Home Education

Educating Your Child At Home

Whilst it is compulsory for children to be educated, it does not necessarily have to be undertaken at a school.  Some parents prefer to arrange for their child to be educated at home either by themselves or by a private tutor.   

If you are considering home education for your child, please think it through carefully and discuss the issue with your child’s school or the LEA (Local Education Authority).  Are you sure home education is in the best interests of your child, a school normally has better access and knowledge of the national curriculum and will help your child to learn to communicate and socialise with other children which cannot always be achieved through home education.

If your child is unhappy or having problems at their current school, ask to meet with their head teacher to see if the issues can be resolved before removing your child.  

Guidelines

If you are considering home education, the following points will provide some general guidance.

• The decision on how to educate a child is the responsibility of the parents/guardian, this is defined under Section 7 of the Education Act 1996.

• Home educators do not have to follow the national curriculum or keep to school hours but they must ensure the child is given full-time education that is effective and suitable for that child, taking in consideration their age, ability, aptitude and any special educational needs.  

• If the child is currently enrolled in a school, the parents/guardian must inform the school in writing that they intend to remove their child and will be providing education at home.   If the child has not yet started school, the parents/guardians have no legal obligation to inform the Local Education Authority (LEA) of their intention to home educate but it is advisable to do so.  It is also helpful to keep LEA informed of any major changes in circumstances such as any change of address.

• Parents/guardians will be expected to provide proof that their child is receiving suitable education at home, how this is accomplished and timescales should be agreed from the on-set usually during a meeting between the parents/guardian and LEA. Proof will normally be ascertained by inspectors asking to view examples of work, this can either be done at your home or at a neutral venue or it may be possible for a mutally acceptable third party to endorse the education being provided.  

• If the LEA suspects that a child who is of compulsory school age is not receiving education that is full-time or suitable to their requirements, whether this is at a school, home or by any other means, a notice will be served on the parents/guardian requesting them to provide evidence that their child is receiving adequate education, if this cannot be achieved a school attendance order may be issued.

• The LEA is not able to provide parents/guardians with any grants or funds to help provide home education.    It will wherever possible provide advice and guidance.

• All schools follow the national curriculum, and home educators would be advised to follow suit.   The QCA maintains and developes the national curriculum and associated assessments, tests and examinations on behalf of the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, their details can be found on their website www.qca.org.uk