Home Schooling Support
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ABOUT Home Schooling Support
Since 2010, Stepping Stones Education has been providing high-quality weekend supplementary education (tuition) in East London. Our provision is led by a qualified teacher with over 18 years of experience teaching Mathematics in a range of educational settings, including secondary schools, sixth forms, and a grammar school.
As part of our ongoing commitment to serve the community, Stepping Stones Education has expanded to support parents who choose to home educate their children in accordance with Islamic values and ethos. This initiative was inspired by the success and experience of a Muslim mother who has been home educating her own children with remarkable dedication and results.
As part of our ongoing commitment to serve the community, Stepping Stones Education has expanded to support parents who choose to home educate their children in accordance with Islamic values and ethos. This initiative was inspired by the success and experience of a Muslim mother who has been home educating her own children with remarkable dedication and results.
In this model, parents retain full ownership and responsibility for their child’s education, remaining actively involved in their day-to-day learning. Stepping Stones serves as an academic companion on this journey, offering structured support, guidance, and resources to help families meet both educational and spiritual goals.
As a Muslim faith-based setting, Stepping Stones is dedicated to upholding Islamic principles while striving for academic excellence. Our aim is to provide a faith-conscious alternative to mainstream education for families seeking a balanced approach that integrates academic instruction with strong Islamic values
BLENDED LEARNING WITH PURPOSE
Students in Years 7, 8, and 9 engage in a blended learning approach, designed to foster independent thinking and achieve goals beyond the limits of traditional classroom settings.
Learners are grouped into Foundation and Higher levels to ensure personalised support during learning activities, allowing each student to progress at a pace suited to their abilities.
As part of our ongoing curriculum development, Islamic history will be thoughtfully integrated into English lessons, enriching students’ understanding of both language and heritage while promoting a deeper connection to their faith
TEACHERS
Our teachers are experienced and fully qualified in their respective subject areas at the secondary level. They are committed to supporting each pupil on their learning journey, helping them strive for academic excellence through personalised guidance and high-quality instruction.
In addition to academic teaching, our educators place strong emphasis on Islamic Shakhsiyyah—the development of character and identity rooted in Islamic principles. We are dedicated to instilling moral values and good conduct, helping young learners grow into responsible individuals, compassionate humans, and active citizens.
CHILDREN’S AGE
For the academic year 2025–2026, we will be enrolling children aged 11 to 14 years only (equivalent to school Years 7 to 9).
Starting from the 2026–2027 academic year, we plan to gradually expand our provision to include older age groups, aligning with our long-term vision for a full secondary education offering
DAYS AND TIMING
Monday – Thursday
9:00 am – 1:10 pm (Subject to change +/- 15 minutes)
CURRICULUM STRUCTURE
In the first two to three years, students will follow the Key Stage 3 (KS3) National Curriculum for the core subjects. Each subject is delivered through a blended, long-term Scheme of Learning, designed to provide a structured yet flexible progression pathway. These schemes are considered working documents, regularly reviewed and adapted to meet the needs of our learners.
Upon completion of the KS3 content, students will transition to the Key Stage 4 (KS4) curriculum, with a focus on Mathematics, Triple Sciences, and English during the initial three years. This ensures early exposure to GCSE-level content, allowing students to deepen their understanding and achieve academic excellence over time
SUBJECTS AND HOURS: MAX LIMIT (APPROXIMATELY)
Maths 5 hours
English 5 hours
Sciences 5 hours
Halaqa 1 hour
GCSE PATHWAY
- Teachers will primarily deliver the KS3 curriculum during the first two academic years, ensuring a strong foundation in core subjects.
- Our aim is to prepare all students for their GCSEs in Mathematics and English by the end of the third year, and for Triple Sciences by the end of the fourth year
- Additional GCSE support (e.g. History, Computer Science, Geography) will be made available following this period, depending on student needs and interest.
- If parents choose to enter their child for GCSEs earlier than the planned timeline, we will offer reasonable support, but the responsibility for monitoring the child’s preparation and outcomes will rest primarily with the parents/carers.
- Stepping Stones will be affiliated with a local exam centre, where students can be registered as private candidates to sit their exams.
- Parents/carers will be responsible for all associated costs, including exam entry fees, which typically range from £45 to £90 per subject.
- EXAM BOARDS: We follow Edexcel for Maths but AQA for Sciences and English
PREMISE/LOCATION
Home-education support sessions will be delivered at the address below:
RO 132 Seventh Avenue Manor Park, London E12 5JH
CLASS SIZE
Capacity
15 boys and 15 girls for the academic year 2025-26.
Class Size
There will be 10 students in each group, including pupils of mixed abilities.
ADMISSION POLICY
- Registration Admission fee (£200) is non-refundable.
A deposit of £200 (refundable) is to be paid, in addition to the registration fee.
- All families are required to pay the full fee regardless of whether their child attends his/her session. Full fee is also payable in case of remote and online learning or session cancellations due to bad weather, or other emergencies or unforeseen circumstances.
- Fees are to be paid monthly/termly in advance via standing order by the 5th day of the month before. For example, September/Autumn fees must be paid by 5th of August. An administration charge of £10.00 will be due for each late payment.
- The required advance deposit is to be paid at the time of admission as applicable. The equivalent amount will be returned upon termination of registration in-line with our notice period, unless outstanding fees remain. Fees are payable for the full period of notice.
- A late pick-up fee of £5 per 15 minutes will be payable for each and every late pick-up. For late drop-offs, £5 per 15 minutes will also be payable for persistent late drop-offs.
- A child on our home education attendance register can simultaneously be registered at a school. Parents are advised to inform the school that the child is attending Stepping stones Home-Ed Support Hub on a part time basis. However, full fees remain payable.
