tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-53355640361525308212024-02-06T22:02:32.419-08:00Freedom to home educateI belive in freedom to home educate how you want as a family!Peter and Carolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13834275662603833577noreply@blogger.comBlogger15125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5335564036152530821.post-31117751358442167432011-07-22T07:10:00.000-07:002011-07-22T07:10:36.430-07:00Blackbirds!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0Yb5N_eYGT43QJ85InKOrxGHey_rlk3IjaEweMXRgUHR41zm7z6n01BRySnuSbfd7Y3RSdX6ZyDj07tCxjLD9D6mM3ZFptEsUCy-KpAznNWzcWFK5IzajRCXbNf5NoVtnFalJXMXRoAU/s1600/NVE00095.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0Yb5N_eYGT43QJ85InKOrxGHey_rlk3IjaEweMXRgUHR41zm7z6n01BRySnuSbfd7Y3RSdX6ZyDj07tCxjLD9D6mM3ZFptEsUCy-KpAznNWzcWFK5IzajRCXbNf5NoVtnFalJXMXRoAU/s320/NVE00095.png" t$="true" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyub_JJwPwEU3QJdTiIXXMutNkZ5eohXrisnGqd05WrjDcNmSj1akSAYPJsp8yGed_kXDUTIv8wXZ7DHPMjOygPUEgWPqO3JZOzl2pFBrymoOGV6JljKIfFlkT9tZ7ZhTOtIM89MXvB10/s1600/NVE00097.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyub_JJwPwEU3QJdTiIXXMutNkZ5eohXrisnGqd05WrjDcNmSj1akSAYPJsp8yGed_kXDUTIv8wXZ7DHPMjOygPUEgWPqO3JZOzl2pFBrymoOGV6JljKIfFlkT9tZ7ZhTOtIM89MXvB10/s320/NVE00097.png" t$="true" width="320" /></a></div>We had a pair of Blackbirds in our garden who in May had 3 baby blackbird chicks.We have been helping the new parents by putting out extra food for them and it has been very interesting watching the blackbirds gather the food up in they beak and take it back to the nest for the chicks to eat.Did you know that blackbird chicks are ready to leave the nest from about 3 weeks old and will continue to be taught and fed on the ground for about 3 to 4 weeks after this the young blackbirds have to fend for they self and the new parents will breed again!The 2 pictures are of the female and the male blackbird which always has a yellow beak feeding the young blackbird.The blackbirds trusted us a great deal and would come very close to get more meal worms! which you can buy from most pet shops or garden centre.The young blackbirds go off and find new homes and we often wonder how they are getting on but of course we will never know, but do hope we have giving them a good start in life.We still see the parents who come into our garden looking for more meal worms and we think they have had more chicks so maybe we will see them soon! The blackbirds also like to watch me dig in the garden and when i go in for cup of tea will come down and take any worms i have dug up!Peter and Carolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13834275662603833577noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5335564036152530821.post-49108373411747773662011-05-09T07:34:00.000-07:002011-05-09T07:36:16.715-07:00New reply from Damian Hind M.PWe had anther email from our M.P Damian Hind over the 20 day off rule. We think you should lobby your M.P over this matter at least you can say you did everything you could to stop it. Our M.P is new and is still learning his trade but it does him good to know that we are watching him! Over all Damian is a good M.P and at least he replies to you he also does listen to what you say.<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;">Dear Mr. and Mrs. Williams and Peter,</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;">Thank you for your further message.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;">First of all, may I congratulate Peter on his recent successes – and I hope he will be equally successful in the British competition.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;">I am once again bringing your concerns to the attention of the Minister and seeking his answers to the specific points you have made and his confirmation that your objections have been noted.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;">Kind regards,</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;"><br />
Damian </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
here is our email to Damian<br />
<div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #1a577b; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif";">Dear Damian </span></div></div><div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div></div><div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #1a577b; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif";">Home education is undermined by the 20 days the child name stays on a school register as it is parents in law who are responsible for seeing that a child receives a suitable full time education.</span></div></div><div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div></div><div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #1a577b; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif";">We ask again where is the evidence that we need this change? Show us?</span></div></div><div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div></div><div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #1a577b; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif";">Why the rush to bring it in via Statutory Instrument?</span></div></div><div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div></div><div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #1a577b; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif";">Why where home educators not consulted about this and only found out about it by chance? In other words the Department for Education was hoping to just sneak it in! Time can always be made to consult!</span></div></div><div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div></div><div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #1a577b; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif";">What is to stop the 20 day rule being extended to say 30 days or 40 days? </span></div></div><div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div></div><div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #1a577b; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif";">Will a child name stay on a private school register for 20 days if parents says it is home educating? </span></div></div><div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div></div><div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #1a577b; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif";">None of these question have been answered</span></div></div><div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div></div><div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #1a577b; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif";">It must be recorded by you as our M.P(we can only lobby you) that we are against this change and we know of other home educators as well who do not agree with this change.</span></div></div><div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div></div><div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #1a577b; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif";">If that was the only change in the pipe line I guess home educators could live with it but we have a feeling this is just the start of attempting to change the law on home education? Thank goodness Peter will soon be 16 and not be affected by any of it.</span></div></div><div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div></div><div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #1a577b; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif";">Peter won Uxbridge Adult chess open and qualified again for the British Adult chess championship for this yea.r </span></div></div><div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div></div><div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #1a577b; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif";">Best Regards</span></div></div><div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div></div><div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #1a577b; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif";">Peter Carol Peter</span></div></div><div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div></div></div>Peter and Carolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13834275662603833577noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5335564036152530821.post-8780159463354141992011-05-03T09:32:00.000-07:002011-05-05T01:08:36.661-07:00Peter new FIDE chess grade is 2196Peter new FIDE Chess grade is 2196 here is the link <a href="http://ratings.fide.com/card.phtml?event=2275740">http://ratings.fide.com/card.phtml?event=2275740</a><br />
