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Jen

@unhurriedsparks.bsky.social
219 followers 135 following 378 posts

Secular UK home educator with a focus on interest and project based learning. Neurodiverse family. LGBTQIA+ affirming. Book lover 📚📚

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Jen @unhurriedsparks.bsky.social · 04/09/2025
What is everyone up to? Thought it could be fun to do some 'hey this is how we home educate', anyone up for it? We do interest based learning. Currently we're deep diving into Ancient Egypt. I also encourage daily maths and writing. We've also added some art to the mix this new year. #homeeducation
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Jen @unhurriedsparks.bsky.social · 03/09/2025
Who came up with this? I had Glandular Fever and couldn't move. Why as a society do we expect our children to do things we as adults would never do? This poster speaks to how we're all just knackered and struggling to survive so we have no choice but to send send them back sick. #NHS #childhood
Poster with the heading When should my child return to school? Sixteen boxes showing different illness such as Flu, Glandualr Fever, Tonsillitis and an explanation under each heading saying when the child should return to school e.g. 48 hours, 24 hours ater commencing antibiotics.
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ednews.bsky.social @ednews.bsky.social · 03/09/2025
Labour’s attack on homeschooling is a cynical state power grab. The Education Secretary must admit that our system is a disaster, rather than penalising those trying to escape it | Telegraph www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/09...
telegraph.co.uk
Labour’s attack on homeschooling is a cynical state power grab
The Education Secretary must admit that our system is a disaster, rather than penalising those trying to escape it
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UK Wild Otter Trust 🦦 @ukwildottertrust.bsky.social · 01/09/2025
Ready for the return to school or for home-educating families, we present … 🦦 Otter mini modules 🦦 #BacktoSchool #BackToSchool2025 #homeeducation #teachingresources #otter #otters #wildlifeeducation
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Jen @unhurriedsparks.bsky.social · 03/09/2025
We're celebrating #notbacktoschool this week. We went to the zoo yesterday and had a wonderful time. Walked miles! Little Miss is now building her own zoo. This is what I love about home education, the natural learning, the freedom to process in a way that is natural for her. #homeEd #homeeducation
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Fiona @edyourself.bsky.social · 03/09/2025
now awaiting developments at Report stage edyourself.wordpress.com/2025/09/03/s... NEW POST #HomeEducation
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Jen @unhurriedsparks.bsky.social · 03/09/2025
The mass MP email re the #childrenswellbeingbill happened yesterday. I'm still waiting for a reply to the other emails I sent! Good blog post as ever here edyourself.wordpress.com/2025/09/03/s... on the progress of the Bill in the Lords. Got to still keep fighting! #schoolsbill #homeeducation
edyourself.wordpress.com
September 2nd Lords Committee Wellbeing Bill
Everything and nothing happened very quickly in the House of Lords yesterday in relation to the Children Not In School chapter of the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill
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Jen @unhurriedsparks.bsky.social · 30/08/2025
Despite the #childrenswellbeingbill not being in place yet we have already have groups and organisations stop offering home education sessions due to the potentially increased reporting on them. Has anyone else expererinced this? #homeeducation #homeed #notinschool
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Jen @unhurriedsparks.bsky.social · 28/08/2025
It's been a while! How is everyone doing? I'm dipping my toe back into social media and thought I'd start in a safer space, so hi! How is everyone? How is everyone with the 'back to school' or better yet 'not back to school'. Tell me what have I missed? #homeschool #homeeducation #homeed
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Fiona @edyourself.bsky.social · 01/05/2025
Wellbeing Bill NEW PAGE - what to expect today & over the next few months edyourself.wordpress.com/2025/05/01/l... #homeeducation #wellbeingbill
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Jen @unhurriedsparks.bsky.social · 02/05/2025
Today, my heart is heavy as Reform have gained control of my area. I've seen some home edders saying they will vote for them as they oppose the #WellbeingBill. I'm sorry, but no. They are a racist, bigoted, homophobic party. There is huge problems with this country, they aren't the answer though.
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Jen @unhurriedsparks.bsky.social · 02/05/2025
I've been quiet for lots of reasons. I've been thinking. I've been hurting because of things happening in the world. I know it's a privilege that I can just remove myself from things when millions can't. I want to write about home ed, but it often feels wrong in the grand scheme of things. Thoughts?
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Jen @unhurriedsparks.bsky.social · 26/03/2025
The key thing I've learnt as a home educator is that you'll never see your kitchen table again. There shall forever be projects, paper, toy's etc on it. And you know what? I love it. I love that we just live and learn all day long. #HomeEducation #EducationOtherwise #homeschool #EduSky
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Jen @unhurriedsparks.bsky.social · 24/03/2025
Can someone explain to me how @teamlabouruk.bsky.social proposal to cut £500 million from the school budget is a good thing? How enabling period poverty is ok? That free meals are not going to be required considering the rising living costs? You're systematically destroying this country. #EduSky
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Jen @unhurriedsparks.bsky.social · 23/03/2025
I was bullied from the age of 7 all the way through to college. I was also assaulted in school. So I find it very hard when I'm told that home educated children are at risk. Why is there an assumption that schools are safe when it is clear they're not? #HomeEd www.theguardian.com/world/2025/m...
theguardian.com
