Case Study: Travelling

Background

This full-time homeschooling placement was designed to support a well-travelled and internationally minded family seeking freedom from the constraints of the UK school system. With their two children aged 9 and 12, the family set out on a multi-year global journey that would span France, Spain, England, and potentially South Africa and California. Their decision to withdraw from traditional schooling was driven not by academic concerns but by a desire to align their children’s education with their mobile lifestyle and wider worldview.

The older sibling, a bright and quick-witted 12-year-old boy, thrived when teaching was dynamic, hands-on, and led with genuine enthusiasm. A keen sportsman, especially passionate about golf, he relished the opportunity to devote more time to his sport while pursuing academic excellence in parallel. His younger sister, then 9, was a warm, patient, and thoughtful child who adored reading and had a strong affinity for music, singing, and dance. Together, they represented a joyful, curious, and social pair, keen to engage deeply with their studies and the wider world.

Role of the Tutor

A full-time Tutor was appointed to design and deliver a tailored educational programme grounded in the UK curriculum, with elements of the International Baccalaureate ethos woven throughout. Lessons emphasised inquiry, critical thinking, and a sense of global citizenship. With travel central to family life, the Tutor was encouraged to seize every opportunity to bring learning to life, incorporating local museums, galleries, historical sites, and cultural experiences into the weekly timetable.

Each child’s distinct strengths were nurtured: for the older boy, this meant a programme that combined traditional academics with outdoor, experiential learning, structured around his sporting commitments. The Tutor adapted teaching materials to match his energetic learning style, striking a balance between clear boundaries and creative engagement. For his sister, the Tutor curated a rich literary and performing arts curriculum, while supporting core academic growth in a way that respected her gentle, reflective nature.

The teaching schedule followed a consistent routine: Monday to Friday mornings, with mastery-based assessments each Friday to ensure both accountability and enjoyment. The second half of Friday mornings was reserved for enrichment or project-based learning as a reward for progress made, reinforcing the idea that effort and independence bring freedom.

The Tutor worked closely with the children’s mother, who remained actively involved in their education, providing logistical and pedagogical support as needed. This collaboration created a harmonious, flexible learning environment that respected the family’s values and allowed education to become an integral part of daily life, wherever that happened to be.

Outcome

This travelling tutoring placement lasted several years, evolving organically with the family’s movements and the children's development. Both children maintained strong academic progress while also benefitting from the unique cultural, personal, and extracurricular experiences afforded by their nomadic lifestyle.

The older boy’s golf ambitions flourished thanks to the flexibility of his schedule, and he developed increased confidence and independence in both sport and academics. His ability to engage with complex subjects across disciplines grew significantly. His sister deepened her love of reading and the arts, and began to display a mature, self-motivated approach to her learning, guided by a Tutor who understood how to nurture her quiet strengths.

Freed from the constraints of term times and school runs, the family enjoyed meaningful shared experiences, adapted their schedule to match their values, and gave their children an education that truly reflected who they were and who they were becoming.