They had decided for themselves that they needed at least English and maths, in addition to the music which N. had chosen to study, and A.'s work on electronics. They also took an examination in computer literacy. Their mother persuaded some other homeschooling families to let their children take the same courses, and together they raised the money to employ tutors. The whole project was completed comfortably in two years. I could tell long stories about the collective study I watched.
Homeschooled children can work for several hours at a stretch without becoming bored or fractious.
The boys' results were average, but this did not prevent them from doing what they wanted to do with their lives. Both N. and A. are now employed. N., who is, perhaps, something of a dreamer, had not decided what he wanted to do as a career by the time he needed to make money for himself, so he got a series of jobs through an agency, without the slightest difficulty. He now works in a cinema. There is no space to describe these two young people more fully.