CME postcard

There's a postcard over >>>>HERE<<<< that you can print off and send to your MP about making changes to CME legislation....
....and some useful links as well in case you're wondering why you might want to ;)

"I'm over here! Leave me alone!"

Whatever your personal politics, I think almost all home educators will have breathed a sigh of relief yesterday, that at least our freedom to home educate, in a way that suits our children best, looks safe under the new government.
Talk now seems to be turning to what would be the best course of action to take with this new government. Personally, I don't intend to take any. I intend to spend some time living, loving and learning, working, resting and playing, reclaiming as many of those many hours of freedom that were stolen from our lives last year as possible.
I know there are those who will/do disagree with me on this, who think that now is the time to make ourselves, and our cause, known to our MPs, to remind them why they should not try to introduce anything like this again, but  I don't think it is either wise, or necessary, to bring renewed attention to ourselves. I think keeping vigilant is important, I think we would be foolish not to, but I also think that shouting "I'm over here! Leave me alone!" is a pretty contradictory message to be calling out!

What's next? Well keep on keeping on of course! ;o)

There is a lot of talk at the moment of the election and how best to use your vote to ensure that Labour are voted out. If Labour are re-elected, there is little doubt that the CSF Bill will be reintroduced. Ed Balls is not a happy chappy at the moment, and I don't think for a second that he is the sort of person to let things go!
My own personal feelings on that are here, but I don't think it is my place to try and influence how others will use their votes.

☺☻☺☻☺Happy Happy ☺☻☺☻☺

It's here, IN WRITING :)

"...some key provisions have been taken out because no agreement could be reached between the Government and opposition parties...

• Registration and monitoring of home education ..."

I know it's only the battle, and not the war, but Happy Happy anyway and today is definitely a day for celebrating

☺

'Wash up' it is then...

"Gordon Brown will announce on Tuesday morning that the general election will, as expected, be held on 6 May, BBC political editor Nick Robinson says".... so one way or another the fate of the CSF Bill and all it's clauses will be decided this month... read more here

Feeling cautiously optimistic

To be honest I have felt like everything has been in a somewhat precarious limbo since the CSF Bill went to the Lords. It's all gone a bit quiet, but that doesn't mean it's gone away. However, reading this today in the TES gives us some hope (I hope!)

The good, the bad, and the Deech

Last night saw the second reading of the CSF Bill in the House of Lords, you can read the transcript for yourself here, or watch it here. There were no real surprises, although it has to be said that Baroness Deech excelled herself in an extraordinary display of hostility towards us.

Why DON'T they like us?

Several of my facebook friends have become fans recently of this page. At the time of writing this post I was not aware of its origins, but have since found out that it has been set up by a thirteen year old who really cant work out why people are so against her perfectly legal and legitimate choice to come out of school - it got me thinking - Why are people so against people home educating? And who are these 'people'?

Khyra Ishaq - let her rest in peace

I spent much of this morning being denied the right by moderators to comment on this article

Speechless (I wish they were) :(

I am absolutely gutted on reading these two blog posts this evening, can't find words, but here are the links,

Make More Noise!...........PLEASE!!!!

This is Caroline Flint MP (Labour) talking at the committee meeting on Thursday.

The truth...

is here

Picking out the positives

Yesterday was quite a grey day, in more ways than one. The brilliant blue, or snow-laden white, skies that we have become accustomed to seeing, were replaced with drizzly grey ones, and what with the consultation sham, and all the analysis of the second reading of the CSF Bill in parliament on Monday, things took on a less than rosy hue whatever coloured glasses you choose to wear. But it is not all doom and gloom, and I think it is important to recognise some the many positive statements made both in defence of home education, and in criticism of the Bill, in parliament on Monday. So here are a few I picked out from the transcript of proceedings.

Just say NO!

Lib dems say NO. Former Children's Laureate says NO. OBE's say NO. Lord Lucas says NO. Leading academics say NO. Educationalists say NO. Psychologists say NO. Teachers say NO. Parents say NO... Here's one easy way that you can say NO too to proposals in the CSF Bill and protect your family's future...

Update on authors

Anne Fine OBE (Children's Laureate 2001/2003) has signed both the e-petition amd the open letter :)))
John Harris -

Email to children's authors

I noticed today that there is a Geraldine McCaughrean on the list of signatures on the e-petition and it sparked the idea to approach other UK children's authors for their support.

Open letter to The Guardian and The Times (from BHHE website)

From the BHHE website

Diversity in Education is precious in a democracy
This is an open letter to The Guardian and The Times, intended for publication on January 11th 2010, which is the date of the second reading of the Children, Schools and Families Bill in the House of Commons.
If you agree with the letter, please complete the signature form before January 8th 2010