeschool
YouTube: Honey Should We Homeschool YouTube

Making a podcast actually costs money (annoying, we know), and we don’t do ads for mattresses (yet). But if you’ve ever laughed, nodded along, or shouted “YES!” at an episode, consider tossing a coin, no matter how small, to your podcasters! ♡ - https://buymeacoffee.com/honeyshouldwehomeschool

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Today we’re lucky enough to be joined by Lewis — a former teacher turned home-educating parent who now runs an alternative education space nestled among the trees.

Find Lewis on instagram - @theforestschoolpodcast
Check out the Forest School Podcast on Spotify

Note: I have added time stamps for the questions we asked but they’re not necessarily that helpful because, like all the best conversations, it branched off and flowed in many different ways!

Links Mentioned:

Revision Guides, Study Books & Study Guides | CGP Books

I am sorry, I tried to find the episode about how Lewis would create a new education system but I could not!

If you’ve enjoyed this episode, share it with a friend :)
Thanks for being here and we’ll see you in the next one!

Support the show

Follow us on
Instagram: @honeyshouldwehomeschool,
Facebook: Honey Should We Homeschool
YouTube: Honey Should We Homeschool YouTube

Making a podcast actually costs money (annoying, we know), and we don’t do ads for mattresses (yet). But if you’ve ever laughed, nodded along, or shouted “YES!” at an episode, consider tossing a coin, no matter how small, to your podcasters! ♡ - https://buymeacoffee.com/honeyshouldwehomeschool

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It’s live!! Check out our patreon here - patreon.com/honeyshouldwehomeschool

We hope you enjoy this casual, chatty episode answering your questions and if you have a question you’d like answered, send us an email at honeyshouldwehomeschool.co.uk or check out our socials, linked below :)

Thanks for being here <3

Support the show

Follow us on
Instagram: @honeyshouldwehomeschool,
Facebook: Honey Should We Homeschool
YouTube: Honey Should We Homeschool YouTube

Making a podcast actually costs money (annoying, we know), and we don’t do ads for mattresses (yet). But if you’ve ever laughed, nodded along, or shouted “YES!” at an episode, consider tossing a coin, no matter how small, to your podcasters! ♡ - https://buymeacoffee.com/honeyshouldwehomeschool

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Can school be magical? In this episode, we talk to Poppy, a passionate teacher who still loves the classroom and offers a hopeful perspective from a school setting. She shares what drew her to teaching, how she creates joyful learning experiences with her “teacher magic,” and why she believes school can offer something special.

You can find Poppy on instagram @theteacherwithpinkhair
Links mentioned in the show:

• Children’s digital detox and suitable tv shows
• Summarised curriculum
• SEN statistics in the UK
• The £2 Tuition Hub
• Sir Ken Robinson’s Ted Talk

As always, thank you so much for listening and please don’t forget to leave us a star rating if you haven’t already, it really helps us to grow the show ❤️

Get in touch via honeyshouldwehomeschool@hotmail.com
Or our socials (linked below)

Take care and we’ll see you in the next one!
Leah and Tom x
www.honeyshouldwehomeschool.com

Support the show

Follow us on
Instagram: @honeyshouldwehomeschool,
Facebook: Honey Should We Homeschool
YouTube: Honey Should We Homeschool YouTube

Making a podcast actually costs money (annoying, we know), and we don’t do ads for mattresses (yet). But if you’ve ever laughed, nodded along, or shouted “YES!” at an episode, consider tossing a coin, no matter how small, to your podcasters! ♡ - https://buymeacoffee.com/honeyshouldwehomeschool

Send us a text

This episode is a full read-through of the official government guidance on elective home education for local authorities (England). No commentary—just the document.

We've transformed this government document into an audio file, so now you can listen while cooking dinner or doing the dishes, allowing you to make the most of your limited free time without having to sit down and read it!

If you’d like to contribute, head here - buymeacoffee.com/honeyshouldwehomeschool

For the accompanying pdf go here - https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5ca21e22e5274a77d9d26feb/EHE_guidance_for_parentsafterconsultationv2.2.pdf

If you would like us to record the guidances for Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland, please get in touch - honeyshouldwehomeschool@hotmail.com

Support the show

Follow us on
Instagram: @honeyshouldwehomeschool,
Facebook: Honey Should We Homeschool
YouTube: Honey Should We Homeschool YouTube

Making a podcast actually costs money (annoying, we know), and we don’t do ads for mattresses (yet). But if you’ve ever laughed, nodded along, or shouted “YES!” at an episode, consider tossing a coin, no matter how small, to your podcasters! ♡ - https://buymeacoffee.com/honeyshouldwehomeschool

Send us a text

This episode is a full read-through of the official government guidance on elective home education for local authorities (England). No commentary—just the document.

We've transformed this government document into an audio file, so now you can listen while cooking dinner or doing the dishes, allowing you to make the most of your limited free time without having to sit down and read it!

