A MUM has revealed that pulling her kid out of school at 13 was the best decision she ever made.
Phoebe Cake, now 15, made history two years ago when she became the youngest female ever to compete in the UK Rallycross Junior Championship at the British 5 Nations Trophy Series.
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However, the youngster found the demands of juggling school and motorsports a challenge, and faced fines for poor-health absences during term time.
She also felt her dyslexia needs were not being met, and began missing school due to the anxiety she felt about not being supported.
“I found my school environment really challenging”, Phoebe said.
“I’d often not understand something or repeatedly get things wrong, but my teachers didn’t have the time to help me properly – they were too busy managing everyone else.”
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Keen to find something more flexible that would allow the teen to pursue her dreams, Phoebe’s family turned to homeschooling provider Wolsey Hall Oxford, after being recommended it by a family friend.
Phoebe now balances her studies with European racing tournaments, and credits homeschooling for helping her thrive.
“I love the thrill of racing and knew this was the career for me”, she said.
“Not having to physically attend a school and being able to learn where and when I want has allowed me to travel to Denmark and Germany and represent the UK doing what I enjoy.”
“My typical school day isn’t all that different from those in mainstream.
“I usually start at 9am, look at what assignments I need to prioritise, and finish at 3pm.
“The difference is I get to choose what I study, when and where – which is usually my bedroom.”
Alison Nixon, Phoebe’s mum, is so happy with how her daughter has grown since quitting school.
She said: “Schools are incredibly demanding environments for all children, but especially those living with anxiety.
“Forcing youngsters who are struggling with their mental health to go into that environment five days a week can be incredibly damaging long-term – but it isn’t the only option.”
A third parents now considering homeschooling
Almost a third of British parents are considering homeschooling their child, with disruptive behaviour, growing class sizes, and inadequate provision for students with special educational needs among the top concerns about the current education system.
A poll of 2,000 British parents revealed over half (55 percent) of parents with school-aged children believe the school environment today is challenging for youngsters.
In fact, a similar number (53 percent) claim their child’s school doesn’t cater for their mental health needs, according to the research from online homeschooling provider, Wolsey Hall Oxford.
Worryingly, a further four in ten (38 percent) said their child has felt unsafe at school, while over a quarter (26 percent) said their state school does not have adequate facilities for pupils with SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities).
The study also revealed that more than half of parents (55 percent) believe teaching methods in today’s schools are outdated, citing the expectation for students to sit still and write for long periods, along with a strong focus on memorisation and formal assessments, as old fashioned.
As a result, a staggering third (30 percent) have either pulled their children out of school or are seriously considering it – with bullying (43 percent), mental health concerns (34 percent), and very little one-to-one attention (29 percent) among the top concerns.
Classroom disruption (28 percent) and large class sizes (26 percent) are other reasons for considering opting out of the mainstream system.
Three quarters of parents (75 percent) say schools are failing to prepare children for real life, with 70 percent believing that the education system should teach youngsters real-life subjects like money management, as well as life skills like communication (56 percent), problem solving (54 percent) and mental health awareness (52 percent).
Three quarters (76 percent) would like to see schools offering more flexibility on where and when education is provided, with more than a half (56 percent) seeing value in their child being taught at a time that best suits them, rather than following a fixed timetable.
And two thirds (62 percent) say they would consider homeschooling if they knew it was going to give their child the best start in life, with 83 percent believing that changes in working patterns have enabled parents to fit education around working remotely.
Gavin McLean, Principal at Wolsey Hall Oxford, said: “These findings reflect a clear shift in how the parents of today’s school children view the education system, with concerns over behaviour, class sizes, and inadequate provision for students with special educational needs failing to be addressed.
“At Wolsey Hall Oxford, we believe learning should be flexible, supportive, and should prepare children for life – not just for exams. As more parents recognise that remote and flexible working patterns make homeschooling a realistic and appealing alternative to the classroom, it’s clear that families are seeking learning that adapts to their lives – not the other way around.
“As the world’s longest-established homeschooling provider, and the only online school where families have complete freedom over what, how, where and when their child learns – with no live lessons or set timetables – we’re uniquely placed to support parents to overcome these challenges, offering a truly personalised, world-class education that prioritises wellbeing and nurtures a lifelong love for learning at every stage. ”
She added: “It’s been fantastic to see Phoebe grow in confidence and pursue her dream, while still getting a world-class education from Wolsey Hall Oxford.
“Phoebe studies four subjects, which has allowed her to concentrate on what she‘s most interested in – something which isn’t an option in the mainstream system where children study eight to nine subjects at one time.
“People often think homeschooling is isolating, but Phoebe has travelled all over Europe, met like-minded young racers, and built essential relationships in the motorsport industry.
“It’s given her freedom, confidence, and ambition – three things a mainstream education can’t always provide.
“It’s had a profound impact on the rest of the family too.
“If it’s a sunny day, we’re able to enjoy quality time together without being fined for doing so. Knowing that Phoebe is enjoying her studies and pursing her passion brings me peace of mind – it’s the best decision we’ve made.”
Phoebe is now the youngest and only female driver in Europe racing a Supercar Lite in the Nordic RallyX Championship, covering five countries – evidence of the promising career ahead of her.
Asked if she misses going to school, Phoebe says: “No – not at all. I’m having far too much fun!”
