Thanks for all this Kerri and Jo

Here are the answers to some of your questions. Firstly, my daughter (8 years old)has asked to be home schooled (at the beginning of every term!)I think she is quite aware of the system as part of my business is to teach Maths and English to home school kids whose parents don't necessarily feel confident in either of those areas. (I'm a secondary English teacher with Maths as my second subject, so I teach up to A level)Secondly, yes I do feel happy having them both around (second DD is 2). Thirdly, I cannot honestly say that I have a problem with formal education but perhaps this school?! I am definately unclear in my own mind on this issue. Finally, and importantly my own parents live in Spain so I wouldn't have the support of grandparents and my father in law is quite elderly and lives 50 miles away. I would be on my own - however, I don't have any "me" time now, I would only have it if I sent DD2 to nursery.

What would happen in the UK if DD1 decided after a year that home school wasn't for her? I know for a fact she wouldn't be able to get back in the school she's in now? Are my deeply liberal insincts (combined with the earth mother ones)just rebelling against a school/system that does not appreciate her individuality? Blah, blah, blah...I'm going on now aren't I...LOL