NEW BOOK: Road School
The story of a family who pulled their kids out of school for a home education adventure, back-packing across the world
Generation X-ers will remember the fun they had inter-railing in Europe or backpacking around Asia, escaping the daily grind before knuckling down to study or work… and what better way to recreate that carefree time than by taking their kids on the same odyssey?!
Frustrated by a school regime of statutory testing, and keen for a mid-life adventure, Sue Cowley and her partner took their children out of school to educate them on the road. Road School is the story of their family’s adventures around Europe and across China.
On their journey they experienced awesome historical sites, diverse cuisines and fantastic geographical phenomena. They also experienced whining kids, satnav disasters, and dodgy accommodation.
Part comedy travelogue, part parenting guide, part educational philosophy, Road School asks you to consider what ‘an education’ really means. In a world where schooling is increasingly being standardised, and where government testing puts ever more pressure on our youngest learners, Road School is the story of how one family stepped out of the system, and set off on the educational adventure of a lifetime.
This book is not about being the perfect parent – quite the opposite – it is about helping children to experience real life, warts and all, to broaden their horizons and widen their outlook on the world. There may be better ways to learn than tests, tests, tests and then some exams.
With a merry philosophy of education and parenting that offers an attractive contrast to the mainstream focus on conformity and targeted achievement, Road School could be the invitation you’ve been waiting for…
Author Sue has also created a fantastic website, Road School Diary, with information on where to go, what to do with kids there, how to develop their learning, and tips & advice from a pro-road-schooler – well worth a visit when you plan your own trip.
Ready to speak to the media:
Sue is the author of some of the best selling education books of all time. Her books offer a combination of stories, tips, ideas and strategies, written in an easily accessible and amusing way. Road School sees her branching out into advice for parents, as well as for educators.
Sue is available to provide expert comment, interviews and by-lined articles on a number of topics, including:
- Stepping out of the system: How to home educate your kids (at least for a little while)
- Learning on the road: How to make travel an education
- 10 great ways to keep your kids learning during the holidays
- A midlife crisis with a difference – my story
- SATs versus the School of Life
- Home-schooling: The facts and the laws
- 5 good reasons to do Road School in Europe NOW
- Family travelling on a budget
- Travelling with your kids: Ten top tips for staying sane and staying safe
- Term time holidays – parental indulgence or learning experience?
Road School by Sue Cowley is out in November 2016, published by Crown House Publishing, price £9.99. For more information see Sue Cowley.
About the author: Sue Cowley
Sue Cowley is a writer, presenter and teacher trainer based in Bristol with her family. She is author of over 25 teaching and parenting books, including How to Survive your First Year in Teaching. Her international bestseller, Getting the Buggers to Behave is a fixture on university lists, and has been translated into ten different languages.
Sue is an experienced teacher and subject co-ordinator. After training as an early years teacher, she taught English and drama in secondary schools in the UK and overseas, and she also worked as a supply teacher. She now spends her time writing educational books and articles, and she is a regular columnist for Teach Nursery, Teach Primary and Nursery World magazines as well as writing articles and columns for a number of other teaching publications, including the TES, Child Education, Junior Education and Teacher Magazine.
Website : Sue Cowley
Twitter: Sue Cowley
What do Entertain The Kids think?
Road School is a thoroughly enjoyable read. Sue Cowley takes you on a journey with her family in a book that is not only educational but humourous and entertaining. Road School will encourage you to grab your back-pack and take off on your own family adventure… but don’t forget the kids. Life is an education and it is easy to forget that family time is one of the most important educational moments of our childhood.
Road School has a great mixture of handy tips and tricks for going abroad with children, mixed in with interesting, and often very funny stories, about their family experiences exploring Europe.
Entertain The Kids highly recommends Road School.
Road School is currently available to purchase direct from Amazon for £7
*Price correct when this article was prepared
