Our Programs
When you purchase a Coach House home school program, you’re making a straight-forward, one-time transaction for a full year of home schooling. There are no ongoing subscription costs and no hidden fees or charges. All books and resources are provided. And every item we include is selected for its educational value and its power to motivate. Every program is different because each one we deliver has been designed for one specific child.
What’s in the box?
-
English workbooks deliver methodical teaching of spelling, vocabulary, punctuation, grammar and written expression for regular practice which is essential for strong literacy skills. We use a world-class Mathematics program that delivers content through explicit instruction and mastery learning.
-
We provide your child with an impressive, A3 size professional portfolio which they’ll fill with their best work. The portfolio is a great motivator for kids to do high quality work. Showcasing project work demonstrates that we truly value their efforts and achievements. You can present the portfolio at your assessment interview as evidence of learning, then hold onto it as a permanent record of your child’s home schooling successes.
-
We use only the highest quality books - all individually matched to your child’s literacy ability, their previous experiences with books and their unique feelings about reading. They expose your child to a range of text types, reading and writing tasks and teach them how to think and analyse, not what to think.
We’ve harnessed the power of graphic organisers to enhance memory and learning. As students work with books and writing responses, they are internalising and personalising information. Through our unique journalling approach to note-making, children encounter interactivity without screen time and subscriptions.
But it's not all BOOKS. The best learning programs are an eclectic mix that stimulate all the physical senses - because everyone learns differently.
-
Our Integrated Units combine multiple subjects into a common theme or topic, providing kids with a deeper dive into their studies. Single units are tightly focused on just one subject - usually electives such as PDHPE and the Technologies.
-
Our Pick & Mix projects deliver a wide range of practical activities that address all the core subject areas and electives. Each project will expand practical experience in speaking, listening, thinking, problem-solving, creating, testing, adapting and innovating. Projects may include gaming challenges, films, television documentaries, online videos, digital and audio resources designed for an immersive learning experience. It’s vital to capture children’s interest with compelling content to successfully teach them new skills. Kids who struggle with reading really enjoy accessing rich, engaging content effortlessly - and viewing and listening are ideal for that purpose. We’ve also included projects that will get your child outdoors and into hands-on, active learning experiences.
-
Your child will receive one or more customised kits including items such as quality art and craft supplies, model-making kits, science and technology kits, journals and more.
-
To really enthuse your child, we’ll also include a few surprises. These may include handmade journals, sticker sets, toys, games, themed trinkets that - when presented as part of their integrated unit packs - truly enthuse and inspire.
$2100
$2310 incl. GST
Everything you need including documentation
Learning despite difficulties
-
We often meet students who are under the impression that they lack good comprehension skills. Students in the middle school years (Years 5—8) are particularly plagued with this problem. They soon discover that they don’t actually have a comprehension problem – just reading and writing problems. They simply need to learn and practice spelling, punctuation and grammar. With good reading and writing skills, comprehension dramatically improves.
Surveys in schools have shown that the weakest areas of performance in literacy testing is grammar - and busy teachers are often overwhelmed by the level of need in this area. Low literacy can often be missed until the student is halfway through their primary school years. Whatever the age of the student, it’s readily fixable once it has been identified. Systematic teaching is the key.
-
Dyslexic students must be taught phonics if they are to master skills and gain the confidence they need to reach their potential. We know there is no short cut to mastery.
It takes effort, lots of reading, research, curriculum writing and practical application. We’ve put in the time and effort required to source or create learning materials for dyslexic students, and we have hands-on teaching experience that has enabled us to fine-tune our methods for success. The critical factor in helping kids overcome dyslexia is the systematic teaching of synthetic phonics. This research-backed approach is the old-school method of sounding out words to de-code them for reading. By learning the patterns of speech and spelling, students who know phonics are then able to re-code the speech sounds into writing. This skill is arguably the most neglected literacy element in Australian schools. That’s why so many of our children seem to be able to read but cannot write or spell correctly. Some of the supposed weaknesses of dyslexic students are actually their greatest strengths. For example, a lack of facility with spelling, reading and writing is often a product of their status as highly logical thinkers. In trying to learn the somewhat illogical English language, it's understandable that these logically-minded kids struggle. Whether your child is diagnosed as dyslexic or exhibits sub-clinical symptoms, we have the teaching tools and experience to ensure that they are not held back by these challenges. Likewise, students with dysgraphia need structured, stress-free writing practice. Beginning with training in letter formation, children can use a variety of tools from whiteboards to tablets and smartphones to practise their writing skills. We also package a variety of handwriting workbooks that will capture the interest of children who struggle with writing.
