Guidance for parents wishing to home educate their
children
What are the rights and responsibilities of parents?
Parents have a duty to ensure that their children of compulsory
school age receive full-time education suitable to their age,
aptitude and ability. Parents do not have to inform
local authorities of their decision to educate their child at
home, however there is an obvious need for co-operation and
partnership for the benefit of the child. Schools can
only remove a child from the school roll if they receive written
notice from the parents about their decision to educate him or her
at home.
What is suitable education?
The courts have defined a 'suitable education' as one which
prepares a child for life in modern civilised society and enables
him or her to achieve his or her potential. They have
also ruled that education is suitable if it equips a child for life
within the community to which he or she belongs, as long as this
does not reduce the child's chance to adopt some other form of life
in later years, should he or she wish to do so. This is
important where the family have particular religious or cultural
beliefs.
What are the duties of Local Authorities?
The Local Authority (LA) has to ensure that the education each
child receives is suitable to the child's age, ability, aptitude
and any special educational needs. The LA needs to satisfy itself
that:
- the parent is willing and able to ensure that effective
education can be provided
- the child is receiving suitable education.
However in the case of home education:
- the LA has no automatic right of access to the home
- parents are under no duty to provide information
requested
- parents do not need to cover the National Curriculum
- the LA cannot judge home education by its own curriculum
policy
- the LA cannot insist on assessment being made of the
child.
What action will the Local Authority take?
Following notification from a school that parents have decided to
educate their child at home and ask for him/her to be removed from
the role the LA will:
- ask for written confirmation
- make an initial visit to discuss the decision
- arrange for a consultant to visit to assess the suitability of
the proposed education programme.
There is, therefore, an obvious need for co-operation and
partnership between parents and the LA. In cases where the LA
is not satisfied that a child is receiving a suitable education the
LA can:
- send a notice to the parents requiring them to provide evidence
of suitable education
- send a further notice if there is no reply or an unsatisfactory
reply, warning that a School Attendance Order may be served
- serve a School Attendance Order on the parent, naming the
school where the child should be registered.
What evidence of suitable education do parents need to
provide?
Parents can provide evidence in a number of ways.
For example:
- at a meeting with an LA consultant, with or without the child
being present, set out the education being provided
- write a report
- provide samples of work
- have the provision endorsed by a recognised third
party.
What about part-time attendance?
Sometimes it is possible to have a combination of home and school
education provided that:
- a school has given permission authorised by its Governing
Body
- evidence for the arrangements for education other than at
school can be provided and are judged suitable.
This arrangement is called 'flexi-schooling'. Please note that a
school does not have to agree to this arrangement or give reasons
for not agreeing to a request from parents.
What about pupils with special educational needs?
Pupils with a Statement of Special Educational Need can be educated
at home providing the arrangements are judged to be suitable.
Parents whose children are at a Special School must obtain the
consent of the LA before removing them. The LA needs
to continue to hold an annual review and this includes assessing
whether the Statement is still appropriate. Rights of appeal
to the SEN Tribunal still apply.
What could the curriculum look like?
All LA schools teach the National Curriculum.
Children educated at home do not have to follow the National
Curriculum but would be encouraged to do so in subjects where they
expect to take a GCSE examination at 16.
They should, however, follow a curriculum which is broad, balanced
and suitable for their individual needs. The Government
places emphasis on English (literacy), Mathematics (numeracy),
Science and Information and Communication Technology
(ICT).
A good education will ensure a child gains attitudes, skills and
knowledge that fit them to live in and adapt to the challenges of a
rapidly changing world.
- a broad education that introduces a child to the skills and
knowledge of a range of subjects and types of subject which ensure
an opening of the mind
- a balanced education which ensures no one subject area takes up
so much time that there is no room for others, or for creative use
of leisure
- any education must be suitable to the individual needs of the
child. A curriculum plan should therefore take into
account the child's age, aptitudes, ability and any special needs
that they may have.
What should your child study?
A good guide comes from schools where most children study English,
Mathematics, Science, Design and Technology, History, Geography,
Art, Music, Physical Education and Religious Education.
From the age of 11 they may study a modern foreign language as
well. Children also spend time on personal and social issues such
as health and sex education and issues relating to everyday
life. Citizenship has now been added to the National
Curriculum.
Unless parents object, all pupils are taught how to use Information
Technology and computer hardware and software. Older children
receive careers advice to help prepare them for life after
school.
How is your child going to study?
It is important to consider not only what your child will learn but
how they Learn and what approaches suit them best. Not all learning
comes from books or printed sources and where appropriate children
should make use of a variety of media, the Internet and educational
visits.
Children also need to acquire skills as well as knowledge. For
example they need to be encouraged to develop discussion skills,
problem solving skills and social skills. Children ought to
take part in physical education, games and practical work so that
they can develop a range of physical skills.
Often learning involves children taking an active role in their own
work. They carry out experiments, conduct surveys, draw pictures
from real life, interview members of the public and make studies at
real locations.
Remember that good teaching includes regular feedback. Your
child needs to know when something has been done well and, if it
has not, how it could be improved. Successes and failures form the
framework of the learning process and an effective programme
recognises this fact.
Some other points to consider:
Where will your child work?
- Is there a good flat surface to work at?
- Is there somewhere to store books and work?
- Is the working area free from noise and other
distractions?
- Is the space available for your child to work at when it is
needed?
- Is it warm, light and tidy? How well organised will you
be?
- Is there a clear written timetable/programme of study and if
there is, do you keep to it?
- Do you keep a record of work that has been covered and do you
have plans for future work?
- Is each piece of work dated and clearly laid out?
- Is the relationships between different tasks established?
- Are folders and books well maintained so that work is valued
and preserved? What resources will you use?
- Do you have a good supply of stationery such as exercise books,
paper, pens, pencils and rubbers?
- Does your child have access to basic equipment and other
learning tools such as paints, brushes, a pair of compasses, a
calculator and a dictionary?
- Do you have appropriate textbooks for the subjects being
studied?
- Have you checked that the books and other materials are well
matched to your child's age and ability?
- Do you have access to a computer, printer, digital camera (if
appropriate)?
- Do you make use of TV and radio schools' broadcasts, including
means of recording(if appropriate)?
- Do you make use of your local library?
- Have you used the local area as a starting point for learning
(buildings for history, country walks for geography, etc.)?
- Do you take your child to museums and art
galleries? The LA consultant will ask about the
resources you are providing and be able to give some limited advice
if required.
Does your child have Special Educational Needs?
If so you will need to take special care in planning the work
programme so that his/her special educational needs are
met. If your child has a Statement of Special
Educational Needs, the Statement will continue and the special
educational needs described in it will have to be met.
The LA has to monitor the programme carefully and there will
be an annual review. Other agencies such as the Health
Authority and the Social Care Directorate may be involved if
appropriate to the support of your child. Finally
Do think long and hard about your decision:
- It is a great responsibility and a considerable commitment of
time and energy.
- Plan what you intend to do with your child before making a
decision.
- Look at the costs involved - Books? Equipment? Visits? Your
time?
- Plan how you will provide opportunities for your child to be
involved in social activities with other children and groups.
The impetus which comes from such activities may provide a useful
social setting and improve your child's motivation to succeed with
his or her learning.
- Keep your options open as your child's needs may change at
different ages and stages. We will always be willing to
offer a place for your child at a school that can provide for
his/her needs.
Click to download
EOTAS Policy (PDF, 2046Kb).