UK HOME EDUCATION & THE LAW:

Home education (often called “homeschooling”) is a fully legal and respected option for families across the UK. Whether your child has never been to school, or you’re withdrawing them partway through their education, it’s important to know that you are not alone, and you do not need permission to take charge of your child’s learning.

This article explains your rights, what to expect from your local authority, and how to approach common concerns with confidence.

What Does UK Law Say?

Under Section 7 of the Education Act 1996, parents are legally responsible for ensuring their child receives an education:

“…either by regular attendance at school or otherwise.”

That word – “otherwise” – is the foundation of home education in England and Wales (with similar laws in Scotland and Northern Ireland). It means you don’t need to use a school if you are providing a suitable education at home.

You do not need:

• To be a qualified teacher

• To follow the National Curriculum

• To use set hours or traditional subjects

• To register with the local authority (unless specifically required)

Who Can Home Educate?

Any parent or legal guardian in the UK can home educate, either full-time or part-time. You may choose this route for academic, lifestyle, special needs, religious, philosophical, or emotional reasons – or simply because school isn’t the right fit for your child.

What If My Child Has Never Been to School?

If your child has never been enrolled at a school, you are not legally required to notify anyone that you’re home educating. However:

• Your local authority may still contact you if they become aware your child is not registered at a school (e.g. via GP, housing, benefits records, etc.).

• If contacted, you can politely confirm you are home educating. You do not need to accept visits, but it is helpful to respond and provide some information about your educational approach to avoid escalation.

Important: Home education is not “hiding” your child – it’s a lawful choice. Engaging calmly and confidently when contacted is the best approach.

What if My Child was Previously in School?

If your child is currently on roll at a school and you want to home educate, you must send a deregistration letter to the school. The school must remove your child from the register immediately and inform the local authority.

You do not need permission to deregister, except in one case:

If your child attends a special school by arrangement of an EHCP, you must seek local authority consent first.

For our guide on how to deregister your child from school, click here: Deregistering Your Child from School (England)

What Happens After I Deregister?

Once the local authority is informed of your deregistration, they are likely to contact you within a few weeks or months to ask for evidence that your child is receiving a “suitable education.”

You are not required to:

• Accept a home visit

• Show your child to them

• Follow the school timetable

• Use a particular curriculum

You are encouraged to:

• Respond politely and with confidence

• Provide a brief summary of your educational approach (e.g. a written outline, examples of work, progress notes)

• Maintain records for your own peace of mind and in case questions arise in future

Remember, the local authority’s role is to ensure children are being educated, not to inspect, supervise, or manage your methods.

What the Local Authority Cannot Do:

Here are some common myths:

They cannot force you to follow the National Curriculum
They cannot require you to accept home visits
They cannot demand to see your child
They cannot revoke your right to home educate without legal process

However, if the local authority believes the education you’re providing is unsuitable and you do not respond to their inquiries, they may issue a School Attendance Order (SAO) – but this is rare and typically follows extended lack of engagement.

What is a “Suitable Education”?

The law doesn’t define this strictly, but it is widely accepted that education must be:

• Efficient – It achieves what it sets out to do

• Full-time – Not measured by school hours, but regular and ongoing

• Suitable – Tailored to your child’s age, ability, aptitude and special needs

This could mean structured lessons, project-based learning, real-world experiences, online resources, or a mix of everything. You decide.

Tips for Nervous Parents

• You are your child’s legal educator – not the school or the local authority

• Home education doesn’t have to be perfect to be effective

• You can take time to de-school, adjust and explore what works

• Support groups (local and online) are invaluable for connection and advice

• You don’t have to “replicate school” at home

Home educating is a valid, empowering choice – your child doesn’t need to be in school to thrive.

Possible Future Laws Around Home Education

While home education is currently a legal and parent-led choice in the UK, there have been several recent proposals for legislative changes that may affect how families home educate in the future.

The Proposed Schools Bill (2022)

In 2022, the UK government introduced the Schools Bill, which included proposals to increase oversight of home education. Although the bill was later withdrawn, the ideas within it are still under discussion and may be reintroduced in some form.

Key proposals included:

• A mandatory register of all home-educated children, maintained by local authorities

• More defined powers for local authorities to assess the suitability of home education

• Possible introduction of minimum standards or curriculum guidance for home education

What Does This Mean for You?

Currently, none of these changes are law and you are not required to register or follow the National Curriculum. However, it’s wise to stay informed and build a positive, responsive relationship with your local authority if contacted.

Final Reassurance

Thousands of families in the UK home educate every year – some for a short while, others long-term. If you’re feeling uncertain, know that you are well within your rights and help is always available. You can take your time, learn alongside your child and adjust as you go.

Your relationship with your child, your values and your ability to respond to their needs is far more powerful than any pre-set curriculum.

Useful Links

• GOV.UK – Educating Your Child at Home

• Education Act 1996 – Section 7

• Education Otherwise – Home Education Support

• Home Education Advisory Service (HEAS)

Disclaimer

The information provided on this page is for general guidance only and reflects our understanding of current home education laws in the UK. TechBloq is an educational support centre and not a legal authority. We are not qualified to offer legal advice and families are encouraged to consult official government sources or seek independent legal advice if they are unsure about their rights or obligations under the law.