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Category Archives: home education review
I have been accused of neglect.
Again. Oh no, it’s not the first time. No, it’s not me personally. It’s worse than that in a way. It’s yet another invidious slight against the home education community. This time at the hands of the TES (times educational … Continue reading
I thought I’d seen it all.
This week the submissions to the select committee inquiry have been made public. Many ppl have blogged their shock about some of the contents, or their pleasure in reading some of the reasoned arguments against the Badman review. Ppl have … Continue reading
What’s in a word?
School v education. Homeschool v home education. Different images aren’t they? To me anyway, although mainstream media and politicians in this country for some reason do not seem to see this. Setting aside the implied discourtesy in using a term … Continue reading
People like us.
A very short while ago I rejoined an email group that I was last a member of over 10 years ago. It’s the list that I met Tim on (awww…) and hence Big is known to them as listbabe After … Continue reading
Consultation response.
The consultation is available for responses online. My response follows. I was submission 2042, my understanding is that the usual type of number responding to these things is around 300. Wouldn’t it be great if we could get ten times … Continue reading
Dear Mr Ed Balls and the DCSF- No thank you
Inspired by Helen’s letter to Ed Balls from her blog. Dear Mr Balls I will not give up this fight. These are my children, not yours, not the state’s. I will choose with them what they learn, and we will … Continue reading
It’s hard to know where to start
with the flood of press releases today. We’ve had the government’s full response to the Graham Badman review. We’ve had the announcement of a forthcoming review into the definition of suitable education for home educated children. We’ve seen Graham Badman’s … Continue reading
Select Committee witnesses
If you haven’t seen the list of witnesses for the select committee the phrase read it and weep comes to mind. From Home Education Forums The Children, Schools and Families Committee will be taking formal oral evidence as follows: Monday … Continue reading
As safe as necessary, not as safe as possible.
Recently, when I was looking for statistics for my post unwarranted government intrusion into family life I came across the RoSPA website, with the slogan “As safe as necessary, not as safe as possible.” This seemed to me to be … Continue reading
Pondering that statement of intent from the home education review.
We all have plans for the future and hopes for our children. It’s kind of what parents do. And it is our responsibility to equip our children for a life in the community that they are part of – sounds … Continue reading
Unwarranted government intrusion into family life.
I was watching the local news tonight, and it turns out that the two policewomen banned from looking after each other’s children live in this area, so were interviewed on the show. They were doing each other a favour – … Continue reading
Are we just a crackpot minority?
You know, us home educators who are ranting and raving about invasion of privacy following the Badman review of home education, are we just fringe nutters? I admit we’ve made some unusual choices in our life. It isn’t standard to … Continue reading
What’s it all for?
The parent of every child of compulsory school age shall cause him to receive efficient full-time education suitable- (a) to his age, ability and aptitude, and (b) to any special educational needs he may have, either by regular attendance at … Continue reading
A chink in the armour?
On Weds I was heartened to receive an email from the Select Committee on Children, Schools and Families, advising me of their inquiry into the review. Along with a response from the UK Statistics Authority implying that they are looking … Continue reading
Swimming and MMORPG
Small spent most of Tuesday expanding his understanding of RPGs. Every now and then he needed to regroup and spent some time back with CBeebies, mainly on tikkabilla He got lots out of fusion fall, and then eventually, I dragged … Continue reading
Complaint to The UK Statistics Authority
Hi I am writing to express my concern at the statistics used to inform Graham Badman’s review of home education, released 11 June 2009. The review can be found here as a free download. and the particularly disturbing section, on … Continue reading
Next, the under fives.
The introduction of a compulsory annual visit by a health visitor or trained advocate is suggested to ensure that the most at-risk children (about 68 per cent of cases involved children from birth to four) can express concerns to a … Continue reading
Democracy in action?
Tonight I am feeling betrayed and let down by a man who in all reality has no responsibility to me at all. Lord Lucas has placed an amendment against the Apprenticeships, Skills, Children and Learning Bill as follows: 311 Insert … Continue reading
Home education review, what can we do now?
Lord Lucas asks To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether, as required by the Code of Practice on Consultation, they have published an impact assessment to accompany the “Registration and Monitoring Proposals” consultation following Mr Badman’s report on Elective Home Education; … Continue reading
Broad and balanced v intrinsic motivation.
This review does not argue against the rights of parents as set out in Section 7 of the Education Act 1996 outlined above, nor their deeply held convictions about education. I believe it would be wrong to seek to legislate … Continue reading
