Learn Free 2019
Our Speakers
Harriet Pattison
Harriet Pattison describes herself as an erstwhile, long-term home educator whose fascination in her own children’s learning has become a journey of its own. Harriet started researching and studying from her family’s own personal experiences and went on to collaborate, for a number of years, with Dr Alan Thomas of the Institute of Education, UCL. Together they researched informal learning from an empirical stance, increasingly shading into a more philosophical exploration. Harriet was always fascinated by learning to read and wrote her PhD on how this happens in home education, finding as she did so much to challenge conventional pedagogical thinking. She now lectures in Early Childhood at Liverpool Hope University and flies the flag for the alternative across academia wherever possible. Harriet has researched and written on a number of home education related subjects including the construction of the educational other, education and nihilism, and Muslim home education. She always loves returning to the world of home education, even though she sometimes feels she doesn’t really belong there any longer, and she is always happy to discuss the things that have interested her for so long. Harriet is the author of "Rethinking Learning to Read".
Harriet Pattison
Harriet Pattison describes herself as an erstwhile, long-term home educator whose fascination in her own children’s learning has become a journey of its own. Harriet started researching and studying from her family’s own personal experiences and went on to collaborate, for a number of years, with Dr Alan Thomas of the Institute of Education, UCL. Together they researched informal learning from an empirical stance, increasingly shading into a more philosophical exploration. Harriet was always fascinated by learning to read and wrote her PHD on how this happens in home education, finding as she did so much to challenge conventional pedagogical thinking. She now lectures in Early Childhood at Liverpool Hope University and flies the flag for the alternative across academia wherever possible. Harriet hasI researched and written on a number of home education related subjects including the construction of the educational other, education and nihilism, and Muslim home education. She always loves returning to the world of home education, even though she sometimes feels she doesn’t really belong there any longer, and she is always happy to discuss the things that have interested her for so long. Harriet is the author of "Rethinking Learning to Read"
Fiona Nicholson
Fiona Nicholson runs the Edyourself website and advises on the law in relation to home education, special needs, EOTAS/alternative provision. Fiona can also help you with 14-16 college, the benefits system, and complaints to the Ombudsman. Fiona's son was home educated all the way through and is now in his mid 20s.
Fiona Nicholson
Fiona Nicholson runs the Edyourself website and advises on the law in relation to home education, special needs, EOTAS/alternative provision. Fiona can also help you with 14-16 college, the benefits system, and complaints to the Ombudsman. Fiona's son was home educated all the way through and is now in his mid 20s.
Ivan and Doré Vickers
Ivan and Doré Vickers both come from entrepreneurial families and so it seemed only natural that they would continue this tradition with their own family. Ivan has been a business coach with Tri-Phase Business Solutions Ltd since 2002, Doré has her own natural pet skincare brand PeachyDog Ltd which sells mainly in the US but launched in the UK in 2017 and Alexandra, the eldest of their two children started her own business in 2018, One Liner Merchandise, which also has customers based in the US and the UK. Alexandra is 16 and Gabriel is 10. Both children have been home educated since 2014. The Vickers family found that a more structured approach suited their family and way of life for reasons they’ll gladly discuss at the conference
Ivan & Doré Vickers
Ivan and Doré Vickers both come from entrepreneurial families and so it seemed only natural that they would continue this tradition with their own family. Ivan has been a business coach with Tri-Phase Business Solutions Ltd since 2002, Doré has her own natural pet skincare brand PeachyDog Ltd which sells mainly in the US but launched in the UK in 2017 and Alexandra, the eldest of their two children started her own business in 2018, One Liner Merchandise, which also has customers based in the US and the UK. Alexandra is 16 and Gabriel is 10. Both children have been home educated since 2014. The Vickers family found that a more structured approach suited their family and way of life for reasons they’ll gladly discuss at the conference
Leah Boden
Leah Boden is married to Dave, they have four children and have been home educating for over ten years. Leah takes her educational inspiration from the 'Charlotte Mason' pedagogy and enjoys helping others find their freedom within the philosophy. Leah is a Pastor at Mosaic Church, speaker and writer for the Wild + Free homeschooling community, creator of Modern Miss Mason and is passionate about empowering and releasing others into all God has for them.
Leah Boden
Leah Boden is married to Dave, they have four children and have been home educating for over ten years. Leah takes her educational inspiration from the 'Charlotte Mason' pedagogy and enjoys helping others find their freedom within the philosophy. Leah is a Pastor at Mosaic Church, speaker and writer for the Wild + Free homeschooling community, creator of Modern Miss Mason and is passionate about empowering and releasing others into all God has for them.
Alice Khimasia
Alice Khimasia describes herself as reluctant radical and passionate advocate for self-directed learning, who has been unschooling herself and her four sons for the past 10 years. Introvert, environmentalist, spiritual nomad, she once gave a TEDx talk which you can find on youtube, and writes online at www.organiceducation.uk/blog.