Well done Peter! to get an international chess grade you have to play in a chess tournament that is FIDE rated not all chess tournaments are! Peter gained 23 points when he won the Uxbridge Adult chess open and also drew with 2 grandmasters Mark Hebden and Keith Arkell.<br />
<br />
I don't think people understand how hard it is to get your grade to this level it takes a lot of work study reading of chess books which Peter does and then you have to do it on the chess board in a real game where if you slip up you will lose rating points!<br />
<br />
Peter wants to become an IM(international Master you need a grade of 2300 and 3 master norms which you can only get in certain events!<br />
<br />
Peter still only 15 so hopefully in couple of years he achieve this.<br />
<br />
Any one else out their Plays chess or would like to ask question then please leave a comment on here and w<span style="background-color: white;">e </span>will do our best to answer you.Peter and Carolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13834275662603833577noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5335564036152530821.post-8024567480196237592011-05-03T01:55:00.000-07:002011-05-03T01:55:30.830-07:00Damian Hind M.PDamian Hind M.P has sent us an email in which he believe the 20 day rule of child staying on the school register helps home education! It is quite clear that Damian has not listened to anything we have said to him. Any way here his the email he sent and our reply to him.We think you do have to attempt to lobby your M.P so that he knows you as the voter do not agree with him and you can know you have done everything you can to try and stop this 20 day idea.<br />
<div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;">Dear Mr & Mrs Williams and Peter</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;">Having discussed this with the minister, as well as reading the Permanent Secretary’s explanatory letter, I must say it seems an entirely sensible move to me. I am not sure what your objection would be to making such a move by Statutory Instrument. The Permanent Secretary makes it quite clear that this does not adversely impact the right to home educate – indeed if anything I would have thought at the margin it would strengthen it.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;">Sincerely</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;">Damian Hinds M.P</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;">Our reply to Damian Hinds</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;"><div>Dear Mr Hinds</div><div> </div><div>The response you have given in no way addresses any of the concerns we and others have made. It is really just saying trust us and go away.</div><div> </div><div>The truth of the matter is that this is just the first tiny step in making it more difficult for people to Home Educate. If as stated in David Bell's letter the aim is to ensure that any issues that may have led to the parent withdrawing their child from school then surely this change should be given much more thought, consideration and consultation - oh silly us people might have said they didn't agree with it and where would the Department of Education be then! Government always rushes through things that it knows people won't like hoping that there is no time to object.</div><div> </div><div>As you and/or the Department of Education have chosen not to answer the detailed questions we have asked then we can only assume that indeed ours and others concerns are well founded. We once again give you the opportunity to answer in detail the concerns we raised in our email below and prove that we are wrong.</div><div> </div><div>As our elected MP we must lobby you about the things that are important to us and this subject is very close to our hearts not just for ourselves but for the Home Educators of the future because the way the Education system is going there is going to be more and more of us.</div><div> </div><div>Yours Sincerely</div><div> </div><div>Peter, Carol & Peter Williams</div><div>A Home Educating Family </div><div> </div></span>Peter and Carolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13834275662603833577noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5335564036152530821.post-57777150583980418682011-04-27T06:05:00.000-07:002011-04-27T06:05:19.200-07:00Pictures of our Tortoises enjoying the sunOur Tortoises enjoying the sun today!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-ImpFcqQ12UQj_vMMssa3xFYUjLqTCIJbvXsKSa3J3no_YpCoD6cK-QjQ8B9ztTMB1lUgSYK_N1T7x5k9hxCm_2r1GM_4PyiCe2So1Lemf1Y1WWWHncQo7-GBERZRRd6pT4xnZdz4Yas/s1600/P1010106.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" i8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-ImpFcqQ12UQj_vMMssa3xFYUjLqTCIJbvXsKSa3J3no_YpCoD6cK-QjQ8B9ztTMB1lUgSYK_N1T7x5k9hxCm_2r1GM_4PyiCe2So1Lemf1Y1WWWHncQo7-GBERZRRd6pT4xnZdz4Yas/s320/P1010106.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvLuApQKVJRYV_I2SmoJhsSGHutZWmZO6CE059O-NFTqJSFpREdrxLKVeF4z6yvFwnnqRu4rQH2gKQuwhB9p1bwj8mludaJkeA5LSk8TfBcfIh-cqVF8D1wluVxlBiixCD7y8Y0nkMTnQ/s1600/P1010104.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" i8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvLuApQKVJRYV_I2SmoJhsSGHutZWmZO6CE059O-NFTqJSFpREdrxLKVeF4z6yvFwnnqRu4rQH2gKQuwhB9p1bwj8mludaJkeA5LSk8TfBcfIh-cqVF8D1wluVxlBiixCD7y8Y0nkMTnQ/s320/P1010104.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>We have 4 tortoises 2 are leopard Tortoises and the other 2 are Horsefield <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiqTVjOT0y1Kgxs2CTqztCLGFHNA2kJMZr-dDluqsr_33bPI9hn_XAssvH6iDoKbjHMludM2gRGGrsJEmzB3nssSkKtOOmLmYnku3tHxIct9lSqWufrbMArZ8-kta_mrFlth5SqAJT8SM/s1600/P1010105.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" i8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiqTVjOT0y1Kgxs2CTqztCLGFHNA2kJMZr-dDluqsr_33bPI9hn_XAssvH6iDoKbjHMludM2gRGGrsJEmzB3nssSkKtOOmLmYnku3tHxIct9lSqWufrbMArZ8-kta_mrFlth5SqAJT8SM/s320/P1010105.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>The Horsefield hibernate in the winter and awake in the spring! The leopards do not hibernate and have to be kept indoors over winter. <br />
