Are you thinking about teaching your child at home? You’re not alone.
Families choose home education for lots of reasons: anxiety, bullying, unmet SEND needs, Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA), health or simply because school isn’t working right now.
This guide walks you through the basics in plain English so you can make the right choices for you and your child.
First things first: what “home education” means
• In England you can teach your child at home full-time or part-time. This is often called elective home education or EHE. (GOV.UK)
• Education is compulsory from age 5, but school isn’t. You must ensure your child gets an efficient, suitable, full-time education. There’s no requirement to follow the National Curriculum. (GOV.UK Assets)
Taking your child off the school roll
• If your child is currently on roll at a mainstream school and you want to home educate full-time, write to the headteacher to deregister. The EMG has an editable de-registration letter you can download for just £4.
• Flexi-schooling (some days at school, some at home) is possible but only with the headteacher’s agreement. Schools can say no. (GOV.UK Assets)
• If your child is attending under a School Attendance Order (SAO) you must get the council’s consent before home educating. (GOV.UK)
• If your child leaves school mid-year, the school will let the local council know. It’s just to make sure all children are accounted for and getting an education somewhere that suits them. (GOV.UK Assets)
If your child has SEND
• You can home educate a child with SEND, with or without an Education Health and Care Plan (EHCP).
• If your child goes to a special school under LA arrangements, you need the council’s consent to remove them from roll. You must get the council’s permission first, although they’re not likely to refuse without a good reason. (GOV.UK Assets)
• If your child’s education at home is suitable, the council won’t need to provide the support listed in the EHC plan, but they’ll still check in each year to make sure everything’s on track. (GOV.UK Assets)
What counts as a “suitable” education?
There’s no set list of subjects or a required timetable. Suitable means:
• It fits your child’s age, ability and aptitude and any SEND
• It’s full-time overall (home ed can be flexible and doesn’t need to mirror the school day)
• It should help your child build practical skills like reading, writing and maths, so they can take part in everyday life and keep their future options open.
Approaches vary. Some families use structured lessons, while others learn through projects, trips, life skills and child-led study. Both can be fine if they add up to a suitable, full-time education. (GOV.UK Assets)
Your relationship with the local authority (LA)
• Your local council might get in touch to ask how your child is being educated. You don’t have to invite them into your home, but you should be able to show some evidence of learning. If they’re not happy with what’s provided, they can take formal steps to make sure your child gets the right education.
• Many LAs offer advice or signposting. Funding is rare, but some may help with exam centre contacts or local resources. Support varies by area. (GOV.UK Assets)
What home education can look like day to day
Here are common home schooling ingredients you can mix and match:
• Core skills: reading, writing, maths, digital skills
• Projects led by your child’s interests
• Life learning: cooking, budgeting, travel planning, volunteering
• Social time: home ed groups, clubs, sports, youth theatre, scouts, DofE
• Record-keeping: a simple log, photos, scrapbooks or a short half-termly summary
Tip: Keep it simple at first. Start with a short list of priorities, then build routines that suit your child.
Exams and qualifications
• Your child doesn’t have to take GCSEs. If they do, home-educated students sit exams as private candidates at schools or exam centres and you'll be expected to cover fees. Some local authorities or colleges help with Functional Skills or part-time courses from age 14. (GOV.UK Assets)
Flexi-schooling and college options
• Flexi-schooling is by agreement with a school and is not a right. Time at home is recorded as authorised absence.
• From 14, some learners attend college part-time for specific subjects. That provision counts toward the overall home education package. (GOV.UK Assets)
Safeguarding and wellbeing
• The council’s job is to make sure every child is safe and learning. If they believe a child isn’t getting a suitable education or needs extra support, they’ll step in to help; usually through education routes first and safeguarding only if it’s really necessary. (GOV.UK Assets)
• If bullying, anxiety or a health issue led you to home educate your child, build in mental-health friendly habits: gentle starts, regular breaks, movement, calm spaces and gradual exposure back to community activities when your child is ready.
Step-by-step: getting started
1. Decide your approach
Talk with your child. What helps them learn? What’s realistic for you?
2. Deregister (if on roll)
Email or write a letter to the headteacher to withdraw for elective home education. Keep the confirmation for your records. If you’re considering flexi-schooling, request a meeting instead. (GOV.UK)
3. Plan the first 6–8 weeks
Keep it light: core skills, one project, one weekly meet-up or club. Keep a note of learning as you go.
4. Set up your records
A one-page plan and a simple log are enough to start. Add examples of work or photos.
5. Look ahead to exams or alternatives
Decide if GCSEs, Functional Skills, arts awards, or vocational routes are right for your child and when to explore exam centres.
6. Engage with the local authority when they contact you
Reply politely. Share a short overview and examples. Ask what support they offer locally. (GOV.UK Assets)
England vs the rest of the UK
Education laws aren’t the same across the UK; each country (England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland) has its own system and guidance. This blog covers England. For current home education guidance elsewhere, see:
• Scotland – updated statutory guidance (Jan 2025). (Scottish Government)
• Wales – statutory EHE guidance for local authorities (updated 2025). (GOV.WALES)
• Northern Ireland – parent guidance and EA information. (nidirect)
Handy references (England)
• Educating your child at home overview. (GOV.UK)
• Elective home education guidance for LAs and parents. (GOV.UK Assets)
• School Attendance (Pupil Registration) (England) Regulations 2024 and DfE attendance guidance. (Legislation.gov.uk)
• Children Missing Education statutory guidance (updated Sept 2025). (GOV.UK)
Ready to get started? The EMG can help.
If you’d like ready-to-use activities, project packs and gentle core-skills support, browse The EMG Homeschooling Resources. We add new resources regularly. Got requests? Leave a comment below!
Share this post: