How to Start Home Educating in the UK

How to Start, Stay Confident & Find Support

Welcome!

If you’re reading this, you’re probably wondering how to start home educating in the UK and perhaps feeling a little nervous, overwhelmed, or unsure where to begin. Maybe you didn’t enjoy school yourself, feel overwhelmed or are anxious about removing your child from a stable school routine. Take a deep breath -you’re not alone.

You don’t need to have a teaching degree, a perfect plan or even fond memories of school. You just need curiosity, care and a willingness to grow alongside your child.

This guide walks you through how to start home educating in the UK, step by step, with encouragement, clarity and compassion.

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You have a legal right to educate your child at home in the UK.

Section 7 of the Education Act 1996 states that it is your duty to ensure your child receives an education – “either by regular attendance at school or otherwise.”

You don’t need:

  • To be a qualified teacher

  • To follow the National Curriculum

  • To register with the local authority (unless they ask)

  • To buy expensive equipment or ready-made courses

Remember: You are legally and morally allowed to choose what works best for your child. It’s your right and your child’s gain.

Read our full guide on your rights here: UK Home Education & the Law

If your child is currently enrolled in a school, you’ll need to formally deregister them. This is a simple letter (we have a free template you can use) sent to the headteacher. Once received, the school must remove your child from the register immediately and notify the local authority.

Note: If your child has never attended school, there’s no need to notify anyone, but you might get a letter from your local authority eventually.

Click here to read more and to download our letter template: Deregistering Your Child from School

Before rushing to buy workbooks and make timetables, pause and decompress, especially if your child has had a difficult experience at school.

This “de-schooling” period allows you and your child to reset, rest and reconnect. Play games. Go for walks. Visit the library. Ask them what they’re curious about. This is valuable learning, even if it doesn’t look like “school.”

Remember: You don’t need to recreate school at home. In fact, you probably shouldn’t. Let your child rediscover the joy of learning at their own pace.

You don’t need rigid schedules, but a simple rhythm to your day helps everyone feel grounded.

Start small:

  • Wake up, have breakfast

  • Short learning time (15–30 mins to start)

  • Project time / crafts / baking

  • Reading together

  • Outdoor play / nature walk

  • Talk about what you did that day

Remember: real life counts. Cooking is maths. Gardening is science. A walk and a good chat is emotional literacy.

Every family finds its own rhythm. You’re not behind, you’re just beginning.

Read our article: The Benefits of Routines for Children to see how small routines help structure your days

There are loads of resources available – you don’t need to buy everything at once. Try a few and see what feels natural.

Common Educational Books and Publishers 

  • Collins (Letts/KS1–KS3) – clear workbooks for English, maths & science

  • Schofield & Sims – traditional, no-frills resources great for core skills

  • CGP Books – funny and colourful with strong curriculum links

  • Hachette Learning – ideal for independent learners or prep-style learning

  • White Rose Education – school-based but widely adapted by home educators. Free downloadable planning.

Online Resources

  • Twinkl – lesson plans, worksheets, topic packs (subscribe or use free trial)

  • UrBrainy – excellent for maths and English (KS1 & KS2)

  • BBC Bitesize – free lessons for all key stages

  • Oak National Academy – ready-to-go video lessons

  • Khan Academy – US-based but very strong for maths & science

Tip: Don’t worry about the “right” resources. Just explore. You’ll find what works best for your child.

Every child learns differently and you can shape your approach around your child’s needs.

Here are a few popular home education styles:

Charlotte Mason

  • Gentle learning, short lessons, nature study, and “living books”

  • Emphasis on beauty, literature, and daily reflection

Mastery-Based Learning

  • Focus on deeply understanding a topic before moving on

  • Common in maths programmes and literacy schemes

Unschooling / Child-led Learning

  • Follows the child’s interests without formal lessons

  • Learning is guided by curiosity, not curriculum

Eclectic / Mix & Match

  • Most home educators do this! A bit of structure, a bit of freedom

  • You shape your week around subjects, hobbies, and your child’s needs

Remember: There’s no one “right” way to do this—only the way that works best for your family.

There are thousands of home educating families in the UK, and many local Facebook groups and meetups.

Start here:

Home education groups are also plentiful on WhatsApp and Telegram – don’t be shy to ask your contacts if they know of one!

Remember: You don’t need to have all the answers before you reach out. Other parents have been exactly where you are—and they’ll help you through.

In Summary

Starting slowly and building confidence over time is one of the best ways to approach how to start home educating in the UK. There is no single formula – just a growing understanding of your child’s needs and how to meet them your way.

If you’re still unsure about home educating in the UK, remember – every experienced home educator was once exactly where you are now: Googling questions, wondering if they could really do it and quietly hoping they were enough. And they were. And you are too!

Need more support? Click here to find out How TechBloq Supports Home Education