Thread by @mugglefamily

In the #HomeEducation inquiry meeting yesterday, @JennyColesDCS from @ADCStweets asked why parents would not register their children as home ed. I’d like to answer this, from my own viewpoint (can’t speak for other HEors, obv, but I doubt I’m alone in my feelings on this). 1/n

Firstly, let me turn the question around. Why *would* I want to register my HE child? There are no upsides for us, no support or advice being offered. But the potential downsides are serious, more intrusion & interference. Why would I welcome this? 2/n

Then there are the negative connotations and associations regarding “being on a register”. Registers are for those who are a risk to society, not those legally exercising a lifestyle choice. 3/n

There’s also the knowledge that a list of names, by itself, will achieve nothing, esp when the majority of these names are *already known to the LA*. So the register won’t be the end of it, it’ll be monitoring, inspections & someone dictating how I should educate my child. 4/n

Last but not least: most home educators have experience or knowledge of ultra vires behaviour from LAs. It happens all too frequently. Demanding visits, turning up at home’s unannounced, insisting on seeing specific pieces of work in specific curriculum areas. 5/n

Some LAs seem not to view #EHE as a legitimate choice to be supported, but a problem to be eradicated. The photo is from a job advert for an EHE officer, where the “strategic aim” is to reduce numbers of EHE. What chance of a fair hearing would we have from such an official?! 6/n

So no, I’m not in a rush to sign up to a register that will achieve nothing apart from impact on families’ freedoms to educate and live as they choose. 7/n (thread ends)
#FairHearing4HomeEd