Welcome to Home Ed Central on The Isle of Wight
Welcome to Home Ed Central: Isle of Wight
At Home Ed Central, we're passionate about helping families access the information they need to succeed with home education. Our journey began on the Island in 2016, when we started exploring the support available for families educating at home for our own children. We know how daunting it can be to enter the realms of home education, or even consider it. From finding a network of groups and support services to accessing the thriving home education community, with an active network exceeding 500 children, our guidance and resources are tailored to help you find the best support for your own journey.
Home Education Resources for Families on the Island
the council's guide to Home Educating on the Isle of wight
The Isle of Wight Council's guide to educating at home can be found via the link below.
It covers topics such as available support, providing evidence of education, a guide for parents, points to consider before deciding to home educate and the latest news and information.
Local Authority Contacts
Contact the Elective Home Education team (EHE)
- email: electivehomeeducation@iow.gov.uk
- telephone: 01983 823151
A very useful PDF entitled 'Resources for home education' can also be found via the link below. This gives Local Authority information, as well as links to other organisations and websites that could be helpful.
Resources to support home education (iow.gov.uk)
Local groups
The Isle of Wight Learning Zone
The Isle of Wight Learning Zone was founded in 1999 by home educating families who wanted a social network for Island families seeking to educate their children within their homes and through the many places of interest, special events and numerous resources all over the Island.
They are a member-led support organisation, meaning members direct the activities of the group, organising events, arranging social get-togethers, and sharing skills and interests.
Members are invited to meet regularly to plan events and share ideas as they seek to educate their children from home and in the local community, rather than at school.
The standard annual membership fee is £20 per annum for a family.
Isle of Wight Learning Zone (iwlz.org)
Isle of Wight Home Education
This is a Facebook page open to all who are currently home educating or are considering home educating.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/IWHomeEd
Higher/Further Education
The Isle of Wight College
The Isle of Wight College currently run a home education course for 14-16 year olds. To be eligible, the young person must have been home educated for at least a year and referred to the college by the Elective Home Education team.
The Open University
The Open University offer a range of free courses as well as Diplomas and Degrees in a wide range of subjects, many of which can be completed via distance learning.
A large proportion of the courses, including those at Degree level, do not have any formal entry requirements. Therefore, qualifications such as GCSEs and A-Levels are not necessary in order to progress in this area.
Distance Learning Courses and Adult Education - The Open University
Exam centres
Exam centres
There are ongoing talks with the Service Director for Education, Inclusion & Access at County Hall, about setting up a Home Education Exam Centre on the Island, as this is not something that is currently available.
FareGos
FareGos is a not for profit organisation that aims ‘to provide educational opportunities for children and young adults, and to support parents of families who are educating their children at home’.
They run face to face tutorials and exams from their facilities at Titchfield Community Centre.
They are a small exam centre aimed at home educated, school aged students.
For details of what they offer and how to apply, please follow link below.
Wessex Tutors
Wessex Tutors are based in Southampton and offer exams for AQA, Pearson Edexcel, OCR and EDUQAS exam boards.
Their tuition students have priority booking, but they do accept private/external candidates.
Please note, that they are a small centre with limited spaces and early application is advisable.
tutors
Exam centres
Andrew Garratt
Andrew is an Isle of Wight based maths and sciences tutor, covering both GCSE/IGCSE and A Level.
More information and how to contact him can be found via the link below.
Andrew Garratt – Isle of Wight maths and sciences tutor
The Nurture Cabin
The Nurture Cabin is an Ofsted Registered Alternative Educational Provision for primary aged children who may need extra support whilst still attending school, be home educated, have EOTAS, or require after school tuition.
The Nurture Cabin is run by primary school teachers Jo and Fiona. They offer a calm and sensory learning environment for the bespoke teaching and support of children with additional needs and anxiety up to the age of 14.
