Find an Alternative to Conventional Schooling
An online course showcasing a variety of
ways to approach education in the 21st century
From Despair and Disillusionment, to Direction and Hope
Have you lost confidence in our one-size-fits-all school system?
Do you feel that families and educators should have more choice in what and how young people learn?
Questioning the mainstream can feel isolating, and it’s often difficult to know where to begin to search for answers. But you are not alone. A growing number of people are looking for options outside of the mainstream education system and this course is designed to help you find clarity, confidence and direction.
A World of Alternatives
There are many inspiring alternatives to conventional schooling, and new models continue to emerge - placing mental health and wellbeing, children’s rights, social justice and 21st century life-skills at their core.
Have you lost confidence in our one-size-fits-all school system?
Do you feel that families and educators should have more choice in what and how young people learn?
Questioning the mainstream can feel isolating, and it’s often difficult to know where to begin to search for answers. But you are not alone.
A growing number of people are looking for options outside of the mainstream education system and this course is designed to help you find clarity, confidence and direction.
A World of Alternatives
There are many inspiring alternatives to conventional schooling, and new models continue to emerge - placing mental health and wellbeing, children’s rights, social justice and 21st century life-skills at their core.
Find a Way Forward
There are environments which foster a culture of mutual respect, where young people have a voice and where difference is celebrated. There are environments where the learning is more personalised and relevant to the individual, wider community and real life. And environments which nurture empathy, creativity, collaboration, communication skills and critical thinking.
Discover what's possible in this introductory course, featuring insights from experienced education pioneers and practitioners.
Find a Way Forward
There are environments which foster a culture of mutual respect, where young people have a voice and where difference is celebrated.
There are environments where the learning is more personalised and relevant to the individual, wider community and real life. And environments which nurture empathy, creativity, collaboration, communication skills and critical thinking.
Discover what's possible in this introductory course, featuring insights from experienced education pioneers and practitioners.
Introductory Course: Alternatives to Conventional Schooling
10 inspiring education options for you to explore
Introductory Course: Alternatives to Conventional Schooling
10 inspiring education options for you to explore
What's Included?
10 modules to work through at your own pace, each one covering a different way to approach education.
Modules consist of pre-recorded video presentations and interviews with leading education innovators.
The video format allows you to listen on the go while juggling the demands of your busy life!
Gain a deeper understanding of what’s important to you for a 21st century education.
Find an educational approach which aligns with your values and hopes for the future.
Course Modules
Access all for just £48!
1. Home Education
Find out about the legalities of home educating in the UK and the different ways to go about it.
2. Flexischooling
Discover the benefits and the how-to of accessing mainstream school on a part-time basis.
3. Worldschooling
How to learn by travelling, and connecting with other families and communities along the way.
4. Montessori
Hear the inspirational story of Maria Montessori, the 20th century innovator from Italy, who created an approach to education for a fairer and peaceful world.
5. Forest School
Explore this child-centred learning process that supports play, exploration and risk taking, and develops confidence and self-esteem through hands-on experiences in a natural setting.
6. Reggio Emilia
Find out how a group of women at the end of WW2 built radically different preschools from the rubble of damaged buildings and inspired a network of schools around the world.
7. Democratic Education
Find out what happens when young people choose what and how they learn, and how this can impact wider society.
8. Self-Directed Education
Compare and contrast Agile Learning Centres, Sudbury Schools and Flying Squads.
9. Consent-Based Education
A revolutionary concept for learning and life, which is paving the way for a more humane and ethical world.
10. Online Schooling
Explore the varied ways to access education online.
10. Online Schooling
Explore the varied ways to access education online.
Progressive Education is a deep-dive into the most up-to-date pedagogies in education.
Underpinned with innovative research it pulls together everything you need to know and understand
when choosing a well-rounded education for your child.
Kimberley Cooper, teacher/learning facilitator and founder of holisticlearning.co.uk
Progressive Education is a deep-dive into the most up-to-date pedagogies in education.
Underpinned with innovative research it pulls together everything you need to know and understand
when choosing a well-rounded education for your child.
