Protests against home education register

CAMPAIGNERS have warned against Government plans to force parents who keep their children out of school to register as a home educator and face inspections.

Petitions have been launched across the country, and yesterday protesters handed over the latest to South West Devon MP Gary Streeter.

They warn that the recommendations contained in the Badman Report will put the future of home schooling in "peril". They also claim the review was "rushed".

The report proposes closer monitoring of home educators, including a compulsory annual registration scheme and right of access to people's homes for local authority officials.

Schools minister Diana Johnson said: "The vast majority of home-educating parents offer their children a good education, and the support we have outlined will help them and their children.

"It is right that the children should have access to things like school libraries, sports and music lessons, and also have more tailored support for special educational needs.

"We've always been clear that parents have the right to educate their children at home. There are no plans to change this. But we know there are a small number of cases where local authorities have concerns for the safety of home-educated children."