Let's start with the bit that can feel the most worrying - the law.

The good news? Home education in the UK is completely legal, surprisingly straightforward and far more flexible than most people expect. Parents are responsible for making sure their child receives a 'full-time, suitable education' - which focuses on educational quality and suitability rather than a set number of hours...

...and that’s it.

Heads up! There’s a proposed bill in Parliament (Children’s Wellbeing & Schools Bill) that could affect home education in the future, but nothing has changed in law yet. Part 2, Clause 31 'Children Not In School' is the relevant part for home educators.

There's understandably a lot of resistance from the home ed and alternative education community. There's also a lot of misinformation and panic online - so be careful which sources you're using to find out information.

I will post an update on my website should anything change.

Here’s the breakdown:

  • Never been to school? You don’t need to register with your local authority or ask permission. You can begin home educating whenever you’re ready.
  • Already enrolled in a mainstream school? You’ll need to de-register in writing. A short, polite letter or email to the headteacher will do. Once the school receives it, your child’s name must be removed from the register. You don’t need to attend meetings or justify your decision.
  • If your child has an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP): If they’re in a mainstream school, you can deregister as usual by writing to the headteacher - no extra permission needed. The process is slightly different if they attend a special school - you’ll need the local authority’s consent to deregister. It’s usually a formality, but worth confirming.
  • Local Authority (LA) involvement: LAs have a duty to ensure children are receiving an education, but their powers are limited. They may contact you to ask about your provision, but you don’t have to register, fill in forms or accept a home visit unless you choose to. That said, it’s usually a good idea to reply to any requests - politely and in writing - with a brief outline of your provision, as ignoring them can lead to further action.

⚠️ Frustratingly, schools and local authorities can be inconsistent and misinformed about the law surrounding home education - especially with the changes proposed by the Children's Wellbeing & Schools Bill. Have a read of this very thorough report by Educational Freedom and this by Education Otherwise for more details and advice on specific situations.

  • What support am I entitled to? There's no financial support for home educators but you can request help from your LA in the form of resources, services and support.
  • Do I need qualifications to home educate? No. What matters most is that you can provide an education suited to your child’s needs. Your understanding of how they learn, what works for them and the connection you have with them will provide the foundations needed for learning to really take off.
  • Do I need to follow the national curriculum? No. The education is your responsibility - that includes what it looks like and how it's carried out. That can feel daunting at first but lots of help within the home ed community is available - you don't need to start from scratch.

The most important thing to remember? You’re in control. The law is there to ensure your child receives an education - that's important - but it's not there to tell you how it should look. Home education is built on trust, autonomy and respect for families’ choices.

Read on to Mini Guide 3, where I’ll walk you through where to start and how to take the first steps.