Home Education

Information for those who are Home Educating

So you have decided to Home Educate your child but now what?

People Elect to Home Educate their child for a number of reasons. For some, it is a decision taken early on and their child never attends school, some decide when they realise that school isn't quite the right fit for their child. Others do it as a last resort because they feel they have no other option.

Which ever route you take, the most important pieces of information that you need to know are:

1)Education starts from day 1 and it is your responsibility

2)Home Education does not need to look like school, in fact if your child struggled with the school structure then it is unlikely to benefit them doing the same structure at home.

3)Be your own biggest advocate. You will meet and talk to lots of people who have opinions on Home Education. Remember as a society we are brought up thinking that school is the only way. It is not! There are so many ways of learning.

If you need specific support, please do contact us!

Common Questions

What do I need to do prior to deregistering?

Prior to starting Home Education, I would highly recommend that you join Home Education for All (HEFA) as it is the best resource for Home Educators. The guides are very thorough and will lead you through each step.

To deregister, you will need to send an email to the school with specific wording. I would highly recommend you join the HEFA facebook group which has the up to date templates

What should Home Education Look Like?

The joy of Home Education, is that it looks different for everyone. Your child will learn in a way that suits them. Some children love structured 'lessons', text books, dedicated learning spaces. Some love child led learning, where they learn what they want, how they want.

Remember that your journey will change, especially if your child is recovering from burnout. So allow for flexibility.

Is Home Education Expensive?

This completely depends on you and what you and your child want to do.

Some people use online schools and tutors, which is costly and that is what suits them.

Others buy text books or use online providers such as Edplace or the £2 tuition Hub who are a cheaper option.

There are many who use free resources in their entirety, or mix it up with the cheaper paid options.

BBC Bite Size, Khan Academy are just two examples of the many free resouces out there, in addition use your outdoor space, local museums, parks, woods. Learning really is everywhere. For more information on resources please visit this page

Will the local authority visit me?

No, the Local Authority may ask, but they do not need to visit you. You are responsible for updating them upon request, normally annually, to show that you are providing an appropriate education though.

It is recommended that you keep this in writing, and do not fill out their forms but provide a written response. Full guides on how to do this are written in HEFA

I am worried I can't teach my child, can you help?

Do not panic! Most parents who Home Educate are not teachers. Remember, Home Educating is very different from school. You are not there to teach, but facilitate. There are so many resources out there that you can use to support your child so that they learn what they need to.

You can learn together, watching documentaries, visiting museums, baking, there are many ways that your child can learn.

Young children learn alot through play and older children are more able to follow instructions online or from books too.

You will not need to be sitting there teaching them, but supporting and guiding them through their own journey

It is important to understand however that Home Education isn't always easy and it is not for everyone. Please ensure you read the guides available at HEFA so you are really informed prior to making any decisions.

What about qualifications?

Qualifications are not compulsary for children in the UK, however Education is.

It is up to you and your child to decide whether qualifications are something that you want to do.

Many Home Educated children succesfully sit GCSE/IGCSE's and go to college.

There are also functional skills level 1 & 2 in many subjects, including English & Maths as well as specific qualifications in particular subjects.

Don't think that Home Education limits the possibilities of your child getting formal qualifications, if that is what you wish for them, and is definitely not a barrier to a good career.

Home Education is about tailouring the learning to your child, so they can thrive rather than just about survive.

Please bare in mind that you will be responsible for paying for qualifications, such as GCSE's so you will need to factor this into any decision making.