The other horsfield is hiding some where in the garden i can not find him to take a picture.Peter and Carolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13834275662603833577noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5335564036152530821.post-73326919369973658832011-04-27T02:05:00.000-07:002011-04-27T02:07:36.294-07:00Pictures Peter has taken<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Picture by Peter</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1wKPFOuUwNbiJdxW0O6gGfvsomouyZo-iRTovnrov4Fy9DDT3jMv1ZbhmJRfs8CF-7gglxhWwsLzJg1heyiC3pGuEVt3M4YWDDFD_RzJ7AydFYwYuAKp34iEwRiqRhIOSq7cn-3wXy9Q/s1600/DSC00402.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1wKPFOuUwNbiJdxW0O6gGfvsomouyZo-iRTovnrov4Fy9DDT3jMv1ZbhmJRfs8CF-7gglxhWwsLzJg1heyiC3pGuEVt3M4YWDDFD_RzJ7AydFYwYuAKp34iEwRiqRhIOSq7cn-3wXy9Q/s320/DSC00402.JPG" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZiizSnceS6HOaam6HBK1c_WP9UzsmOwvck36c3VRNdfEiXYHTYrF_hF2uqlQ_PhPT_Wnmgp-80wGRIC53F70Q4LmRhAcI2gU5_RQQJxii2eUaUzSCcX4istiwsgG3zCxUo6Z3UhQhfuE/s1600/DSC00356.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZiizSnceS6HOaam6HBK1c_WP9UzsmOwvck36c3VRNdfEiXYHTYrF_hF2uqlQ_PhPT_Wnmgp-80wGRIC53F70Q4LmRhAcI2gU5_RQQJxii2eUaUzSCcX4istiwsgG3zCxUo6Z3UhQhfuE/s320/DSC00356.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpS4XjBYE9fmM4l8s0h50CdeDFk062N0uJNDHYI9QGhZJiml2rmmKXGS9FZ5NKrM1VsB0oJXxlvUhE8Qzm-M13xubAfDoi_8ndBMeooIKHGgR9lbXIU_5N-9PlyD8xr2K7ihWiMDOcf3A/s1600/DSC00409.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpS4XjBYE9fmM4l8s0h50CdeDFk062N0uJNDHYI9QGhZJiml2rmmKXGS9FZ5NKrM1VsB0oJXxlvUhE8Qzm-M13xubAfDoi_8ndBMeooIKHGgR9lbXIU_5N-9PlyD8xr2K7ihWiMDOcf3A/s320/DSC00409.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Hi every one have not blog for a while as we have been so busy with Chess and other projects.We have been spending a lot of time in the garden geting the vegetables plot ready. This year we are growing runner beans and broad beans.<br />
Peter won uxbrigde Adult chess open a very strong event and also got 23 FIDE rating chess points his new rating will be 2199 only 1 point short of becoming candidate master!<br />
<br />
hope you all like the pictures Peter took of the animals the thrush was in our garden this year when we had snow and it still visits us looking for grapes we sometimes put out.<br />
Do leave us a comment so that we know some one is still following us!Peter and Carolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13834275662603833577noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5335564036152530821.post-677954487041569032011-02-11T03:33:00.000-08:002011-02-11T06:27:46.668-08:00New Letter from Mr Nick Gibb M.P(Minister of State for School)Today 10 February 2011 We have had a new letter from Nick Gibb M.P(Minister of State for Education) We leave it up to our readers to decide what you think of Nick Letter! see below!<br />
<br />
Dear Mr.Mrs and Master Peter Williams<br />
<br />
I am Replying as Minister of State for Schools to your email of 31 January following my letter of 26 January.I am sorry to hear that you are not satisfied with the correspondence that you have received.<br />
<br />
<br />
In your email you state you have not encouraged others to raise FOIs about Ms Penny Jones as set out in my Letter of 26 January.I have looked further into this matter and I am satisfied that the assertion made in my letter was correct.<br />
<br />
I do of course,take your complaint seriously.If you wish to send the Department a formal complaint,you will find the complaints procedure on our website at<br />
htt://www.education.gov.uk/aboutdfe/complaintsprocedure/a0016/how-to-make-a-complaint<br />
<br />
<br />
Yours Sincerly<br />
<br />
Nick Gibb M.PPeter and Carolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13834275662603833577noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5335564036152530821.post-68753192656405019772011-01-31T04:31:00.000-08:002011-01-31T04:33:14.406-08:00Nick Gibb M.P(Minister of State for Schools)We have received a letter from Mr Nick Gibb M.P(Minister of State for Schools) i wonder why schools minister is writing to us? we did not get the email from officials and it looks like Penny Jones is still upset<br />
<br />
Dear Mr and Mrs Williams and Peter<br />
<br />
I am replying to the letters that Mr Damien Hinds M.P sent to the Secretary of State on 23 September and 26th October 2010 on your behalf.Mr Hinds asked for a response to be sent directly to you.I am replying as the Minster of State for Schools.I am very sorry for the long delay.<br />
<br />
When you sent your email to Mr Hinds on 22 September 2010 you stated you had not received a reply to the email you sent directly to the Secretary of State on 1 September 2010,in which you asked whether there were any plans to bring in new laws on home education.The Department receives a large amount of correspondence and the Secretary of State is unable to responds personally to all letters and emails.I understand that officials replied to you by email and i am enclosing a copy of that reply,in case you did not receive it.<br />
<br />
The Government supports home educators and recognise that many deliver a good quality education for their children.The position on funding is that a parents who are home educating their children take on the full financial responsibility for doing so.However local councils can draw down funding where they provide significant support for home educated children with special educational needs,or to enable a home educated child to attend a college or further education.This might include attending college to study for GCSEs.Local councils have discretion to decide whether to provide such funding.<br />
<br />
The Secretary of State announced on 13 December 2010 that Government is not proposing to make any changes to these funding arrangements.Our priority is to target all available funding at schools.Tight fiscal restraints mean it is not possible for the Government to provide additional support for home educators at this time.<br />
<br />
In your email to Mr Hinds,you raise the concerns that the Secretary of State is being advised on matters relating to home education by an official,Ms Penny Jones,who you allege appears hostile to home education.I understand that comments have also been voiced on various blogs/websites and that you have tried to encourage others to raise FOIs about Ms Jones.<br />
<br />
An Officials role is to serve the government of the day and the Civil Service Code sets out the framework within which all civil servants must work.The code can be found at the following link<br />
http://www.civil service.gov.uk/about/values/cscode/index.aspx<br />
<br />
The Secretary of State considers it is unacceptable for civil servants to face criticism as a consequence of carrying out their official duties.It is important that civil servants are able to carry out their duties in accordance with the policies agreed with Minister.These duties may change from time to time particularly when there is a change following a General Election.<br />
<br />
Yours sincerely<br />
<br />
Nick Gibb<br />
<br />
<br />
We sent a complaint back to him and copy to our M.P Mr Damian Hinds what do people think of the letter from Mr Gibb M.P? share this letter with other home educators pleasePeter and Carolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13834275662603833577noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5335564036152530821.post-9958191205012415342011-01-27T10:20:00.000-08:002011-01-29T03:35:12.267-08:00Damain Hind M.P and at last we will get a reply!We have been told by our M.P Mr Damain Hind that we will get a reply to our email of 1/9/2010 about home education sent to Mr Gove M.P (Education Sectary) see his email to us.It can not be right that you have to wait so long for a reply? I will post the full letter when it arrives! here is our reply to Mr Hinds<br />
<br />
<div><div>Dear Damian Hind M.P</div><div></div><div>Thank you for your email.</div><div></div><div>Lets hope its is a reply that makes sense and not just civil service speak! Having over the last few years had letters from the old Children's Department it often appeared that a few select civil servants where running the policy on all aspects of education! </div><div></div><div>Lets hope Mr Gove M.P who we rather like he a very good speaker in the house does not have the wool pulled over his eyes over home education by a civil servant called Penny Jones! Or Chris Foster! </div><div></div><div>One should also not have to wait so long to get a reply I thought the department had to reply with in 20 days? We are way over that time limit makes you wonder if some one was not playing cricket with us!</div><div></div><div>I don't blame you your new and learning the ropes I guess! how is life as an M.P is the job how you expected it to be?</div><div></div><div>One good thing for the conservative party is Ed Balls being made shadow chancellor you should be able to tie him up with the public debt he helped run up and he still refuses to acknowledge this! The public are not fools!</div><div></div><div>Best regards</div><div></div><div>Peter Carol Peter</div></div><br />
