HomeSchooler.org.uk

*Liberty*
Some speculation that Liberty may have to get involved.
"I intend to press Liberty on this issue though - the civil liberties side to the HE debate is clear cut IMHO. It will get very interesting indeed if the HE community challenges Badman and any new legislation on human rights grounds without even an acknowledgement from Liberty." #4884
"Key points they would have to address (discussed yesterday) would be:
1. Presumption of innocence. It should not be for parents to prove anything to the state.
2. Warrantless searches. Even freed criminals are not subject to search of their homes without a warrant.
3. Discrimination. Preschooling families are not subject to warrantless searches etc. Why should HE families have to endure this?
4. Breach of right to family life?
5. Breach of right to education according to ones principles?"#4881
Apparently there are moves afoot to check parents at home with four year olds and under(#4886).

*Natural Learning Picnic in Oxfordshire*
This will be on the last weekend in September in a prominent park. Contact 'Sam Martell' off-list for further information. (#4885)

*Alternative Report*
Further discussion about the pros and cons of an alternative report.
Some posters think that an alternative report would be unlikely to have enough impact to deserve the necessary resources.
Others see it as another line of attack and a useful centralised resource for the evidence that Badman ignored or misrepresented.
Suggestion that we submit the alternative report as our response to the 'Consultation'. That way they cannot claim not to have the evidence contained in it. (#4907)
Should it include proposals, and if so then what? Concern that proposals will weaken our position that the status quo is adequate. Concern that lack of proposals will not help us to get neutral MP's onside.
Suggestion for 'Visual Sponsorship' - "The plan is to produce a form a bit like a sponsorship form and get the kids to ask any adults they spend time with to sign and date it. We’re not sure yet whether to run the idea for a week or a fortnight but we’re hoping to be able to award a prize to the child with the most signatures" (#4948)

*Implementing the recommendations may involve a re-write of Section 7 of the Education Act 1996*
(“The parent of every child of compulsory school age shall cause him to receive efficient full-time education"... etc etc).
More from Education Otherwise's recent meeting will follow. Fear that they will simply ignore this conflict - discussion of how to highlight it. (#4913)

*New Children's Services Guidance*
The Association of Directors of Children's Services says that the new guidance muddies lines of responsibility. (#4887)

*Church of England*
Discussion of a press release concerning the '40%' issue.
Discussion of how to approach the CofE, and not wishing to alienate them by overemphasising the error made.
More concerned to highlight the misrepresentation by Badman of their submission, and to emphasise their conclusion in favour of the current legal position.

*Responses from MPs*
David Heath Lib Dem - broadly on our side, unconvinced that legislation will follow. (#4910)
David Heathcoat-Amory (Cons) - does not sign Early Day Motions (#4915), except that he did sign one recently... Not signing seems to be Conservative Party Policy...?
Sally Keeble – going to meet a HE group (#4959)

*MP Pack*
Info for anyone visiting their MP: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/badmanreviewactiongroup/files/MP%20Pack/

*The Three Recent Consultations*
For anyone new(ish) to this were:
DfES: Response to Statutory Guidance on Children Missing Education (s.4 Education Inspection Bill 2006) - November 2006
DfES: Home Education Guidelines for Local Authorities - July 2007
DCSF Statutory Guidance on Children at Risk of Not Receiving Suitable Education October 2008

and then this one.

*Letter to HE Advisor*
... from a HE’d Child. #4930 “Our son has written to our home ed advisor telling her he is not happy with what the government want to do and that he is old enough to speak and has the right
to refuse to see anyone or show them his work.”

*Just 3 more signatures to hit 1000 in the global petition*
http://www.gopetition.co.uk/petitions/support-homeschoolers-in-england.html

*Statistics*
A need for further analysis of the statistics used in the report from LAs. 11 local authorities used as consultees, but 25 included in the statistics..? FOI request for more info on the statistics relating to SEN children...

*Nottingham City Statistics*
Nottingham City refused to elaborate on their statistics. Leicestershire CC had one substantiated but 84 cases. Should an MP be asking why they were so high compared with the National Average?