HED0060

 

Written evidence submitted by Mrs Sarah Gregg

Elective home education

I have home educated some of my children since 1998. I have taken one child through GCSE’s and am just taking another one through that period now but have selected to do an alternative qualification with her.

Most of my children are adopted and elective home education (EHE) is most definitely the best option for them due to their past experiences and their need to recover and grow up in a relaxed, nurturing environment.

 

The duties of local authorities with regards to home education, including safeguarding and assuring the quality of home education:

Parents know the needs of their children better than anyone else. A lot of children do not suit a school environment and/or a school education. Parents want the best for their child and with EHE are willing to give up careers and money in order to give their children what they need – a safe and secure environment in which to learn.

Children with extra needs or special educational needs can be taught in a manner suited to them with EHE. Of my 6 children, 2 have SEN and EHE has enabled me to teach to their specific needs. Some of my adopted children would have/did really struggled in school. EHE gave them the time to learn at their own pace and in their own style.

My children have fantastic social and life skills which have developed as they have been able to experience a wider variety of people and situations.

 

whether a statutory register of home-educated children is required:

This seems an unnecessary waste of resource, time and money. 

 

the quality and accessibility of support (including financial support) available for home educators and their children, including those with special educational needs, disabilities, mental health issues, or caring responsibilities, and those making the transition to further and higher education:

It would be good to have some financial support for EHE. Most families make serious financial sacrifices to do EHE. We have, and our children have grown in confidence and maturity to become much more successful people in society than they could have in a school setting. School would have/did (for a while) squash the spirit and self-confidence of some of our children.

 

 

whether the current regulatory framework is sufficient to ensure that the wellbeing and academic achievement of home-educated children is safeguarded, including where they may attend unregistered schools, have been formally excluded from school, or have been subject to ‘off-rolling’:

Parents should be able to judge what is best for their children. The 1944 Education Act relating to ‘education otherwise’ outlines succinctly and accurately the position that many parents find themselves in when choosing this pathway for their child.

 

 

 

 

the role that inspection should play in future regulation of home education:

I would never want a heavy handed/dictatorial approach. I don’t mind a local inspector checking what we are doing but it should never be allowed to move to a level of dictating the approach or content of EHE. As a parent I know what is best for my children and how to educate in the style that he/she needs. I would never want any more intervention than is currently the practice.

 

what improvements have been made to support home educators since the 2010-15 Education Committee published their report on ‘Support for Home Education’ in 2012; and

Having home educated for a number of years, I feel that the approach of support and encouragement is much more beneficial. In the early days, I feel that LA inspectors knew little about EHE and were quick to criticise but now they are much more encouraging of EHE and keen to let us get on with what we now our child needs.  I am keen for the LA to not interfere, generally home educators do not need any support as they have made huge efforts to know what/how to teach their child

 

the impact COVID-19 has had on home-educated children, and what additional measures might need to be taken in order to mitigate any negative impacts:

I don’t think that this is a real issue any more. Our children are at home anyway so it has been fairly normal for them. The only real impact has been in what we cannot do (swimming, visits, going out etc). But the whole world has suffered so our children understand that they are minimally impacted compared to a lot of others.

 

October 2020