What is the law?

The Unscary Bit

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT HOME EDUCATION

 

Can I educate my child at home?

 

YES you can.

As a parent it is your responsibility to make arrangements for the education of your child either at school or 'otherwise'.

 

The law relating to home education is Section 7 of the 1996 Education Act, which states:

The parent of every child of compulsory school age [term after they are 5] shall cause him to receive efficient full-time education suitable to:

● His age, ability and aptitude, and

● Any special education needs he may have, either by regular attendance at school or otherwise

 

Do I know enough to educate my child?

 

YES.

If you know how to look things up on the internet, use a library or ask on a self help HE group. If you know how to listen to your child and facilitate their interests, then you can educate them at home.

 

Can I teach what I want?

 

YES.

As long as you provide what the law requires, i.e. an education suitable for your child. As long as your philosophy does not exclude your child from taking their place in the community, you and your child are the best judges. In fact, many home educators consider themselves facilitators and helpers, rather than teachers.

 

Can we set our own timetable?

 

YES.

Home educating families structure their time in the ways that suit them best. How you achieve that depends on your particular circumstances. Younger children may benefit from a more practical hands on education and older ones may consider a more formal approach. The choice is yours!

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Are EHE children allowed out in school hours?

YES 

EHE children are educated at all hours of the day and may frequently be seen out and about during school hours. A child being out in the daytime should never be a cause for concern as there are many and varied educational opportunities when out and about.

 

How should I educate my child?

 

The law states that the education you provide should be suitable for your child. Within that, it is up to you what approach you take. There are many different ways to provide a suitable education and you may find it helpful to talk to other families to find out what works for them. Approaches range from “school at home” using a bought in curriculum to more free form, play based, conversation based, project work, or child-led approaches even tutors or tutor groups especially with exam level studies.. It may take you some time to find an approach that works for your family and you will probably adapt and develop over time.

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Will our home education provision be inspected?

 

There is no legal requirement at present for the LA to routinely monitor or inspect home education provision. However, the LA has a duty to act if it has reason to believe that an education is not being provided. For this reason EHE Officer may ask you to provide information about the education you are providing. In general terms the law states you are under no obligation to provide information.* However, you may provide details in any form you choose. Common methods include providing a short written report, or meeting with the Officer at a venue of your choice to discuss the provision.

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Is a child who is not in school cause for concern?

No.

A child who is out and about is not a social welfare concern unless there are other contributing circumstances.
 

Do you need to be a teacher to EHE?
 

No

There is no requirement to be a qualified teacher. We are all teachers. Anyone can teach their own children and follow their own timetable, curriculum etc. To be able to provide an education to the age, ability and aptitude of a child is all that
is required. Resources can include the library and Internet, as well as educating at home in itself.

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What about socialisation?

 

This is a myth. Often parents who withdraw their child from school find that their child experiences much more positive socialisation in the community than they do at school. Home education groups offer flexible opportunities for socialising in mixed age groups with a supportive adult presence. Children develop real world skills as they interact with others in shops, libraries, museums, on buses and so on. Isolation only happens if you allow it to, there are many regular events and groups organised by home educators in the local area that you might like to join in with. These will provide opportunities for both informal socialising and for group learning endeavours. Your local Yahoo and Facebook groups will have these details. If there is something your child is interested in and it is not happening you are free to organise yourself.

Also remember - you are no longer bound by geography, you can travel to anywhere for any thing.

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What is the catch?

 

The biggest catches – there is no down or alone time, no financial support other than an amount of capped exam fee support if you meet criteria (See Exams Section) or unless your child has Special Educational Needs, and EOTAS has been agreed with the LA, please see SEND Home Ed link, no one to complain to.

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You are fully responsible for the suitable education of your child(ren) it is an incredible pressure burden on the educator parent. Ask yourself Can you do it? Do you have any family support? Parents often state other family members and once good friends become quite hostile when they embark on a home ed journey. Society is quite negative and there are many comments made from unlikely sources e.g. the till clerk and other passing strangers who think commenting on your life or questioning your children is their right. You WILL develop responses to these negatives sometimes the most simple "oh X is privately educated" and walk the other way is enough. Others are genuinely interested. There are groups and people who are not so good which you need to learn to navigate through them all with time. It can be expensive but that depends on your child's interest and how willing you are to go for what they need in terms of distance and resources. Fuel is often the biggest cost. Also silly extra expenses - you are in the house more potentially so more heating, lighting toilet roll, tea / coffee and food as you have ready access. If you are on a budget - these are hidden costs to consider.

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Ask - Is this what you really want to do or do you want to sort out the issue with the school/LA or do you need EOTAS

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*All written communications from the LA should be replied to and should never be ignored even if you feel annoyed or angry. In those situations it is best to respond with a simple letter / email stating that you have received their communication and you will answer shortly - but do answer and try to set a date if you can. If you are not sure how to respond the HE support groups  can help and support you or see the template letters sections.

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*.Some areas locally have not moved to FB and still use the Yahoo platform

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The LAW - A Parents' Duty

Section 7 of the Education Act 1996 states that:

The parent of every child of compulsory school age shall cause him to receive efficient full-time education suitable—

(1) to his age, ability and aptitude, and

(2) to any special educational needs he may have, 

   either by regular attendance at school or otherwise.