HOME educating is a controversial life choice, but the number of parents deciding not to send their children to school has soared in recent years.

Government research reveals that around 16,000 children in England were being educated at home last year, which showed a 39 per cent increase on the previous year.

A group of mothers who meet in Cam twice a month explained why they made the decision to teach their children at home.

Paula Hopkins, of Cam, who set up the group for parents who home educate, has been teaching her two sons, now aged eight and 15, at home for the last three years.

"We started looking for alternative education because my youngest son did not like school at all - he hated it and didn't want to go," said Paula.

"We found out he was being bullied, which was very upsetting for the whole family.

"So I took them both out of school. I just wanted to give them a nice childhood where they are happy with the environment they learn in.

"Home education is a different way of life, it is a lifestyle choice. Some mothers say they can't wait for the summer holidays to end, but I love spending time with my family.

"We gave birth to them, we taught them how to walk and how to play. All of a sudden to stop that and put them into a different system is not natural."

Abbey Green, of Tetbury, decided to home educate her son when she found out he had Asperger's syndrome, a disorder which means children affected are usually very intelligent but can find social interaction and communication difficult.

She looked around for alternative education, but couldn't find anything suitable.

"School is about fitting the child to the system instead of finding a system that fits the child," said Abbey.

Critics of home education say that children who do not go to school and mix with other children have fewer social skills.

But Abbey responded: "I would not want my son to get the kind of social skills they learn in school.

"Home educated children do not get the same social skills as school children but they can interact with adults. Home education means you are socialised for life."

Diane, who did not want to give her full name, was a maths teacher in North Somerset before she pulled her son out of school and started home educating.

"My child hated school, he was bored. Everyone makes you feel like you have to fit in at school," she said.

"Children are like sponges - you don't really need to teach them, just guide them."

Paula added: "What people should know is that there are thousands of children out there who do not like school and that is ok.

"We need to understand that we are all different. Home education doesn't suit everyone, but it does suit some of us."

If you would like to join the group or want more information contact Paula Hopkins on 01453 519287 or email simonpaula@hotmail.com.