Information for Elective Home Educators during the Coronnavirus Crisis.  There is now an increased offer from Careers South West to those families who home educate in Torbay.   Links to the educational sites whilst educating children at home due to COVID-19 restrictions: https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/dailylessons The Oak Academy – online classroom offering free access to nearly 10,000 video lessons, quizzes and worksheets Coronavirus: 101 free resources for home learning (tes.com) please also scroll down this webpage for lots of other useful websites Keeping your child safe online. Below are some useful links to help parents and carers: Thinkuknow (advice from the National Crime Agency to stay safe online) Internet matters (support for parents and carers to keep their children safe online) Parent info (support for parents and carers to keep their children safe online) Net-aware (support for parents and carers from the NSPCC) Let’s Talk About It (support for parents and carers to keep children safe from online radicalisation) UK Safer Internet Centre (tips, advice, guides) Support available to parents to help them maintain their family’s wellbeing whilst home educating Social connections, alongside exercise, sleep, diet and routine, are important protective factors for mental health. Public Health England’s Rise Above platform supports young people around wellbeing and is worth a visit.  Social isolation, reduced exercise, and bereavement, may affect children’s wellbeing in this period.  Resources to promote and support children and young people’s mental wellbeing also include: MindEd educational resources for adults about children and young people’s mental health, which is relevant for parents and carers as well as volunteers, teachers, and other professionals working with children the Every Mind Matters platform which supports looking after your own and other’s mental health guidance on looking after wellbeing and mental health during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak guidance on supporting children’s wellbeing and mental health (NEW) Special provision is now available for primary school-aged children in Torbay who are missing school due to the coronavirus crisis. Find out the latest advice and information about Coronavirus in Torbay Covid 19 resources for Schools, Parent and Carers in relation to children and young people who have SEND Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s) in relation to children and young people with SEND during period of Coronavirus (Covid 19)

The law requires every child of statutory school age to be educated, either by regular attendance at school or, if parents choose, at home, providing the child receives an efficient full-time education suitable –

1. to their age, ability and aptitude, and
2. to any special educational needs they may have.

If you choose to make your own arrangements to educate your child at home you will be fully responsible. The Local Authority does not provide any assistance with costs, materials, curriculum or any other advice.  The decision to educate your child at home is a big step; it will take a considerable amount of your time, energy and money.

If you choose to home educate, you will need to inform in writing, the school your child currently attends. Please also complete the voluntary registration form (which you can find in the downloads section on the right-hand side of this webpage) and return this to pupil.services@torbay.gov.uk.

It is the Local Authority’s responsibility to look at the quality of your provision of home education.

You will get a home visit from the EHE quality assurance officer who will want to see evidence of the teaching and learning you are doing with your child.

Please read through the Guidelines booklet for parents considering home education.

Once you have worked out your home education programme, we advise you to complete and return the Elective Home Education Programme booklet and return it to Torbay Education, for the attention of david.bevan@torbay.gov.uk

South Devon College - Elective Home Education Scheme

Please click the image below to learn more about this very successful programme, which provides a broad and diverse Key Stage 4 curriculum for learners in year 10 & 11. 

Doorstep Arts 

Doorstep Arts are the creative education company in residence at the Palace Theatre, Paignton. They also provide 14 drama groups across Torbay at key doorstep sites – youth clubs, church halls and schools.  The young people who attend these groups range in age from 0-25. They write their own stories and songs, and they explore original ideas through drama process, play, and imagination. The groups provide safe educational spaces to experiment with what it means to be an artist and to explore your own voice.

Play Torbay Adventure playgrounds and Holiday programmes 

• Fort Apache - open access adventure playground in the heart of Torquay
• Indigos - a place to build dens, slide, swing, toast marshmallows on a fire and generally ‘hang out’ in Brixham
• Wild Fox - Adventure Playground in Paignton

Please also scroll down for weblinks related to Elective Home Education that you may find useful. 

There are also a wide range of online forums that you may wish to explore yourself.