Some more questions about home education - a fascinating subject and one on which we have someone who has done it and is able to guide those of us without their vision. I am eager to learn from their experience. Then if either of my daughters want to home educate I might be able to refer them to some of the work done already and (hopefully) detailed on here.

Lizzie - one of the complaints that teachers make constantly is that there is too much record keeping and not enough money to pay for things.

Did you keep any records of what your child (ren) do or did eacn day or each week? Projects covered? Things learnt? Are you able to show progress from your methods?

And apart from the EWO dropping off a pile of National Geographic magazines (nice you wanted her to learn from an American magazine). what other resources were you given? Purchased? Clearly you have a computer, do they? Do you share one with them?

Have you had massive financial resources or are you living off the taxpayer?

Since you have no problems telling us how bad teachers and schools are, and how succesful you have been it would be really helpful if you could tell us.

It may be possible to save some money and get more people to do what you do. Think of the savings on light and heat. (Mind - they would be transferred to the home educator - maybe not such a good idea).

Have all the local tradespeople been as kind to your son as the builder you have talked about? I have to tell you around here they are too busy making a living to deal with young people - they leave that to schools and colleges.

But hey ho I must be nice to live in a place like that.