But You Could Be Hiding Your Children And Teaching Them The Wrong Things!

"Oh but you could all be child abusers, you need checking up on." "Schools have to have inspections, why shouldn't you?" "Who's to know if you're teaching your children the right things?"

Well thanks government and national press for casting home educators as child abusers, and social deviants! We appreciate the slur, it's really helped us and our children feel good for exercising a perfectly reasonable, and lets remember LEGAL, choice.

So, our children are *hidden*. OK, let's break this down, sensibly. If you've read the other posts you'll have realised that home education doesn't mean chaining your child to a desk, never letting them see the light of day. It involves being out and about in the real world - something I want to come back to in another post.

Home Education makes you MORE visible in the community.

"Sorry? MORE visible, but you're all hidden away aren't you?"

No, when you home educate the world and his wife wants to know your business. If we had a pound for every time we've been asked the question "No school today then?" we would be able to afford to pay the fees for Eton by now!

Your neighbours will question you, they will gossip about you, the local children will whisper to their friends about these children they know who don't go to school. Relatives will ask questions, shopkeepers, bus drivers, doctors, dentists, nurses, the milkman, posty, parcel delivery driver, librarian, will all suddenly take a great interest in your life. Yes, being hidden would be a nice option on the days when you really don't want to have to explain your life to A N Other, on the number 52 bus, for the umpteenth time!

Our family had been happily getting on with life for several years when one day a letter dropped through the door:

"We have been informed that your children are being home educated."

How nice, some kind person thought that the local authority needed to know our business. We didn't do a very good job of staying hidden did we? Not that we had ever tried to.

We have friends who have been reported to social services because their children aren't in school, or because the doctor or health visitor didn't like the idea of home education. It's very common for people to think it's their business to inform "someone in authority" about home educated children, so that really blows this hidden lie that the government has propagated out of the water doesn't it? OK, there might be someone somewhere who has totally dropped out of society, isn't seen by anyone at all, ever. I'm struggling to see how in this day and age this is likely though. We have CCTV cameras on practically every street corner. We have databases left right and centre tracking us. Our phone calls and emails are logged. It's becoming ever harder to live without credit/debit cards and bank accounts. Seriously, just think about it for a minute and you will see through the spin.

Now just think for another minute about all the high profile child abuse/murder cases you know of. How many of them were completely unknown?

For the record, AHEd have a piece of research which shows that Home Educated children are actually half as likely to be abused as the general, school going population. Which is hardly surprising when you consider these statistics:

Each week: 450,000 children are bullied in school

Each year: more than 360,000 children injured in schools

Each year: at least 16 children commit suicide as a result of school bullying

Each year: an estimated 1 million children truant

Each year: more than 1 in 6 children leave school unable to read, write or add up

Every Child Matters?

Moving on to the question of inspections. Do you know why schools have to have inspections? To make sure they are doing their job properly. Who needs to know they are doing their job properly? Parents. Why? Because parents are delegating their own section 7 duty to schools - ie they are employing someone to provide their children with a service. Home educating parents are not delegating their section 7 duty, they are not employing a third party to carry out their duties on their behalf.

How much sense does this scenario make?

I decide to paint my front room myself instead of employing the local painter and decorator. When I've finished I write a report to the local decorator, informing them that I have decided to paint my front room myself, that I have used Crown Emulsion in Perky Peach for the walls, and Crown Gloss in Dull as Ditchwater for the woodwork. That I had to use 2 coats to cover the walls, and that I sanded and primed the woodwork before applying 1 coat of gloss.

This is exactly what parents who home educate are doing when they are asked to report on their child's education to the local authority.

"But who's to know if you are teaching your child the right things?"

Who gets to decide what the *right* things are? Well, currently Ed Balls if your child goes to school. Ed Balls.... the same Ed Balls who was caught fraudulently claiming expenses. Ed Balls, married to Yvette Cooper who, in a national newspaper, admitted to putting a telephone call to a radio station above her own toddlers health and safety.

" I was frantically looking for the number of the studio, and I got through just in time. Then I heard a thump. It was my daughter, who had fallen out of bed, and was coming howling down the corridor. I had to leap up and slam the door in her face, and then put the duvet over my head so the listeners couldn't hear her."

