A series of Parliamentary Questions on home education (mis-termed ‘home schooling’) by Duncan McNeil MSP, answered by Education Minister Michael Russell MSP.
To ask the Scottish Executive what guidelines it issues to parents who home-school their children.
Answered by Michael Russell (17/03/2010): The Scottish Government published guidance aimed at home educators and local authorities entitled Home Education Guidance, in December 2007. This publication can be found at http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2007/12/17133313/0 on the Scottish Government website. Copies of this guidance are also available in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre (Bib. number 44485).
Current Status: Answered by Michael Russell on 17/03/2010
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To ask the Scottish Executive what guidelines it issues to local authorities on monitoring the progress or needs of home-schooled children.
Answered by Michael Russell (17/03/2010): Section 4.2 of the Scottish Government’s Home Education Guidance sets out that authorities should make contact on an annual basis in order that they may be assured that a home educated child is receiving an efficient and suitable education. The guidelines also sets out that should an authority have concerns concerning the education of the child at any time then contact should be made to resolve these concerns. A copy of the guidance is available from the Scottish Parliament Information Centre (Bib. number 44485). It can also be found on the Scottish Government’s website at http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2007/12/17133313/0.
Current Status: Answered by Michael Russell on 17/03/2010
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To ask the Scottish Executive what guidelines it issues to local authorities on inspecting teaching arrangements for home-schooled children.
Answered by Michael Russell (17/03/2010): It is entirely a matter for home educators to decide how a child receives home education. Local authorities may, and often do, provide assistance to home educators with regard to teaching materials, although they are under no statutory obligation to do so. Authorities do have a duty to ensure that children who have been withdrawn from school continue to receive an efficient and suitable education and appropriate contact will be made to that effect.
Current Status: Answered by Michael Russell on 17/03/2010
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To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions ministers have had with the UK Government in respect of the Report to the Secretary of State on the Review of Elective Home Education in England, published in June 2009.
Answered by Michael Russell (17/03/2010): Ministers have had no discussions with Westminster in respect of the report as it concerns changes to the provision of education in England and Wales and as such has no relevance to Scotland.
Current Status: Answered by Michael Russell on 17/03/2010
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