Yes, you read that right! The county of Essex is paying some parents to home educate thier children!!  And no, these are not trouble makers who have been excluded either.

   These parents can't find a decent secondary in their catchment area and the county agrees - so they are footing the bill!!

   While I welcome this 'backing' of home education as a viable option, I would however personally decline any money's that the government offered me to do the job. We have seen this happen in Canada where they paid home educating parents the money that would have  been spent on that child in school. However, a few years down the line and they started imposing what you MUST teach and what you MUST NOT teach in your own home!!! (ie-NO religious education or religiously produced textbooks)

    Still, this is a huge boost for home ed in the UK. Head over here to the Telegraph's website to read the article for yourselves. It is positive and encouraging! - Deedee