[Julian]

Originally Posted by Taf

I started giving them home tuition but got a very snotty letter from the school about the methods I was teaching them. Then I was told to attend a meeting with their maths department to explain my actions. I duly attended and gave them merry hell. As did other parents at the meeting. Nothing changed though.

Complaints to each head teacher in turn over the years met with blank looks and empty promises. So I complained to our local council and councilors. More blank looks and empty promises. Our MP never replied to any letters, and was "too busy with other things" at the few meetings I managed to attend.

I requested homework I could guide them though, but none ever appeared.

The only homework either of them ever got was to colour in a picture for RE in secondary school!

Starting from before school age I taught them to read and spell so that they were in the top 10% of their years, despite their disabilities. My daughter has ADHD and Dyscalculia, so it's only been in the past couple of years that arithmetic has started to sink in. Her Statement of Special Education Needs promised specialist aid to overcome Dyscalculia, but guess what? None ever appeared!

I still teach them bits and bobs most days. From general knowledge (which seems to so lacking these days) to DIY, cooking, Home Economics type stuff, gardening, etc. But first we had to set firm foundations with all the basics they should have been taught in school.

Complete respect for you and the perfect answer to the question.