Home education

These notes are to help those parents and carers who are considering the possibility of educating their child or children at home.

If you have any queries, please do not hesitate to contact The Elective Home Education Team on 01274 439340 or at ElectiveHEducation@bradford.gov.uk.

Guidance for parents on Elective Home Education

Information for parents/carers who are considering educating their child/children at home. This is often referred to as 'education otherwise' in Section 7 of the Education Act 1996 (previously Section of the 1944 Education Act) which states:

"It shall be the duty of the parent of every child of compulsory school age to cause her or him to receive efficient full-time education suitable to her/his age, aptitude and ability (and to any special educational needs she/he may have) either by attendance at school or otherwise".

This means that parents/carers have a legal responsibility to ensure that their child is educated but this does not have to be in school.

Deciding to educate your child or children at home is a major step which takes up a very considerable amount of your time, energy and money. It is hoped that these guidance notes will help you decide whether you can provide the best education at school, in partnership with you.

Some first thoughts for you

Do:

• Think long and hard. You alone will be responsible for ensuring that your child/children receives a broad and balanced education "suitable to her/his age, aptitude and ability". 
• Plan what you intend to do with your child/children before making a decision. 
• Look at the possible costs involved – books? equipment? visits? tutors? 
• Remember that your child/children may well miss the social side of school, joint activities, group work, friendship, as well as access to specialised facilities and equipment. 
• Think carefully if your child is approaching GCSEs. Find out what the implications of this will be.

Don't decide to educate your child at home:

• Because you have had a disagreement with a Headteacher, other members of staff or Governors. Try to talk with the people involved. 
• If you have not been sending your child/children to school on time or regularly. 
• Because your child is putting pressure on you to allow them to stay at home rather than go to school, or they refuse to go. Speak to the school who will be able to give you help and advice on the best way to resolve these kinds of issues. 
• As a final 'once and for all' decision. You may well decide that you cannot teach your child/children as they get older and that you cannot make arrangements for all curriculum areas and examinations.

Does my child have to go to school?

The Education Act 1996 imposes a duty on parents/carers to "secure the education of their children..... of compulsory age " (5 to 16 years) but this can be done "otherwise than at school". For most children this means that they will normally go to school, but for various reasons a small number of parents decide to undertake the responsibility of educating their children outside the school systems.

Do I need anyone's permission?

No. But the Local Authority (LA) has a responsibility to make sure that your child's education meets the requirements of the Education Act.

What will happen if I don't notify the school or LA?

If your child is on a school register and not attending, then that non-attendance will be followed up by school. It remains your responsibility to notify the school.

What are parents' responsibilities?

Under Section 7 of the 1996 Act parents of children not attending a school need "to cause (the child) to receive efficient full time education suitable to his (or her) age, ability and aptitude and to any special educational needs he (or she) may have either by regular attendance at school or otherwise".

Does this mean I have to follow the National Curriculum?

No. You do not have a legal duty to provide your child with the National Curriculum although you may find it useful to know what it is and to follow it if practical. It will provide you with a useful framework for levels of achievement across the subjects. It will also help if your child returns to school in the future.

Currently, those subjects included in the National Curriculum are English, Mathematics and Science as core subjects with Technology, History, Geography, Art, Music, Physical Education, Modern Foreign Languages (from age 11) and Religious Education (unless parents exercise their right to withdraw a child).

Many of the commercially produced workbooks available from bookshops now relate their content to the National Curriculum.

Do I have to work school hours?

No. Full time does not mean necessarily working school hours or working for 25 hours a week. 

Do I have to provide all the education?

No. But it is your responsibility to ensure that an efficient programme of work is provided. This can be done by the parent or parents. You can also use suitable friends or pay for specialist teaching; however, it is your responsibility to ensure that any tutors/teachers are suitably qualified and experienced to teach your child/children. You are also advised to remain at home when a tutor is teaching your child. Remember your child needs may change at different ages. The level of education you provide should not restrict opportunities for your child in their future.

Will the LA give me any support?

No. It is the LA’s responsibility to act only if it appears a suitable education is not taking place. The LA may make informal enquiries about your provision and may be able to offer advice. If you decide to return your child to school, the LA will be happy to advise you.

Can I educate my child part-time at home and in school?

Yes. It is called flexi schooling but this is only if the headteacher is in agreement. Some colleges of further education will support education otherwise by allowing access to courses but the financial responsibility for these courses remain with the parents.

Can I change my mind?

Yes. You can seek a place in a school at anytime. If the school of your choice is full in your child's year group you do have right of admission appeal. Sometimes a decision to educate a child at home is short term but please inform the LA if you decide your child will be returning to school.

Ideally the home educator will regularly re-assess the decision to home educate as the child grows and circumstances change. The LA and school will help with a plan for re-introduction to school.

What do I need to check before making a decision?

• You have the time to devote to your child's education on a regular basis. 
• You are convinced it is the best course of action for you child. 
• You have the space available for a quiet working area. 
• There are opportunities for physical exercise. 
• You are prepared to buy the necessary resources or have access to them. 
• You have the necessary expertise to teach your child effectively. 
• You have some support available. 
• Social experiences with other children are available.

The next steps

If you have considered all aspects carefully and decided to go ahead with education other than at school, confirm this in writing to the school. You will receive information from the Local Authority when the school notifies us that your child is no longer on roll. An officer will contact you in the future to discuss the education you are providing for your child. If the provision is 'suitable' you will be able to continue to educate your child other than at school. If the provision is not suitable you will be given suggestions as to how to improve the provision. If your child is not receiving suitable full time education then the Local Authority may instruct you to send your child back to school.

• Read Bradford's Elective Home Education Procedures (PDF, 107 Kb)

Further support and guidance for parents can be found at www.gov.uk/government/publications/elective-home-education - parents are encouraged to read this guidance.

For information and sources of help and advice

Home Education Advisory Service
PO Box 98, Welwyn Garden City, Herts AL8 6AN
Telephone: 01707 371854
Email: enquiries@heas.org.uk

Education Otherwise
PO Box 3761
Swindon
SN2 9GT
0845 478 6345
Website: www.educationotherwise.org

Joint Council for Qualifications
Ground Floor
4 Millbank
London
SW1P 3JA
020 7638 4132
info@jcq.org.uk

Contact for the addresses of examining boards.

National Extension College
The Michael Young Centre, Purbeck Road, Cambridge CB2 2HN
Telephone: 0800 389 2839
Email: info@nec.ac.uk
www.nec.ac.uk/contact/

Provides open learning through its correspondence college. Offers GCSE and A level courses, tutors, handbooks, technical guides and practical guides. Supplies and annual publications/catalogue.

Results College
Tuition House, 27/37 George's Road, Wimbledon SW19 4DS
Telephone: 020 8944 3100

World-wide Education Service
Waverley House, Penton, Carlisle, Cumbria CA6 5QU
Telephone: 01228 577123

Christian Education Europe
Maranatha House, Unit 5, Northford Close, Shrivenham SN6 8HL
Telephone: 01793 783783
Website: www.christian-education.org

Other organisations

Bradford Parent and Young People’s Partnership Service

Telephone: 01274 481183 

ACE (Advisory Centre for Education)

ACE Education, 72 Durnsford Road, London, N11 2EJ

Telephone: for business and training related enquiries only: 020 8888 3377 
For the ACE Adviceline - 0300 0115 142

Email: enquiries@ace-ed.org.uk for general enquiries about ACE and its services, or training@ace-ed.org.uk for training related enquiries.

Contact us 

The Elective Home Education Team

Phone: 01274 439340
Email: ElectiveHEducation@bradford.gov.uk