Member

I turn to the point made by the noble Lord, Lord Crisp, about hours. He asked why they are not defined. Of course, this question was partly answered by my noble friend Lady Morris, who rightly identified that the definition of “education” that we use in formal schooling is sometimes, almost by definition, not the form of education that those who have chosen to educate their children outside formal schooling will want to pursue. I hope the noble Lord does not think I am trying to evade the question, but I am trying to say that it is complicated. We have said that a suitable education will vary for each child, depending on their age, ability and aptitude, as well as on whether the child has a special educational need or disability; and that, as such, each individual assessment must rest on a balance of relevant factors depending on the circumstances of each child.