Elective Home Education

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 a need for co-operation and partnership.   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: 

• 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
• arrange for a consultant to visit to discuss the educational provision you are offering 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:

• the school has given permission 
• 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 and Disability 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 full time 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 learning 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?
• 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 Multi Media resources?
• 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 offer some 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 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?
• Consider 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 Suffolk school.