Surge in bullying behind increase in home education

Published on Sunday 4 May 2008 22:36

INCREASING numbers of pupils are being withdrawn from state schools to be educated at home with large numbers blaming a bullying "avalanche", according to new figures.

The number of youngsters taken out of the state system in Scotland has doubled in five years, from 352 to 632, according to 26 local authorities who responded to a Freedom of Information request.

But home education groups said the number of pupils learning outside of classrooms could be anywhere from 5,000 to 7,000.

Alison Preuss, of Scottish home education charity Schoolhouse, said a large number of parents inquire about taking their children out of the school system in the run up to a new school term. They see youngsters become stressed at the prospect of returning to school and parents are desperate for other options, she said.

The mother of three said: "A lot of enquiries come from parents that are pretty desperate and are looking at home education as a last resort. Bullying has resulted in an avalanche of inquiries each year – the school system has a lot to answer for.

"But many parents are making positive choices to home educate from the outset. Bullying is there and we get a lot of calls, but it is not the central issue. The central issue is parents just don't think the school system is suitable in this day and age. It is much better to have family-based and community-based learning."

According to the Scottish Government, a total of 703 children were known to councils in 2006-7 as being home educated, representing just 0.1 per cent of youngsters aged five-15.

That number does not include children still educated at home after the age of 16.

In Edinburgh, 21 schoolchildren were known to be home-schooled in the 2002-3 term. This year the figure has increased to 50. Glasgow also witnessed a leap with numbers doubling since 2003-4 from 13 to 27 this year.

A spokesman for East Lothian Council, where the number had risen from four to ten in the past five years, said: "The most common reason given is bullying."

Brenda Stafford, development manager of anti-bullying charity Kidscape, said the figures were a sign of "endemic problems" of bullying in schools. She said: "I predict these increases will continue until schools properly tackle bullying."

A Scottish Government spokeswoman said: "Parents choose to home educate for many reasons, which may include cultural beliefs, philosophical views, a child's health and welfare etc. We don't collect information on their reasons for home educating. No matter where a child is educated, their interests must be paramount and that's why we issue guidance to help parents teaching at home develop trust, mutual respect and positive relationships with local authorities."

ANY FAMILY OF ANY BACKGROUND CAN MAKE CHOICE

UNDER revised guidance published by the Scottish Government in January, parents of every school-age child are responsible to provide education "either by sending the child to school, or by other means".

Scottish home education charity Schoolhouse states parents do not need teacher training or any qualifications. They said any family from any background or means can choose home education.

There is no definition of suitable and efficient education set out in primary legislation, but in a 1985 court case, Mr Justice Woolfe said local authorities might expect certain characteristics of home education. These included children being stimulated, access to appropriate resources and materials, a level of physical activity, and the chance to interact with other children and adults.