"what We Know About Their Lives"

[pastafreak]

Regarding the shackled siblings...it doesn't bear thinking about. All I can think is "why?"

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/video_and_audio/headlines/42741868/shackled-siblings-what-we-know-about-their-lives

[ummmm]

I don't think anyone can answer that question.

[Mamyalynne]

I doubt even they could explain why in a way we could comprehend - power and control first and foremost I imagine, but as you say - to what end?

[mikey4444]

Pasta....it appears that they were religious nutters, in country famous for its religious nutters.

But the State of California and other States should be looking very closely at the way it deals with home-schooled kids.

Anybody can set up a private school....there is no requirement for qualified Teachers, and when the school is up and running, the local authorities have no right to inspect or interfere in any way. The kids go completely off-grid.

That to me is plain daft and is an accident waiting to happen.......how many other children are in similar circumstances ?

The answer is we don't know, nor do we have the right to know.

[ummmm]

Mikey...you can home school here with minimal checks. I don't understand why you so often put Americans down. It's a massive country so of course it's going to have a higher number of nutters.

[kvalidir]

Mikey cut out your obsession with slagging home schooling off please, it's offensive to those of us who were home schooled with no ill effects, which is about 99% of us. I think we saw someone from the LEA about twice and were under no obligation to do so anyway, so persistantly saying the US system is worse than the UK system is patently rubbish. One of these children at least went to college, or have you conveniently forgotten that part of this story because it doesn't suit your dictat. These people are sadists; egomaniacal religious crazies who would have abused their children whether they were at school or not.

[mikey4444]

Ummm....I am not "putting America down"

I am unsure what minimal checks are made in Britain, for home-schooled kids.....I would expect some checks to be made, at least

But this happened in California, nor Cardiff, or Carlisle.

The laws in that State allowed this to happen, and until they have a re-think, it can happen again.

[ummmm]

Read and pay attention to what Kval says.

And you are forever putting America/Americans down.

[kvalidir]

No actually mikey you are under no obligation to inform anyone you are home schooling in the UK. If you do inform the LEA they can make an appointment to see you or not, not in our case, and even if they do you are under no obligation to meet with them or allow them in. Is that clear enough for you?

[mikey4444]

Ummm....I suggest you read the facts in this case.

This happened because it was allowed to happen.

[mikey4444]

KV...........if that is the case in Britain, why have there been no cases even similar to the Californian example here ?

[ummmm]

Abuse isn't allowed to happen. It has to be highlighted to the authorities. It cannot be dealt with if the family are unknown to them.

It happens here too...

[pixie374]

This isn't about home-schooling, that isn't the cause. Psychos like these will be very clever in using whatever means they can, not to get found out.

[ummmm]

Mikey...are you being purposely ignorant.

Why it hasn't happened here is because most parents don't abuse their children.

[jno]

do you think there should be more oversight, kvalidir? I've got nothing against home schooling, but it does seem to be a possible refuge for bigots and brainwashers who want to escape public scrutiny. Or is their right to go off-grid a freedom that should be encouraged?

[mikey4444]

Ummm...can you give me an example where a case of this severity has happened in Britain please ?

[MallyJ]

The saddest thing out of all that we know so far in his unfolding story is that people were aware that things in that home were not as they should be...the children were seen going through bins for food for example....and no one alerted the authorities. I am staggered at those neighbours who have said that they witnessed odd goings on and kept quiet.

[pixie374]

Kval will know more about this, but when my daughter was being a total pain in the backside at school, I seriously thought about getting tutors at home for her. As far as i found out, you can withdraw them from school, full or part-time and there is nobody you need to register that with and no particular curriculum to follow.

[kvalidir]

fine don't take my word for it have it from the horses mouth and then have the courtesy to drop it eh?

Section 7 of the Education Act 1996 states that:

"The parent of every child of compulsory school age shall cause him to receive efficient full-time education suitable—

(1) to his age, ability and aptitude, and

(2) to any special educational needs he may have,

either by regular attendance at school or otherwise."

"otherwise" can mean home education.

Home Education Guidelines

"The Government's home education guidelines say that the parent is not required to provide any particular type of education and is under no obligation to:

-teach the National Curriculum
-provide a broad and balanced education
-have a timetable
-have premises equipped to any particular standard
-set hours during which education will take place
-have any specific qualifications
-make detailed plans in advance
-observe school hours, days or terms
-give formal lessons
-mark work done by their child
-formally assess progress or set development objectives
-reproduce school type peer group socialisation
-match school-based, age-specific standards.

The Government Guidelines tell local authorities what they should do "if it appears that a suitable education is not being provided".[paragraphs 3.4 to 3.6] This doesn't mean that local authorities should routinely try and monitor or "evaluate" home education. Although local authorities may initially ask for some information, this isn't the same as a formal notice under section 437."

[ummmm]

Mikey....where have I said it's happened here?

[pastafreak]

I worked with a lady who'd homeschooled both her children. The daughter worked in banking, the son had completed a PhD.
I frankly doubt there would be many situations like the Turpin family...in spite of all the so-called nutters that America is packed with. I think that both there, and here,there are many well meaning families who successfully home school their children...with good results.
And sorry Mikey...you do seem to take regular pops at Americans. Take it from one who notices...