Home Education - FAQs
- Is it legal?
- How do I start?
- What happens when I withdraw my child from school?
- Can I home educate a child with a Special Needs Statement?
- What if my child is in a special school?
- How does compulsory school age affect home educators?
- Will I be checked or monitored in any way?
- Will I have to arrange for SATs testing?
- Do I have to teach the National Curriculum?
- Can my child still take exams?
- What is 'flexi-schooling'?
Is it legal? Yes. Home Education is legal in all parts of the UK. You do not need to be a teacher or have any other special qualifications.
How do I start? If your child has never been to school, there is no action for you to take prior to starting home education. However, if your child is in school you must formally de-register by writing to the head teacher and say that you intend to teach your child at home.
What happens when I withdraw my child from school? The LA will almost certainly want to discuss the educational provision you have planned. Many LAs provide advice and helpful support for families who wish to home educate. If you refuse to respond to their informal questions LAs are permitted under case law to assume that you are failing to provide any education and ultimately issue a School Attendance Order (which will force you to return your child to school). You may challenge the Order in court by providing evidence that proper educational provision is being made.
Can I home educate a child with a Special Needs Statement? Yes. There is no law prohibiting the home education of statemented children provided they are not attending a special school, in which case you will need the consent of the LA. However, you need to be able to show that you can provide for these special needs should the LA enquire.
What if my child is in a special school? If your child has special needs and attends a special school, you need permission from the local authority to de-register and ensure you can otherwise cater for his or her special needs.
How does compulsory school age affect home educators? As a parent, you must provide an education for your child during 'compulsory school age' (age 5 to 16). The law says that this can be at home.
Will I be checked or monitored in any way? The local authority (LA) has a duty to ensure that you are providing efficient and suitable education for your child. Many parents whose children have never been to school or have moved home since leaving school are unknown to their LA and therefore have no monitoring. However, the Department believes that positive relationships and mutual respect between local authorities and parents is the best way of ensuring that the best interests of the child are safeguarded.
Will I have to arrange for SATs testing? SATs testing is only a requirement at state schools and is therefore not relevant to home education. Your child will not be tested by the LA.
Do I have to teach the National Curriculum? The National Curriculum only applies to state schools. As a home educator it is up to you and your child what, how and when you study.
Can my child still take exams? Yes, you can arrange for children to take exams as external candidates at various exam centres such as colleges of further education. You will need to contact colleges and make enquiries and talk to other home educators in your area. However, there are no grants available to cover the costs.
What is 'flexi-schooling'? This is an arrangement between the parent and the school where the child is registered at school in the normal way but where the child attends the school only part time; the rest of the time the child is home-educated. "Flexi-schooling" is a legal option but you will need the agreement of the headteacher at the school concerned and, in most cases, the local authority as well. Some of the advantages and disadvantages of 'flexi-schooling' are referred to on the Home Education UK's website
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