HOME schooling could come under constant scrutiny from Government inspectors, a move one St Albans couple fear could undermine the way they educate their children.

Carolyn and Mike Crawshaw joined other parents who home educate in a mass lobby of Parliament last week objecting to the review of elective home education.

Mother-of-five Carolyn said she is concerned about the proposed new rules which would force her to register a plan of action of how she intends to home educate her children and list goals which would be under close watch.

The couple, of Woodstock Road North, worry the intrusion and shift of power from them to the local authority would have a massive impact on their children and family life.

She said: “We think there is no evidence that it's needed. The balance of power is very different at the moment because we have whole responsibility for the education of our children.

“With the change in law the balance of power would be with the Government. They will have an automatic right to enter our homes and comment on the education provisions.”

The eldest of the Crawshaw children, 15-year-old Joe, started off in school but was taken out two terms later after saying he was unhappy.

Carolyn and Mike disagree with the proposed changes because of the current demand for school places – which they say should be the Government's focus.

Mike said: “We will have to prove that we are providing education at home. But the evidence we provide might not necessarily be what the inspectors want to see.

“We believe in letting our children develop at their own pace. But if the review is accepted we will have to write a plan for the year and deliver it. But they might say it's not good enough and that completely effects the way we home educate.”

Ed Balls, sectretary of state for children, schools and families called for the review of current home education in January this year, however, any changes are still to be introduced.