HomeSchooler.org.uk

Following the Queen's speech and the publication of the Children Schools and
Families Bill, I want to remind people of the Parents' Declaration, which
has been on the wiki for some months, in case anyone who did not sign now
feels that they would like to support this declaration. If you have any
trouble trying to sign, please let me know. Please cross post to local list
and groups.

http://ahed.pbworks.com/ParentsDeclaration

Wording of the Declaration is thus:

PARENTS' DECLARATION

WE DECLARE our independent status and affirm our responsibility for the
upbringing and education of our children in accordance with our lawful
rights and natural justice.

WE ASSERT our right to choose the place, form and content of the educational
provision for our children in accordance with the following:

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.

(Section 7 of theEducation Act 1996)

In the exercise of any functions which it assumes in relation to education
and to teaching, the State shall respect the right of parents to ensure such
education and teaching in conformity with their own religious and
philosophical convictions.

(Protocol 2 Article 1 of the European Convention of Human Rights)

WE WILL protect the rights of our children to own their own lives, to
privacy and freedom from undue official interference in accordance with the
following rights:

The right to respect for a private and family life, home and correspondence

(Human Rights Act 1998)

the right to be free from "arbitrary or unlawful interference with [their]
privacy, family, home or correspondence" and from "unlawful attacks on
[their] honour and reputation"

(Article 16 of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child)

WE DEMAND that state officials remain within the bounds of the powers
already conferred upon them under current law in their dealings with us, the
people.

WE WILL UPHOLD AND DEFEND the above principles without fear or favour where
the state forgets its legitimate function, oversteps its bounds or seeks to
exert undue influence or power over our lives and those of our children
against our traditional freedoms and natural justice.
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Cross-posted from HE-UK with permission.