‘I was raped at the age of 10’: sexual abuse and harassment reported at 1,664 UK primary schools
Experiences of harassment, groping, inappropriate touching and rape anonymously reported
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Jen @unhurriedsparks.bsky.social · 23/03/2025
Can anyone point me in the direction of getting a kit where you can build circits and things? something affordable and suitable for a child? #EduSky #science #STEM
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Jen @unhurriedsparks.bsky.social · 23/03/2025
It does! Today, we've already had a conversation about political ideologies, we're in the middle of figuring out 'can we actually make a Baymax' and Little Miss now happily doing some math problems. Home ed gives freedom to jump around and try things. #HomeEducation #STEM
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Wendy Charles-Warner @wendycharleswarner.bsky.social · 22/03/2025
Facts: home educated children are on average, one year ahead of their school based peers; more likely to read a book and more likely to understand politics...less likely to be unemployed as young adults and less likely to commit a crime in their teens. Home education works! #EducationOtherwise
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Jen @unhurriedsparks.bsky.social · 23/03/2025
I have finally finished Little Miss's Home Ed adventure book for last year. Whilst we do not follow the academic year, I do like to mark the start of a new adventure year. I like to write down what we've been up to and put in photos, etc. Do you do anything as a memory keep? #HomeEducation #HomeEd
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Katie Finlayson @learnwhatyoulive.bsky.social · 21/03/2025
I wouldn’t have picked the headline but the actual article does a great job of outlining the concerns home educators have about the CWB: thecritic.co.uk/labours-assa... #edusky #uked #homeeducation
thecritic.co.uk
Labour’s assault on home education | Catherine Oliver | The Critic Magazine
Readers will be familiar with the government’s efforts to clamp down on educational freedom in the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill. But while Katharine Birbalsingh is fighting the good fight for...
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Jen @unhurriedsparks.bsky.social · 20/03/2025
Midweek round up of our home ed fun. Little Miss passed onto Level 2 of Beast Academy, biking fun - the big ramp, sunshine play dates, new library investigations. In-between all of these things, there has been playing, cuddles, reading & fun. How about you, what have you been doing? #HomeEd
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Jen @unhurriedsparks.bsky.social · 20/03/2025
Happy Ostara. Now is the time I feel the New Year is upon us. Everything waking up. I will ask Little Miss how she feels home ed is going. What's working, what's not, anything new she wants to do. Now is the season for freshness. What about you? How are you feeling? #HomeEducation #Spring
media.tenor.com
a bunch of yellow and white flowers in a field
Alt: a bunch of yellow and white flowers, daffodils, gently blowing in the wind in a field
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Jen @unhurriedsparks.bsky.social · 19/03/2025
The 2nd reading of the #ChildrensWellbeingBill in the House of Lords appears to be postponed as it is not listed as part of forthcoming business. I'm not sure what this means #HomeEducation #EduSky #SEND
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Jen @unhurriedsparks.bsky.social · 19/03/2025
Yesterday the Childrens Wellbeing and Schools Bill was voted upon and passed. I don't think any of us are surprised. What happens next though? It will now pass into the House of Lords, where it will go through further scrutiny. 1st reading was today with 2nd reading 1st April. #HomeEducation
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Jen @unhurriedsparks.bsky.social · 19/03/2025
We keep fighting, we keep providing factual information, yet the @teamlabouruk.bsky.social just ignore the facts about home ed and how the CNIS register won't actually fix the problems it says it will which is to do with children who should be in school but arent. #HomeEd #ChildrensWellbeingBill
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Educational Freedom @educationalfreedom.bsky.social · 18/03/2025
Podcasts are such a great way to incorporate learning into other activities, we love them during tidy up & cooking sessions, but lots listen on car journeys, dog walks, as part of bedtime. What are your favourites? And when do you listen? #homeed #homeeduk #homeeducators #homeeducating
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StaffsMattB @staffsmattb.bsky.social · 18/03/2025
LO asked 'What is a plasma?' this morning. So we discussed the nature of atoms/molecules, energy, nuclear fission and fusion, high and low order explosives, chemical vs atomic reactions, imperial vs metric measures, the sun.... all over breakfast 😁 #HomeEd #EHE
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Jen @unhurriedsparks.bsky.social · 17/03/2025
Another weekend full of normal life stuff with learning along the way. Like the 'new' snake found in London and North Wales or completing the 1st level of Beast Academy or practising piano. Of eating cake and having birthday fun. How about you? #HomeEd #EduSky #AreYouListeningNow
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Wendy Charles-Warner @wendycharleswarner.bsky.social · 16/03/2025
Can schools provide individualised education to a child? Of course not as, even the best teacher delivers set material to groups. The law asks far more of parents; home education, individualising education to each child's age, ability, aptitude and special needs. #EducationOtherwise
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Jen @unhurriedsparks.bsky.social · 16/03/2025
💯 agree! Adding tags. #HomeEducation #HomeEd #AreYouListeningNow #EduSky #NotInvisible
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Autistic Realms (Helen Edgar) @autisticrealms.bsky.social · 14/03/2025
This is not neuro-affirming from DFE "School ready" guidance is not helpful & is actually harmful for ND children & their families - setting neurotypical expectations & ways of being instead of honouring & validating their authentic needs & offering support. So many factors affect these milestones
Screen shot from Twitter/X. Text reads: Department for Education
@educationgovuk

