top of page


PIES Blog Posts
All Posts


Why Literacy and Numeracy Are More Than Maths and English: Supporting Children Who Dislike Formal Exercises
Many parents worry when their children dislike writing or struggle with formal maths exercises. With so much emphasis placed on literacy and numeracy in education, it’s easy to feel anxious about whether your child is “keeping up.” But the truth is, literacy and numeracy are much broader than just English and maths lessons—and a dislike of formal exercises won’t hold a child back if they’re supported in the right ways. Literacy: Beyond Reading and Writing Literacy is often de
Hazel Renshaw
Jan 173 min read


Home Education in Practice: A Week of Freedom and Learning
When people ask what home education really looks like, I often compare it to the school holidays. Imagine the freedom to come and go as you please, without the pressure of bells, timetables, or homework deadlines. That’s the beauty of home education – and yet, it’s far from a holiday. It’s full-time learning, woven seamlessly into everyday life. A Glimpse Into Our Week This week, my daughter explored a mix of academic, practical, and creative activities – all without a rigid
Hazel Renshaw
Jan 92 min read


Happy New Year 2026
May I extend a very warm welcome to my new website which is hopefully clearer and easier to navigate than the first version. It has much of the same content for you regular visitors but I have added new areas for literacy, numeracy and life skills. There is also now the PIES Curriculum which I hope in time will satisfy the local authorities, so any home educator following it will be more likely to be left alone to actually educate. PIES activities has been years in the making
Hazel Renshaw
Jan 11 min read
bottom of page
