LEARNING WITHOUT LIMITS Weekend ..Info

Been asked to spread the word

I would love to be able to go to this. John Taylor Gatto:o))

LEARNING WITHOUT LIMITS: A CELEBRATION OF CHOICE, DIVERSITY AND FREEDOM IN
EDUCATION

Arbroath, Angus, Scotland
Friday 12th September - Sunday 14th September 2008

A weekend long event hosted by Scotland's national home education support
organisation, Schoolhouse, in co-operation with Angus Arts and part funded
by Awards for All, to mark International Freedom in Education Day 2008.

A one day formal conference on Friday 12th September will focus on the broad
theme of
freeing education from the constraints of traditional schooling and will run
in parallel with a weekend programme of family orientated arts and heritage
activities in the home of the famous Declaration of Arbroath.

***PROGRAMME INFORMATION***

FORMAL CONFERENCE
Date: Friday 12th September, 9.30am-4.30pm
Venue: Webster's Memorial Theatre, Arbroath

This event is aimed at all those with an interest in educational rights and
freedoms, including policy makers, formal and informal educators, youth and
community workers, children's reporters, representatives from children's and
family support organisations, parents, academics, researchers and learners
aged 12 and over. (Please note that this event is not suitable for children
under 12).

The confirmed keynote speakers are:

John Taylor Gatto:
Three times New York City teacher of the year and
renowned international speaker and author of many books on educational
reform, including Dumbing Us Down: the hidden history of compulsory
schooling and The Underground History of American Education

Iain Nisbet:
Solicitor and partner at Govan Law Centre's Education Law Unit
in Glasgow which works in partnership with schools, education authorities,
parents' groups and charities to make rights in education a reality.

The finalised programme will include workshop and panel sessions, as well as
plenty of informal networking opportunities.

ARTS & HERITAGE ACTIVITY DAY
Date: Friday 12th September, 9.30am-4.30pm
Venue: Arbroath Community Centre

Schoolhouse has teamed up with local charity Angus Arts (run by home
educators) who will be organising a programme of arts activities for
participants of all ages in the local community centre. We are also hoping
to secure the involvement of the Arbroath Pageant Society, and local history
expert Jim McGugan will organise tours of the historic Abbey

INFORMAL CONFERENCE & FAMILY ACTIVITIES
Date: Saturday 13th September, 9.30am-4.30pm
Venue: Arbroath Community Centre

This will be a more informal day aimed exclusively at families
rather than organisations. John Taylor Gatto will deliver a second
presentation in the morning and there will be a number of workshop sessions
focusing on specific areas of interest to families as well as opportunities
for informal discussion. Arts and heritage activities will run alongside the
conference and workshop sessions.

EVENING ENTERTAINMENT
Date: Saturday 13th September

Details and venue to be confirmed, but we plan to hold a traditional ceilidh
evening.

CLOSING SESSION
Date: Sunday 14th September, morning only
Venue: Arbroath Community Centre

This will provide an opportunity for participants to reflect on the previous
two days' activities and discussions and consider ways forward for
freethinking educators. The morning's programme will be informal and
flexible.

***EVENT COSTS***

The following ticket costs for the 2.5 day event apply to home educating
families and individuals only.
Adult: £25
Young Person (5-17): £15
Under 5: FREE

[These costs do not apply to delegates representing public, private or
voluntary organisations at the formal Friday conference
who will be required to book separately].

***BOOKING INFORMATION***

Parental Responsibility
Parents will remain responsible for their children at all times and will
be expected to accompany them during activities. We regret that children
under the age of 12 will not be admitted to the formal conference on Friday
12th, but we plan to record the event and make a DVD available to
conference participants at a later date.

Venues
A map of the venues will be sent with booking confirmation. Arbroath is
located approximately 14 miles north of Dundee and 50 miles south of
Aberdeen (nearest airport). It is easily accessible by public transport and
is on the main Aberdeen-London rail route.

Accommodation
Information about local accommodation will be sent with booking
confirmation. There is a static caravan site on the edge of the town, a good
selection of local B&Bs, guest houses and hotels, as well as campsites
within easy reach of the town. Dundee is the nearest city with a range of
accommodation options.

Confidentiality
Your details will be used for event administration purposes only.
Schoolhouse will never disclose your contact information to third parties
without your express consent.

Images
Photographic documentation and video recording may take place throughout the
event. If you prefer not to have your images used, please let conference
staff know when you register.

Cancellation Policy
Fees for bookings cancelled more than 28 days prior to the date of the
conference will be refunded in full. No refunds will be made within 28 days
of the event, but substitute participants may be registered. All
cancellations and substitutions must be
made in writing and confirmed in writing by Schoolhouse.

Full details will shortly be posted on our website, but please do not
hesitate to contact us for further information in the meantime. We very much
hope you will be able to join us for our celebration of
freedom in education!

CONTACT US:

Schoolhouse Home Education Association, PO Box 18044, Glenrothes, Fife KY7
9AD
E: media@schoolhouse.org.uk
T: 01307 463120 (answering machine - please leave a message and we will call you back)
W: www.schoolhouse.org.uk

Schoolhouse is a Recognised Scottish Charity No SC026965