Michelle and Alastair Meikle juggle running their own business with educating son Jonathan (14) at their home in Ashgate.

Their daughter Polly (10) attends Old Hall Junior School – but may receive her secondary education at home with her brother.

'Individual'

Mrs Meikle said: "It's about looking at the child as an individual and what's best for them.

"Jonathan was a very young five and he wasn't ready for school so we thought we'll wait. As he got older he didn't want to go and we were happy with what he was learning.

"We assumed our daughter would be home educated but she wanted to try school. She's chosen that and we've agreed and that's fine."

Mrs Meikle said there was a lot of misunderstanding about home schooling and said the children were not confined to their houses but enjoyed a rich and diverse range of community-based learning experiences with other youngsters as part of the Chesterfield Home Education Group.

Recent examples included a trip to an aquatic centre to learn about amphibians and reptiles, and making pumpkin soup to mark Halloween.

She added: "Essentially, children are children. Whether they are home educated or school educated, they make friendships through common interests and accept each other at face value."