ABSTRACT
This chapter suggests that in urban settings in particular, for identities shaped by race, racism and global family histories, alternative approaches to education become identified as an effective strategy. It continues a discussion both by looking at the experiences of two families who accessed or considered a range of alternatives to mainstream schooling including, but not limited to homeschooling. Both families identified themselves in part as being both British and Black; however they also identified a wider heritage related to family routes from Africa and the Caribbean. Neither the Alabis nor the Woods appeared well-served by their local schools, despite all the different schools they had accessed being categorised as 'good' or 'outstanding' by OFSTED. This was reflected throughout the accounts of other Black and minority ethnic parents, including Gypsy and Traveller and Muslim families. It was also evident in the accounts given by other categories of parents such as those whose children had special educational needs.