Alice Khimasia
Alice Khimasia describes herself as a reluctant radical and passionate advocate for self-directed learning, who has been unschooling herself and her four sons for the past 10 years. Introvert, environmentalist, spiritual nomad, she once gave a TEDx talk which you can find on youtube, and writes online at www.organiceducation.uk/blog.
Mary Nevin
Mary Nevin has been married to Richard for 20 years. They have three children aged 18, 16, and 14. The Nevins have been home educating for over 13 years and have a child with ASD and Dyslexia who they have home educated with a statement of Special Educational Needs in place (now changed over to EHCP). Mary has learnt how to successfully gain the support needed to get him to where he is now, at a college with support. She has also taken all her children through IGCSE's, and is currently studying for Certificate in Psychometric Testing, Assessment and Access Arrangements (CPT3A) to enable her to support home educators through access arrangements alongside tutors and exams. Mary also now works part-time in a Coventry Primary school. The family attend a church in Stratford-upon-Avon.
Mary Nevin
Mary Nevin has been married to Richard for 20 years. They have three children aged 18, 16, and 14. The Nevins have been home educating for over 13 years and have a child with ASD and Dyslexia who they have home educated with a statement of Special Educational Needs in place (now changed over to EHCP). Mary has learnt how to successfully gain the support needed to get him to where he is now, at a college with support. She has also taken all her children through IGCSE's, and is currently studying for Certificate in Psychometric Testing, Assessment and Access Arrangements (CPT3A) to enable her to support home educators through access arrangements alongside tutors and exams. Mary also now works part-time in a Coventry Primary school. The family attend a church in Stratford-upon-Avon.
Holly & Josh Kindness
Joshua and Holly Kindness have been home educating for 7 years and have four daughters aged 17, 13, 9 and 5. Their eldest daughter experienced learning difficulties from an early age and was diagnosed with autism whilst in school at the age of 8. They’ve had experience dealing with the Local Authority and other specialised services in both educational settings. Joshua currently serves as one of the pastors at Bethel Church Coventry and together they lead a missional community in their local area, along with a community allotment project. Holly is passionate about helping families navigate the special educational needs mind field and in her spare time loves to knit, crochet, sew and bake.
Holly & Josh Kindness
Joshua and Holly Kindness have been home educating for 7 years and have four daughters aged 17, 13, 9 and 5. Their eldest daughter experienced learning difficulties from an early age and was diagnosed with autism whilst in school at the age of 8. They’ve had experience dealing with the Local Authority and other specialised services in both educational settings. Joshua currently serves as one of the pastors at Bethel Church Coventry and together they lead a missional community in their local area, along with a community allotment project. Holly is passionate about helping families navigate the special educational needs mind field and in her spare time loves to knit, crochet, sew and bake.
Shirley Vels
Shirley Vels is married to Trevor and mum to two daughters Victoria-Leigh and Jessica-Laine. They have home educated their daughters all the way through using a Charlotte Mason approach. She graduated her eldest daughter in 2016 who then went on to study Art and Design at Plymouth College of Art. She will be studying Graphic Design and Illustration at Liverpool John Moors in September. With her youngest daughter they took the American SAT route, she has recently been accepted to Chester University to study Fashion Marketing and Communication.
Shirley Vels
Shirley Vels is married to Trevor and mum to two daughters Victoria-Leigh and Jessica-Laine. They have home-schooled their daughters all the way through using a Charlotte Mason approach. She graduated her eldest daughter in 2016 who then went on to study Art and Design at Plymouth College of Art. She will be studying Graphic Design and Illustration at Liverpool John Moors in September. With her youngest daughter they took the American SAT route, she has recently been accepted to Chester University to study Fashion Marketing and Communication.
Jenny Bennigsen
Jenny Bennigsen has been married to Mark since 1986. They have 5 grown up children, and 5 grandchildren. The Bennigsens taught all their children up to GCSE level (sometimes with the aid of tutors) Three of their children attended 6th form colleges where they studied for A’ levels before going on to red brick universities and gaining 1st’s. One of their sons attended Agricultural College, and is currently doing a degree apprenticeship in building surveying. Their only daughter went through sixth form and is now studying English at Lancaster university. After finishing home educating Jenny has now gone back to college and is taking an HNC in contemporary constructed textiles at Bradford College of Art.
Jenny Bennigsen
Jenny Bennigsen has been married to Mark since 1986. They have 5 grown up children, and 5 grandchildren. The Bennigsens taught all their children up to GCSE level (sometimes with the aid of tutors) Three of their children attended 6th form colleges where they studied for A’ levels before going on to red brick universities and gaining 1st’s. One of their sons attended Agricultural College, and is currently doing a degree apprenticeship in building surveying. Their only daughter went through sixth form and is now studying English at Lancaster university. After finishing home educating Jenny has now gone back to college and is taking an HNC in contemporary constructed textiles at Bradford College of Art.