As the festive season comes to an end, most UK children are returning to school this week after more than two weeks at home. This transition often brings anxiety for many parents, especially those with children facing a crucial year in their education.
Mum and home educator Hannah Canavan has suggested five alternative options on TikTok in the hope it will calm the fears of some. “If you’re dreading sending your child back to school after the Christmas holidays, there are alternatives,” she explained.
Whether it’s separation anxiety, lack of faith in the mainstream system, or if your child has special educational needs, Hannah may have a solution worth considering. One option she suggests is home education, which she has implemented with her own three children.
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“Most people understandably need time to get their head around the idea,” she admitted, before recommending her home education playlists on TikTok for further information.
An alternative option is ‘flexischooling’, a mix of part-time home education and part-time schooling. “This can work well, but it’s at the discretion of the headteacher and it often makes them nervous,” Hannah added.
She also highlighted the option of dual enrolment, which allows part-time attendance at a ‘normal’ school alongside online teaching. “It doesn’t require an EHCP (Education, Health and Care Plan) and can be a great way to get funded alternative provision for kids who aren’t coping at school,” she enthuses.
Another route is EOTAS (Education Otherwise Than At School), where, according to Hannah, the local council covers the cost of alternative provisions such as tutors, enrichment activities, or online schooling.
Meanwhile, online schooling is the final avenue that Hannah champions as “the best bits of school without the stress”. She notes: “Kids can take GCSEs and A levels from home. The best rated for UK online school is Minerva’s Virtual Academy.”
Her suggestions have sparked a conversation among parents anxious about their children returning to traditional classrooms in 2025. One parent lamented: “I’m so not looking forward to Monday at all. I’ve loved having them home so much. I’m thinking of keeping my two-year old off from nursery as it just doesn’t suit him.”
Another parent commended Hannah’s advice, saying: “I have one deregistered and one happy in school. This is my first month doing home education and you helped me make the jump. Thank you for doing what you do.”
Echoing this sentiment, another TikTok user added: “Will be our two year anniversary of home-schooling in a few months and I don’t regret it at all. You have helped me so much Hannah and for that I’m so grateful. 2025 we travel and my son cannot wait.”
A fourth parent shared their positive experience of change: “Pulled my daughter out in October, she’s year 10. Best thing I’ve done for her mental health. She will be still be sitting GCSEs some for free some I’ll be paying for. But she’s happy.”
Whilst a fifth reflected on their successful decision: “Best decision I ever made was taking my SEN [special educational needs] child out of school three years ago. My son is a totally new person, school would have destroyed him he had suffered so much trauma there!”