Remember those New Year resolutions? Yeah, turns out that we don't either! But we thought we'd check in and see how we're all doing so far in 2026. It's also a great time for you to pause and take stock of your home education journey so far this year, see how it's mapping out, celebrate your stand out moments and think about what changes you might like to make for the rest of the year.

We promise that it's a stimulating episode where we get a lot off our chests :)

This podcast is a labour of love, and time and energy and commitment and lots of coffee! It really helps us if you can follow us on our social media channels and comment to let us know if you enjoyed the episode, what you'd like to see more / less of and generally come and say hi!

Instagram - TikTok - FB page - Our Private FB group

Today's podcast talks to the founder of the Home Education conference 'Learn Free' which this year is focused on supporting new home educators find their feet and more seasoned home educators deep dive into exams, learning and much more.

You can find the link to book here: https://learnfree.org.uk/ The conference is a great opportunity to come together as a community and meet other home educating parents!

This podcast is a labour of love, and time and energy and commitment and lots of coffee! It really helps us if you can follow us on our social media channels and comment to let us know if you enjoyed the episode, what you'd like to see more / less of and generally come and say hi!

Instagram - TikTok - FB page - Our Private FB group

In this episode of Home Education Matters, we continue our parenting mini-series by exploring authoritarian parenting—what it is, why it’s still common, and how it differs from permissive, neglectful, and connective approaches. We talk about the hallmarks of authoritarian parenting, including strict rules, punishments, and expectations of obedience, and how many of us were raised with elements of this style.

We also discuss why behaviour is communication, how punishments and rewards can sometimes become tools of control, and why many parents experience occasional “authoritarian moments” when overwhelmed. Most importantly, we explore how reflection and repair can help us move toward a more connective, balanced approach to parenting.

Eleanor is again joined by her co-host, Charlotte, a child psychologist, for another engaging, frank and thought provoking chat about parenting and pressures on parents.

This podcast is a labour of love, and time and energy and commitment and lots of coffee! It really helps us if you can follow us on our social media channels and comment to let us know if you enjoyed the episode, what you'd like to see more / less of and generally come and say hi!

Instagram - TikTok - FB page - Our Private FB group

In this week's episode of Home Education Matters, Emily is joined by Will Savage, a music educator and founder of Music with Will. Will shares his own home education journey and how music featured in that, and how he now supports other home educated children to also access music education.

Will shares simple and practical tips for home educating parents to easily incorporate music education into their daily lives, whilst also highlighting easily accessible resources that create a fun and engaging environment for children to learn and develop through music.

Will Savage

Will Savage is a musician and educator with nearly 20 years’ experience teaching music and piano. Home-educated himself, he knows firsthand how music can feel like a “black box” to children without formal training. Will’s approach makes music accessible, playful, and understandable, helping children explore, create, and internalize musical concepts through listening, singing, and hands-on activities. He also runs a small online program for home-educated children aged 7–12, providing flexible, interactive lessons that inspire curiosity and confidence in music.

Will's WebsiteWill's Facebook pageWill on YouTube

@willsavagemusic on Instagram

Resources mentioned:

clara.imslp.org

Chrome Music Lab

Ableton

This podcast is a labour of love, and time and energy and commitment and lots of coffee! It really helps us if you can follow us on our social media channels and comment to let us know if you enjoyed the episode, what you'd like to see more / less of and generally come and say hi!

Instagram - TikTok - FB page - Our Private FB group

Unschooling can feel like a wild and scary place for the uninitiated! And so today's podcast is looking at gentle and easy ways to incorporate unschooling and its principles into your home education journey, in way that feel manageable and empowering for you and your child.

I am joined by the wonderful Heidi Steel and she'll be giving us five ways we can dip our toes into this liberating and rewarding approach to a child's learning.

