t's just that people here keep telling me that there are no problems and everything's absolutely hunkydory 'out there' so I'd love to know about the local school you moved away from, that's all.

No Lizzie, lots of people have said just the opposite and speaking personally I can identify lots of things that are wrong with the current education system, I would imagine from the perspective of the insider probably better than you.

But schools and colleges are mostly full of young hard-working people who want to do well. And they are mostly full of hard-working teachers who want them to do well.

One thing I have learnt about young people though Lizzie, they don't always tell adults the truth. Are you sure Lynx burns like he said? I can't be bothered to look. I know neither of the after shaves I have, carry any warnings about flammability though they are not Lynx. Deodorants do carry warnings but that is not because of the contents -it is because of the gas in the container. I think it might be quite hard to burn someone as you said - but I really have no idea.

But maybe you are correct, maybe it is flammable. After all in loads of wild unsubstantiated statements the statistics would indicate that you may be correct occasionally.

I am delighted that the young man in the wheelchair got the teaching he needed. But it doesn't make the case for someone to home educate. In fact since the person who taught him was an ex-teacher it seems to me it makes just the opposite case. But don't let the facts spoil a good story.

Incidentally - I no longer teach I am retired - it's how I can spend time researching and writing on the internet. Fortunately I don't have a 15 year old son to educate. That would take up all of my time even were I a qualified teacher.

But I suppose you can always pass him onto someone else, the builder for example.