Kimberley Cooper, teacher/learning facilitator and founder of holisticlearning.co.uk
Meet Your Experts
Introducing the guest speakers for each of your ten modules:
1 Dr Jo Sweetland, Matt Harris and Alice Khimasia - Streams
2 Sarah Sudea - Finding the Flex
3 Lizz Quain - Trailblazing Families
4 Sarah Cummins and Tom Browne
5 Mell Harrison - Kinda Education
6 Hayley Peacock - Atelier 21 Future School
7 Gayle Nagle - Democratic Education Ireland
8 Sophie Christophy and Dr Max Hope
9 Raya Bidshahari - School of Humanity
10 Kirstin Stevens - The Novacene
The spectacular growth of Jo Symes's Progressive Education Group demonstrates the need for an information exchange for the many parents and young people who are being failed by the current obsolete and unfit for purpose education system. They know that something better must be possible. Something not based on fear of failure, coercion and rote learning for tests.
Progressive Education points them towards the 'pioneers of possibility' where the innate curiosity, creativity, need for agency, collaboration, competence, and communication of young people are already being fostered -
both in England and elsewhere.
Derry Hannam, former deputy head, Ofsted inspector and international adviser in education for democratic citizenship. Author of 'Another Way is Possible: Becoming a Democratic Teacher in a State School'.
Course Sponsors
Thank you to the following sponsors who helped to make this course a reality!
Course Sponsors
Thank you to the following sponsors who helped to make this course a reality:
The spectacular growth of Jo Symes's Progressive Education Group demonstrates the need for an information exchange for the many parents and young people who are being failed by the current obsolete and unfit for purpose education system. They know that something better must be possible. Something not based on fear of failure, coercion and rote learning for tests.
Progressive Education points them towards the 'pioneers of possibility' where the innate curiosity, creativity, need for agency, collaboration, competence, and communication of young people are already being fostered - both in England and elsewhere.
Derry Hannam, former deputy head, Ofsted inspector and international adviser in education for democratic citizenship. Author of 'Another Way is Possible: Becoming a Democratic Teacher in a State School'.
FAQs
Who is this course for?
This course is for you if you feel there’s got to be more to education than a one-size-fits-all school system!
Parents/Carers
The course was created by UK mum, Jo Symes (scroll down for more about Jo). She wanted to create a resource so that families can make more informed decisions about children’s education.
However this course will be equally fascinating for other groups, including:
Educators/Pioneers
Perhaps you’re a teacher/school leader who feels disillusioned with our current education system.
Or maybe you’re starting up a new school or learning community and wondering which direction to go in.
Students
If you are contemplating a career in education, this course will help you discover which approaches align with your values and ambitions.
Other Professionals
Are you a mental health professional who sees the impact of mainstream schooling on young people and wonders if another way is possible?
Or perhaps you an employer who questions whether alternatives to mainstream schooling could better prepare graduates for adulthood and the world of work.
You will particularly enjoy this course if you’re excited by innovation in education and you’re keen to learn more about education options for learners in the 21st century.
How much does the course cost?
This downloadable online course, including all ten modules is £48 (less than £5 per module). This is an introductory price for 2026 only.
How long are the modules?
Each module consists of one video with a presentation or interview with an education pioneer. On average the videos last for about an hour, some a little less and others slightly more.
What if I don’t have time to watch it right now?
Don’t worry if you don’t have time to work through the course straight away, as once you’ve signed up, you’ll have lifetime access, and you can work through all ten pre-recorded modules at your own pace.
Who created the course?
This course was created by the founder and director of Progressive Education, Jo Symes. You can read a bit about her and her vision below.
Progressive Education is a reliable and trustworthy source of information for anyone looking for alternatives to mainstream education. It can be hard for parents to find a place to start, and Progressive Education provides a hand up when you just don't know where to turn.
Dr Naomi Fisher, Clinical Psychologist and author of 'Changing Our Minds: How Children Can Take Control of their Own Education'.
Progressive Education is a reliable and trustworthy source of information for anyone looking for alternatives to mainstream education. It can be hard for parents to find a place to start, and Progressive Education provides a hand up when you just don't know where to turn.
Dr Naomi Fisher, Clinical Psychologist and author of 'Changing Our Minds: How Children Can Take Control of their Own Education'.
About the Course Creator
My name’s Jo Symes. Ten years ago, I sent my children to their local school without a second thought. I’d never questioned the education system before. But very quickly, it was clear that they were not thriving and I began exploring alternatives to conventional schooling.
In 2019 I set up the Progressive Education Group on Facebook which now has over 11k members, including parents/carers, educators, academics, researchers, psychologists, education innovators and changemakers.
The growth of the group inspired me to create the website and social enterprise, Progressive Education, so that resources could be shared more widely.
Progressive Education raises awareness of alternatives to conventional schooling and campaigns for change within mainstream education.
I hope you enjoy this course and find it useful.
Copyright Progressive Education 2026