Giving every child the best start in life is a cornerstone of the
government's Plan for Change.

The new @KindredSquared "Starting Reception' definition will build
children's confidence amd raise the number of school-ready children to
75%

startingreception.co.uk .

Images of children eating, playing football and painting and drawing with text that reads school ready means: using cutlery, being fully toilet trained, sharing toys, drawing and painting
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Fiona @edyourself.bsky.social · 14/03/2025
NEW POST with 1 page flier for MPs (including image file and copyable PDF) House of Commons next Tues 18 March edyourself.wordpress.com/2025/03/14/a... Children Not In School amendments from MP Abtisam Mohamed #homeeducation #wellbeingbill
edyourself.wordpress.com
Amendments Abtisam Mohamed Parliament March 18
My MP Abtisam Mohamed has tabled amendments to the Children Not In School clauses of the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill. Part 2 of the Wellbeing Bill will be debated in the House of Co…
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Gilbert White's House & Gardens @gilbertwhites.bsky.social · 13/03/2025
#HomeEducators Mighty Mapping Workshop 🧭 This workshop uses OS Explorer maps to introduce or build map reading skills, and includes how to read a map, identify map symbols and use grid references. Find out more: gilbertwhiteshouse.org.uk/event/home-e...
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Jen @unhurriedsparks.bsky.social · 13/03/2025
Question for the #HomeEducation community. I like to share resources we've used on topics etc. How do you like seeing these things, Bluesky , on Instagram, Substack etc. I'd like to share but every time I start I think 'who cares'. So I'm curious do you like seeing things being shared and if so how
curious.do
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Julie Spriddle @juliespriddleart.bsky.social · 13/03/2025
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fm6P... #AreYouListeningNow #HomeEducation #HomeEd #EducationOtherwise
youtube.com
Are You Listening Now? Home Educators Protest in 6 Cities
YouTube video by The Home Education Channel
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Jen @unhurriedsparks.bsky.social · 13/03/2025
As part of British Science Week, we're going to investigate the Pawprint STEM challenge. The resource pack is free to download. #HomeEd #SciSky #britishscienceweek pawprintfamily.com/free-resourc...
pawprintfamily.com
S.T.E.M. Challenge Pack | Pawprint Family
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Jen @unhurriedsparks.bsky.social · 13/03/2025
Wales has decided to pick the bits of the Wellbeing Bill it likes, including the Children Not In School section. #EduSky #HomeEducation #AreYouListeningNow #Wales www.gov.wales/written-stat...
gov.wales
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Fiona @edyourself.bsky.social · 13/03/2025
NEW PAGE about everything local authorities will have to do and how they won't need much money to do it edyourself.org/wellbeing-bi... Children Not In School, Children's Wellbeing and Schools Bill #homeeducation
edyourself.org
Wellbeing Bill Where’s The Money – Ed Yourself
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Jen @unhurriedsparks.bsky.social · 13/03/2025
Things we've been up to the last couple of days. Riding lesson, birthday preparation, piano practice and lesson, map reading, coding. Big chats on politics, on rights of individuals. Playling, lots of storytelling. What things have you been up to? #HomeEducation #NotInvisible #AreYouListeningNow
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Claire Tuck @claire-kt.bsky.social · 12/03/2025
The freedom of #HomeEducation allows us to teach our children exactly this. The tools they actually need for the future! Instead of an outdated curriculum that desperately needs reform. Yet this Government is using #Misinformation impose restrictions on those of us that do. #AreYouListeningNow
