HOW THE JUDGING WORKS
The Home Education Awards are judged by experienced volunteers who have an interest or background in Art, Music, or Literature. We aim to provide a fair, consistent, and encouraging process for all children.
Where possible, entries are judged anonymously. We try to remove names and identifying details before judges see the work, though full anonymity cannot always be achieved, especially with signed artwork or video performances. We still aim for fairness and impartiality in every case.
Each entry is scored independently by multiple judges. Judges do not discuss entries during the process. After all scores are submitted, the Home Education Awards organisers calculate the average score. This average determines the placing on the scoreboard.
We are always looking for new volunteer judges. If you are interested in helping, please contact us through the website’s Contact Page.
ART
Judges consider the following:
– Creativity and originality in the child’s idea and expression
– Technical skill appropriate to the child’s age and chosen medium
– Presentation, including clarity, organisation, and overall impact
– Beauty reflected through harmony, balance, and thoughtful design
– Independence of work, showing the child’s own effort without excessive adult involvement
MUSIC
Judges consider the following:
-Originality and musical expression shown in the performance.
-Technical skill appropriate to the child’s age, including accuracy and control.
– Presentation of the performance, including posture and recording clarity.
– Beauty expressed through musical harmony, rhythm, and uplifting qualities.
– Independence of performance, showing the child’s own practice and ability.
LITERATURE
Judges consider the following:
– Originality in ideas, storytelling, and imagination
– Technical skill appropriate to the child’s age, including vocabulary and grammar
– Presentation, including clarity, organisation, and flow of the writing
– Beauty of language and the ability to convey truth, meaning, or harmony
I-ndependence of work, reflecting the child’s own thinking and effort
FAIRNESS AND INTEGRITY
To ensure a fair and meaningful judging process for all children, we ask parents to allow their children to complete their entries as independently as possible. Parents may guide, encourage, and provide materials, but they should not take over or produce the work on behalf of the child. This is particularly important for younger entrants, whose work naturally looks different from older children’s.
Our judges are experienced volunteers who understand what is realistic and appropriate for each age group. They have a keen eye for recognising genuine children’s work and can tell the difference between natural ability and excessive adult involvement.
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IMPORTANT RULES AND DISQUALIFICATIONS
Late Entries
Entries received after the published deadline cannot be judged.
No-Shows on the Day
If a child is absent and no adult is present to collect the medal, the award may be forfeited. Please notify us in advance if you cannot attend so arrangements can be made.
Stage Participation
Children who arrive late will not be called back onto the stage.
Behaviour and Safety
Children must follow supervision guidelines on the day. Repeated disruption or unsafe behaviour may result in removal from activities or award withdrawal