Education Hero

EDUCATION HERO

Empowering Parents to Lead Their Children's Education

Every parent is their child's first and most important educator. Whether you home educate or complement school with active parental involvement, we support you to nurture curiosity and courage, foster independence, and guide your children toward their full potential.

Father and child learning together

Join Our Community

Follow us for educational inspiration, practical guidance, stories from families on their hero's journey and notification when we launch.

HERO - our AI Chat Assistant

Need help dealing with your Local Authority? We're here to help with 24/7 guidance and support, specifically tailored to your situation and grounded in the national legislation and local policies and guidelines.

Ask about:

Information about Education Hero and our services
Official government and local authority policies
Home education guidance for Herts, Essex, and East Sussex

Limited to official government and local authority policies on home education. Not legal advice. Fair usage limits apply.

Our Mission: Rewilding Education

Modern schooling too often tames children too early, teaching compliance instead of courage. Real education - the kind that builds character - happens in the wild spaces: where children discover they can do hard things.

When a child realises "I can do hard things," they become unstoppable. That sense of capability translates into everything: academics, relationships, and life itself. Resilience doesn't come from talking about fear, it comes from moving through it.

We exist to restore trust, autonomy, and creativity in education. To support families who refuse to let their children be confined by rigid structures and risk-aversion. To help you nurture not just knowledge, but courage, curiosity, and the unshakeable belief that childhood is meant to be a heroic adventure.

Little boy doing school online
Little girls doing online school together at home

What We Believe

The ancient understanding that the best learning happens when children are seen, known, and guided by those who love them most

Children First

This is about empowering your children to become confident, independent learners. You know your child better than any institution - you're uniquely positioned to guide them on their heroic journey.

Educational Freedom

Learning should nurture curiosity and foster independence. We empower families to choose their own path, free from institutional constraints while maintaining the highest standards of parental responsibility.

Practical Support

We guide you through compliance, administration, and logistics with confidence. From curriculum resources to community connections, support that transforms educational vision into daily reality.

Mother helping son with homework
Father helping children with homework

Education on Your Terms

We provide the resources, community, and practical tools you need to take an active role in your children's education

Intelligent Matching

Our AI connects you with tutors and providers who align with your values and educational philosophy.

  • Tutors matched to your educational philosophy
  • Practical considerations: location, schedule, budget
  • Values-aligned providers who share your ethos
Foster Independence

Nurture self-directed learners who think critically, pursue passions, and develop courage and confidence.

  • Child-led learning at their own pace
  • Build intrinsic motivation, curiosity, and courage
  • Learn through real challenges and experiences
Complete Confidence

Sleep soundly knowing you're doing everything right. We support your local authority interactions.

  • Guided compliance support every step of the way
  • Peace of mind through organized learning records
  • Coordination made easy for all your activities

Your Journey to Educational Freedom

Simple steps to reclaim education as a family quest

1

Connect with Community & Resources

Access vetted tutors, curriculum providers, and activity leaders who share your values. Join a supportive community of like-minded families on the same journey.

2

Design Your Educational Adventure

Create a learning journey tailored to your child's interests and your family's values. Follow curiosity, pursue passions, and learn at your own pace.

3

Navigate Compliance with Clarity

We guide you through compliance, administration, and documentation with confidence. You focus on what matters: nurturing curiosity and courage, walking alongside your children as they write their own heroic stories.

Mother homeschooling her daughter

Your Expert Guide Through Every LA Interaction

Know exactly what to say and do. We'll show you how to navigate every requirement with confidence while safeguarding your family's privacy.

Guided Compliance Support

We guide you through planning, registration, evidence gathering, and reporting at every step.

Privacy Protected

Your educational choices remain private. Share only what's legally required - never more than necessary.

Vetted Resources

All providers undergo DBS checks and safeguarding training. Quality and safety you can trust.

Meet the Founders

Mike Fairclough

Mike Fairclough

Co-Founder

Former headteacher, Mike pioneered an approach to education centered on courage, curiosity, and freedom, where children learned to face challenges - from lighting fires to handling bees. In 2021, he made the leap to home educating his own children. Mike believes in "rewilding" education: restoring children's natural capacity to learn through experience, not compliance.

Joel Smalley

Joel Smalley

Co-Founder

Joel brings decades of technical expertise to Education Hero, building AI-powered tools that handle the complexity of home education administration. His focus is on creating technology that puts parents back in control - automating compliance, record-keeping, and scheduling while preserving family privacy and autonomy - infrastructure that serves families, not institutions.

Begin Your Hero's Journey

Join parents who are empowering their children to write their own heroic stories

We exist to support families who refuse to delegate their children's learning entirely to institutions. Whether you home educate or actively supplement school education, reclaim education as a family quest, grounded in the ancient understanding that the best learning happens when children are seen, known, and guided by those who love them most.

Follow us for educational inspiration, practical guidance, stories from families on their own hero's journey, and notification when we launch.