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Jen @unhurriedsparks.bsky.social · 11/03/2025
Today has been wildskills, a trip to the library where friends were bumped into. A trip to a butcher where a discussion on produce was had. Then, the key cutter, where that was watched. In between, there were math games, drawing, science experiment observation. All learning. #HomeEducation #EduSky
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Jen @unhurriedsparks.bsky.social · 10/03/2025
What learning took place this weekend. We had some science when Little Miss had to stand on the bottom of the ladder to stop me falling. We had engineering when she decided to make and fit guttering to the new kitty shelter. Reading, map reading, writing. #HomeEducation #AreYouListeningNow
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Jen @unhurriedsparks.bsky.social · 09/03/2025
A weekend as a home ed parent is similar, I guess, to a school child except we don't worry about homework. We don't feel a rush to do all the things. We don't get the Monday feeling. OK, we adults do as we have work. But Little Miss, it's just another day of living and learning. #HomeEd
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Jen @unhurriedsparks.bsky.social · 08/03/2025
How about we share all the ways our home educated children are not invisible. I'll go 1st. Wildskills session = tutoring other parents. Swimming = tutor + grannies and mummy's who all talk to my child. Riding = tutor, 2 groups of other students, parents, staff. Not to mention.... #AreYouListeningNow
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Jen @unhurriedsparks.bsky.social · 08/03/2025
Home ed is not a reason to think of safeguarding issues. We are not invisible. We are very much out there in the world. We are living life and are actually quite noisy whilst we do it! We are learning wonderful things every day in ways that suit our children. #AreYouListeningNow #HomeEducation
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Katie Finlayson @learnwhatyoulive.bsky.social · 04/03/2025
Removing your child from a school in which they are clearly struggling seems a fairly rational thing to do. As is not wanting them to go into one where they will clearly struggle again. And there doesn’t seem to be much else on offer: schoolsweek.co.uk/councils-fai... /2
schoolsweek.co.uk
Excluded children: Councils failing in duty to find places
Councils across the country are routinely failing in their legal duty to provide full-time education for excluded pupils within six days, Schools Week has found
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Jen @unhurriedsparks.bsky.social · 06/03/2025
Sunshine just makes things a little bit better. We spent yesterday outside with friends. We navigated social situations that arise when you have 10 kids of different ages. We said goodbye to friends who are leaving the country. We definitely weren't invisible! #AreYouListeningNow #HomeEducation
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Jen @unhurriedsparks.bsky.social · 05/03/2025
yesterday, a new play area was found and used. Discussion on tree felling was had, maths was done, writing done via posters being made. A former chicken coop is being repurposed for the semi-feral cat. All self-directed, all worthy learning. #HomeEd #AreYouListeningNow #NotInvisible
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Jen @unhurriedsparks.bsky.social · 04/03/2025
Yesterday was jungle day. Loggers were stopped, and orangutans were saved. Did it look like learning, probably not, but there was lots. Talking about the jungle, it's habitat, why illegal logging happens. All of this is learning. #AreYouListeningNow #HomeEducation #ChildrensWellbeingBill
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