Travelling and Homeschooling: A Family Adventure

Travel doesn’t have to stop after having kids. These globetrotting parents are seeing the world while homeschooling their children simultaneously.

British lifestyle photographer Kirsty Larmour and her Irish husband Tommy have two children, Saffy (13) and Indy (11). The couple met while working in Hong Kong and their children have been travelling their whole lives.

Their journeys have included a one-year road trip, driving the family car from their base in Abu Dhabi to Ireland and back. They also moved to India, where they’ve spent the last two years. Now, the family is spending a year driving their van all the way back to the UK.

“We figured it’s our last time to take off and do something different before the girls need to think a bit more seriously about their studies and where and what they want to do with their own lives,” explains Kirsty.

Finding the Right School

Kirsty and her husband took on the role of homeschooling while Saffy and Indy were of primary age, but acknowledge the challenges of doing so at secondary level.

They focused on finding a homeschooling system that would accommodate their unique lifestyle, which meant flexible lessons, as internet access was not always guaranteed on the road. Their solution was to enroll the girls at Wolsey Hall Oxford, a homeschooling college.

“Wolsey Hall has a system of units and assignments that the children follow. Materials are released to them through an online system. They have regular contact and feedback from tutors along with video calls to discuss progress and any challenges,” explains Kirsty. “At ages 13 and 11, the children can manage this mostly by themselves, but parents have access to stay informed as well.”

The girls study maths, English, and science, which are core subjects required for GCSE. They are also encouraged to explore other subjects based on their personal interests. For example, one of their daughters chose to study India in her history curriculum, enhancing her learning through their time spent in that country.

Typically, they prefer to do their schoolwork first thing after breakfast whenever possible.

“They spend much less time on schooling compared to conventional schools, as they can focus without distractions,” Kirsty says. “They often prepare any necessary materials for viewing during drives, while written work is completed when stationed, as they frequently navigate bumpy roads.”

If they have Wi-Fi and an assignment is due, they will submit as needed or address tutor feedback. Video calls with tutors are usually scheduled in the evenings due to time differences between India and the UK.

Staying Connected

Wolsey Hall’s Danielle Hilton acknowledges that connectivity challenges exist, but many traveling families navigate this by pre-downloading course materials when anticipating periods without Wi-Fi. However, they must also manage distractions inherent in exciting travel environments.

The Jacobis represent another enthusiastic family successfully balancing travel and education.

Katy Jacobi, originally from Ireland, met her husband Michael, who was raised in Germany, in 1996. The couple has lived in eight different countries together. They have three children: Emily (17), Sophie (14), and Sean (13). Michael’s career in hospitality has allowed them to explore various destinations, from Qatar to Latvia.

Since August last year, their family embarked on an extended journey through South America, a region they had longed to explore. The couple had hesitated previously, primarily due to concerns about finances and education.

The family began researching homeschooling through blogs and online resources to identify programs that suited their children’s diverse needs, factoring in support for each child’s educational stage, expenses, and accessibility. They ultimately decided on Wolsey Hall, with Emily also taking a subject through Interhigh.

Adapting to Changing Surroundings

The family’s daily routine adapts based on their location and available resources. An ideal day begins early, around 7 am, with a family workout—acting as a PE lesson—before starting their homeschooling after breakfast, leaving afternoons free for exploration.

Some learning occurs practically: for instance, history and geography come alive in Peru while hiking through the Andes and visiting various Inca sites. Their IT education involves editing short films and developing the family website. Additionally, they are learning Spanish through immersion and had a family Spanish teacher three times weekly in both Peru and Argentina.

Practical Learning

Karen Binedell, whose three children—Sebastian (16), Aiden (14), and Ella (12)—are enrolled in an online college, believes that homeschooling while traveling breathes life into their learning. Being on the move offers children a firsthand experience of the locations they are studying.

A typical day for the Binedells starts with them waking up, packing away their caravan beds, and taking turns to get dressed before having breakfast and commencing academic work.

Karen and her husband Warren begin their volunteer projects shortly thereafter, while the children dedicate two to three hours to homeschooling, which includes completing modules, quizzes, assignments, or engaging in video calls with language tutors. After lunch, they join their parents to assist with their various tasks.

“Over the past year, they have learned practical skills including driving tractors, operating power tools, and assisting with construction projects while gaining extensive knowledge about permaculture, farming, and animal husbandry,” Karen shares.

She emphasizes that organization and flexibility are crucial components of successful homeschooling while traveling.

Her children appreciate the opportunity to travel extensively without compromising their education. According to Karen, “they regularly practice their language skills in the various countries we visit and forge friendships at every stop.”

The Larmour and Jacobi children also seem to relish their unconventional educational experiences. “I enjoy studying whenever it suits me best and appreciate how easy it is to catch up on missed assignments, unlike traditional schooling. I adore field trips, especially Machu Picchu,” states 14-year-old Sophie Jacobi.

“I love that my classroom is the entire world, providing opportunities to learn from books, people, and the various countries we explore,” says 11-year-old Indy Larmour.