A class of their own: The family with 11 children who turned to home schooling

But as lessons start each morning, time off is the last thing on their mind.

For the Shepherds don't believe in school - at least in the conventional sense - and educate their children at home.

Mrs Shepherd, 43, who is eight months pregnant, said: "People are amazed when they discover not only that we have 11 children but that we educate them all at home.

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Learning curve: The Shepherds and their children, aged from 19 months to 19

"It's a set-up that works well for us. In many ways it's actually easier having 11 children than it was having just the first few, because they are good at entertaining one another."

They may escape school but the Shepherd children don't escape study. They have three hours of lessons each morning, with the afternoons left free for trips to the park, museums, libraries, or playing in the garden.

But their lifestyle will be the envy of the average school pupil - they never have homework and don't sit exams, as they are not legally required to take them.

The law says that it is a parent's responsibility to ensure their children receive an education suitable for their age, aptitude and ability at school "or otherwise".

"As long as the word 'otherwise' appears in that stipulation then parents are free to home-school their children," said Mr Shepherd, 44, a former computer specialist who was forced to give up his career in 1995 by a road accident which left him with spinal injuries.

He makes a living as a musician. Mrs Shepherd, who does not work, used to be a manager for Mothercare.

The couple teach their children at their seven-bedroom Victorian property in Grantham, Lincolnshire, using a recognised home-schooling curriculum, which includes maths and English. Other subjects are tailored to the children's interests.

Tom, 19, and Joe, 17, love music and sport, Rhiannon, 16, adores Jane Austen, while Jed, 12, is described by his parents as the genius of the bunch. The younger ones Ike, ten, Zac, nine, Charis, eight, Jim, six, Liberty, five, Talitha, three, and Nathanael, 19 months, are still finding their academic feet.

Although neither parent has formal teaching qualifications, they do get advice from a support group.

The Shepherds make extensive use of the internet and local libraries, and council officials monitor their lessons every six to 12 months.

None of the children will complete their schooling with a GCSE or an A-level to their name. But this doesn't seem to be holding them back.

Joe has been accepted on a one-year media course at Lincoln College. Rhiannon is applying for a distance journalism course.

Jed, who is already tackling a biology course to an A-level standard, has designs on being a vet. Tom, the eldest, who has just finished his home schooling, wants to be a pilot.

Only he has ever set foot in a state school. It was Tom's experience as a four-year-old which led his parents to home schooling.

Within days he became withdrawn and another mother suggested that his parents teach him at home.

Durham University research says the number of home-educated children is 150,000 and rising. Within a decade, 3 per cent of those between five and 16 will be home-schooled, it is predicted.

Mr Shepherd said: "Part of the reason for wanting to teach our children at home is to give them a proper childhood where they don't feel the pressure to grow into mini-adults well before their time. And I disagree with the number of tests imposed on children as young as seven.

"I believe standards have fallen markedly over the years."

Mr Shepherd saved money while working as a computer consultant, easing the family's financial pressures but they still have a frugal existence. The weekly food bill is just £130. But the couple have no plans to stop adding to their family after their 12th child is born next month.

Rhiannon said: "I don't feel I've missed out by not going to school. I've had a brilliant education."