Family with 11 children turn to home schooling for them all

[AB Asks]

The Shepherd family do not believe in school. They educate they brood at home, none of the children have any G.C.S.Es or A Levels. This is not illegal; the law states that parents need only see that their children get an education suitable to their age and ability � at school or otherwise. They have three hours of lessons in the morning and they have their afternoons free to play or go on outings. What do you think? Are these children missing out by not going to school � e.g. learning how to socialise and make friends? Or this a great way for their parents to preserve their children's childhood?

[Reverandfunk]

Yeah preserve their childhood, have an inadequate education, bang a load of kids out, get benefits, teach their kids at home, repeat indefinately.

Should be locked up for having 11 kids.

[Scarlett]

I am a teacher and occasionally we get kids join us who have been home educated. To say that these kids have been damaged is an understatement. They generally cannot work as a team, can only communicate to one adult at a time, get very angry when challenged by other kids etc. The playground is a harsh place where most kids learn their swear words, get bullied a bit and generally learn to deal with others. The home educated kids I have taught don't know how to share or compromise or communicate. All these skills are so vital in real life. The parents are very arrogant to think they can deliver education in many subjects up to the standard that teachers can. Teachers have had to study one or two subjects for at least 4 years before being allowed to teach it- they are specialists in the main. Parents can't possibly have this knowledge, let alone the ability to teach and mark the work according to current teaching standards set by ofsted.
Most kids finish school at 3.30pm. That leaves quite a lot of the day left to enjoy childhood!