- Is home education legal in England?
Yes, certainly. Although home education has been in the news more often in recent years, home education has always been allowed by law. Section 7 of the Education Act 1996 states it is “the duty of parents to secure education of children of compulsory school age… The parent of every child of compulsory school age shall cause him to receive efficient full time education suitable to his a) age, ability and aptitude AND b) any special educational needs he may have by regular attendance at school or otherwise.” Home education is an education provided ‘otherwise’.
- Do I have to be registered?
Not under the current legislation. If your child is never registered in a state school,you are under no obligation to notify the Local Authority,(LA). If you withdraw your child from state school, you must notify the head teacher you are now providing your child’s education in another way. You do not need to inform them you are home educating. The head teacher IS obliged to notify the LA, so in all probability, you will then be known and be required to reassure the LA your home education is efficient suitable and full time. If your child has special educational needs and is registered in a special school funded by the LA, you will need to apply to have your child’s name removed from the school register before starting your full time home education. Home Ed Success can give advice on how to achieve this. Before the 2010 election there were government proposals to increase regulation and monitoring of home educators. These were not passed. Any advice given by Home Ed Success will be based on the law as exists at the time advice is given. This cannot be guaranteed to remain unchanged, but all clients with packages in force if the law changes will be notified.
- Do I have to use the services of a consultancy to begin home educating?
Definitely not. Many people have started home educating their children with very little support. There are indeed many organisations, web sites and books to help you. There are specific home education email groups where more experienced home educators will help answer your queries for free. See the links for further free help.
- Why should I consider using ‘Home Ed Success’ if I can get information for free?
Whilst the information is readily available via the Internet, sometimes the specific answer to your question can be hard to find amongst the many general articles. Even on email discussion lists, it cannot be guaranteed someone will see or respond to your query. It can save many pointless hours of surfing the Internet to have direct contact with an expert who can answer your personal query within 36 hours. There is a package to suit all home educators.You are not committed to more than 3 months at a time and you may decide you have gained enough experience and a greater support network by then to leave Home Ed Success services. Even the premium package is priced at below your weekly child benefit amount.
- Where can I find out more about home education?
Have a look at the links from this site. They will all answer your basic queries about home education.
- What happens next?
If you have decided Home Ed success can help you, decide which package you want to use. Click on the “subscribe” or “buy now” button and you will be taken to a secure checkout. The details you enter at the checkout will be used for Home Ed success to contact you within 48 hours of receiving your payment. You will be given a unique reference number to use on all emails you send to us.Once email contact has been established, times for phonecalls and dates for visits ( if applicable) will be arranged. You are then fully supported by Home Ed Success. Home Ed Success does not teach your child for you, but advises you how you can be effective in your own home education. From advice on where to buy curriculum, to what’s a good way to store old art work; if you want to discuss aspects of learning or aspects of routine; whatever you need to know we will use our experience to point you in the right direction.