Oh yes, these are the kind of people I want to decide what the *right* education for my children is!

In an earlier post you might remember me saying that no one knows everything, so how can anyone decree what is important to learn and what isn't? Surely the only person who ultimately knows what is *right* is the learner? Obviously there are certain things that are standard - the three Rs for instance, but when we are all wired differently, have different interests and skills, how can a one size fits all education system like the national curriculum possibly expect to help parents fulfil their section 7 duties?

In my opinion it can't, and by the seems of things, employers from right across the board are finding that it's not equipping people for the world of work either.

But What About Friends?

The age old socialisation question!

Are you friends with a group of 30 people born within the same 12 months? No? Thought not.

If adults aren't expected to mix only with people of the same age group why should children? Isn't it more interesting to have a variety of friends from varying age and social groups? Isn't it presumptuous to assume that everyone wants to have lots of friends? Some people are naturally inclined towards having just one or two friends, just as others like having lots. Many children go to school and mix with hundreds of other children everyday, and yet they still have few if any friends, and feel as isolated as if they were on a remote island!

If you live in an area where there are other children, your child, if so inclined, will naturally make friends. If your child attends groups like brownies, scouts etc, they will, if so inclined, make friends. Home Education groups are another option for making friends where the children will have this educational choice in common.

My own children have friends who go to school; home educated friends; younger friends; older friends. They get on well with a wide variety of people which feels like a healthy situation to me. They don't see adults as *the enemy* because they are (mainly) used to adults interacting with them on an equal, respectful footing.

One thing that frustrates me about the socialisation issue is when people who really have no idea come out with statements like "Well I want my child to mix with a wide variety of people from different cultures and socio-economic groups, and they wouldn't get that if they didn't go to school." Hmm, well ok, that might be the case in an inner city school, although having spoken to professional educators who work in these types of settings, about this particular issue, I'm told that whilst they might be in a room together, the different groups tend to stick together and don't generally mix with other groups. That aside though, we live in the Yorkshire Dales. You don't get an awful lot of cultural diversity up here, so school wouldn't provide that opportunity for my children. Home Education on the other hand does, because we go to groups and events where people from all walks of life gather. We mix with people of different religions, people from different countries, people from wide ranging socio-economic groups. So that argument really backfires in our particular case.

Once again it's just a case of thinking outside the box a little bit, and not falling for false cultural memes.

Is It Legal?

"Is it legal?"

Absolutely. Did you know that parents are legally responsible for ensuring their child receives a suitable education? Did you perhaps think that was the responsibility of schools? Nope, it's down to you, which is why you can be jailed if your child truants.

Now in theory, if you send you child to a failing school, or your child is not receiving a suitable education in school, you should be found guilty of failing in your section 7 duty. That doesn't seem to happen though, I wonder why?

Here's the relevant section of the law for you, taken from the Underhill's website which is well worth further investigation.

The fundamental piece of legislation regarding education in England and Wales is the Education Act 1996 (a consolidating act which incorporates the 1944 Education Act and later legislation).

The only relevant sections are: (emphasis added)

Parental Duties: Section 7

"The parent of every child of compulsory school age shall cause him to receive efficient full-time education suitable ;
a) to his age, ability, and aptitude, and
b) to any special educational needs he may have,
either by regular attendance at school or otherwise."

LEA (LA) Duties:

The LEA's duties and powers in relation to home-educated children are contained in the Education Acts, 1944 to 1996. These are fully set out in sections 437 to 443 of the 1996 Act and (except in relation to special educational needs) are limited to the provisions of those sections.

"437. - (1) If it appears to a local education authority that a child of compulsory school age in their area is not receiving suitable education, either by regular attendance at school or otherwise, they shall serve a notice in writing on the parent requiring him to satisfy them within the period specified in the notice that the child is receiving such education."

Clear and straight forward isn't it?

Are You A Teacher?

"Don't you have to have a degree?" "Are you a teacher?"

No, no, no!

You might be surprised by how many teachers home educate, but it's certainly not a requirement. Enthusiasm and commitment are far more important qualifications than a degree and PGCE.