With: Heidi Steel- Heidi Steel is the founder of liveplaylearn.org and the Unschooling Village Hub, and author of the book School Isn’t for Everyone and What You Can Do Instead: A Practical and Neuro-Affirming Guide to Unschooling. She has over 14 years of hands-on experience as an unschooling parent of four always unschooled children. Heidi shares a practical, down-to-earth approach that builds connection, trust, and a lifelong love of learning. Throughout the resources and community that she hosts for unschooling families, you can find support to step away from traditional education systems, and guidance and reassurance to create learning environments that truly work for their families. Heidi’s work is rooted in the belief that children learn best when they are trusted and given the space to follow their natural curiosity.- Heidi's Website - @liveplaylearn1 on Instagram- Heidi's Facebook pageand Heidi's book can be found here

This podcast is a labour of love, and time and energy and commitment and lots of coffee! It really helps us if you can follow us on our social media channels and comment to let us know if you enjoyed the episode, what you'd like to see more / less of and generally come and say hi!

Instagram - TikTok - FB page - Our Private FB group

Today is the first in our parenting mini series and we are starting with exploring Permissive Parenting. This approach to parenting combines many wonderful elements such as child autonomy and responsive parenting. It can, however, throw up challenges both for you as the parent and for your child.

I am joined by my co-host Charlotte Webb, a Clinical Child Psychologist, to take a fun and no holds barred look at permissive parenting.

This podcast is a labour of love, and time and energy and commitment and lots of coffee! It really helps us if you can follow us on our social media channels and comment to let us know if you enjoyed the episode, what you'd like to see more / less of and generally come and say hi!

Instagram - TikTok - FB page - Our Private FB group

As a home educator, it is sometimes thought that performing arts subjects are out of reach. But in today's episode we explore how home educated children can access LAMDA qualifications from home. We are joined by Rosie Skinner, Principal of the Mendip Performing Arts Academy, to talk all things drama, performing arts and in particular the prestigious LAMDA qualifications.

Join us as we discuss the real life skills that can be built through studying the performing arts and how the LAMDA qualifications support your child's growth whilst also giving them the opportunity to add to their academic portfolio.

Rosie Skinner TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@vocal.coach.rosieRosie's Facebook pageRosie's Website

TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@vocal.coach.rosie

Email - mendipperformingarts@gmail.com

This podcast is a labour of love, and time and energy and commitment and lots of coffee! It really helps us if you can follow us on our social media channels and comment to let us know if you enjoyed the episode, what you'd like to see more / less of and generally come and say hi!

Instagram - TikTok - FB page - Our Private FB group

Today we are joined by Jenn Hodge to discuss the upcoming Children's Wellbeing and Schools Bill which is currently going through Parliament.

We talk about the history of legislation in the home education community, the details of the bill, how it will impact prospective home educators and existing home educating families, as well as its effect on all members of the community but especially children with school trauma or special educational needs. And we also talk about what we can do to try to halt its inexorable progress.

In Jan 2020, following her work in advocacy, community work and facilitating youth provision, Jenn Hodge founded an education centre in Somerset, now supporting a wide range of young people, many of whom are neurodivergent. In 2025, she was named one of the UK’s Top 100 Inspiring Female Entrepreneurs by Small Business Britain. Today, Jenn is a writer, CEO, and passionate advocate for doing education differently, dreaming of a system that is inclusive, interest-led, and free from exam-driven hierarchy.

@doing.education.differently on Instagram

Jenn's Facebook page

Jenn's Website

Some useful sites for information on the Bill:

https://www.facebook.com/stopthecwsbill

https://www.facebook.com/groups/homeeducationactiongroup/

https://edyourself.org/childrens-wellbeing-schools-bill/

https://educationalfreedom.org.uk/proposed-changes-to-home-education-law-without-the-legal-jargon/

This podcast is a labour of love, and time and energy and commitment and lots of coffee! It really helps us if you can follow us on our social media channels and comment to let us know if you enjoyed the episode, what you'd like to see more / less of and generally come and say hi!

Instagram - TikTok - FB page - Our Private FB group