Bristol Local Education Authority

Information Booklet | Sample Letters | Form for new Home Educators

The information provided in the Information Booklet is that provided by the local LEA to parents enquiring about Home Education. While the Bristol LEA is probably one of the most positive LEA's in the country when it comes to home education, there are still several presumptions made in their literature which most practising home educators would disagree with.

When I've got more time I'll put links giving further information on the more contentious issues raised - however, the following points I feel need stressing now:

1. If your child is not yet registered at school I would strongly recommend you do not follow the LEA's advice which suggests you should let them know that you intend to home educate your child. For further information on this click here.

2. Please do not be put off by the lengthy lists of things that you should consider before home educating - this is all nonsense. The LEA makes it sound as if home educating is a huge and onerous responsibility, whereas sending your children to school is not. In fact the reverse is the case - sending your children to school is a huge step. Handing over responsibility to complete strangers who do not love or even know your child is a massive decision. And as to your child's education...

"It is... nothing short of a miracle that the modern methods of instruction have not yet entirely strangled the holy curiosity of inquiry; for this delicate little plant, aside from stimulation, stands mainly in need of freedom; without this it goes to wreak and ruin. It is a very grave mistake to think that the enjoyment of seeing and searching can be promoted by means of coercion and a sense of duty." --Albert Einstein

"Just as eating against one's will is injurious to health, so study without a liking for it spoils the memory, and it retains nothing it takes in." --Leonardo Da Vinci

And these guys would probably have passed their SATs!