Learn Free 2020
Our Speakers
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.
The Walden Family
Billy Walden's mum, Jayne, officially removed him from school at age 12, although he had already missed so much school before that, that he considers himself to have been home educated from age 11. Jayne did not really follow a plan, but allowed Billy to learn subjects he chose, at his own pace. Besides taking Maths and English exams, Billy has completed and received qualifications in Carpentry, Bricklaying and Plumbing. At age 17, Billy was featured on Channel 4’s ”Amazing Spaces” for his narrowboat conversion. Billy's younger sister, Matilda, is also being home educated.
The Walden Family
Billy Walden's mum, Jayne, officially removed him from school at age 12, although he had already missed so much school before that, that he considers himself to have been home educated from age 11. Jayne did not really follow a plan, but allowed Billy to learn subjects he chose, at his own pace. Besides taking Maths and English exams, Billy has completed and received qualifications in Carpentry, Bricklaying and Plumbing. At age 17, Billy was featured on Channel 4’s ”Amazing Spaces” for his narrowboat conversion. Billy's younger sister, Matilda, is also being home educated.
Rebekah Thorne
Rebekah Thorne is wife to Andrew and home educating mum to 4 children aged 2 – 10 years. The family live in Portsmouth, but also have close ties to Manchester. Rebekah works part-time as a children’s nurse, but finds the freedom of home education enables the family to thrive despite the busy-ness of their jobs and other commitments. The family are well supported by their family, church and community groups which enables them to facilitate their children’s learning through a wide variety of experiences. Rebekah is passionate about seeing their children grow, develop and learn at their own pace, in an unpressured environment.
Rebekah Thorne
Rebekah Thorne is wife to Andrew and home educating mum to 4 children aged 2 – 10 years. The family live in Portsmouth, but also have close ties to Manchester. Rebekah works part-time as a children’s nurse, but finds the freedom of home education enables the family to thrive despite the busy-ness of their jobs and other commitments. The family are well supported by their family, church and community groups which enables them to facilitate their children’s learning through a wide variety of experiences. Rebekah is passionate about seeing their children grow, develop and learn at their own pace, in an unpressured environment.
Kat Patrick
Dr Kat Patrick is a home-educating mum of four, the eldest of whom is now at university, and CEO of the tutorial provider, Dreaming Spires Home Learning. She lived for 25 years in England before moving back to her native Texas about three years ago. Her background includes an MA from Durham (UK), a PhD from Delaware (US), and a UK PGCE teaching certificate, all in the subject of English. She continues to examine for an international UK exam board for both IGCSE and A-level in English Language and Literature. She has written a revision guide available on Amazon.
Kat Patrick
Dr Kat Patrick is a home-educating mum of four, the eldest of whom is now at university, and CEO of the tutorial provider, Dreaming Spires Home Learning. She lived for 25 years in England before moving back to her native Texas about three years ago. Her background includes an MA from Durham (UK), a PhD from Delaware (US), and a UK PGCE teaching certificate, all in the subject of English. She continues to examine for an international UK exam board for both IGCSE and A-level in English Language and Literature. She has written a revision guide available on Amazon.
Dorothy Murphy
Dorothy started home educating in 1996, after many years as a teacher, and so now counts as a veteran! She has helped 100’s of home educated teens through English Language and Literature exams, teaching them in small groups in Oxford. She is a former examiner in English and works in a part-time capacity as SENDCO for FareGos exam centre. Dorothy taught her daughter, who has ASD, and her son, who went on from HE to achieve a First in his degree course. He now home educates his three children, which she hopes is a sign that he appreciated his own home education. She still teaches in the home ed community in Oxford, but spends more time now writing, in order to encourage and support home educating parents, and developing thriving communities of home educating families.
Dorothy Murphy
Dorothy started home educating in 1996, after many years as a teacher, and so now counts as a veteran! She has helped 100’s of home educated teens through English Language and Literature exams, teaching them in small groups in Oxford. She is a former examiner in English and works in a part-time capacity as SENDCO for FareGos exam centre. Dorothy taught her daughter, who has ASD, and her son, who went on from HE to achieve a First in his degree course. He now home educates his three children, which she hopes is a sign that he appreciated his own home education. She still teaches in the home ed community in Oxford, but spends more time now writing, in order to encourage and support home educating parents, and developing thriving communities of home educating families.
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.
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.
Randall and Mary Hardy
Randall and Mary Hardy have six adult children. The older ones attended a Christian school, whilst the younger three were home educated. When Ed Balls commissioned the Badman Review in 2009, they, like many other HE families, were quickly introduced to the world of
political lobbying. They continued to monitor the political situation in subsequent years and found themselves having to devote more time to this with the introduction of Lord Soley's Private Member's Bill. Last year Randall managed to get two articles published on the TES website, questioning the prevailing "project fear" about home education.
Randall and Mary Hardy
Randall and Mary Hardy have six adult children. The older ones attended a Christian school, whilst the younger three were home educated. When Ed Balls commissioned the Badman Review in 2009, they, like many other HE families, were quickly introduced to the world of political lobbying. They continued to monitor the political situation in subsequent years and found themselves having to devote more time to this with the introduction of Lord Soley's Private Member's Bill. Last year Randall managed to get two articles published on the TES website, questioning the prevailing "project fear" about home education.
Michael Reeve
Mike and his wife Amy have 4 children aged between 3 and 8 and are in their fourth year of their Home Ed journey. Mike works full time as a business analyst where he is fanatical about all things data. Outside of work, Mike is involved in his church's children's ministry, where he leads the 10-12 year-old kids'group. Amy and Mike are passionate about seeing parents encouraged and empowered in their role of raising children.
Michael Reeve
Mike and his wife Amy have 4 children aged between 3 and 8 and are in their fourth year of their Home Ed journey. Mike works full time as a business analyst where he is fanatical about all things data. Outside of work, Mike is involved in his church's children's ministry, where he leads the 10-12 year-old kids'group. Amy and Mike are passionate about seeing parents encouraged and empowered in their role of raising children.
Mary Nevin
Mary Nevin has been married to Richard for 21 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.
Trish Rowell
Trish has been married to Ben for 15 years and been blessed with 3 children. They have been home educating for 5 years have taken a structured approach. Trish says "we seek to make the glory of God the motivation of all our learning".
We have known highs and lows, days filled with laughter and joy while others with tears and frustrations. But God is faithful and his grace has always been sufficient."
Trish Rowell
Trish has been married to Ben for 15 years and been blessed with 3 children. They have been home educating for 5 years have taken a structured approach. Trish says "we seek to make the glory of God the motivation of all our learning".
We have known highs and lows, days filled with laughter and joy while others with tears and frustrations. But God is faithful and his grace has always been sufficient."