Unschooling, Deschooling and Why Language Matters with Your Local Authority

 When families step into home education, two words pop up a lot: unschooling and deschooling. They are big, important ideas that can give you freedom and reassurance on your journey, but they are also terms that can be misunderstood, especially by your Local Authority (LA).

What is Deschooling?

Deschooling is the breathing space after leaving school.

• Your child and you may need time to recover from rigid routines, testing, and the pressure of school expectations.
• It might look like they are “doing nothing” but really they are resting, rebuilding confidence, and rediscovering curiosity.
• Many families find this stage essential before meaningful learning begins.

What is Unschooling?

Unschooling is a philosophy of learning that follows a child’s interests rather than a set curriculum.

• It trusts that children learn best when they are motivated and curious.
• Learning happens naturally in daily life such as cooking, conversations, exploring outside, and creative play.
• For example, baking a cake becomes maths when your child works out the ratio of ingredients, literacy when they read the recipe, and science when they watch how the mixture changes in the oven.
• It does not mean “no education.” It means education is woven into everyday experiences.

Many Families Use a Mixture

In reality, most home educators use a blend of structured and child led approaches.

In our family, for example:

• My daughter is interested in photography, so she enjoys taking portraits and doing mini creative projects.
• She loves history, especially learning about Henry VIII and his wives. When we visited the Mary Rose, she was fascinated by the ship’s dog, and afterwards bought a book about Henry VIII which she read cover to cover in one evening.
• That interest has already sparked new ones. She is now excited to learn about World War Two because she is enjoying the novel Goodnight Mister Tom.
• We build on this with trips to museums, and at the gym we talk about anatomy and physiology while she learns through movement.
• Because she would like to go to college, we also study structured maths and English at home.
• We are exploring qualifications that are coursework based and equivalent to GCSEs, so her learning reflects her strengths and interests.

Why Your Child’s Interests Matter

Your child’s interests are so important because they spark intrinsic motivation. When children learn through something they genuinely care about, they stay curious and engaged rather than feeling forced to study topics they see as having little value.

For example, my daughter does not particularly enjoy maths. But she understands that for her chosen pathway in the future it will be helpful, so she is putting in the effort not because I tell her she must, but because she has a valid reason that connects to her own goals.

There are so many ways to spark interest. A museum trip, a historical novel, or even a book discovered in a gift shop can open the door. One interest often leads to another, building a chain of learning that is both meaningful and enjoyable.

Why the Terms Can Be Misunderstood

Local Authorities have a duty to ensure children are receiving a suitable education. The words “unschooling” or “deschooling” can sometimes raise red flags because they may be misinterpreted as:

• no structure
• no plan
• no learning at all

Families who use these approaches know their children are thriving, but the terminology can create unnecessary battles.

Safer Language to Use with Your LA

When communicating with your LA, it can help to use words that clearly highlight learning:

• Child led learning instead of “unschooling.”
• Give practical examples of daily learning such as ratios in cooking, photography projects, budgeting on a shopping trip, history through books and museums, and literacy through journaling.

This reassures the LA that education is happening, even if it does not look like school.

Final Thoughts

Unschooling and deschooling can be empowering paths. They give children the chance to breathe, to heal, and to learn in ways that suit them best. Just remember, when you are talking to fellow home educators you can use the words freely. When you are speaking to your LA, show the learning that happens in everyday life.

✨ Education does not have to look like school hours. It can be a cake in the oven, a photograph in the garden, a trip to the gym, or a walk through a museum. Most importantly, it can be rooted in your child’s own interests and goals. That is what sparks motivation, builds confidence, and helps them keep moving forward.