How to find home-ed groups near you

Most groups live in WhatsApp chats and Facebook groups, not on websites, so they don't show up in a search. That's why we don't list them. Here's how to find them instead.

Start on Facebook

Search Facebook groups for "home education" or "home ed" with your town or county: Oxford, Oxfordshire, Reading, Berkshire, Henley. Most areas have one big county-wide group, plus smaller ones for a town or an interest. Many ask a question or two before letting you in, to keep children safe.

Ask about WhatsApp groups

Once you're in a local group, ask about meet-ups. Regular groups (park days, forest school, a weekly hall session) usually organise themselves in WhatsApp chats, and someone will add you.

Go to a home-ed session

Venues that run home-ed sessions are a good place to meet other families. Chat to the grown-ups while the children are busy: that's how most of us found our people.

Ask the national charities

Established home-education charities often know of local contacts and can point you in the right direction.

Give it a few tries

Every group has its own feel. If the first one isn't right for your children, try another: a quieter group, a smaller one, or one for a particular age.