<br />
<br />
<div id="receivestrings"><div dir="ltr" style="font-size: 11pt;"><i><b>From:</b></i> <a href="mailto:damian.hinds.mp@parliament.uk" title="mailto:damian.hinds.mp@parliament.uk">HINDS, Damian</a></div><div dir="ltr" style="font-size: 11pt;"><i><b>Date:</b></i> 27/01/2011 17:09</div><div dir="ltr" style="font-size: 11pt;"><i><b>To:</b></i> <a href="mailto:carol@williams4939.freeserve.co.uk" title="mailto:carol@williams4939.freeserve.co.uk">'Carol Williams'</a></div><div dir="ltr" style="font-size: 11pt;"><i><b>Subject:</b></i> RE: Home Education</div></div><div></div><div class="WordSection1"><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: 'Calibri','sans-serif'; font-size: 11pt;">Dear Mr. and Mrs. Williams and Peter,</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: 'Calibri','sans-serif'; font-size: 11pt;">I have been informed today that a reply from the Department is now on its way to you. I hope this will soon come to hand.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: 'Calibri','sans-serif'; font-size: 11pt;">Best wishes,</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: 'Calibri','sans-serif'; font-size: 11pt;">Damian Hinds </span></div></div>Peter and Carolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13834275662603833577noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5335564036152530821.post-26600100005297787492010-12-07T04:59:00.000-08:002010-12-07T05:00:55.057-08:00No answer still from M Gove M.P Education SecretaryWe have still had no answer from M Gove M.P Education Secretary over our concerns about his views on home education We first wrote to him on the 1st of September 2010 and so far we have not had a reply!.We contacted our M.P Mr Damian Hind who said on 23 9 2010 that he would follow this up but so far no word from Mr Gove M.P see the emails that have gone between us and Mr Hind M.P.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div id="INCREDI_TEXT_AREA" style="padding-left: 2px;"><div><div>Any news? Or has the snow held up an answer? Or is some one taking the "Mickey" out of all of us? </div><div></div><div>Peter Carol Peter</div><div></div><div></div></div></div><div><div></div><div></div><div dir="ltr" id="IncrediOriginalFontSize" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"><div dir="ltr" id="IncrediOriginalMessage" style="font-size: 11pt;"><i>-------Original Message-------</i></div><div></div><div id="receivestrings"><div dir="ltr" style="font-size: 11pt;"><i><b>From:</b></i> <a href="mailto:damian.hinds.mp@parliament.uk" title="mailto:damian.hinds.mp@parliament.uk">HINDS, Damian</a></div><div dir="ltr" style="font-size: 11pt;"><i><b>Date:</b></i> 23/11/2010 17:22</div><div dir="ltr" style="font-size: 11pt;"><i><b>To:</b></i> <a href="mailto:carol@williams4939.freeserve.co.uk" title="mailto:carol@williams4939.freeserve.co.uk">Carol Williams</a></div><div dir="ltr" style="font-size: 11pt;"><i><b>Subject:</b></i> RE: Home Education</div></div><div></div><div class="WordSection1"><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: 'Calibri','sans-serif'; font-size: 11pt;">Dear Mr. and Mrs. Williams and Peter,</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: 'Calibri','sans-serif'; font-size: 11pt;">My office has checked today with the Department and we are told a reply is in hand and we should hear quite soon now.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: 'Calibri','sans-serif'; font-size: 11pt;">No doubt apologies will be offered for the long delay.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: 'Calibri','sans-serif'; font-size: 11pt;">Yours sincerely,</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: 'Calibri','sans-serif'; font-size: 11pt;">Damian Hinds </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: 1pt solid rgb(181, 196, 223); padding: 3pt 0cm 0cm;"><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;">From:</span></b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;"> Carol Williams [mailto:carol@williams4939.freeserve.co.uk] <br />
<b>Sent:</b> 23 November 2010 16:01<br />
<b>To:</b> HINDS, Damian<br />
<b>Subject:</b> RE: Home Education</span></div></div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoNormalTable" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% rgb(228, 242, 249); width: 100%;"><tbody>
<tr> <td style="padding: 15pt;" valign="top"><div id="mod_EDI_TEXT_AREA"><div><div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #1a577b; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">Any news? Or is it a state secret?( we have almost forgotten what we wrote to Mr Gove M.P)</span></div></div><div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div></div><div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #1a577b; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">Peter Carol Peter </span></div></div><div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div></div><div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div></div></div></div><div><div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div></div><div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div></div><div id="IncrediOriginalFontSize" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"><div id="IncrediOriginalMessage"><div class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="color: #1a577b; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 11pt;">-------Original Message-------</span></i><span style="color: #1a577b; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 11pt;"></span></div></div><div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div></div><div id="receivestrings"><div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><i><span style="color: #1a577b; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 11pt;">From:</span></i></b><span style="color: #1a577b; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 11pt;"> <a href="mailto:damian.hinds.mp@parliament.uk" title="mailto:damian.hinds.mp@parliament.uk">HINDS, Damian</a></span></div></div><div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><i><span style="color: #1a577b; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 11pt;">Date:</span></i></b><span style="color: #1a577b; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 11pt;"> 25/10/2010 11:06</span></div></div><div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><i><span style="color: #1a577b; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 11pt;">To:</span></i></b><span style="color: #1a577b; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 11pt;"> <a href="mailto:carol@williams4939.freeserve.co.uk" title="mailto:carol@williams4939.freeserve.co.uk">Carol Williams</a></span></div></div><div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><i><span style="color: #1a577b; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 11pt;">Subject:</span></i></b><span style="color: #1a577b; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 11pt;"> RE: Home Education</span></div></div></div><div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div></div><div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: 'Calibri','sans-serif'; font-size: 11pt;">I am afraid I have not yet heard from Mr. Gove but I will send a reminder. </span><span style="color: #1a577b;"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: 1pt solid rgb(181, 196, 223); padding: 3pt 0cm 0cm;"><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1a577b; font-family: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;">From:</span></b><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1a577b; font-family: 'Tahoma','sans-serif';"> Carol Williams [mailto:carol@williams4939.freeserve.co.uk] <br />
