Tag: political stuff
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 not follow any curriculum determined by remote politicians in Westminster, even though we may appear…
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 latest attempt at proving that home educated children are more at risk than those in…
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 12 October 2009 at 4.45pm Wilson Room, Portcullis House Witnesses: Graham Badman CBE; Ms Diana…
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 a balanced attitude to risk and set me thinking, what does this mean in terms…
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 like a sound statement of responsibility to me. But how did the Badman home education…
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 – job sharing and childcare sharing, in much the same way women in communities have done…
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 home educate your children after all. And if you don’t home educate them, finding a…
Thinking about community.
By birth, and by preference, I’m a northerner. Born in Durham, grew up in Yorkshire, went back to university in Durham, and stayed there until I moved for a better job, as so many ppl have had to do over the years. Since then, as a family we’ve just sort of drifted about Derbyshire/ Yorkshire…
Oh dear, Mr Badman, don't the figures add up?
The Select Committee day of investigation into the conduct and findings of Graham Badman’s Home Education review is fast approaching. Someone has now found this little gem: Please see the attached letter from Graham Badman. Graham would like to make local authorities aware of the forthcoming Select Committee hearing in early October which is likely…
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 into the statistic use of Badman’s review, and an increasing number of MPs signing up…