Cookie settings.

This site uses cookies to make the site simpler. To find out more visit cookies and privacy.

[Skip to content]

Home education

Home education

Things to consider before you decide

If you're thinking about educating your child at home we encourage you to first think about your reasons. 

If these are to do with issues at your child's school, we strongly advise you try to resolve these issues before home educating.

If the relationship with the school has broken down you can apply to another school. Visit the in year admissions page to find out how to do this.

Costs

You'll be financially responsible for providing your child with a suitable education - there is no funding for home education. 

You'll need to take into account the cost of all resources and activities relating to home education, such as:

  • Books and study materials
  • Educational apps and websites
  • Attending home education groups and activities
  • Trips
  • Exam entry fees
  • Tutors


Teaching and education

You must be able to provide a suitable, full time education and take into account your child's ability, age and any special educational needs.

You'll need to think about teaching your child. You don't have to be a qualified teacher and you don't have to follow the National Curriculum. 

Education can happen at any time of the day or week. If you have to work then you will need to think about how this would work for you and your family.

Long term plans

If you would like your child to return to school at some point it is useful to use the National Curriculum as a guide.  

If you would like your child to go onto Further Education then you should consider the importance of sitting Maths and English GCSEs.

The Home Education Officer is able to offer advice on suitable exam boards and local centres which allow private candidates. Further information is also available below. 

You'll need to inform the school in writing that you wish to educate your child at home and remove them from the school roll. The school will then inform us.

To help you do this you can use the following sample letters: 

     

If your child has an Education, Health and Care Plan and attends a special school you can still  home educate, but you need to get the consent of the special educational needs team.

They will still maintain and review the Education, Health and Care Plan.

We have a duty to try to identify children who are not receiving a suitable education.

When we're told you're home educating we will:

  • Offer advice and support to parents
  • Add you to our home education register and send you an information leaflet, including an outline plan form for you to complete and return
  • Offer you an introductory meeting (either in person or virtual), within 4-6 weeks, to discuss your plans and early experiences
  

Reviews

A chance to talk about:

  • Your plans for home education
  • Your experiences of home education so far
  • Whether you need any help and support
  • The activities and learning you've done with your child

The appointment can be held in person (at a location of your choosing) or virtually (via MS Teams or WhatsApp). You don't have to agree to the visit. You can provide an evidenced written report of the education you're providing instead.

We aim to encourage an open, honest and supportive relationship with families who are home educating.

Following the initial appointment (or evidenced report), if the education is deemed suitable, we won’t need to be in contact for 12 months, when we will contact you for an annual review.

If you need extra support

If we deem the education unsuitable the home education officer will make some recommendations for improvement and support. These will be put in writing and reviewed within 4 to 6 weeks.

You'll need to arrange GCSE exams with a centre that accepts private candidates.

For summer exams you'll need to register by the end of January of that year. 

As a private candidate it's likely you'll be charged an administration and exam entry fee.

To find a centre read the local centres accepting candidates for GCSEs (PDF document).

An exam centre has been created specifically for EHE (Elective Home Education) pupils with provision for children with disabilities and ASD (Autistic Spectrum Disorder) traits. The centre is called FareGos Exam Centre.  Visit the FareGos website or email exams@faregos.org for more details.

Give website feedback

Feedback is good Feedback is average Feedback is poor
Back to top