NOT Back To School – How to join the movement that’s reclaiming childhood!

Whilst many children are heading back into school, timetables and homework this September, UK unschoolers and home educators are embracing Not Going Back To School!

Home Education has increased in popularity over recent years and “Not Back To School” is all about the parents choice and legal right (in England UK) to educate their child/ren at home. Thus, reclaiming childhood from rigid systems, scores and data.

Many parents automatically assume they must hand over their children each day, to teachers, the National Curriculum, a classroom and a set group of peers – but this is not the case. You can raise and educate your children yourself and allow them more freedom and flexibility to learn in ways that suit them best, individually.

For seasoned home educators, life just continues without noticing a shift. September means September. Autumn and possibilities. They carry on, minus new uniforms and worries about fitting in.

1. Not Back to School — What It Means

Not sending your child to school for the Autumn term – the start of the new school year (UK).
De-registering your child from school. Or not registering for a school place.
Electively educating your child at home, otherwise than at school.

2. Legal Requirements of Parents in the UK

In the UK, parents have a legal right to educate their children at home.
The law states education must be “suitable to age, ability and aptitude,” but it doesn’t have to follow the National Curriculum.
Many families are surprised to learn they don’t need to be a qualified teacher or follow school hours. They don’t have to be a certain age or rich! Home education offers much flexibility.

3. Why Families are Choosing Not Back to School

Rising concerns over testing, mental health, bullying, and archaic systems.
Lack of time to play or artistic/creative subjects in school.
Families wanting a more varied, child-led, interest-based approach.
My article Here’s The Thing – How Home Education Works & Why explains Home Ed’ well.
Flexibility to travel or lead an alternative lifestyle.
Provide a tailored, one to one educational experience for your children.
A calmer home environment for children with additional needs.

4. Unschooling in the UK Context

There are many styles or approaches to home education that are embraced by parents across the UK. One such approach that is becoming more popular is unschooling.

Unschooling allows the child to learn through living.
They direct their interests and education.
Unschooling questions the use of all curricula and forced education.
Learning through natural life experiences, conversations, connections and relationships – Life Is Learning.
Examples:
- Cooking = maths, science, literacy.
- Gaming = problem-solving, teamwork, history, design.
- Nature walks = biology, geography, creativity.
Emphasis on real-world, holistic learning over seated work or study.
Parents take on the role of facilitator rather than teacher.

5. Community and ‘Not Back to School’ Celebrations

As social media feeds fill up with first day of school photographs, many home educating parents like to take a Not Back To School photo to mark the occasion instead.
UK Home Ed groups often mark September with Not Back to School picnics, meet-ups, and trips.
There’s a strong and growing UK-wide network (Facebook groups and regional meetups) to get involved with if you would like to.

6. How to Join the Movement

Talk to people who already home educate by connecting with local groups, searching Facebook for “Home Education [your county]”.
Research your reasons. There are a wealth of UK blogs, Instagram and YouTube accounts and books available.
Try books like
Explore UK podcasts, and events.
Trust that education is happening all the time.

7. The Bigger Picture — Reshaping Childhood

Kids gain time, freedom, and space to grow at their own pace.
Parents discover a deeper connection with their children.
The movement challenges old assumptions that school is the only (or best) way. Imagine the possibilities!

This September and in the run up to the New Year thousands of families across the UK will be saying “NO” to going back to school and instead “YES” to an exciting, new, richer way of learning. Will you be joining them?

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