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All parents have a duty to ensure that their children receive an efficient, full time education suitable to their age, ability and aptitude, either by regular attendance at school or otherwise (under Section 7 of the Education Act 1996).

The law does allow parents to educate their children at home instead of sending them to school, if they fulfil certain conditions.

When a parent decides to withdraw their child from school to home educate, it is important that they notify the school where the child is registered.  The school will then remove the child from their register and inform the Local Authority (LA). Although parents are not legally required to inform their LA, we suggest that they do so to ensure that the LA is aware of the change.  

Additionally, it is recommended that parents also inform their LA of any significant changes in their circumstances relevant to the effective education of their child e.g. a change of address.

Further guidelines can be found in the Downloads section on the right.

LA's responsibilities

The LA will need to be satisfied that a child is receiving suitable education at home, and will probably ask to meet with the family in order to talk to the parent and to look at examples of work and learning.  LAs have no automatic right of access to a parent’s home.  However, parents may, if they wish to, permit access to their home, or offer an alternative venue for a meeting.  At the initial meeting, the nature and frequency of future contact should be agreed.

Where it appears to an LA that a child of compulsory school age is not receiving efficient or suitable full-time education, either by regular attendance at school or otherwise, the LA is under a duty to serve a notice on the parent requiring them to satisfy the authority that their child is receiving suitable education 'otherwise than at school'.  If the parent’s reply is unsatisfactory, or if they fail to reply, the LA may issue a School Attendance Order (under section 437(1) of the Education Act 1996).

*Where the term 'Parent' is used this refers to Parent/Carer of the child

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