How home educating is helping Ibrahim run towards his professional cricket dream
Halfway through his GCSEs Ibrahim decided to quit school in order to focus on his dream of becoming a professional cricketer.
Switching from a traditional school to home education, in order to free up more time for training and travelling to games, wasn’t a decision Ibrahim and his dad took lightly - but with some of the UK’s best teachers available to guide him through his GCSEs online, they both felt it was the right choice.
"I left school in Year 10 because I wanted to pursue cricket seriously. My dad and I decided that homeschooling would give me the flexibility to travel for training and competitions," begins Ibrahim before admitting he knew it wasn’t the ‘easy route’.
Ensuring his education doesn’t slip
"I think homeschooling can be harder because you have to be much more disciplined. When you're at home, it's easier to relax and put things off. You can become lazy if you're not careful," explains Ibrahim
Having experienced the lottery of one-to-one private tuition in the past Ibrahim was also keen not to repeat that experience.
"The teacher I used before taught based on what they had learned themselves rather than what I needed for my exams.”
That's where MyEdSpace made an immediate difference. The live daytime lesson timetable, with scheduled classes throughout the week, gave Ibrahim the structure and accountability he needed to stay focused alongside cricket.
“MyEdSpace is based on the UK curriculum and focuses on exactly what I need to learn. The live lessons really help keep me focused.”
For home education families, this kind of external rhythm is often underestimated. A consistent weekly structure doesn't just support learning, it supports the whole routine around it, especially when there’s other competing priorities on time. With MyEdSpace, every lesson, every worksheet, every practice-question is designed with the exam in mind. For a student fielding dreams of top grades and stepping out at Lords, that’s vital.
Turning weaknesses into strengths
That focus and structure, coupled with the quality of the teaching has seen Ibrahim’s education improve: Science - in particular Chemistry and Physics - used to be a weak point for Ibrahim. But not now.
"I struggled quite a lot with Chemistry, and I used to dread Physics. I actually find it interesting now. The lessons have helped me a lot."
That shift in a student’s mindset from dread to genuine interest is something we explicitly look for in our teachers. Numerous studies have shown that students study more effectively when they’re engaged. It's not just about grades. It's about changing the relationship a student has with a subject entirely.
For home educated students this can be even more important, because without the social dynamics of a classroom, attention can easily drift, so teachers who can make a subject feel relevant and engaging are worth their weight in gold.
When asked about his teachers, Ibrahim didn't hold back.
"Honestly, they're all really, really good," insists Ibrahim. “Really, really good.”
He has a favourite teacher - English teacher, Louis - but the quality isn't limited to one person. Ibrahim also follows MyEdSpace teachers on social media and uses their content to support his revision outside of lessons.
Learning with friends, even from home
One concern parents often raise about home education is isolation. Without a school environment, will their child feel disconnected from other learners?
Ibrahim's experience suggests that concern is addressed, when the environment is designed to maximise the benefits of collaborative learning. The live lesson format at MyEdSpace means students are learning alongside peers, interacting in real time, and feeling part of something bigger than one person sitting at a kitchen table, or in the back of the car.
"I use the chat a lot," he smiles. “It's like an extra booster.”
Looking to the future
Ibrahim's long-term ambition is clear: he wants to play cricket at the highest level. He already competes in tournaments and dedicates significant time to training alongside his GCSE subjects. But he's also pragmatic.
"If cricket works out, that's amazing. If not, I'll have another career path ready."
After completing his GCSEs, he's planning to move to Scotland to study construction at college, evidence that education and sporting ambition can coexist, and that one doesn't have to come at the expense of the other.
Get ahead and stay ahead this year
Whether your child is getting started with Year 5, preparing for the 11+, heading towards their KS2 SATs in Year 6, or moving through KS3 in Year 7, Year 8, and Year 9, starting their GCSEs or their A-levels, now is the time to get ahead.
The secret to achieving academic success in the UK? Studying with top-quality teachers and former examiners, handpicked for their ability to make things click for their students and working hard. Do that and results follow. This year, it's your child's turn to get ahead and stay ahead.
And, it’s more affordable than you might think. With us, you can get a full year of expert teaching for less than a few classes with the average private tutor.