- In the interest of the student’s well-being whilst in the tutor’s care, the Centre must be informed of any medical or other conditions affecting the student.
- Students should be aware that they are attending tuition to be engaged in the learning process actively and are expected to always behave responsibly. They must follow the codes of conduct. Failure to do so or causing disturbance to other students or staff will result in instant dismissal from the Centre. In such cases, no refund of fees will be made, and parents will be informed immediately to collect the child.
- Fees are subject to be changed, and the services offered added to or withdrawn at any time. However, fees will not vary during the course of other services in progress. At least 6 weeks advance notice will be given by the Centre.
- Stepping Stones accepts no liability for any personal property or injury to a person.
- All students must complete at least one entire term of tuition.
- Stepping stones Home-Ed Support may at times need to run some or all of our sessions from other locations; we will inform parents of any new location/s and the necessary pick-up and drop-off arrangements or if this requires parents to complete any additional forms for any venue concerned. Full fees remain payable.
- Students are required to attend with all necessary materials.
- Items borrowed from Stepping stones Home-Ed Hub must be returned within the specified period. Loss or damage caused to books or other resources must be fully paid for. Please refer to our policies and procedures.
- Should parents/carers decide to withdraw the child during the academic year, registration may be terminated by giving a half- term’s (min 6 weeks) advance written notice to Stepping stones Home-Ed Hub. Once this notice has been given in writing, your child’s last day will be the last day of the following half-term.
- There are three terms in the Stepping stones Home-Ed academic year; Autumn, Spring and Summer; each with two half terms. Eg notice given during the last week of September (Autumn 1) will be effective at the end of Autumn 2.
- Stepping stones Home-Ed Hub retains the right to terminate registration of families who cause violence, slander or other unacceptable conduct towards Stepping stones Home-Ed Hub or any of its staff and members, with immediate effect.
- Comments/complaints and suggestions are to be made following Stepping stones Home-Ed Hub
- Acceptance or refusal of applications is at the discretion of Stepping stones Home-Ed Hub No correspondence will be entered into.
- All conditions of registration are correct at the time of print. Changes may be applied from time to time.
SCIENCE EXPERIMENTS
We collaborate with a number of local science laboratories to offer students hands-on practical sessions two to three times per term. These practical lessons are an essential part of our science curriculum and are included in the standard fees paid by parents or carers. Occasionally, students may have the opportunity to participate in additional science projects or workshops run by external organisations. These may incur a small additional fee, which will always be communicated in advance and will require parental consent before participation.
ANNUAL FEES 2025-26
Subsidised Fees
Yearly Rate
- For those in financial need or not eligible to childcare support from Universal Credit, HMRC or eligible to Tax Free childcare
- £200 new student admission fee £3300.00 pa
- (£300 pa over 11 months Aug - June) + £200 deposit
Nonsubsidised fees
Yearly Rate
- For those eligible to childcare costs from Universal credit/HMRC Stepping Stones does not subsidise) Parents could instead get up to 85% support back from UC/HMRC
- £200 new student admission fee £3900pa for childcare hours
- (£325 pm over 12 months Aug-July) +£200 Deposit
SUBSIDISED FEES
Parents currently in receipt of subsidised fees will need to inform us if their circumstances have changed, affecting their entitlement to subsidised fees, e.g. if they and their partner are now both working 16 or more hours a week they could be eligible to childcare costs of up to 85% off the fees.
UNIVERSAL CREDIT CHILDCARE COSTS
- For working families claiming universal credit
- With children under 17
- 85% of eligible childcare costs
- Who are not receiving Tax Free Childcare
HELP WHILE YOU STUDY
- Weekly payments from Care to Learn if you are at school or sixth-form college.
- Help through your college if you are in further education.
- A weekly grant if you are in full-time higher education.
LEGAL STATUS OF SECONDARY HOMESCHOOLING SUPPORT
It is the responsibility of all parents to ensure their child receives efficient full-time education suitable to his/her age, ability, and aptitude and to any special educational needs, either by regular attendance at school or otherwise.
Stepping Stones is an otherwise provision; we are not a school, but a part-time education and childcare centre, sometimes referred to as an out-of-school setting in a few boroughs. We are registered with Ofsted as voluntary childcare register. We consult with the DfE, and the LA Home education department as may be required with regards to safeguarding, child protection, follow guidance and seek advice from them.
We may also need to notify the LA that your child is attending Stepping Stones should the law in due course, require us to do so. However, parents must inform their child’s school if they wish to de-register a child from a school register. This usually means writing a simple letter informing the Headteacher that you are now home educating and asking that they de-register the child from the school’s admission register. Certain educational institutions endorse home education and provide flexi-schooling options, allowing students to attend school on a part-time basis while also engaging in programs such as Stepping Stones part-time.
As our Secondary department is an alternative provision, parents must supervise their child’s learning at home. Parents hold the responsibility for organising this supervision, but we will support their child’s academic needs through our home education arrangement. It is important to note that Stepping Stones does not provide most of the child’s education and care. If it is determined that a parent is not adequately supporting their child’s education, we may seek further advice.
We believe that upbringing and education extend beyond academic pursuits. Character development is equally vital in the modern era as well as academic achievement. The part-time hours of Stepping Stones, ending at 1.10 pm, allow parents to dedicate special attention to their child’s educational, personal and social development, which we consider essential for a healthy and happy child. Now more than ever, family attention is crucial to building strong and healthy families.
We are sure that you and your family will enjoy the time you spend with us, and we look forward to making it a valuable experience for your child. Please do not hesitate to contact us should you require any further information or assistance.