Home Education

I wouldn''t write off home education entirely. For some children it is an extremely good system and might be a sensible strategy if she is bored at school. In many parts of he country, especially in large towns and cities, there are home education networks where the children can socialise. Home education frees you from the many constraints of the national curriculum and the constant testing that pervades schools at the moment. I didn''t do it myself (I enjoy my career too much) but several friends have and their children have grown up independent-minded and successful. You can always drop back into the system later - for example, for sixth form - though universities are used to dealing with people who haven''t. The main disadvantage to home education is really the pressure on he parent doing it, and some find it very fulfilling.

It is worth discussing this with your ex, if you can. One possibility would be for you to both work part-time and both home educate, on different days of the week. You would then be really in involved in your daughter''s life.

Best wishes,
Sadie

Another option if it is available is ''flexi-schooling''. See if any schools in your area offer this. Our children go to school on a Tues/Wed/Thur and then are home educated on Mon/Fri. They have the best of both worlds, with full support from school, yet with flexibility of home education.