Chinese parents in UK find new routes to success

Case study: The home education experience (Jinna Wu and her 8-year-old daughter, Phoebe)

Eight-year-old Phoebe is master of her own schedule. Her typical day starts at 8:30 am with about two and half hours of piano and cello practice. In the afternoon, she studies English and math, in line with her school curriculum, and combines them with a selection of elective classes including art, history, science, chemistry, and computing. She also has a 15-minute Chinese language class each day before going out and joining her friends for afterschool activities.

Her tutor is her mother, Jinna, a fashion industry professional who moved to the UK in 2001.

Their “classroom” is not limited to the home. The pair regularly joins other home education families on trips and workshops, visiting sites including the Parliament buildings, the Bank of England Museum, Saatchi Gallery, the gallery at the National Army Museum, the National Maritime Museum, and others.

“We decided to give it a try when we felt Phoebe’s extra music and sports activities, originally scheduled after she finishes school at 3:00 pm, was physically too demanding,” said Jinna. Home schooling meant that music and sports can be done earlier in the day, leaving Phoebe free to play in the evening.

Home schooling is still not common among Chinese parents.

“It took a lot of courage,” said Jinna.

After three terms of gaining experience, Jinna is quite confident about carrying on educating Phoebe at home during her primary-school years, and says she may do the same for Phoebe’s younger sister, Sophie, who is currently aged 2.

And how does Phoebe find the experience?

“I like the variety of activities. I don’t want to go back to school,” she said.

Basic info

About Jinna: A fashion industry professional who came to UK in 2001 and who is now a full-time mom and Phoebe’s homeschool teacher.

About Phoebe: An 8-year-old who has demonstrated a passion for music and who also enjoys badminton and swimming.