Home Education
Home Education
There are many reasons parents decide to home-school their children, some children have never entered a school environment and thrive at home education. Many children have attended school and parents have decided that they do not want their child to be part of the restrictive school environment.
So what if you decide to remove your child from school and Home Educate?
Step By Step
Write to the headteacher if you plan to take your child out of school. They must accept if you’re taking your child out completely. They can refuse if you want to send your child to school some of the time (Flexi-School). As a parent, you must make sure your child receives a full-time education from the age of 5 but you don’t have to follow the national curriculum.
Steps
In the United Kingdom, if you’re considering removing your child from mainstream school to home educate, the process generally involves the following steps:
1. Inform the School:
Notify your child’s school of your intention to withdraw them from mainstream education. This is not legally required, but it is courteous and helps maintain a positive relationship with the school. ( Use our De-Registration letter which is free to download )
2. Elective Home Education (EHE) Letter:
Write a letter to your child’s school expressing your intent to educate your child at home. This letter is not legally required but serves as documentation of your decision.
3. Informing Your Local Authority:
While you’re not legally required to inform your local authority of your intention to home-educate, it is advisable to do so especially if your child has an EHCP. This allows the local authority to keep records and offer support or guidance if needed.
4. Accessing Educational Resources:
Plan your child’s home education curriculum. You have the flexibility to choose your own educational resources, such as textbooks, online courses, educational websites, and materials. Please see our free Resources Page
5. Teaching and Record-Keeping:
Begin homeschooling your child based on your chosen curriculum. You don’t need to follow the National Curriculum, but you should provide a well-rounded education that includes subjects like English, mathematics, science, financial literacy, AI & Robotics, and others.
Keep records of your child’s educational progress. This can include samples of their work, photos of activities, and notes on what you’ve covered. These records can be useful if you’re ever asked to provide evidence of your child’s education.
6. Review and Assessment:
In the UK, there is no mandatory annual testing or assessment for homeschooled children, as there is in some other countries. However, the local authority may contact you to arrange an informal meeting or request information about your child’s education. They have the right to ensure that your child is receiving a suitable education.
7. Stay Informed:
Stay informed about any changes in homeschooling regulations or requirements in your area. Laws and regulations regarding homeschooling can vary across different parts of the UK, so it’s essential to keep up to date with any updates or changes.
8. Socialisation and Extracurricular Activities:
Encourage your child to participate in social activities, clubs, and groups outside of the home to ensure they have opportunities for socialisation and a well-rounded education.
9. Consider Future Transitions:
If you plan to reintegrate your child into mainstream education or transition them to college or other educational institutions in the future, be aware of admission requirements and prepare accordingly. Most educational establishments will do an entrance exam for higher education like college or university. If your child is Home Educated they do not need to sit formal exams to enter higher education. This however, is a personal choice for you and your family.
Remember that homeschooling regulations can vary slightly between different parts of the UK, so it’s important to check with your local authority or homeschooling support groups for specific guidance and resources tailored to your area. Additionally, stay informed about any changes in homeschooling laws or regulations that may affect your homeschooling journey.
If your child has special educational needs
Your council may be able to help if your child has special educational needs and you want to educate them at home. You only need to tell them if your child has an education, health and care (EHC) plan.
If the council wants to check on your child’s education
The council can make an ‘informal enquiry’ to check your child is getting a suitable education at home. They can serve a school attendance order if they think your child needs to be taught at school.
Legal action to enforce school attendance
Local councils and schools can use various legal powers if your child is missing school without a good reason. They can give you:
- a Parenting Order
- an Education Supervision Order
- a School Attendance Order
- a fine (sometimes known as a ‘penalty notice’)
You can be given one or more of these but the council doesn’t have to do this before prosecuting you.
Parenting Order
This means you have to go to parenting classes. You’ll also have to do what the court says to improve your child’s school attendance.
Education Supervision Order
If the council thinks you need support getting your child to go to school but you’re not co-operating, they can apply to a court for an Education Supervision Order.
A supervisor will be appointed to help you get your child into education. The local council can do this instead of prosecuting you, or as well.
School Attendance Order
You’ll get a School Attendance Order if the local council thinks your child isn’t getting an education.
You have 15 days to provide evidence that you’ve registered your child with the school listed in the order or that you’re giving them home education. If you don’t, you could be prosecuted or given a fine.
Fine
Your local council can give you a fine of £60, which rises to £120 if you don’t pay within 21 days. If you don’t pay the fine after 28 days you may be prosecuted for your child’s absence from school.
Check your local council’s rules on when you can be fined.
Prosecution
You could get a fine of up to £2,500, a community order or a jail sentence up to 3 months. The court also gives you a Parenting Order.