Maybe it Mutters
Martin’s completely random muttering, musing, rants, thoughts and life on the Isle of Wight.
But there’s more support for home educators isn’t there? – The Great Educational Balls up -Part 7
Erm yes. Except, no. The Badman review makes some recommendations for extra support for home educators. It also dresses up some unnecessary and intrusive interventions as support. Some of the support suggested are actually things a lot of home educators would like access to, and would cost little or nothing to offer (such as access... »
The Danger of Defining Education – The Great Educational Balls up – Part 6
The Badman review calls for a new definition of what constitutes a suitable and efficient education: “Recommendation 2 That the DCSF review the current statutory definition of what constitutes a “suitable” and “efficient” education in the light of the Rose review of the primary curriculum, and other changes to curriculum assessment and definition throughout statutory... »
It won’t cost any more – eh? – The Great Educational Balls up – Part 5
Apparently the new measures proposed aren’t going to cost anything significant, and the recommendations that would cost money (essential the only ones that might have given something back to HEers) don’t appear to be on the radar any time soon. Here are two statements relating to funding: “I accept all the recommendations in your report... »
Powers to enter the family home and interview children alone – The Great Educational Balls up – Part 4
This is a no-brainer for some local authorities. How can we possibly ensure all children are safe if we can’t see them? How can we possibly ensure the child’s voice is heard if we can’t talk to them? I think this point of view comes from a misunderstanding of legislation, a misunderstanding of children’s rights,... »
Who’s the parent? – The Great Educational Balls up – Part 3
Alternative title: Nanny knows best I have mentioned previously that the evidence base for Badman’s recommendations is missing. So what is the driving force behind the proposed legislation? There has been pressure from some LEAs on the government to give them extra powers so the can ensure all children meet the 5 Every... »
What’s Wrong With It? – The Great Educational Balls up – Part 2
Some people may respond to home educators complaining about the proposed legislation with a question: “What’s wrong with it?”. That’s an understandable position, but I think it’s the wrong approach. When government proposes new legislation we should in fact be asking “What’s right with it?”. Government should not be about new legislation for the... »
Introdution – The Great Educational Balls up – Part 1
I have been wondering how on earth to coherently blog about the Badman review and the proposed government legislation announced immediately it was accepted by government. The trouble is, it’s tricky to communicate the full enormity of the can of worms this opens, not just for home educators, but for education more broadly,... »
Who stole all the freedom?
I was once sat in a doctors surgery, rather bored, waiting for my turn to go and be poked and prodded. As I sat in the half empty room someone came in, picked up a chair and left. No-one batted an eyelid. No-one missed the chair. We were all still... »
The Speaker
We have just finished watching The Speaker on the iPlayer. It has been a really interesting watch (it was originally the rest of the family but I got hooked too) and fascinating watching the different personalities and the changes evident in some of the young people taking part. Duncan drove me mad at first,... »
Where next for Eco Island?
“Eco Island is an ambitious change programme. It will turn the Isle of Wight into the ultimate Eco Island, with strong communities and the lowest carbon footprint in England by 2020.” (Eco Island website) So, what happened to Eco Island? I know some things are happening, but after all the flash, whizz and bang... »