Just curious - How many of us are known to the LA?

[pinkdolly]

I was having a chat with a lady the other day and happened to mention that I home-schooled my girls. To which she replied "Have you met Lou, the lady in charge of montitering home-educators for the LA"?

Now I have always taken the view that I would not call up the social services and ask them to come around to check on my parenting abilities. So why would I call the LA and ask them to check on my teaching abilities. After all I have done fine for the first 5 years of my girls lives, why the need for it now?

Anyway - With all the whoo-haa over the proposed new legislation it just got me thinking. Am I the only one currently living under the radar? Or are there more of us out there. And if your're not known is it for similer reasons to my own or other?

No agenda behind this thread other then to satisfy my own curiosity.

Thanx

Pink

what a bunch of idiots, forevercleaning!

I think you write to them and say smarm smarm smarm thank you so much for your letter. I wrote to you in June with details of the educational provision and you were happy then. Please write to let me know what circumstances have changed that you are now unhappy with the provision or why you are otherwise wanting to see us only four months after you last said that you saw no cause for concern. And keep copies of everything.

I dereg'd my two in August, but only one seems to be on the LA list! I would have probably accepted the visit (very fast letter!) even though I had barely started to HE, but I was worried I had done something wrong-but then reading the EO site put me off so I refused the visit. DH furious, thinks it shows we are uncooperative. Meanwhile I obtained proof from the Head (by sending him an SAE) that I HAD dereg'd the "missing" one from her school. I think the school didn't notify the right authority but that's not my problem.

But reading about some people's experiences made me think I don't want a visit into my home, nor them quizzing my 5 year old who will certainly mention her sis, or how I am stricter than their teachers, or whatever! It is just extra work for me at a very busy time as I learn to teach and enjoy 2 primary kids at home.

And we are very conventional IMO. I feel like a criminal already.

We are both known and unknown!
When I deregistered DD2 last year, I made the (rather stupid) mistake of asking the head in converstion later if she had informed the LA. When she said no, I told her she had to by law. How stupid was I? Within a week or so, the LA were on our trail.

Deregistered DD1 6 weeks ago. No mention in their letter to us (different school, secondary) about the LA, just that they have noted we are home educating and removed her from the register. I am positive the LA would have been in touch by now if they new.

Of course, if they make annual enquiries about DD2 it may come out then, but I will be very careful what I say - as I'd rather stay under the radar with DD1 if I can. Nothing to hide, just a lot less hassle!