HED0331
Written evidence submitted by [member of the public]
[Note: This evidence has been redacted by the Committee. Text in square brackets has been inserted where text has been redacted.]
HOME EDUCATION
GENERAL
I am an 89 year old grandfather with four grandchildren who are being Home Educated, hence my interest in this call for evidence. Naturally I take great interest in my grandchildren’s education and can say that they have all befitted from Home Education. Two boys were bullied at school and another became totally isolated. When they were home educated, they thrived. The schools were informed of my grandsons problems but took no effective action.
Parents are responsible for seeing their children are educated. Teachers teach on behalf of the parents. Children are not wards of the state , being the responsibility of the parents.
DUTIES OF LOCAL AUTHORITIES
Local authorities already have enough power to police home education- they have powers to intervene if there are problems ,such as substandard education or abuse.
In addition, we are constantly being told that teachers and local authorities are already overstretched. So adding to their workload would make them take extra pains to avoid risks and criticism. They would be tempted to investigate families with no problems at the expense of those families really needing help.
Note ……………………………………………………………………………………………………….1
MANDATORY REGISTER
A mandatory register of home-educated children must not be made law, the main reason being that it gives the state too much power when it is not needed. Children do not belong to the state but to the parents. What evidence is there that a mandatory register is necessary or would work?
The introduction of a mandatory register would be unnecessary control of family life leading to even more state control of life. It would also waste local authorities time and effort.
BENEFITS OF HOME EDUCATION
Home education has many advantages as compared to much state education.
It can be adjusted to meet the individual needs of the pupil, such as their interests and the pace at which they can work. Gifted pupils can be taught at a pace that suits them, whilst less able pupils can be taught at a slower pace that suits them.
Home education is a very suitable for pupils who have been bullied. It is safe and very suitable to allow pupils to learn without distraction and without the worry of bullying. It can be used to encourage pupils to study by themselves, which skill will equip them for higher education study.
FUTURE ROLE OF INSPECTION
No evidence has been produced that says inspection is needed, neither is there any regulation that says it must become law.
The pattern and method of home education is very varied. Each home education situation is entirely different to the others. It is unique in that it has its own teachers and own pupils, and the only thing they must obey is the law of the land and state educational regulations. This variety of implementation is the strength of home education and which makes inspection extremely difficult.
The assertion that home education is a risk to children has not been demonstrated.
The imposition of inspection would be unnecessary intrusion into the home and unnecessary policing of family life.
DO THE CURRENT REGULATIONS ENSURE THE WELL BEING OF HOME EDUCATED CHILDREN
These are separate matters and not caused by home education. This in no way down plays child abuse- it is of utmost priority it be tackled. Local authorities have wide powers to deal with this , and the police will actively become involved where necessary. Many parents choose home education to protect children from bullying.
Home educated children need far less state attention than children in school. 2015 research showed home educated children in England were 2 to 3 times less likely to need a Child Protection Plan than children in school, despite being twice as likely to be referred to social services…………………… 2
The home educational environment protects children from the alarming levels of sexual harassment and abuse experienced in schools. This is documented. ………………………………….3
The current regulatory framework needs no change since there is no evidence that it needs to change.
THE QUALITY AND ACCESSIBILITY OF SUPPORT
Parents should not be under any obligation to accept support, nor should they be obliged to agree the fulfillment of conditions, apart from health and safety, to receive any support. Support should be available on request from parents.
State schools do not always meet all children’s needs ,such as some special needs. Where this is the case some some parents remove their children from state schools. These parents should be supported by improving provision for the child’s needs.
Some local authorities are suspicious of parents without cause. These parents should be supported.
Local authorities should not look for trouble , but co-operate with parents for the improvement of the child's well being. The Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman reprimanded one local authority for visiting a family based on unproven claims. They did not even give an explanation for their actions. …………………………………………………………………………………………… 4
Reimbursement of exam fees or financial help with exam centers are candidates for financial help.
1. Charles-Warner, W, ‘Home Education and the Safeguarding Myth: Analysing the Facts Behind the Rhetoric’, 2015, see http://www.personalisededucationnow.org.uk/wpcontent/uploads/2015/02/home-education-and-the-safeguarding-myth-signed.WCW_-1.pdf as at 27 October 2020
2. Loc cit
3. Sexual violence and sexual harassment between children in schools and colleges: Advice for governing bodies, proprietors, headteachers, principals, senior leadership teams and designated safeguarding leads, Department for Education, May 2018, pages 6 and 7
4. ‘Be clear about visits to home-schooled children says Ombudsman’, Local Government & Social Care Ombudsman, 18 July 2019, see https://www.lgo.org.uk/informationcentre/news/2019/jul/be-clear-about-visits-to-home-schooled-children-says-ombudsman as at 27 October 2020
December 2020