Information for Elective Home Educators (released as part of the COVID-19 Government response, April 2020)  There is now an increased offer from Careers South West to those families who home educate in Torbay.  Please see attachment. We have also include a link to the educational sites that all parents have been offered whilst they are educating their children at home due to COVID-19 restrictions: https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/dailylessons https://www.thenational.academy/ https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-online-education-resources/coronavirus-covid-19-list-of-online-education-resources-for-home-education In addition: 1)      For parents with children under 5 years old, who have not yet started school, the Department for Education (DfE)’s Hungry Little Minds campaign features tips and practical activities that you can do at home with children to support their early learning.  There are many simple ways to help your children learn and it does not have to feel like ‘learning’. Having everyday conversations, make-believe play, and reading together, all make a big difference to your child’s development.  You can find more ideas and content from the BBC’s Tiny Happy People campaign and the National Literacy Trust Family Zone.  The Department for Education also has guidance for parents of children aged 2 to 4 years and primary school age to support learning at home. 2)      There is also support available to keep 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) 3)      Finally:  What support is 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 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

HEALTH: - Invite for parents with primary school aged children to consent for the Flu vaccination this Autumn.

Please read the attached letter about Flu vaccination to all Primary school aged children (date of birth 1^st September 2008 – 31st August 2015).  Delivery of the programme will run via clinics from October - December 2019 across Devon, Plymouth and Torbay.

If you have any difficulty completing the link or do not have electronic access, you can telephone them for further advice on 0333 321 9884.

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.

Safer Internet Day – 11^th February 2020

It’s not too late to plan for this and there are plenty of free resources available. The UK Safer Internet Centre has launched the 11th annual Childnet Film Competition which is open to all schools and youth organisations across the UK. This year Childnet, a UKSIC partner, is inviting young people aged 7-18 to take on the challenge of creating a short film in response to this year’s theme:

We want an internet where we’re free to…

Childnet is looking for films that have a clear message about the positive ways young people can use the internet. The challenge for young people is to create a film that tells us what they want from a future internet and what they believe people should be free to be online. The competition closes in June 2020 and details can be found on the website along with many resources: https://www.saferinternet.org.uk/blog/childnet-film-competition-launched-celebrate-safer-internet-day

Instagram -Online Bullying:  Instagram has introduced a new anti-bullying feature that notifies people when their comment may be considered offensive before it’s posted. The intervention gives people a chance to reflect and undo their comment and prevents the recipient from receiving the harmful comment.

Source: Instagram Date: 08 July 2019  Guidance at https://instagram-press.com/blog/2019/07/08/our-commitment-to-lead-the-fight-against-online-bullying/

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.