Kids not at school?

[autumn5678]

I posted recently about horrible new neighbours moving onto our street (rubbish everywhere, fag butts being thrown over fence, hoards of kids outside walking past swinging golf clubs and swearing etc)

Anyway, there are kids (from this house) outside today on the green, golf clubs in tow. All the schools round here have gone back..? I noticed Thursday and Friday they were out there on their own as all the other kids round here are now at school, but am really shocked that they are still out there today as there is definitely no way now there school hasn't gone back yet!

Is there anyone you should inform in this situation? Or have I overlooked something? As much as I am obviously concerned that they aren't at school, I'm also blooming annoyed as I was looking forward to some quiet once September came, wishful thinking!!

You could probably knit using cheese strings, especially the spaghetti like ones

Is it housing association? Maybe the housing manager could have a word in the right ear and would definitely be the performance to discuss anti social behaviour with.

As far as I am aware it's a council house

They are still going up and down on scooters at 10pm!!!

Hibiscus

Oh yes, you can. I used to finger knit with strawberry laces.

Argh. PERSON to discuss behaviour with!

Give the housing office a call at the council. It doesn't have to be a complaint. Just a heads up that they're annoying you a bit and kids not at school. Chances are the family is already known to them.

I'd complain about the anti-social behaviour. I wouldn't be surprised if that is why they've moved to be honest.
This family is probably known, a general complaint might make someone comes and see what they're up to.

I'd crack and try this morning to ring the education officer at the district or county council.

PolterGoose

Thanks, I think.

Thanks all, I feel better knowing I'm not completely overreacting.

I think I'm going to give them a call or email today, have just heard some noise and looked outside to see two of their kids, one standing on the others back to jump up and get over their fence into their back garden and then walk through the back door. Where are their parents?!

keep us posted if you can.

I will do, haven't had a chance to call yet but I've just got in and walking from my car I saw one of them running along clutching a hamster

Have just seen the Mum walk past with two of the kids, lighting a fag and then giving the lighter to one of her kids so he can light his. I would say he is no older than 13!

Sorry I know this is completely boring to everyone, am more just in shock myself and writing it here to remind me!! Feel like the bloody neighbourhood watch with the curtains twitching.

not boring, :( car crash virtual reality maybe.

Only on MN would people suggest these children are being home educated.

Well actually they probably are. In that anyone can say they are home educating there's no regulations, inspections or anything. You can say you are home educating and leave them in front of the TV all day.

I bet that the family have simply de-registered the children.

Lynette keep on laughing.

Nyaeves carry on judging.

I have home educated my son for the past 12 months. He's had loads of time to be out causing havoc, but interestingly, he hasn't.

To the outside observer, he's been given free reign to do what he wants. The reality is different. He is seen out and about every day when he should be in school and "learning".

I am not judging anyone? Why would you think that?

We have had a number of families in the street whose children don't go to school and it is all perfectly legal. To do so, you just de register saying you will look after their education. The state has no further legal responsibility after that. And parents/carers can choose exactly how they do this.

Where in my post did I say that all home educators are like this? Where in my post did I make a single statement that judged home educating as a bad thing?

Your post telling me I am judgemental is actually really upsetting. Did you look carefully at what I wrote before you decided to judge me?

"You can say you are home educating and leave them in front of the TV all day"

This is wrong. You are subject to inspections by the LEA just as schools are.

Your post suggests that you think parents de-register their kids as an easy way out. You couldn't be more wrong.

Home educators aren't subject to LA inspections. We have to demonstrate that our children are receiving an education, but no 'inspections'. You can provide the LA with a report in writing but you don't have to meet with them.

Don't know where you are but a few schools around here have got a strangely timed inset day today.

autumn5678 they could be home educated i personally would not do anything how would you like it if someone did it to you if you was in that situation no one know's their circumstances so best not do a thing

I home educated, and I certainly was inspected, twice yearly. Maybe it varies from LA to LA, but HE most certainly wasn't an opt out, and I had to adhere to some pretty rigorous standards.

I do agree that most home educators tend to be more, not less invested in their children, I'm struggling to reconcile HE with companionable smoking with one's 13 yo.

The law is the law, regardless of how individual LAs might interpret it. There is no legal obligation for home educators to have a personal inspection from an LA officer - they do have to convince the LA that an education is being provided, but it's up to the individual how they choose to do that. A lot of LAs take liberties and lead home educators to believe that visits/inspections are compulsory, but they aren't. Reports more than suffice if that's how you choose to provide your evidence.

I don't think this family sounds like they're home educating, though I could be wrong. I was just posting to clarify the legal position about inspections.