The proposed research is set to investigate how protected vulnerability of uncapped education learners influence GRIT in higher education.  Firstly the study will investigate international as well as national perspectives on home-schooling.  Then Uncapped Education as an education model will be investigated.  The word ‘Uncapped’ referring to no constraints being placed on a learner. Uncapped education refers to an alternative education model where the interests and strengths of the child determine the educational approach. The learner is to a large degree allowed to follow their passions and develop and grow talents and strengths at their own pace, often in areas of interest much faster than in a traditional setting.  This education approach is mostly possible in a home-school setting although some schools have adopted similar approaches.  The study will aim to identify higher education learners that fit the criteria for the Uncapped education model.  In these cases of uncapped education, it is expected that learners will continue in a career/future path furthering their passion/s, which is one of the GRIT characteristics.  The other characteristic of GRIT is Resilience.  The study will investigate in which ways uncapped education could develop resilience in learners.  GRIT (the combined properties of passion and resilience) have been identified as a predictor of success in various research settings with children and adults. 

If Uncapped Education develops GRIT in learners, further links with Vulnerability as defined by Brene Brown will be investigated.  Vulnerability refers to a person being allowed to be themselves, being true to their design and being vulnerable enough to be truly seen.  This happens in families where belonging is cultivated even though you make mistakes.  It is a heart that is open to emotional risk and failure.  In a setting where children feel unsafe they will be less likely to take risks, to develop, create and be innovative. It is suggested that an environment of meaning, value, competence, connection and belonging could influence vulnerability and ultimately resilience.  In this study the aim is to investigate cases where the vulnerability of a young child was protected and they were educated in a ‘safe’ environment of being allowed to be vulnerable and the ways this environment transpires into GRIT.