Huge rise in home-educated children in Telford
Telford has seen a significant shift in how children are being educated, with figures showing a dramatic increase in families choosing to move away from the traditional classroom.
Recent data reveals that the number of home-educated children in the borough has surged from around 160 in 2022 to over 600 recorded at the start of this year.
The sharp rise has raised questions about why so many local families are opting for elective home education. During a recent visit to Telford, The Secretary of State for Education, Bridget Phillipson was asked by Telford Live about the specific growth in Telford and what might be driving the trend.
“Parents of course do have the right to home-educate their children and choose to do that,” the Secretary of State for Education said. “I think what we have seen, and I’ve heard this from parents, is that sometimes, particularly where children have additional needs, parents withdraw their children from school education because they aren’t sure that their needs are being met.”
The Secretary of State pointed to the government’s current strategies as the solution to these concerns. “That’s why we’ve launched our white paper and our SEND consultation to make sure that all children can achieve and thrive. And I’d encourage parents across Telford to look at what we’re saying, to share their thoughts, because I want a system that has high standards but also has inclusion for all children too.”
The government is currently progressing the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill, which seeks to introduce several legislative changes to child welfare and school standards. While the House of Commons and House of Lords have been debating various amendments, the bill aims to strengthen multi-agency decision-making and improve the tracking of children’s outcomes.
A key focus of the ongoing legislative debate involves ensuring that statutory agencies and family support services work more effectively together. This includes proposals for better coordination between local authorities and integrated care boards to safeguard and promote the welfare of children.
For home-educating families, the government’s focus remains on balancing parental rights with a desire to ensure every child is receiving a high-quality education. The Education Secretary’s comments suggest that improving special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) provision within mainstream schools is a priority to address the reasons why some parents feel compelled to leave the school system.
As the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill moves through Parliament, local authorities may see new requirements for how they interact with families outside of the school environment. For now, the focus for Telford parents remains on the upcoming SEND consultation and the potential for increased support within the local education system.
She omitted that the laws progressing through parliament right now will disenfranchise parents by removing their rights to home educate the children! As it stands, if the laws passes, parents will need the consent of the local authority and the school, before a child can be removed and educated at home. The SEND reforms also turn the pathway to an EHCP a competition akin to The Hunger Games where a child has to fail at least three levels before they “win” an EHCP! imagine the effects on a child’s mental health (and parents) congratulations you’ve failed – you’re on the next level. The system needs changing, we can all agree, but these are not the changes needed!