Membership costs only £20 per year and gives you the following range of benefits:
New members
New members have a range of options that they can opt to receive once they have signed up for Full Membership:
Membership card and Truancy cards
Membership cards have a record of your membership number and can be used to ‘prove’ your status as a home educator. Some museums and attractions will accept this as evidence enough to give reduced price access.
Truancy Cards are really useful for older children who can keep it on their person when out and about without parents. It can help if asked by Truancy Officers why they aren’t at school, and the requirements of the law are quoted as well as a statement declaring that they are home educated. See photo
Free Copy of “Making the Right Impression”
This is a book containing a selection of home educating case studies. It was collated and printed by CHESS using the testimonies of CHESS members who were willing to write down their experiences for the benefit of those coming behind them on the home education road. It reinforces the understanding that every family’s journey is as unique and different as the children in it, and is particularly helpful for those new to home education.
Preaching by Dr Stanley Jebb “Biblical Basis of Home Education”
Dr Stanley Jebb spoke at a CHESS conference a little while ago. His session on the Biblical basis for home education was extremely helpful, and well received. So much so that we decided to make it available to help and encourage new CHESS members!
Other benefits available to all members
Annual Learn Free! Conference in Coventry each May
This is an annual Conference run by Juliet English of Headhub. CHESS sponsors this conference and therefore all members are entitled to go FREE of charge, subject to quoting the code emailed round to all members. Spaces are limited, so early booking is recommended.
Free Richmond Testing for children
These are a series of tests which can help you to evaluate how your child/children are doing in several key areas of learning. The service is free to our members but for non-members we charge £20
The tests themselves could be considered a bit old-fashioned and pre-National Curriculum, but they do seem to suit home educated children very well. They can give a good indication of the kind of GCSE results the child might be expected to get. There is a different level for each Year Group from Y4 to Y9.
Please see our Richmond Testing page for more information
Home Time
This is our Members magazine which is published 2/3 times a year and emailed as a digital file. It contains encouragement, reviews and interesting articles related to Home Education. Contributions are encouraged and invited from members. Please email ruth@chessuk.org if you have something to contribute, or if you would like to be asked to write something on a given theme.
World Book Day vouchers
World Book Day vouchers are available free of charge to CHESS members. Every year around February time, members are invited to order their requirements for the coming year. These are sent out in time for World Book Day which is usually in the first week of March each year.
CHESS Member’s holiday at Cefn Lea in Wales
Each September, up to 50 CHESS families meet together for a week full of activities and encouragement especially for our members! Heaps of fun, great conversations and sharing times, and probably more scooters than you’ve ever seen in one place!! Unmissable !
Online Members Directory
This is held in a secure part of the website and is only visible to other paid up CHESS members who are in the directory themselves. It is great to find and connect with others in your area , and who knows, you may just find a heart connection waiting to happen…
Occasional member only special offers
From time to time we are able to pass on savings, discounts and special offers to our members. These will be emailed as and when they are available.
CHESS Library
We have a range of books covering many different subjects that have been donated to the CHESS library. You simply pay postage to borrow each book, then hold it until someone else requests it or your membership expires, when it must be passed on or returned.
Books are taken to the Members Holiday in Wales each year, where they are on display in the Resources room. Books can be borrowed and returned there without incurring postage charges.
Truancy cards
These are dated and last for a year. They can be ordered at any time, if your requirements change. Renewal orders are usually taken each year around February, and they are posted out at the same time as World Book Day vouchers.