-
In structured inquiry, there is no ‘normal’. Because learning is so individual, we’re not all that interested in traditional year levels or grades. These are artificial hierarchies created mostly for the benefit of organising people in schools. At Coach House, our materials and methods for the teaching of numeracy skills are designed to close the artificial gaps created by age, year levels and expected benchmarks for performance that exist in many schools. People learn at different paces and age and year level are not necessarily indicators of where a student ‘should be’.
The key to successful teaching of Maths is to reduce concepts into their most basic elements. Current research in cognitive science tells us that children are easily overwhelmed by too much new information too quickly. To benefit from structured learning, they require practice - and lots of it. They need time to consolidate skills and concepts. It’s how adults learn a new woodworking skill, advanced guitar chords or cooking techniques. From the basic elements, we then move into teaching skills when the student shows they are ready to move forward. Mathematics is a language that anyone can learn given the right amount of practice and systematic instruction in a low-stress environment.
Our programs are built on research-backed, evidence-based methods that address common learning challenges. With personalised program design, there’s great scope for specific adjustments and inclusions to be made.
-
For many kids, the teaching they receive in the classroom is not having an impact because of what’s happening in the playground. Stress from bullying, friendlessness, embarrassment, chronic shyness, family difficulties and illness or injury seriously impedes learning. Studies show that when students are anxious, kids’ brains can slow down or even shut down cognitive processing. Vision and hearing tests may return normal results. Some parents may draw the conclusion that their child has a problem with cognitive processing speed - a fault that seems hardwired in the brain. We see many students who’ve simply developed a belief that they have a learning disability. Repeated failure to achieve expected outcomes reinforces that belief, leading to de-motivation. Soon, self-protective mechanisms take over and the student grows upset, embarrassed, angry and ultimately disinterested in learning.
The key to turning things around for students caught in this bind is simple - solid, individually tailored programming that re-teaches content and skills until they are mastered. At Coach House, we know everyone is capable of learning.
The current research behind the revival of direct and explicit instruction (as well as our own experience) tells us that all people can be taught effectively. Children can and will improve academically with the right approach. Likewise, all teachers can succeed if they use the right methods and materials. But it may involve a lot of re-teaching, and schools just aren’t equipped to provide it to everyone who needs it.
At Coach House, learning starts with identifying the current skill level of the student. We design a program appropriate for that student, whatever their grade level or age. We also consider rate of learning - some people process information faster than others. There’s no ideal rate and as a home schooler, your child now has all the time they need.
-
At Coach House, we know that all students can learn and improve, regardless of learning difficulties. We believe that a person’s right to reach their potential should always be protected and nurtured. Learning should challenge and extend kids, whilst remaining within the reach of disadvantaged students.
The key to successful learning is to enthuse kids about their study topics. This is especially important for kids with autistic spectrum disorders, sensory processing issues and attention problems.
We have very specific methods in place at Coach House that help us tutor ASD students. Many years of research have gone into formulating best practice. Our key approaches are synthetic phonics, explicit instruction and structured inquiry, combined with patient revision, repetition and mastery learning. It's a winning formula that we have seen deliver strong results over the years.
-
Behavioural issues - ODD, PDA and other disorders - are greatly exacerbated by stress, anxiety and big feelings such as strong dislike of particular activities and topics. At Coach House, we don’t like boring work either. That’s why all of our materials are highly engaging. Everything we produce is road-tested to ensure it appeals to the most reluctant of learners. Many of our explicit instruction resources are developed in-house by Ally, our founder. She has written lots of textbooks and classroom resources used in schools all across Australia. Ally has worked with traditional publishers including Jacaranda, Macmillan Education, Pascal Press and Blake Education for decades. At Coach House, we are always working away on new books and learning materials, to ensure we and our kids stay enthused about learning. Remember - the key to overcoming challenging behaviour is to get to the root cause of the problem. Most frequently, the issue begins with poor literacy and numeracy skills, a lack of self-confidence and the sneaking suspicion that the work is pointless. By immersing kids in highly practical activities, you’re off to a great start.
-
A home school program is a written educational plan detailing the topics, content, skills, experiences and learning methods your child can explore. It identifies all the educational resources, learning activities and study hours allocated to each subject. Programs must also show how your planned content links to NSW syllabuses and explain how you intend to assess and track your child’s progress. We take the hassle out of that process for you, giving you everything you need to meet the Department’s requirements and enthuse your child at the same time.