<b>Sent:</b> 25 October 2010 10:02<br />
<b>To:</b> HINDS, Damian<br />
<b>Subject:</b> RE: Home Education</span><span style="color: #1a577b;"></span></div></div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoNormalTable" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% rgb(228, 242, 249); width: 100%;"><tbody>
<tr> <td style="padding: 15pt;" valign="top"><div id="mod_EDI_TEXT_AREA"><div><div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #1a577b; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">Have you had a response from Mr Gove? </span></div></div><div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div></div><div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div></div></div></div><div><div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div></div><div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div></div><div id="IncrediOriginalFontSize" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"><div id="IncrediOriginalMessage"><div class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="color: #1a577b; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 11pt;">-------Original Message-------</span></i></div></div><div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div></div><div id="receivestrings"><div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><i><span style="color: #1a577b; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 11pt;">From:</span></i></b><span style="color: #1a577b; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 11pt;"> <a href="mailto:damian.hinds.mp@parliament.uk" title="mailto:damian.hinds.mp@parliament.uk">HINDS, Damian</a></span></div></div><div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><i><span style="color: #1a577b; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 11pt;">Date:</span></i></b><span style="color: #1a577b; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 11pt;"> 23/09/2010 15:39</span></div></div><div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><i><span style="color: #1a577b; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 11pt;">To:</span></i></b><span style="color: #1a577b; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 11pt;"> <a href="mailto:carol@williams4939.freeserve.co.uk" title="mailto:carol@williams4939.freeserve.co.uk">carol@williams4939.freeserve.co.uk</a></span></div></div><div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><i><span style="color: #1a577b; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 11pt;">Subject:</span></i></b><span style="color: #1a577b; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 11pt;"> RE: Home Education</span></div></div></div><div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div></div><div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: 'Calibri','sans-serif'; font-size: 11pt;">Dear Mr. and Mrs. Williams and Peter,</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: 'Calibri','sans-serif'; font-size: 11pt;">Thank you for your message. I am sorry you have not yet had any response from Michael Gove but I will follow this up.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: 'Calibri','sans-serif'; font-size: 11pt;">You ask for my view, which hasn’t changed since I visited you at your home some time ago: namely that I believe in a right to home educate subject to certain safeguards. Although most home educating families don’t need safeguards, some do..</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: 'Calibri','sans-serif'; font-size: 11pt;">I would not worry about Mr. Gove being led astray by some adviser or other. He is one of the brightest people in public life today and will certainly make up his own mind, having considered the full breadth of evidence and opinion.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: 'Calibri','sans-serif'; font-size: 11pt;">Yours sincerely,</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: 'Calibri','sans-serif'; font-size: 11pt;">Damian Hinds</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: 'Arial Narrow','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;">___________________________________________</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="color: #006600; font-family: 'Arial Narrow','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;">Damian Hinds</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="color: #006600; font-family: 'Arial Narrow','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;">MP for East Hampshire</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #262626; font-family: 'Arial Narrow','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;">House of Commons, London SW1A 0AA</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #262626; font-family: 'Arial Narrow','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;">0207 219 7057 // 01420 84122</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #262626; font-family: 'Arial Narrow','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;"><a href="mailto:damian.hinds.mp@parliament.uk" title="mailto:damian.hinds.mp@parliament.uk"><span style="color: #262626;">damian.hinds.mp@parliament.uk</span></a> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: 1pt solid rgb(181, 196, 223); padding: 3pt 0cm 0cm;"><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1a577b; font-family: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;">From:</span></b><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1a577b; font-family: 'Tahoma','sans-serif';"> Carol Williams [mailto:carol@williams4939.freeserve.co.uk] <br />
<b>Sent:</b> 22 September 2010 11:50<br />
<b>To:</b> Damian Hinds<br />
<b>Subject:</b> Fw: Home Education</span></div></div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoNormalTable" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% rgb(228, 242, 249); width: 100%;"><tbody>
<tr> <td style="padding: 12pt;" valign="top"><div id="mod_EDI_TEXT_AREA"><div><div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div></div><div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div></div><div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #1a577b; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">Dear Mr Damian Hind M.P</span></div></div><div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div></div><div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #1a577b; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">Can you help we have had no reply to our email to Mr M.Gove M.P over home education policy see email below sent on 1st of September to Mr Gove M.P he should answer within 20 days but so far he has not and we are quite surprised by this.We understand he is a very busy man but he did show a real interest in home education and appeared to grasp it! I.e. That we do not need any more new laws the last Labour government brought in far to may laws which I belive David Cameron made a point of saying last week at PM question time.Which we fully support!</span></div></div><div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div></div><div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #1a577b; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">We also concerned Mr Gove is being briefed about home education by a Penny Jones who works for the education department she appears hostile to home education !