- author, Emma Grimshaw and PA Media
- role, west of england
An adventurous homeschool mom trades her home with a stranger to teach across Europe.
Jilly Cox, from Bristol, said she felt “honored” to be able to take her five children around Europe to study at museums and art galleries.
Families use the Home Exchange app, which sees them swap homes with strangers.
“We can take holidays when it suits us and obviously it's cheaper to travel outside of school holidays,” said the former nurse.
Last summer, her five children (Gracie, 14, Josiah, 12, Caleb, 11, Joel, 9, and Noah, 6) traveled between Germany and France.
Jilly, who started home schooling in June 2016 and lives with her husband Matt, 47, a graphic designer, said:
“Our eldest daughter was in school for almost two years, then we took her out of school. The four boys have never been to school.
“This comes from our Christian beliefs and wanting to raise our children based on a Biblical worldview, and also wanting to give them free time and play-based learning. Ta.”
Before finding Home Exchange, the family wasn't frequent travelers, but after learning about French artist Henri Matisse, Gilly started traveling more.
“I had this idea that I wanted to do a European tour, and I found out that there was a beautiful chapel in the south of France that Matisse helped design. It's stunning, and it has this beautiful stained glass and kind of Matisse style have.
“I knew in my heart that I could travel for six weeks, but my husband didn't think it would work out.”
Homeschooling your children allows them to receive an education anywhere in the world and allows your family to travel more regularly.
The family hopes to travel further afield, to places like North Carolina.
