Key facts about home education

• Parents do not need to be qualified teachers to home educate
• Parents do not need to employ tutors if they do not wish to
• Parents do not need to teach the National Curriculum, a broad and balanced curriculum, or provide formal lessons or national tests
• Parents do not need to match school based standards for children of a particular age
• Parents do not need to work to a fixed timetable or to set hours, days or terms
• Parents do not need premises equipped to any particular standards
• If your child is on the register at a school, it is vital that you write to the chair of the governing body removing your child’s name from the school roll before beginning to home educate. If you keep your child at home without taking them off the roll you could be prosecuted for your child’s non attendance.
• Local authorities have no legal duty to provide financial or other support to elective home educators (i.e. those who choose to home educate rather than take up a school place). It is good practice for them to offer advice
• Local authorities have no powers to enter your home but they do have a duty to check that suitable education is being provided.
• Suitable education is defined in law to be education that is right for your child’s age, ability, aptitude and any special educational needs they may have
• If your local authority is satisfied that your arrangements are suitable it does not have to arrange the help on your child’s statement if they have one but must continue to review it at least annually. You must be invited to the annual review meeting and must be able to show that you are fulfilling your legal duty to meet your child’s SEN.

More advice from Education Otherwise 0870 730 0074 www.education-otherwise.org

and the Home Education Advisory Service 01707 371854 www.heas.org.uk