WHO better to ask advice about home education than youngsters who are currently being taught at home right now?

That’s the idea behind a panel event to be held in the Gold Room at Stroud’s Centre for Science and Arts in Lansdown.

It takes place on Saturday, November 8 from 2pm to 4.30pm.

Mum Claudia Weston, who lives in Bisley Old Road, Stroud, with her children Louis, 14, Esmee, 11, and Maya, eight, has educated all three of her youngsters at home and wants to spread the word about home education to others who might be interested.

“Initially it was because Louis was very clingy and didn’t want to be separated from me,” explained Claudia.

“ I looked into a school placement but we had the luxury that I didn’t have to work, and it just seemed as if home schooling offered more individual attention, more freedom and meant that each child could learn at their own pace.”

The event on Saturday will feature four panels, each made up of people who are or have been home educated.

The first will be made up of eight to 11 year olds, the second of 12 to 15 year olds, the third of parents and the fourth of adults or students in tertiary education.

“There doesn’t seem to be a great deal of information for people thinking of home education, whereas you can visit mainstream schools to get an idea of what they are offering,” added Claudia.

“I thought this event would address the balance in some way.”

Entry to the event is free, although participants will be invited to give a donation to cover the cost of the room hire and to help pay for a disabled ramp which will be provided for disabled access to the building.