</span></div></div><div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div></div><div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #1a577b; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">We like your view to?</span></div></div><div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div></div><div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #1a577b; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">Best Regards</span></div></div><div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div></div><div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #1a577b; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">Peter Carol Peter</span></div></div></div></div><div><div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div></div><div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div></div><div id="IncrediOriginalFontSize" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"><div id="IncrediOriginalMessage"><div class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="color: #1a577b; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 11pt;">-------Original Message-------</span></i></div></div><div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div></div><div id="receivestrings"><div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><i><span style="color: #1a577b; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 11pt;">From:</span></i></b><span style="color: #1a577b; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 11pt;"> <a href="mailto:carol@williams4939.freeserve.co.uk" title="mailto:carol@williams4939.freeserve.co.uk">Carol Williams</a></span></div></div><div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><i><span style="color: #1a577b; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 11pt;">Date:</span></i></b><span style="color: #1a577b; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 11pt;"> 01/09/2010 12:00</span></div></div><div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><i><span style="color: #1a577b; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 11pt;">To:</span></i></b><span style="color: #1a577b; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 11pt;"> <a href="mailto:ministers@education.gsi.gov.uk" title="mailto:ministers@education.gsi.gov.uk">ministers@education.gsi.gov.uk</a></span></div></div><div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><i><span style="color: #1a577b; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 11pt;">Cc:</span></i></b><span style="color: #1a577b; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 11pt;"> <a href="mailto:govem@parliament.uk" title="mailto:govem@parliament.uk">govem@parliament.uk</a></span></div></div><div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><i><span style="color: #1a577b; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 11pt;">Subject:</span></i></b><span style="color: #1a577b; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 11pt;"> Home Education</span></div></div></div><div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div></div><div id="mod_EDI_TEXT_AREA"><div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #1a577b; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">Dear Mr Gove M.P</span></div></div><div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div></div><div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #1a577b; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';"></span></div></div><div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div></div><div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #1a577b; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">We very concerned because Lord Soley has been writing that the house will return again to this subject!</span></div></div><div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div></div><div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #1a577b; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">You appeared to have a good understanding of home education you where very helpful to home educators last year so we don't want you getting the wrong advice from people who do not understand home education.</span></div></div><div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div></div><div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #1a577b; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">Yours sincerely</span></div></div><div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div></div><div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #1a577b; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">Mr Peter Williams Mrs Carol Williams Master Peter A Williams</span></div></div><div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div></div><div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #1a577b; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">A Home Educating Family</span></div></div></div></div></div></td></tr>
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</tbody></table></div></div></div>Peter and Carolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13834275662603833577noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5335564036152530821.post-41061868925601642962010-10-28T07:09:00.000-07:002010-11-06T02:12:59.692-07:00Guernsey Chess International<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhogzmZO7MICKp97Oxeos9x4CQwN9mvwIe98Dn1jcoRl0H1Q1tKXQJSmiP0IJOGrSP_ZGCAvOmiqx2TrbYPJgSaGsEGWTjd6ajlXcV3wpQg-YLqaoHbf-PGDDpk3y2tJujNYcBxGVNl5_k/s1600/NVE00067.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhogzmZO7MICKp97Oxeos9x4CQwN9mvwIe98Dn1jcoRl0H1Q1tKXQJSmiP0IJOGrSP_ZGCAvOmiqx2TrbYPJgSaGsEGWTjd6ajlXcV3wpQg-YLqaoHbf-PGDDpk3y2tJujNYcBxGVNl5_k/s320/NVE00067.png" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwLka_s-OUJUAwf00jejw2_tU4szq59uUJwcLod41iWSY_sjglvImo-ejCSVaGr3uUwcdOH5k8mlEmfSiw243RAvLJdHT8iPAkzuHne_bMGHguOA2hUyZ_0ty7EK-9tUFjX4HeIon82fA/s1600/NVE00151.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
</a></div>We had a very nice time in Guernsey it is a really nice place and because Guernsey is so small you can drive to the sea and the beautiful beeches with in minutes.So it was really nice to drive along the coast line before going to play chess.some days we did not want to go in to play chess the weather was so nice and the beeches are really nice so clean great for sandcastles! Peter grandad and granmother came to watch Peter and me play.I never won anything! I have to get Peter to coach me!<br />
<br />
Peter won the Junior prize of 60 pounds in the open section of the event all of Peter opponents where adults.Peter played very strong chess and also increased his FIDE chess rating by 14 points.this system is what all players use to measure how strong a player is <a href="http://ratings.fide.com/">http://ratings.fide.com/</a> you can search Peter rating on this link or any other chess player who has a FIDE rating not all chess players get a FIDE rating has you have to score wins or draws against a FIDE rated player.Peter new rating will be 2178 when it come out on 1st of November.The ratings come out every 3 months'<br />
<br />
We made many new friends at Guernsey and caught up with some old chess friends to.The Guernsey chess federation puts in a lot of work over the year to make this event happen.The Guernsey chess players are really nice and friendly.It is the best chess event of the year.So we want to thank all of the people in Guernsey who make this lovely tournament happen.<br />