The Nurture Cabin | Tutoring Isle of Wight (thenurturecabiniow.com)
Wood Learn Forest School Limited
Wood Learn Forest School work with schools, youth organisations and private individuals to deliver specially tailored forest or beach school programmes and 'bushcraft' activities for children and adults of all ages and abilities.
They also deliver courses including the Art in Nature Arts Award, the John Muir Award and Crest Science Award sessions.
For more information and how to book a session, please visit the website below.
local days out
Tapnell Farm Park
This award-winning Farm Park provides so much to see and do, areas to explore and adventures to be had, with just as much indoors as outdoors!
It's all-weather fun for everyone!
There are go-karts, jumping pillows, trim trails, sledge slides and straw barn fun, plus amazing animals in the paddocks and animal barn!
Season passes start at £30 per person.
'Disabled and Carer' passes are available from £25. This season pass is valid for 1 disabled person and 1 carer. Proof of disability will be asked for upon first using your season pass.
All Weather Isle of Wight Family Attraction - Tapnell Farm Park | Tapnell Farm Isle of Wight
Robin Hill
The reopening of Robin Hill has been confirmed for April 2025, with early bird memberships and a flurry of new rides announced.
Those with membership passes will receive a myriad of perks, including discounts across the park and free rides in addition to the usual unlimited entry.
Free carer passes are available.
Blackgang Chine
Let your creativity soar when you start your Isle of Wight adventures at the UK’s oldest theme park!
Explore lands of imagination, including Cowboy Town and Underwater Kingdom.
Have a go on the thrill-seeking rides.
Blackgang Chine is an exciting kids’ day out and a grown-up attraction, too!
Free carer passes are available.
Family Theme Park UK | Blackgang Chine | Isle of Wight
community partnerships
Wildheart Animal Sanctuary
The Sanctuary offer home education sessions alternate Mondays during term time. The 1.5hr sessions cover a variety of topics and activities. It costs £5 per child, with one adult per child accompanying them for free.
These sessions need to be pre-booked via the link below.
Home Education Sessions at the Wildheart Animal Sanctuary
If your child does not want to take part in the education sessions, the Sanctuary also offer a home educator entry rate every Monday in term time. £3 per child is payable on arrival, with one adult free per child.
You do not need to pre-book this, just explain that you are home educators when you arrive.
Welcome to Wildheart Animal Sanctuary | Sandown, IOW
Independent Arts
Discover the home education provision at Independent Arts!
They run 6 week courses focusing on basic art skills and theory, all in a fun, engaging, and social environment.
Designed for ages 8 to 14, these workshops are currently held on Tuesday mornings from 10:30 AM to 12:00 PM.
Each session lasts 90 minutes.
For any queries, feel free to reach out to Ralph at ralph@independentarts.org.uk
Amazon World Zoo Park
Home Ed sessions run fortnightly on a Thursday morning.
After the session there is plenty of time to enjoy the animals and soft play!
Sessions start at 10am with our Education and Conservation officers Ali and Shannon and activities will be themed around the animals at the park.
It costs £5 per child over 2 and one free adult can attend per family.
If you’d like to be added to the mailing list or book a space then drop them a private message via the Facebook page or email on amazonworld@rocketmail.com and they’ll send you all the details!
Isle of Wight Home Ed PE
Their mission is to deliver fun and inclusive PE lessons to children across the Isle of Wight.
All lessons are taught by a fully qualified and DBS checked instructor.
It includes activities such as football, dodgeball, cricket, athletics, golf and more.
The sessions take place on a Friday morning at Binstead Community Centre. 10am-11am for ages 6-12 years. 11am-12pm for ages 11-16 years.
To book a place, contact Lewis on 07594389531.
Easel Peasel's Isle of Wight
Autism-friendly art sessions at a pace which will suit those with additional needs, quieter and more relaxed and parents are welcome to stay.
They explore different mediums and styles, with materials provided.
It costs £10 per child for each 1.5hr session.
To see available dates and times and to book a place, please follow the link below:
Easel Peasel's Isle of Wight - Booking by Bookwhen