More Nottinghamshire families homeschooling their children are turning to weekly social learning sessions in Arnold to help their children stay connected and build confidence alongside their studies.
Over the past two years, sessions run by the Ethereal Learning Foundation in Arnold have seen attendance jump from just three children to more than 50 every week, reflecting a wider rise in home‑schooling across Nottinghamshire.
The foundation, led by former primary school assistant head teacher Deb Hadden, offers two weekday drop‑in sessions for children aged four to 12 who are being educated at home.
These sessions focus on play‑based, project‑based learning that encourages creativity, teamwork, and emotional well-being, rather than formal lessons or exams, according to the BBC.
Growing need for social learning
Data from Nottinghamshire County Council show that 2,178 children in the county are now being home‑educated, up from 1,839 the previous academic year – an increase of more than 18%. This rise is part of a national trend, with the number of home‑educated children in England having climbed sharply since the early 2020s.
Many families say they choose homeschooling because of anxieties, mental health concerns, bullying, or the belief that their child's needs are not being met in mainstream schools.
At the Ethereal Learning sessions, children take part in themed activities, such as science experiments, art projects, and outdoor games, while also being encouraged to talk about their feelings and work through social challenges.
Because children attend for fewer than 15 hours a week, the sessions are not classified as a school and are not required to be inspected by Ofsted, but they still aim to support the "social and emotional" side of learning that many parents find hard to build at home.
Hadden explains that one of the main goals is to help children feel more comfortable in group settings so they can cope better with the wider world.
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Families and schools adapting to change
One parent, Sara, began home‑educating her eight‑year‑old daughter Ellie after a short period in mainstream school proved too stressful for her.
She now combines home study with outings to National Trust sites, sports clubs, and the Arnold sessions, which she says give Ellie a chance to practice social skills with other children her age.
Ellie is one of the more than 2,000 children in Nottinghamshire currently being taught at home, and her story is echoed by other families who say they rely on such groups to stop their children from becoming isolated.
Education officials in Nottinghamshire acknowledge that home‑education can work well when families have support around them, but they also stress that mainstream school remains the best setting for most children.
A council spokesperson said local authorities are increasingly focused on making sure home‑educated children still have access to social and emotional support, and that schools are better equipped to meet the needs of those who struggle in traditional classrooms.
With the government planning new rules around "children not in school" registers, the role of community‑based groups like the Ethereal Learning Foundation is likely to grow as more families seek safe, structured environments where their children can learn and grow together, as per CHS Online.
