I am the parent of a child with cerebral palsy who has significant learning difficulties and a physical disability. At the last review meeting all the professional teams involved and myself, felt my child could no longer cope in a mainstream environment and specialist provision was sought for my childs secondary education. However, despite numerous reports to back up this request I received a letter from my local education department informing me that my child had not received a special placement and will be sent to a mainstream secondary. However the senco at the preposed secondary has contacted me to say that she has refused the placement because my childs needs are too complex and the placement is unsuitable. She informed me that she has written to the Head of the Special Education Panel voicing her concerns but he has declined to reply at this time. If I fail to win an appeal I shall be forced to remove my child from school and teach him at home. Whilst this debate continues my child is left without a suitable secondary placement.

Sally, Egham,

How wonderful to see such a postivie and factually acurate article about Home Education. Our young son has never been to school and has retained the natural curiosity about the world and people around him that he was born with. He has time to learn grow and develop into the person he is, in the time scale nature intended, rather than the one set by the government's national curriculum or unwarranted peer pressure. He also has the opportunity to meet and learn from a wide range of people from all walks of life, not just other children the same age as him and teachers. Elective Home Education takes place in the community - not just in the home.

Christine, Notts,

Thank you for this positive article. Home educators face such a barrage of negative comments from those who have little understanding of the finer points of true education. Most schooled people confuse education with 'schooling'. As a home educating mum of our nine year old daughter, I would not exchange what we have for the best school money could buy. Our daughter has the skills, grace and most of all, character, to prove home education works. We make sacrifices because we fund this ourselves, but that's just part of life. Money cannot buy peace of mind, joy, laughter and happiness. One day people will realise that.

Susanna Matthan, Billinghay, UK

Thank you for an article on Home Education which doesn't put us across as idiots, nutters or potential paedophiles. I home educate my 2 children as a positive choice, not out of any bad experiences with school and value my right to take responsibility for my own children and their education is such a way. Decent, informed articles like yours on this subject are in short supply, but hopefully where they appear they can help dispel the myths and rectify the ignorance that prevails about home education.

Liz Pilley, Croydon, UK

School was a nightmare for my autistic daughter; we removed her to home educate at aged 8, she is now 15 and although obviously her autism hasn't 'gone away', home education has allowed her to blossom academically and socially. From being a low achiever she is now taking GCSEs early and she has a wide cirlce of friends, many of whom she meets at the frequent activites organised by our local home education group. My only regret is that we didn't know of this option before we ever tried school in the first place!

Julie Barker, Petersfield, UK

I am one of those who removed their children from school. In the 18 months they have been home schooled, they have completely changed.

Gone are the touchy, tired, grouchy, sulky, moody children I used to collect from school every day. I now have happy, confident, bright children, eager to learn, who are able to communicate with young and old alike.

They do not have to grow up too fast, yet, at the same time, are mature and thoughtful.

Gisela, Enfield,