Way back in January I blogged about home schooling as a way of life, but almost immediately after that post was written I felt that God was asking me to trust Him with Pip's education and that school was the way forward! Several times during the course of the spring and summer terms I chatted to Pip about home schooling and her reply was always the same:
"No Thanks! Benedict annoys me and I want to be with my friends!"
So she quite cheerfully attended a school visit at the end of the term and started on Monday 16th September:
The first week went very well and then we hit a wobble in the second week when reality hit home that it would be all day every day!! We have however negotiated flexi schooling and so she has Friday as a home day. There are some mornings when she says that she doesn't want to go but then very quickly decides that being at home would be boring and before we know it she is stood near the door ready to leave! Pip obviously knows and understands that home schooling is an option for her but for the time being would much rather blaze her own trail elsewhere.
On Saturday 21st September we packed up the car and travelled to Sheffield. Sara's university digs are in the city centre and she is literally a ten minute walk from her place to her faculty and the library. Public transport links are really good and she has both access to a tram and bus service virtually right outside her door. She is on a landing with post graduate girls, so there are no noisy parties and chaos to deal with and the kitchen is always left immaculately clean!
All packed and ready to go.
At one point we were actually overtaken by this guy and his little car and at which point we all dissolved into fits of laughter!
Her access is at the far end on the right.
Her road.
Gathering her keys and information pack.
View from her window including the tram line.
For those us left behind in our gold fish bowl at number twenty two, life plods along slowly! Adjusting to Sara being away has for the main part been a cinch and the wonders of Skype has meant that we can keep in touch very easily. Settling into our own pattern and working alongside an outside imposed school day has been hard and there are times when I really do wonder if it is worth the effort and hassle. However having seen the effects of long term isolation on Benedict, I could not in all conscience knowingly impose such an existence on Pip without good reason. So despite my uneasiness with testing, targets and playground skirmishes, having a foot in either camp is where we are meant to be.