A UK dad built a £150K backyard school for 12 kids, saving £66K, after leaving mainstream education over poor business training.

A UK property developer, Samuel Leeds, built a £150,000 backyard school in Beaconsfield for 12 children—his four kids and eight cousins—after leaving mainstream education due to concerns over inadequate financial and business training. Completed in April 2024, the 600sq ft classroom features two full-time teachers and Leeds’ instruction in finance and critical thinking, emphasizing real-world learning and flexibility for travel. The setup, which allows students to take GCSEs and includes hands-on experiences abroad, has saved the family an estimated £66,000 compared to private school costs. Leeds, who dropped out at 16 but built a successful business, aims to share his curriculum with other homeschooling families and has attracted national interest.