HomeSchooler.org.uk

LEGAL IMPLICATIONS OF THE REVIEW

A very complex but important analysis of the legal issues of BADman's report is discussed by Ian Dowty and Tania starting in messages 2634 & 2635, this could be very important in future months so worth a read through.

NSPCC COMMENT - BASIS FOR BADMAN REVIEW - BUT IT WAS WITHDRAWN!

(message 2627) As the review was supposedly sparked/fueled by the comments from the NSPCC - which were subsequently withdrawn, should this 'invalidate' the review?

'know the NSPCC has already apologised to all Home Educators recently but:

"(2) If the Badman consultation was based on previous NSPCC comment in a daily newspaper which has since been withdrawn, (why was this not commented upon at all in the Badman review)". ref: http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/head-of-nspcc-apologises-for-...

So I complained to the NSPCC about the above apology - which failed to be included in the Badman review, here is the reply:

Thank you for your email.

The NSPCC would like to make it clear that we are not against elective home education. We believe that parents should have the right to decide what education is in the best interests of their children. Following correspondence from parents who educate their children at home, and our meetings with home educating families, we recognise the anger that some parents feel, and that for some educating their children at home was not their first choice, but has come about by their children being let down in some ways by the education system.

The NSPCC is concerned about the safeguarding of all children whether they are educated at home or at school and that is the basis of our involvement with the Government review. We wish to make no inference about any connection between home education and abuse.

You can read our full response to the Government consultation, on the NSPCC website, which is accessible through this link:
http://www.nspcc.org.uk/Inform/policyandpublicaffairs/Consultations/2009...

Thank you for contacting us. I hope that this clarifies the NSPCC's position.'

edmum's reply to this;

Based on this disclosure, Balancing parental and childrens' rights under the
education act targetting Home Educators is unjust and in short, should be under
two different categories in law. So in all due fairness and without
discrimination the child protection really covers all parents in Britain, not
just Home Educators as it is misleadingly suggesting in the report.
The Gov. vet newspaper articles before they are published, especially on
subjects that have a certain amount of spin to their angles. Well inciting the
general public so as to engage in gaining support of the legislation, surely
also is immoral or unethical in its self at trying to bring this law in.
Certainly if looking at this from a school parents view, they have been denied
the Rights to even question this development which could quite literally affect
them at any stage in their childs' education. This issue again asks the
question, can a review and law being brought before parliament without the
debate it warrants to whom it concerns by those affected surely can not be
lawful. It clearly has not been addressed in the right domain.

edmum

GERMANY -what did he really say? (message 2608)

The discussion about what Badman implied by mentioning HE in Germany in the report.

WHICH MINISTER IS RESPONSIBLE FOR HOME ED ???

Sarah posted a message from Charlotte Goddard (CYPNOW) stating that Vernon Coaker MP is considered to have this honour (message 2607). A discussion followed about who to write too.

A BADMAN? - SUSPICIONS ARE RAISED!

(Message 2619)
<

'Ummmm, food for thought, someone on another group mentioned quango's and mr badman setting himself up nicely for a 6 figure salary......?!?!'
- Linda

(Message 2623)
'He was interim chair at the time he conducted the Review.'
- Ann

(Message 2625)
'A true conflict of interest exists - if he was interim chair at BECTA - his views would have been certainly known by the DCSF, which certainly does not make it a very independent review at all. There must be a legal basis for complaint on that alone.'
-Philip

MESSAGE 2648-

REASONABLE, JUSTIFIED, PROPORTIONAL, NECESSARY.

These are four words that I think we should take up with ferocity. From
my experience in debating, any rational person is a whole lot less
likely to take an argument/proposal seriously if it fails on even one of
these "tests".

I think if we put these words everywhere we can we'll start having an
impact on convincing none he'ers and politicians that the Badman
proposals are flawed. I'm certain this group has discussed ample
examples of why the review fails to meet ALL of these tests.

regards,
Steve

PROFESSOR ALEXANDER -will he help us?

(Message 2646)
An article written by Professor Alexander about the primary curriculum ruining education;

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/education/primaryeducation/5603639/Victorian-primary-\
curriculum-ruining-childrens-education-says-academic.html

WIKIPEDIA

There has been further discussion about setting up a page on WIKIPEDIA about the Badman review and HE. (Message 2626)

TODAY'S MEDIA ACTIVITY

Children & Young People Now;

There are more comments on the Dawn Primarolo thread that are well worth a read,

http://community.cypnow.co.uk/forums/t/1272.aspx?PageIndex=5

Also, today they have added a new article about our bombardment of their forum and provided an opportunity to add more comments there;

http://cypnow.co.uk/bulletins/Daily-Bulletin/news/915313/?DCMP=EMC-Daily...

A Kent newspaper has written an article about the review/report and some of us have tried to add comments (message 2642)

http://www.kentonline.co.uk/kentonline/news/2009/june/24/home_ed_plans_condemned\.aspx

ON TREND FASHION

(message 2540)
Sarahlexis has shared some photo's (in PHOTOS) of her children wearing their new 'I'M NOT HIDDEN....I'M HOME EDUCATED' t-shirts. They apparently got a lot of interest from people at the zoo they went to- (especially from groups of school-children)!

MAKE FRIENDS WITH YOUR MP!

Message 2630
Linda explains how to contact your MP and update the database with any results.

THANK YOU EVERYONE FOR YOUR CONTINUED EFFORTS, HOPEFULLY WE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE -

PLEASE KEEP WRITING TO MP'S, LORDS, MEDIA CONTACTS - IT WILL HELP.

************** UNITED WE STAND - DIVERSE WE REMAIN *******************