A couple of years ago I had a conversation with a newly HEing dad who was fretting that he couldn't get his 15 year old son through his physics GCSE. He had just been pulled out of school and as he was in the midst of his exam year, they didn't feel they had the opportunity to relax and find their way. Dad felt that he had to be at least 2 steps ahead of son in the syllabus in order to teach him. When I suggested that it might make it a more pleasureable experience all round if they learnt together, his eyes lit up. He had never considered that he didn't need to know everything, that he could show his son that it was ok that he didn't. You could see the liberation right there in his eyes.

We were at a fantastic science workshop a little while ago that we were sharing with a couple of school groups. It was great stuff, exploding custard it was called which of course captured our imaginations. Apart from the great content of the workshop, it was a fascinating experience watching the reactions of some of the teachers. The chap who was running the workshop explained that science was all about messing about (experimenting) and that not knowing things was what pushed scientists to make new discoveries. He then came out with a classic line: "Remember children, no one knows everything, not even your teacher. If they say they do, they're lying." Well, I'm sure you can imagine some of the reactions! Personally I found it incredibly refreshing because he was spot on, but it's not something many people will admit to. No one knows everything, and if they pretend they do then they are not to be trusted!

Home education has taught me so much more than I could ever have imagined. It's not just something that the children do, it's truly intergeneration, life long learning. It's great!

But It Would Drive Me Mad To Spend That Much Time With My Children!

I'm hoping that this is just another cultural meme that people pick up and bandy about without really meaning it. If it's not, what a terribly sad indictment on our society. The UK has always been infamous for not really liking children, but can't we do something about this? If we would just stop to think about what we're saying before we repeat these things. Can you imagine how your child must feel hearing their parent say things like this? Imagine if it were your partner speaking about you in that manner.

With many children going back to school this week there have been plenty of stories that repeat this meme, notably this one from the BBC:

"Back to school also means back to work for many parents but it can also spell freedom for the full-time mothers and fathers out there.

Justine Roberts, co-founder of online forum Mumsnet, said at this time of year, many parents are "jumping for joy"."

Sigh.

Home Education means spending time, lots of time, with your children. It is not always easy, and the moments you get to yourself are fairly rare, but it's not as hard as you think. The rewards of spending time with your children, and really getting to know them are priceless, and let's face it, our children are children for such a short time that we need to treasure the time we do have whilst it lasts.

So how do you manage to retain your sanity when you spend so much time with your children?

I can only speak for myself, of course, but I think it's actually easier to be around my children so much because I have been. Let me explain what I mean: when the longest period of time you spend with your child is the school summer holidays, it's bound to be problematic. Your child is used to having much of it's waking hours micro-mangaged by school, after school clubs etc. Along come the school holidays and suddenly the micro-management has gone. The child isn't used to finding things to do to occupy itself, so the position of entertainer becomes the parent's. Having to continually find entertainment for your child is wearing, stressful and undoubtedly expensive. So I suppose it's fairly understandable that by the end of the holidays parents are overjoyed to be free from that burden.

We don't have to face these issues, because our children are well used to managing their time. I have a zero tolerance policy in my house for the words *I'm bored*. Always have had, even when they were going to be going to school. I am not their entertainer. Yes, I am here to facilitate their learning, yes I will provide things for them to try out, learning materials, outings, art supplies, games, help and support as needed, but boredom I will not cure. I am of the opinion that boredom is very important, particularly for children, and it seems I'm not alone in this. Boredom encourages children towards self reliance, and that is an incredibly important personal skill/quality as far as I'm concerned. Far too many people these days expect to be entertained by others, and then are completely lost when they find themselves in a situation where they have only themselves to rely on. The micro-managed children I know (and some of them are home educated, so it's by no means something that is only there in schooled children) are whingey, attention seeking, very high maintenance and in constant need of entertainment. I can completely understand why their parents would relish time to themselves in these instances.

If you pull your child out of school to home educate them, it is generally accepted that they will need a period of de-schooling. I would imagine (though having had no experience myself I am only speculating) that this would be quite a difficult time for a family, partly because of the sudden leap from a micro-managed day to a looser one. The adjustment will take time, and I would imagine a great deal of patience and understanding, but the rewards will definitely be worth it.