I should mention that Peter chess coach Mr Nick Pert Grandmaster won the tournament.Nick is a really fine chess player i dont know how he does it.hats off to you Nick your the champ!Peter and Carolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13834275662603833577noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5335564036152530821.post-50105697341497451172010-10-13T02:55:00.000-07:002010-10-13T05:36:12.952-07:00Guernsey Chess International<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTHCp9zFT5tVqOd9jGbRf28NHVJllX1UJenjqKI3DyrieTq0J4cca5-yTnn24NYYh6Qp8AMR4jMvusx8SpEFkrxff2daaAo2kH-9qzUh8WHYEvMUxnfa948BnU1Q2PFgtTbZf0_oV4Cqk/s1600/DSC00099.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTHCp9zFT5tVqOd9jGbRf28NHVJllX1UJenjqKI3DyrieTq0J4cca5-yTnn24NYYh6Qp8AMR4jMvusx8SpEFkrxff2daaAo2kH-9qzUh8WHYEvMUxnfa948BnU1Q2PFgtTbZf0_oV4Cqk/s320/DSC00099.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5d6_35ZpHf23xGne67_aufn8xe0-5t7xz_1ZrbFwJZWMpuixqj6tpqdttVnOurGtq3_BnZrcva8ZLvTEoPiSCG5nftT_-QBbqF8XrlzyEvD2OTKDPpbCg4sIQmJE0UPJ9noqwtBHBqRs/s1600/DSC00091.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
</a></div>Peter Playing in the Guernsey chess International starting on Sunday 17th of October you can follow his progress on the Guernsey chess web site <a href="http://www.guernseychessclub.org.gg/festival/festival.aspx">http://www.guernseychessclub.org.gg/festival/festival.aspx</a> This tournament is a very strong event with a number of grandmaster in it including Peter coach Nick Pert(GM) Peter hoping to improve his international chess rating at the moment it is 2132 .Peter is the 49 best under 14 in the whole of the world! 2nd best under 14 in the United Kingdom.We really looking forward to the trip to Guernsey Peter Grandad and Gran mother are also going to come to give support.Some of the chess games can last over 5 hours! You have to do a lot of traveling to improve your international chess rating as not all chess events in England are international rated!. We hope to be able to blog to let you know how Peter is doing while we are out in Guernsey.If you got any questions about this tournament please do send us a comment we will do our best to answer you.We hope to do a blog on why ALL children should learn to play chess.We would also like to help encourage home educated children to learn chess.So if any parent of a home educated child wants advice about chess do please ask!.Peter and Carolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13834275662603833577noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5335564036152530821.post-12879039122531316032010-10-11T02:49:00.000-07:002010-10-11T06:37:41.679-07:00New Hamsters/Tortoises<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq8CRm8eQnTSlNJeJQl-C8CsrvoLErgLImF8PSBoxpTV4kQx0z0p_eitXkNbBTtC4S1pn7YdAMgWjlexPJ2g-TN1-4YwNt88Cd4Dp2AkZghwsxFGaZVqJyYjdYUmIA9E1kPIAli3ofp6k/s1600/P1010103.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq8CRm8eQnTSlNJeJQl-C8CsrvoLErgLImF8PSBoxpTV4kQx0z0p_eitXkNbBTtC4S1pn7YdAMgWjlexPJ2g-TN1-4YwNt88Cd4Dp2AkZghwsxFGaZVqJyYjdYUmIA9E1kPIAli3ofp6k/s320/P1010103.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMd2fum1SgSXwXcLGVMGIRzveZDUsCej8t1I0xhArppkeORiFEyB82PJXDYLvC_Mlb49NBuiN3xyE3Ores_NNw3VeZyN220ItJ7jMQNxSk4epNNoCKfp3NDxCKVdIKnP-3UpwuUwSXZbo/s1600/P1010103.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
</a></div>This Sunday we brought 2 new hamsters for Peter to go along with the 4 tortoises we have and the one Guinea pig! We did have 3 other Guinea pigs but they died.We have 2 leapord tortoises which come from South Africa and realy like very warm weather and will grow quite big in time.You need to be able to keep these tortoise indoors for part of the year or when it is cold but yesterday the Leapords where out enjoying the sun.We also have 2 russian tortoises these are easy to keep and are quite hardy!.Peter enjoys looking after his pets and helps to feed and clean out the encloses of all the pets.Leapord Tortoises can create a fair bit of mess! We think it is a good idea for children to have pets but of course not everyone has the room or time to look after Leapord tortoises! We would recomend hamstesr the ones we have can live in groups ours are russian hamsters but most hamster live on they own.Hamster are easy to look after need a small cage some bedding sawdust and of course hamster food! Over time you can train them to come to you and take food from your hand.Peter said the hamster where up in the night eating and playing.Here is a picture of the hamsters<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsc-Vig7akGBpBkGmr1AOtH7ZGKaE2iBislgo0frhjbAd6ghCX4mzLiAiTIogPjpo58huQ8BJnEZ9EOTO7I6fZrzch3c3OFy7VGBhK0Q3qY8nGaY1pNa0Jv2c0SrBWuKhZlojVsD88qvU/s1600/P1010102.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsc-Vig7akGBpBkGmr1AOtH7ZGKaE2iBislgo0frhjbAd6ghCX4mzLiAiTIogPjpo58huQ8BJnEZ9EOTO7I6fZrzch3c3OFy7VGBhK0Q3qY8nGaY1pNa0Jv2c0SrBWuKhZlojVsD88qvU/s320/P1010102.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRAbreANqNoUmm7I4ssPps9I76MtMMJOcC12qXtGbWqefp40a-Q_wmy-Fclx9YrxuGZ6omaFkUiUrhwWMSUL5qK2-THTdZ9KMOjvHA0kl7MEHzmH00V60Py0D7jnAv6zNPiNFv5LRD20M/s1600/P1010103.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRAbreANqNoUmm7I4ssPps9I76MtMMJOcC12qXtGbWqefp40a-Q_wmy-Fclx9YrxuGZ6omaFkUiUrhwWMSUL5qK2-THTdZ9KMOjvHA0kl7MEHzmH00V60Py0D7jnAv6zNPiNFv5LRD20M/s320/P1010103.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Peter not given them a name yet but im sure he soon will! Here is a picture of Frosty the Guinea pig he is now over 5 years of age which is quite old for a Guinea pig<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh090yUtyZALkLQyHBlVZ5ePwVhqdzLwgVcdSXhXT5010HHzr6Lcwtm5loT9Wp_F7nS3R2_umqoWaINxCRpHqZre7oufXXSfXdtv_coNh2YaIhiSBK1TIU-1Q14a2u1fFRkCSaEMTEeaOc/s1600/NVE00107.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh090yUtyZALkLQyHBlVZ5ePwVhqdzLwgVcdSXhXT5010HHzr6Lcwtm5loT9Wp_F7nS3R2_umqoWaINxCRpHqZre7oufXXSfXdtv_coNh2YaIhiSBK1TIU-1Q14a2u1fFRkCSaEMTEeaOc/s320/NVE00107.png" width="320" /></a></div>Peter will put Frosty out this afternoon to enjoy the fine sunshine.Let us know of any pets you all have and hope you enjoy reading our blog!Peter and Carolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13834275662603833577noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5335564036152530821.post-21305222894725460332010-10-07T01:32:00.000-07:002010-10-07T01:35:50.985-07:00No answer from Michael Gove M.P over Home education<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBvEmhSTBGnkpWG0ritekTfjh78K9xW8gxwuNyTWIwif9g-IDG3fVOcyddpOMLZO4jh6jn0MZhcU2ioWxn6Gyz323RJpyOiHQ_67M9Hp0k797Pp62Ku6FWeyDcx_gc-K7TJAb_HSkE40g/s1600/NVE00069.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBvEmhSTBGnkpWG0ritekTfjh78K9xW8gxwuNyTWIwif9g-IDG3fVOcyddpOMLZO4jh6jn0MZhcU2ioWxn6Gyz323RJpyOiHQ_67M9Hp0k797Pp62Ku6FWeyDcx_gc-K7TJAb_HSkE40g/s320/NVE00069.png" width="320" /></a></div>We sent Mr Gove M.P sectary of state for education an email about home education on 1/9/2010 so far we have had no reply! We also have asked our own M.P Mr D.Hinds to look into this which he has said he will. We find it very strange that just when we been hearing that maybe new wording or change in the guidance is on the table for home education Mr Gove M.P has not answered last year he was very quick to reply to us and was very helpful any way see email below.<br />
