Stephen Williams MP at Felix Road Adventure playground
A large group of Bristol parents who educate their children at home met with local MP Stephen Williams to discuss a new law currently before Parliament. The parents are concerned about the provisions of the Children, Schools and Families Bill that will compel parents to register with the local authority is they choose to educate their children at home rather than at school. Home educators from around England have been lobbying MP's for some time about the Badman report which recommended registration and also inspection of the environment in which children are being taught at home. Stephen Williams presented a petition to the House of Commons about the issue in December. The Liberal Democrats have voted against the Bill.
Stephen met the parents and their children at the Felix road adventure playground in Easton. He answered questions first of all from the children and then had a meeting with the parents about the Bill.
Stephen said, "It is a fundamental right of parents in a free society to choose what they consider the best education for their child. While I think it is reasonable for the state to know that a child is being educated at home, I do not believe that there should be further intrusion into family life".
Follow the party's activity on...