A Parent’s Guide to Supporting Self-Paced Learning at Home
In This Article
- ARTICLE
- August 5, 2025
- 12:59 pm
Home education is on the rise, offering families more flexibility and control. For many, self-paced online learning is an ideal fit, especially when students need a calmer environment, extra time, or targeted exam preparation.
According to the UK Department for Education, over 111,700 children were in elective home education during autumn 2024, with 153,300 learning at home at some point that academic year. As The Guardian reports, “Parents increasingly choose home education because schools are unable to support children with mental health needs or special educational needs.”
At Edex Online, we make home learning simple. Our affordable, structured courses give students the freedom to learn at their own pace, with expert video lessons and built-in guidance for parents every step of the way.
Why Self-Paced Learning Works
Every child learns differently. Some need extra time to fully understand a challenging topic, while others prefer to move ahead once they have mastered the basics. Self-paced learning removes the pressure of keeping up with a class and allows students to focus on real understanding rather than cramming.
Our Guide to Make Learning Easier for Parents
At Edex Online, we understand parents want to help, but you might not have the time or expertise to teach every subject. Our courses are carefully curated to meet your needs, to guide both students and parents every step of the way. The cost of expensive private tutors or online schools can make home education challenging for many parents. However, with access to an affordable, high-quality resource, such as a structured learning plan, home education becomes far more achievable. This is where EdEx Online comes in. We take care of 100% of the academic requirements, so parents can focus on extracurricular activities without worrying about the academic side of their child’s education. Here’s what we suggest to make self-paced home learning more effective and stress-free:
Create a Simple Routine
You don’t need a rigid timetable, just a steady rhythm. A few focused hours each day (depending on your workload), supported by our structured IGCSE plan or KS3 lessons, is enough to keep your child on track. We also recommend setting aside a weekly review session to talk about progress and goals.
Set Clear Learning Goals
Break the curriculum into smaller units or chapters with clear objectives. For example, completing one topic in Maths IGCSE or finishing a module in Biology IGCSE. Our structured course paths make this easy by showing exactly what is coming next, so students and parents know what to focus on.
Set Up a Calm, Equipped Study Space
We recommend creating a quiet, organised environment free from distractions. Ensure your child has necessary tools like notebooks, textbooks, headphones, or a tablet for video lessons. Our engaging video lessons handle the teaching, and your role is to ensure they have the right space to learn comfortably.
Encourage the Right Subject Choices
Students perform best when they enjoy what they are learning. Whether your child is interested in Maths, Chemistry, Physics, English Literature, or Biology, choosing subjects they like helps them stay motivated. If they are at KS3, they can start exploring different topics to see what they might want to pursue at IGCSE level.
Support Their Learning Style
Every child learns differently. Some respond well to visual resources such as diagrams and videos, while others prefer hands-on learning or practice questions. Our courses combine video lessons, In-lesson activities, interactive assessments and quizzes to cater to different learning styles.
Encourage Self-Monitoring
Teach your child how to track their progress and reflect on what they have learned. With Edex Online, the built-in progress dashboard makes it easy for them (and you) to see how they are doing, identify gaps, and know when they are ready to move on.
Need extra support to boost confidence?
Upgrade your learning with our optional add-ons, including teacher-marked mock exams and unlimited expert support to ensure you’re fully prepared for success.
Celebrate Effort and Progress
Recognise and celebrate milestones, such as completing a topic or scoring higher on a quiz, to boost confidence and motivation. Encouragement matters more than perfect results, especially during self-paced learning.
Be Flexible and Patient
Self-paced learning can take time to get right. Some days will be more productive than others. Be patient and let your child experiment with study times, break patterns, or approaches that work best for them.
Focus on Understanding, Not Rushing
Encourage your child to take their time with tricky topics rather than rushing to finish a lesson. Our video-based IGCSE and KS3 courses allow students to pause, rewind, and review as many times as needed, so there is no need for cramming.
How Edex Online Supports Families
We built Edex Online to simplify home learning for both students and parents:
- Structured KS3 and IGCSE courses aligned with the UK curriculum.
- Step-by-step video lessons taught by real UK-qualified teachers.
- Interactive quizzes and progress tracking to monitor understanding.
- Affordable pricing: just £100 per subject for 2 years’ access.
Tips for Ongoing Success
- Celebrate milestones, even small wins boost motivation.
- Review lessons together occasionally to see how your child is progressing.
- Use real-world learning, such as cooking, budgeting, or nature activities, to build problem-solving and critical thinking.
Helping Your Child Build Confidence
Self-paced learning is not just about preparing for IGCSE exams. It is about developing independence, resilience, and a love of learning. With the right support and resources, your child can thrive both academically and personally.
Edex Online gives families everything they need, including structured content, flexible schedules, and expert guidance, to make home education stress-free and effective.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes! It’s ideal for students who need extra time to understand concepts as well as advanced learners who want to progress faster on their own schedule. While some students may need additional guidance and motivation at the beginning, our structured approach and optional tutor support ensure that every learner stays on track and reaches their goals.
Edex Online offers a parent dashboard and progress tracking. Regular reviews and discussions with your child also help track understanding and motivation. Students can also engage in our peer discussion forum to share ideas, ask questions, and stay motivated by connecting with others on the same learning journey.
Yes, absolutely. Our flexible learning plans are designed with your child in mind, allowing them to learn at their own pace without pressure. Optional extras like extended course access, unlimited teacher support, and teacher-marked mock exams ensure the help they need is always available. There’s also a peer discussion forum on the Edex Online platform, giving students a safe space to connect, ask questions, and share their learning journey.
All Subjects, such as Maths, Science, and English, often work well due to structured content. However, creative subjects can also thrive with the right digital tools.
Absolutely. It lets students revise at their own pace and build a stronger understanding. Edex Online offers IGCSE subjects like Maths, Chemistry, Physics, Biology, English Language and English Literature to support effective exam preparation. Register now