Home Page News – 28th September 2009

The UK government seems determined to undermine home educators and make life more dificult for families who choose to teach their children outside of the school system. Not only have we seen the DCSF launch a review of home education amid fears that home education was being used as a cover for abuse or domestic servitude, but Graham Badman’s final report suggested the imposition of draconian control measures clearly targetted at discouraging parents from choosing home education. For various reasons, the Children, Schools and Families Select Committee has chosen to look into the way that Graham Badman undertook his review. As I reminded everybody last week, the deadline for members of the public to make submissions to the Select Committee was the 22nd September.

I was staggered, therefore, to read last week that Graham Badman has now asked local authorities to provide him with more information to help support the original data that his report is based upon. It seems that his original statistical data was based on a very small sample – he now needs more data to support his findings and recommendations! As somebody wrote last week – “he is looking for evidence to support his evidence!” This is little more than a tacit admission on his part that the data that he currently has will not stand the scrutiny of the select committee and that he needs to find more supporting data. One does not need to be a conspiracy theorist to smell a rat here!

Whilst Christian home educators and others must be vigilant and do all that we can to stop the proposed changes in legislation; at the same time, we have to remember that we have a sovereign God who we believe is in charge of this world. Ed Balls and Graham Badman are not the real ones in control – as much as they may think that they are. I visited the delightful Swallow Falls in North Wales over the weekend. One cannot help but be overwhelmed by the power and beauty of the water as it cascades down the valley. I was reminded not only of the wonder of creation but of the power of God’s grace – which is poured out upon this world so lavishly. At this time especially, those of us who are home educators in the UK need to hold on to this truth and thrive in the knowledge that our gracious God is in control.