If you’d like to contribute, head here - buymeacoffee.com/honeyshouldwehomeschool

If you'd like to view the pdf version of this government document head here - https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/66bf6d2bdcb0757928e5bd47/Elective_home_education_departmental_guidance_for_local_authorities.pdf

If you would like us to record the guidances for Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland, please get in touch - honeyshouldwehomeschool@hotmail.com

Tom and Leah x

Support the show

Follow us on
Instagram: @honeyshouldwehomeschool,
Facebook: Honey Should We Homeschool
YouTube: Honey Should We Homeschool YouTube

Making a podcast actually costs money (annoying, we know), and we don’t do ads for mattresses (yet). But if you’ve ever laughed, nodded along, or shouted “YES!” at an episode, consider tossing a coin, no matter how small, to your podcasters! ♡ - https://buymeacoffee.com/honeyshouldwehomeschool

Send us a text

PLEASE NOTE: There is no option to reply to any messages sent through the "send us a text" button, if you would like a response, please email us at honeyshouldwehomeschool@hotmail.com or use the social media channels mentioned at the bottom :)

Welcome to another episode of Honey should we homeschool? Today’s episode, by request, is all about the law. A slightly dry episode, but we hope it can be of some help to you. Fair warning though, you may come out more confused than you entered!! If you do find it helpful at all, please leave us a review, it really helps us to grow the show <3

Links mentioned in the show:
England and Wales
- Education act 1996
https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1996/56/contents
Parental Guidance(England) -
https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5ca21e22e5274a77d9d26feb/EHE_guidance_for_parentsafterconsultationv2.2.pdf
Local Authorities Guidance (England) -
https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/66bf6d2bdcb0757928e5bd47/Elective_home_education_departmental_guidance_for_local_authorities.pdf
Parental Guidance (Wales) -
https://www.gov.wales/elective-home-education-guidance-html

Scotland
-Education (Scotland) Act 1980
https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1980/44/contents
Parental Guidance -
https://www.gov.scot/publications/home-education-guidance/pages/1/

Northern Ireland
-Education and Libraries (Northern Ireland) Order 1986
https://www.legislation.gov.uk/nisi/1986/594/contents
Parental Guidance -
https://www.eani.org.uk/sites/default/files/2020-12/Guidelines%20for%20EHE%2023112020.pdf

Real Life LA requests
https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/home_ed/5102455-work-samples
https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/home_ed/4314573-New-to-home-ed-How-much-interference-to-expect-from-local-authority?utm_source=chatgpt.com

As always, thank you so much for tuning in! If you think we missed anything, have any questions or ideas for f

Support the show

Follow us on
Instagram: @honeyshouldwehomeschool,
Facebook: Honey Should We Homeschool
YouTube: Honey Should We Homeschool YouTube

Making a podcast actually costs money (annoying, we know), and we don’t do ads for mattresses (yet). But if you’ve ever laughed, nodded along, or shouted “YES!” at an episode, consider tossing a coin, no matter how small, to your podcasters! ♡ - https://buymeacoffee.com/honeyshouldwehomeschool

Send us a text

Today, we’re chatting with Lizi, an ex primary school teacher who quit teaching and decided that she won’t be sending her daughter to school. (Unless maybe if she asks to go in the future!!)
Stay tuned for some very fascinating insight into primary schools!

Here’s a breakdown of the conversation:
01:12 - What was your experience of school as a child?
02:43 - What qualifications did you get to be able to teach?
03:33 - What got you into teaching?
05:04 - Did your dyslexia affect your teaching?
09:25 - Best and worst bits of teaching?
11:16 - How long were you a teacher?
12:00 - Thoughts on how much they can move?
12:50 - Screen time in schools
17:40 - How much time did they get outside?
19:55 - Socialisation!
25:30 - Thoughts on GCSE’s
30:18 - Ofsted experiences
34:51 - How many children are in a class?
35:16 - Why did you quit teaching and choose to home educate?
37:42 - Would you let your daughter go to school?
40:12 - Are there any elements from school you’ll incorporate into your home educating?
41:07 - Will you follow the curriculum?
42:15 - Thoughts on the children’s wellbeing and schools bill?
49:40 - What does a rough week in your home ed life look like?
54:30 - How do you non judgmentally tell others about your choice to home educate?
1:04:30 - Any tips/advice?

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GET IN TOUCH!
As always, thank you so much for tuning in!
If you have any further questions for us or Lizi get in touch via email at honeyshouldwehomeschool@hotmail.com,
And don’t forget to leave us a review if you’ve enjoyed the podcast.
We can’t wait to hear from you!
See you next time! :)
www.honeyshouldwehomeschool.com

Support the show

Follow us on
Instagram: @honeyshouldwehomeschool,
Facebook: Honey Should We Homeschool
YouTube: Honey Should We Homeschool YouTube

Making a podcast actually costs money (annoying, we know), and we don’t do ads for mattresses (yet). But if you’ve ever laughed, nodded along, or shouted “YES!” at an episode, consider tossing a coin, no matter how small, to your podcasters! ♡ - https://buymeacoffee.com/honeyshouldwehomeschool