Lizzie, you are clearly an expert on teaching.

My kids, unlike many these days, are polite, courteous, deeply intelligent, kind, welcoming, and will talk to all people of all ages from all backgrounds, with equal respect. ......They could run rings around most bloody awful teachers, who do little for kids other than make them feel inferior and stupid...and I'm NOT talking about the few good teachers who are still in the system,.......

I wished I could say that about all the people I have taught. I have taught at primary, secondary, tertiary and university level and I have to confess that some of them are criminals and not to mince words some of my students have become guests of Her Majesty.

Incidentally, it may help you to know that professionals say "pupils" and "students" rather than "kids". As a parent you might consider saying "children" rather than "kids".

But as always I bow to your greater knowledge. Young people,(another way of referring to them)at least the hundreds I have taught seem to think "kids" as a bit of a demeaning term. But when it comes to teaching maybe you are right and my 25 years of experience count for nothing compared to your instinct as to how things should be done.

Given your expertise in this area at what age do you think home educators should give up? For instance should home educators should give up educating at home at 15, 16, 17, 18, 19 or 20? And if you feel it should be when the young people themselves are ready - what would you consider indicating factors?

Again, since you have great expertise in this area would you be kind enough to tell us when you stopped home education of your own children and what they did next - college, university, accountancy, McDonalds? No need to go into details but from what you tell us you have clearly had great success in the area of teaching, and it seems to me to be only fair that you share the secrets of your success with the rest of us and enable the res of us to evaluate it what you say.

Perhaps you could get someone you know to give a second opinion? I worked for Birmingham University as a consultant after I retired and they have excellent experts in this area. Do you know any Brummies that might give you a reference? If not I can suggest some people I know who mght be useful who could evaluate your work and spread the word about your success.

Incidentally - I have a number of people wanting to know when the march is taking place We all need to take to the streets with banners proclaiming, "Hey, New Labour, FUCK OFF out of our lives!" as soon as we can, in my opinion and are wondering what has happened?

Shall we cancel the bus?