High levels of homeschooling in Ceredigion (From Tivyside Advertiser)

High levels of homeschooling in Ceredigion

1:18pm Monday 10th September 2012 in News

Ceredigion has the highest number of home schooled children according to a new report.

Figures released by the Welsh Government reveal that 986 pupils were taken out of local authority education to be taught at home last year – compared to 896 in 2010-11.

The latest National Statistics on pupils educated other than at school in Wales found that the area with the most children being home-schooled was Ceredigion with 117 – the highest by 25 pupils.

Cardiff was second highest with 92 children taught in the home, Powys had 99 and Carmarthenshire 82 in the 2011-12 academic year.
 

Education spokesman Simon Thomas AM said: “There is an increase in the number of pupils educated at home. However the majority of children still attend schools run by local councils like Ceredigion.

“The rise is possibly because some parents are concerned about education provision in state schools; secondly it is possible that the whole background noise about failing schools in Wales without any proper context has meant some parents have chosen to educate at home.”

The Mid and West AM added: “Although it is up to parents how they educate their children, it is the Welsh government’s job to create a world class system of public education that every parent would want their child to experience.”

Other statistics showed a sharp fall in the number of pupils attending pupil referral units (PRUs) in Wales, with 100 fewer children on roll last year than in 2010-11.