If we are to see a return to children and adults who are more self reliant than many currently are, parents need to stop seeing themselves as entertainers, and encourage a healthy level of boredom. Perhaps when that happens, we won't hear so many stories of stressed out parents longing for the end of the school holidays, and those who send their children to school might not be so staggered to find that home educators actually enjoy spending time with their children.

How Much?

"It must be really expensive, how do you manage?"

Well, it all depends really. You can make it as expensive or as cheap as you like. There are so many free opportunities these days that it really needn't cost the earth. Of course if you decide that you really must have the lastest items from the educational supply catalogues; this year's must have gadget; the very best artist supplies etc etc it could end up costing you more than it would to send your child to Eton. It doesn't have to though, and doing it cost effectively doesn't mean skimping and giving your child a second rate education.

Home educators tend to be a rather canny bunch, and asking for ideas or helpful links on one of the free to access email groups will give you more than enough food for thought! You don't even have to pay money to join an organisation. There are plenty of free ones that will give you just as much (if not more) help and support and the freely available Home Ed Blog rings are also an incredible source of ideas. Of course if you're reading this you've got access to one of the greatest sources of information and ideas going - the internet. Google is a mighty tool if used well.

Of course another great saving you can make when you home educate is on holidays. Many home edders become seasoned campers. Even if camping isn't your thing, holidaying out of the school holidays is a much more economical option. Before we had children we always went on holiday in September, and we've been able to carry on doing that thanks to home education. It's quieter, cheaper and touch wood we've always been very fortunate with the weather!

Necessity is the mother of invention or so they say, and I'd say that it's certainly a great educational driving force.

Interestingly, research shows that home educated children from poorer backgrounds - ie the working classes, do better than the children of the more affluent - ie middle classes and up. Interesting that isn't it?

Where?

"Do you have a special room where you do all your schooling?"

First of all, we don't do schooling. We home educate.

The problem with the term "Home Education" is that it does give people this idea that it all happens at home. Of course this isn't the case. As I said in yesterday's post it can happen in the car, on a bus, walking along the street. So no, we don't have a special room, it takes over the entire house and extends out into the rest of the world!

We've found that our children get an awful lot out of what would, in school terms I suppose, be termed *field trips*. The other week, somehow or other, we had a conversation about the Brontes. We're lucky enough to live quite near to the Parsonage so we decided to pay it a visit whilst the interest was still fresh in their minds.

A few months ago we took part in a couple of stop pic animation workshops. This really sparked their imagination and the interest was brought back home, where they kept on creating short animations, culminating in The Bad Man - more than two weeks worth of blood, sweat and tears, but so worth it.

I've lost count of how many times we've been to the theatre this year - we often go with other home educators and get the schools concession, which makes it much more affordable.

We take part in the Film Education Week along with schools, which means we get to go and see several films for free, which is always good!

We go to museums - often they are happy to run free, or at least cheap, workshops for home educators. Most of them have free entry and generally really good, hands on displays, although we also really enjoy the dusty old places that haven't made it into the 21st century yet. One of the greatest museum experiences we had was when we were taken into the stores of the Leeds Museum. It was incredible - we learnt so much about how the various artifacts are kept in tip top condition; what sorts of things were considered collectable through the ages; how customs and excise confiscate animal trophies; and then there was the story of the Yak - the taxidermists of the day had no idea what it was supposed to look like, so just did their own thing, and created a rather interesting looking creature!

We go geocaching - that in itself is an education, indeed there are books which help teachers relate many of their school subjects to geocaching, so if these are things that concern you, it's considered a valid educational pursuit.

Archery, fencing, living history events, brownies, swimming, walks in the countryside, forest school, going shopping, playing out with friends, going to the library, visiting elderly relatives, chatting to the neighbours, grandparents, aunties, uncles, cousins, holidays, train rides, tradesfolk, firestations, magistrates courts, ambulance stations, police stations, the list really is endless.

Educational opportunities are all around you, sometimes you have to hunt them out, sometimes they just happen by chance, some can be planned for, some just... happen by chance. Education is not something that just happens in one room or indeed a few rooms, it is something alive that happens everywhere at anytime, if you are willing to look - isn't that a truly exciting thought?