The review report

Links to download pdfs of Graham Badman's review report and a letter from Ed Balls to Graham Badman setting out the government's intentions regarding his recommendations can be found on this dcsf page.

It seems that we are to be registered annually, and that this registration will be conditional on our plans being accepted and on our children being able to demonstrate that they've made sufficient 'progress and attainment' in accordance with the approved plan:

Recommendation 7

That parents be required to allow the child through exhibition or other means to demonstrate both attainment and progress in accord with the statement of intent lodged at the time of registration.

Mr Badman has this to say about autonomous learning, on page 36:

10.1 Inevitably during the course of an inquiry, matters arise that require answers, yet either no answer is easily forthcoming, or in searching for it, one becomes aware that the evidence does not exist. In particular I am concerned by two issues. First, what constitutes ‘autonomous’ learning. Could it be, as many home educating parents have argued, it defies definition but provides the ultimate opportunity for children to develop at their own rate and expands their talents and aptitudes thought the pursuit of personal interest. Or, does it present a more serious concern for a quality of education that lacks pace, rigour and direction. I come to no conclusion but believe further research into the efficacy of autonomous learning is essential.

Well, as autonomous learning (although it taught my older children something about the appropriate use of question marks in punctuation) usually defies the kind of planning that will be essential if we are to comply with the other recommendations, further research into its efficacy will not be necessary, because it will be rendered almost impossible for us to deliver.

But no doubt we will persevere.