Every week day by around 9am, most children are sitting at their desks in classrooms ready to start the daily routine of school life.

It sounds like many a child's dream to be allowed to stay home from school every day but for a growing number children, this is a reality.

More and more parents and children are choosing to opt out of the school system.

More than 150,000 children – around one per cent of the population – is educated at home. Why?

Although no nationwide figures are available, a leading support group, Education Otherwise, says 20,000 parents have taken their children out of school in the past 12 months, and groups across the country report a dramatic upturn in membership.

Try these websites:

www.education-otherwise.org
choiceineducation.co.uk
Home Education Advisory Service.