-
Success and enjoyment in home schooling starts with finding the right learning program for your child. A personally tailored program is vital to success. Coach House programs are self-teaching and highly motivating. We don’t believe in using computer algorithms to assess real, live children. It’s essential that we get to know your child’s preferences and skills to tailor a program specifically, and that’s why we consult with you via telephone.
A good home school program should give you:a document mapped specifically to NESA’s syllabus outcomes to support your application for registration
a realistic assessment plan
a clear explanation of how the program meets the identified educational needs of your child
personal consultation, with guidance on implementation
expert assessment of your child’s literacy and numeracy skills
consideration of your child’s favourite topics and activities
capturing of some of your child’s current activities, so they can receive credit for things they already love doing
high interest reading material and illustrated reference books
project-based learning
special provisions to motivate reluctant learners
-
The NSW Department of Education has been the regulator of home schooling since 2025. They appoint Authorised Persons as inspectors. It is their job is to assess your home school program, then re-assess the delivery of your program to ensure that it meets requirements.
Coach House is based in New South Wales. Our programs are aligned with the NSW state syllabuses. However, our programs align with the Australian Curriculum by default, so they are usable nationwide.
-
'NESA' is the NSW Education Standards Authority in Coach House's home state.
NESA is responsible for setting and publishing the NSW Curriculum, overseeing the registration of schools and teachers across the state, and implementing the educational policies that govern state and independent schools. Coach House’s documents all refer to NESA’s syllabuses - which are part of the NSW Curriculum. This is based on the Australian Curriculum.
-
You should seek registration with the NSW Department of Education. You must present a home school program that meets NSW’s specific curriculum requirements. Registration for home schooling is a legal requirement in Australia and is one of the provisions of the Education Act (1990). Coach House provides detailed documentation and brings together educational resources to enable you to submit your application with no fuss.
If you are new to home schooling, you can begin the process of registration by completing this form:
-
The Australian Curriculum is a set of educational goals for each age group that apply right across the nation. Each state or territory puts the Australian Curriculum into practice using their own plan - called a 'syllabus'. NESA’s syllabuses are implemented in the state of New South Wales in private and public schools, and in home schooling.
-
Learning outcomes are the specific educational objectives a program is aimed to achieve. Outcomes are listed in each subject’s syllabus and are given codes. For example, the New South Wales English syllabus requires students to:
respond to and compose texts for understanding, interpretation and critical analysis (Outcome EN4-1A)
Lists of outcomes like this must be addressed by the learning activities planned in the home school program. But don’t worry – we do all that for you. -
In order to be approved for home schooling, you need to attend a meeting with a NSW Education Department representative - usually in your own home. You do not need any special qualifications or experience. The abilities and skills of your child are not assessed. The key factors affecting the outcome are all clearly listed and explained in the Guidelines for Home Schooling.
Requirements include:
The quality and suitability of the home school program to meet curriculum outcomes
Your demonstrated capacity and willingness to implement the home school program
Clear evidence that the learning program has been specifically aligned with the identified learning needs of the child
Rather than focusing on your child’s skills and level of ability, the focus of the Authorised Person (AP) is on how the identified educational needs of the child are to be met in the context of each unique family.
-
Saying goodbye to your child's school is quite straightforward. First, send the school principal a letter notifying them of your intentions to start home schooling. Some parents prefer to schedule a face-to-face meeting with the principal. While you don't need the school's permission, ensure that you follow their guidelines about giving advance notice. It is a legal requirement that your child remains in school until you have received your certificate of home school registration. Contact us and we’ll send you our free template letter to notify your school about your child’s de-enrolment.
-
Coach House programs have a helpful series of assessment checklists to help you stay organised throughout the year. All you need to do is collect any completed workbooks and projects and keep some photos of things your child does throughout the year. Our portfolio system makes all this easy to manage.
-
You will need to apply for renewal of your registration by contacting the NSW Department of Education. Once they have received your application, a representative will contact you. You will need to show them evidence of the implementation of the program and your forward planning for the coming year. Re-registration does not require children to attain a particular academic result or benchmark.
-
Our home school program fee represents excellent value for money at $2310 including GST. This fee gets you a suite of high quality art or craft materials, science or tech kits, stunning, full-colour reference books, project sets and premium workbooks. Our invoice will be emailed to you, along with our terms and conditions. Payment can be made by direct deposit. Because we are creating a unique program for your child, the program fee is non-refundable. A receipt will be issued via email.