Home Educating in the UK

Home educating in the UK refers to educating your child at home rather than enrolling them in a traditional school. This form of education is legally known as Elective Home Education (EHE), meaning that parents choose to take responsibility for their child's learning. Families opt for home schooling for various reasons, including dissatisfaction with the traditional school system, a desire for personalised learning, or specific educational philosophies.

The Process of De-registering from School

If your child is already enrolled in a UK school, you must formally de-register them to begin home educating. The process depends on whether your child is attending a mainstream state school or a special needs school.

For Mainstream Schools:
You must inform the school in writing that you are electing to home educate your child. Once this is done, the school must remove your child from the roll. It is not necessary to seek approval from the school or local authority. However, the school will inform the local authority (LA) of the change.
For Special Needs Schools:
If your child attends a special needs school, you will need the permission of the local authority before de-registering your child. This is due to the additional support and provisions that may be in place for your child at school, which need to be considered in the home education context.

Reporting to the Local Authority

Although you do not need approval to home educate, the local authority (LA) has a duty to ensure that every child is receiving a "suitable education" as outlined in the Education Act 1996. Once you de-register, the LA may contact you to inquire about your home education plans. They might ask for information on how you intend to educate your child and may request periodic updates or visits, although you are not legally required to allow visits to your home.

You should be prepared to provide evidence that your child is receiving an education suitable to their age, ability, and any special educational needs. This might include:

A general overview of your home education approach or curriculum
Samples of work or evidence of progress
A written plan outlining educational activities

Each LA operates slightly differently, so it's essential to understand the expectations in your local area.

Home Educating and Alternative Education Providers

If you choose to enrol your child in an alternative education provider like The Home School Project, it’s important to note that your child will still be considered home-educated in the eyes of the law. This is because most alternative education providers, including online providers, are not accredited by the Department for Education (DfE). Therefore, parents remain responsible for their child’s education under Elective Home Education (EHE) regulations.

When using alternative education providers:

Your child must be officially de-registered from any previous school, and
You are still required to comply with the local authority’s requirements for home education.

Many families use alternative schools to supplement or fully manage their child's education, while still fulfilling their legal obligations as home educators.

The Importance of Record-Keeping

While home educating, it is advisable to keep detailed records of your child’s progress, even though it's not legally required. This helps to demonstrate to the local authority that your child is receiving a suitable education and can be helpful if you ever decide to re-enrol them in mainstream education.

Conclusion

Home educating in the UK is a flexible and legal alternative to traditional schooling. By following the correct procedures for de-registering from school and maintaining a transparent relationship with the local authority, families can provide a personalised and fulfilling education for their children. For those seeking additional structure, alternative education providers such as The Home School Project offer valuable support while still allowing the flexibility of Elective Home Education.