Written evidence submitted by Ben Robinson

House of Commons Education Committee

– Consultation on Home Education, November 2020

• The ultimate responsibility for educating children lies with parents, not the state. As such, teachers are educating on behalf of parents, not the state. Mandatory registration could lead to parents effectively having to ask the state’s permission before they can home educate.

• Of course, the Government must step in if there is mistreatment. But otherwise the state does not and must not intervene.

• Local authorities already have powers to intervene where they reasonably believe that children are not receiving an adequate education, or are at risk of harm.

• There is no evidence that a mandatory register is necessary or would be effective. Parents who are of concern are unlikely to register anyway.

• A mandatory register would be a worrying sign of increasing state interference in family life.

• Administering a mandatory register would be a waste of local authority resources.

• Home education can be tailored to individual children’s interests, abilities and development, helping to create an enjoyable and stimulating learning environment.

• Home education is a safe and nurturing environment for children who have experienced bullying.

• Inspection is inappropriate for home education. One home education can be very unlike another. This diversity of approaches is a strength of home education, but would make inspection impractical.

• Any local authority support should be entirely voluntary, available on request. There must be no implication that not requesting support, or declining to follow advice offered, is a cause for concern.

Ben Robinson, 28.10.20

October 2020