'Some of these parents have difficulty spelling 'Bob' backwards'

COUNCILLOR'S SHOCK AT HOME-SCHOOLING RULES

- By DANIEL HODGSON Local democracy reporter

A MIDDLESBROUGH councillor has said it is “unbelievable” that parents do not need any qualifications to electively home-educate their children.

Independent Councillor Joan McTigue shared her views during the first meeting of the newly formed Children's Scrutiny Panel.

There has been an increase, nationally and locally, in the number of children who are electively home-educated. The figure in Middlesbrough is currently 321.

This means that a growing number of children are being taught by their parents at home, rather than being in a traditional school setting.

Cllr McTigue said: “With regard to home education, I’ve seen snippets on social media of people who educate their children at home and I found it very worrying.”