Home education in England: rules, permission and duties

In England, parents have the right to educate their child at home instead of at school — this is called home education, or elective home education. You can teach entirely at home or part-time. Here is what you need to do, what your duties are and when you need the council's permission.

Do you need anyone's permission?

If your child already attends school, you must tell the school about moving to home education. For a full withdrawal the school must take the child off its roll when you ask; but a part-time arrangement, where the child spends some time at school and some at home, is one the school can refuse. You usually do not need special permission for home education itself.

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When is permission needed?

You do need the local council's permission in two cases: if the child is subject to a school attendance order, and if a child with special educational needs attends a special school. If a child with special needs attends a mainstream school — even with an EHC plan — no separate permission is needed.

What must the education be like?

From age 5 a child must receive a full-time education, but at home you do NOT have to follow the national curriculum. You choose the form, the timetable and the methods yourself. The law's main requirement is that the education must be "suitable": fit for the child's age, ability and any special needs.

How does the council check?

The local council can make an informal enquiry to satisfy itself that the child is getting a suitable education. If the council decides the child does need to be at school, it can serve a school attendance order. You would then have to return the child to school or challenge the order through the proper process.

Who is responsible for what?

With home education, parents are responsible for the education and its cost: the state does not have to pay for books, tutors, equipment or exams. There is no constant monitoring by the council, but it can step in if it thinks the education is unsuitable. So it helps to keep examples of the work done and a plan of lessons: they make it easy to answer a council enquiry.

How to start

If your child attends school, write to the school asking to move to home education. If the child has not yet started school, you simply do not enrol them and arrange the education yourself. Plan the programme in advance and think about how you will show the council the education is "suitable": this heads off most questions and disputes.