When Schooling Isn’t Working for Your Child - Webinar

A webinar recording for parents navigating learning challenges

When something isn’t working for your child at school, it can be hard to know what to do next.

You might be noticing anxiety, resistance, low confidence, or a growing sense that your child isn’t thriving - but feeling unsure how to respond.

Do you push through?
Step in more?
Pull back?
Look for alternatives?

This webinar offers a space to step back and think more clearly about what’s really going on - and what actually helps.

Led by Dr Ian Cunningham, founder of the Self Managed Learning (SML) approach, this session will explore how young people learn best, and what parents can do when the current system isn’t meeting their needs.

In this session, we explore:

• Why schooling doesn’t work well for all young people
• How to recognise when a child is struggling in a meaningful way (not just a temporary wobble)
• The difference between compliance and genuine learning
• What young people need in order to rebuild confidence and engagement
• Practical ways parents can support without adding pressure or taking over
• The range of options available - from working differently within school to exploring alternatives including flexi-schooling, home education and learning communities

Who is this for?

This session is for parents of young people (roughly ages 10–18) who feel something isn’t quite working with their child’s learning.

It may resonate if:

• Your child is anxious, disengaged or resistant to school
• Your child is neurodivergent
• You’re seeing a drop in confidence or motivation
• School feels like a constant struggle - emotionally or practically
• You’re considering other approaches but aren’t sure what’s realistic
• You want to support your child in a thoughtful, informed way

Whether your child is in school, flexi-schooling, or home educated, this session will help you think more clearly about what they need.

Why watch this webinar

• Clarity, not quick fixes
  Understand what’s really going on beneath the surface - and how to respond in a way that supports your child long-term.
• A different perspective on learning
  Explore ideas from Self Managed Learning that have supported thousands of young people to become confident, self-directed learners.
• Practical and grounded
  Leave with insights and approaches you can begin using straight away.
• Opportunity for questions
  Ian’s contact details will be available if you wish to follow up with questions after

About Dr Ian Cunningham

Dr Ian Cunningham is the creator of the Self Managed Learning approach and has spent over 40 years developing innovative learning environments across the UK and internationally. His work focuses on helping young people take responsibility for their own learning and development, in ways that build confidence, capability and independence.

About SML Alliance

SML Alliance is a not-for-profit organisation supporting families, communities and schools to adopt the Self Managed Learning approach. We believe young people learn best when they are trusted, supported and given real responsibility for their own learning.

This webinar has already taken place. You are buying a recording which will be emailed to you shortly after purchase.