Homeschooling 

## Educating Your Child at Home

Parents and carers can choose to educate their child at home instead of sending them to school. This is often known as home education, sometimes called elective home education or home schooling. Home education can be done full-time, and in some situations families may explore flexible arrangements.

Your local council may be able to offer advice or guidance if you decide to educate your child at home.

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Informing the School

If your child currently attends school and you decide to educate them at home full-time, you should notify the school of your decision. Schools must accept your request if you plan to remove your child completely from school for home education.

However, schools do not have to approve part-time attendance where a child attends school for some lessons and is taught at home for the rest.

If your child is attending school because of a School Attendance Order, you must first get permission from your local council before switching to home education.

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Education Requirements

In the UK, children must receive a full-time education from the age of five. When educating your child at home, you are not required to follow the national curriculum. However, the education you provide should be suitable for your child’s age, ability, and needs.

The local council may contact you to make an informal enquiry to ensure your child is receiving a suitable education. If they believe a child is not receiving appropriate education, they may issue a School Attendance Order requiring the child to attend school.

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Children With Special Educational Needs (SEN)

If your child has special educational needs and attends a special school, you will need permission from the local council before you can educate them at home.

If your child attends a mainstream school, you usually do not need council permission, even if they have an Education, Health and Care (EHC) plan.

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Further Guidance

For more detailed information, you can review official guidance on elective home education. This guidance explains:

- The legal responsibilities of parents who educate their child at home  

- The role and responsibilities of local councils  

- What suitable home education may look like in practice

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Home education is a significant responsibility, but many families choose it because it allows learning to be tailored to a child’s individual needs and interests.