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<div id="receivestrings"><div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><i><span style="color: #1a577b; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 11pt;">:</span></i></b><span style="color: #1a577b; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 11pt;"> 01/09/2010 12:00</span></div></div><div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><i><span style="color: #1a577b; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 11pt;">To:</span></i></b><span style="color: #1a577b; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 11pt;"> <a href="mailto:ministers@education.gsi.gov.uk" title="mailto:ministers@education.gsi.gov.uk">ministers@education.gsi.gov.uk</a></span></div></div><div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><i><span style="color: #1a577b; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 11pt;">Cc:</span></i></b><span style="color: #1a577b; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 11pt;"> <a href="mailto:govem@parliament.uk" title="mailto:govem@parliament.uk">govem@parliament.uk</a></span></div></div><div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><i><span style="color: #1a577b; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 11pt;">Subject:</span></i></b><span style="color: #1a577b; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 11pt;"> Home Education</span></div></div></div><div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div></div><div id="INCREDI_TEXT_AREA"><div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #1a577b; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">Dear Mr Gove M.P</span></div></div><div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div></div><div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #1a577b; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">Can you confirm that you have no plans to bring in news laws on home education for this parliament? Can you also confirm you fully support a parents right to home educate by giving the child a full time suitable education? </span></div></div><div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div></div><div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #1a577b; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">We very concerned because Lord Soley has been writing that the house will return again to this subject!</span></div></div><div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div></div><div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #1a577b; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">You appeared to have a good understanding of home education you where very helpful to home educators last year so we don't want you getting the wrong advice from people who do not understand home education.</span></div></div><div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div></div><div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #1a577b; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">Yours sincerely</span></div></div><div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div></div><div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #1a577b; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">Mr Peter Williams Mrs Carol Williams Master Peter A Williams</span></div></div><div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div></div><div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #1a577b; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">A Home Educating Family</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #1a577b; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">Had reply from our M.P Mr D Hinds who has said he follow it up but so far no word from Mr Gove M.P</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: 'Calibri','sans-serif'; font-size: 11pt;">Dear Mr. and Mrs. Williams and Peter,</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: 'Calibri','sans-serif'; font-size: 11pt;">Thank you for your message. I am sorry you have not yet had any response from Michael Gove but I will follow this up.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: 'Calibri','sans-serif'; font-size: 11pt;">You ask for my view, which hasn’t changed since I visited you at your home some time ago: namely that I believe in a right to home educate subject to certain safeguards. Although most home educating families don’t need safeguards, some do.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: 'Calibri','sans-serif'; font-size: 11pt;">I would not worry about Mr. Gove being led astray by some adviser or other. He is one of the brightest people in public life today and will certainly make up his own mind, having considered the full breadth of evidence and opinion.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: 'Calibri','sans-serif'; font-size: 11pt;">Yours sincerely,</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: 'Calibri','sans-serif'; font-size: 11pt;">Damian Hinds</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn9trsEc9uXUncLb-dx6ObtPBK-486NHDThvljTZj-gOIfv364Ddy8JVc9F38xuKdV6HJ6MnOqF4tkfx8QJdTgdZkXR7ZdDGeIoxFXqXoEjredv9dG6-ELnVh5aE9-17x8y_4540B32AA/s1600/NVE00004.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn9trsEc9uXUncLb-dx6ObtPBK-486NHDThvljTZj-gOIfv364Ddy8JVc9F38xuKdV6HJ6MnOqF4tkfx8QJdTgdZkXR7ZdDGeIoxFXqXoEjredv9dG6-ELnVh5aE9-17x8y_4540B32AA/s320/NVE00004.png" width="320" /></a></div>Above picture is of Peter with England Junior chess squad taking in Montenegro when Peter played for England in european junior chess championships.<br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #1a577b; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';"> </span></div></div></div>Peter and Carolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13834275662603833577noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5335564036152530821.post-98191717348208032010-10-06T07:18:00.000-07:002010-10-06T07:18:26.700-07:00Why we had to home educate Peter<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipwl3UDa_O7GwokJGu6wK5eGbQpXBIAr1vMOHKwkx4GOcwBZD4WeZvDyM9yimeHe0OEpeXlPLOdxmJOr_INDXcWYT_-TfKdnGUVOjKdxs4ikF3wd2TSDmOv8uPF2msZp_q4P9GeZuZ-xY/s1600/DSC00322.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipwl3UDa_O7GwokJGu6wK5eGbQpXBIAr1vMOHKwkx4GOcwBZD4WeZvDyM9yimeHe0OEpeXlPLOdxmJOr_INDXcWYT_-TfKdnGUVOjKdxs4ikF3wd2TSDmOv8uPF2msZp_q4P9GeZuZ-xY/s320/DSC00322.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>It all started a long time ago but come to a head in the year 2003,In the months leading up to June 2003 Peter age 7 had won a number of chess tournaments including some adult chess tournaments.So it become very clear that Peter had a special gift for chess so our idea was that Peter should get off site chess education with a private chess coach for one day a week on a school day.I asked the head teacher if Peter could do this she agreed to this with out any fuss at all! i was quite amazed any way we did this with Peter taking time off from school with the private chess coach and it was working really well,So i thought lets get it all done right in writing that it is ok for Peter to do this.I asked the head to do this and this is when it all went wrong she started to stall and said she needed time to think about it all and would need to contact Hampshire County<span style="background-color: #0b5394;"></span> Council.Which she did and they wrote us a letter saying you could not have more than ten days off per year.The letter was from Hampshire County Councils barrister a Ms Keri Tayor.I spent a great deal of time at the school with the head trying to get her to allow Peter to have off site chess education but it was in possible she had become scared of her LA! We where also told that if Peter took time off for chess it would count as missing school and Education Welfare would take action against us. so after a lot of soul searching we decided to home educate Peter and had no idea how you would go about it so on June 23rd 2003 Peter started home education!<span style="background-color: #3d85c6;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6-ogB6-ae0cZAB3Vl_ttHSwebBP3pGpz6zxZz0U9iZ2Nj0CC3IjTyx41DXPEwbyJnjVDsKdJ4pkrX3iY_OzvoyXKCejKmbF6_ZiP9jMr28NtzG009iqHAoAetBIAj-To9n3AjOp6vdWU/s1600/P1010052.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6-ogB6-ae0cZAB3Vl_ttHSwebBP3pGpz6zxZz0U9iZ2Nj0CC3IjTyx41DXPEwbyJnjVDsKdJ4pkrX3iY_OzvoyXKCejKmbF6_ZiP9jMr28NtzG009iqHAoAetBIAj-To9n3AjOp6vdWU/s320/P1010052.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><span><span style="background-color: #3d85c6;"></span></span>Peter and Carolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13834275662603833577noreply@blogger.com0