HomeSchooler.org.uk

***Good news**

The Petition has now been signed by over 1000 people - 1026 to be exact!
well done to all who signed, anyone who has yet to do it here's the link;
http://petitions.number10.gov.uk/EHEreview/

Our Database of MP's who have heard from a HE parent now stands at 109. That is great but there are still many more who need a letter or e-mail
- make contact with your local MP SOON, PLEASE.

A POEM BY MICHELE'S GRANNY (age 72)

Education

Education, education, that's the name of the game,
At school or at home its' all the same,
If your children are happy and learning too,
We don't really see the problem - Do you?
Home educators we salute you all,
You really have your eye on the ball,
Please don't give up, fight on and on,
Until all the "knockers" have packed up and gone.

"Nan"

- *Gold Star for Nan*

TOPICS DISCUSSED TODAY

LA LETTER
This is still being drafted and discussed.

ED BALLS REPLY TO OUR E-MAILS
(message 2476) Astrid points out that they should not add our complaints and comments to the Consultation as they are COMPLAINTS about the way the review was carried out and as such they should be treated AS complaints and registered on Public File as 'complaints against the review'.

SO. Should we reply to Ed Balls' e-mail Saying " NO! You will treat my letter as a COMPLAINT against the review/report and RESPOND APPROPRIATELY. I will also be responding to the consultation separately as it is outrageous etc...."

- do we collectively swamp his e-mail box again with these replies?

DAWN PRIMAROLO on CYPNOW

The comments continue to flow - mostly about Bad Man's Report. There was a particularly interesting message from a Canadian HE parent- Kelly Green, read it here;

http://community.cypnow.co.uk/forums/p/1272/3390aspx#3390

SOUTH AFRICAN HE LEGAL DEFENCE ORGANISATION

(message 2473) from Cathy Koetsier who posts insights into the Badman Review from Leendert van Oostrum - Executive officer of Pestalozzi Trust - a legal defense organisation in South Africa. He has many points for us to consider and use - worth reading.

TAKE CARE WHEN DISCUSSING POSSIBLE ABUSE CASES

(message 2469) Sarah suggested we need to be careful about saying 'there are NO cases of abuse in HE' - Statistically there could be. Ann Newstead pointed out too that Badman and a number of Journalists seem to know about at least ONE case (confidential at present) which involves a child who has never been to school and this was part of what was driving the registration issue.

MORE CHILDRENS MINISTERS TO CONTACT

(message 2490) Sarah points out that as it is unclear which Minister is actually responsible for HE, we should be writing not just to Dawn Primarolo but also to;

*Vernon Coaker MP (MP for Gedling)
*Iain Wright MP (MP for Hartlepool)
*Diana Johnson MP (MP for Hull North)

(either as Constituents if you live in these areas or in their roles in the Government).

PARENTS OUT LOUD

(message 2501) Anna gives us the link;

http://www.parentsoutloud.com/about/

- a chance to give non-HE people a bit more info' - articles can be submitted - set up to help parents, teachers etc.. to share views and experience & keep up-to-date with current education changes and laws.

MEDIA CONTACTS

* (message 2481) Carolyn tells of a local Home-edder -Janey, who has won a pitch to respond to CAROL SARLER! (Daily Mail) - Janey wants 'facts' about HE children's success and 1 or 2 sound bites - Carolyn will forward any that are posted here.

* (message 2452) Hazel met a journalist called Liz Lightfoot who wants to write about the Review, so needs to learn about HE and meet some HE parents - will be looking for an 'angle' to base it on

e-mail her; lizlightfoot@blueyonder.co.uk - if you are up for it!

* http://www.guardian.co.uk/education/2009/jun/23/home-schooling-early-yea...

- an article asking if more HE parents will turn to flexi-schooling after the Badman Report.

* (message 2522) Anastaisia caught the end of a webchat on MUMS NET with Daisy Goodwin (wrote 'The Times' positive article about HE, June 14th). Anna asked if she was planning to write anything more on the Badman Review? to which she replied;

"I would happily write more about Home education. I have really changed my views about this and I am feel really strongly about the Badman review. I think they should concentrate on state education and leave the home educators alone."

* (message 2500) The Green Parent magazine's latest issue has an article about HE which mentions 'The London Unschooling Conference to be held on July 25th. For more details;

http://www.thegreenparent.co.uk/articles/read/unschooling-conference/

http://www.londonunschoolingconference.com/

LORD LUCAS - YOU ARE A STAR!

(message 2497) Ann Newstead reports on Lord Lucas' attempt to ammend the Welfare Reform Bill for Home Education, yesterday. He discussed Home Ed and mentioned the Badman Review - Ann thinks we should be contacting more Lords -if they say 'NO' to something the Government has to listen.

Read what Lord Lucas said here;

http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/ld200809/ldhansrd/text/90622-gc...

To end I have two quotes for you, one is from Lord Lucas' speech mentioned previously,

'If your child is disappearing down a whirlpool at school, it is noble and honourable to pick him out, take him home, look after him and make sure that he is educated properly.'

and Ann Newstead quoted an HE parent at her local group who said,

' Children who are encouraged to reach and fulfil their own unique potential are more likely to bring great benefits to society rather than just claiming benefits.'

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