Homeschooling has grown in popularity in recent years. In 2023, between 125,000 and 180,000 children were homeschooled in the UK, and this figure is rising all the time. ¹ 

Homeschooling is a possibility for anyone, but it’s important to find out how to register for unschooling and all its legalities to ensure you’re complying with the Department of Education’s homeschooling requirements. 

Let’s talk about the legalities of taking your kids out of formal education and how to apply to for homeschooling in the UK.

What Does The UK Law Say About Homeschooling?

There’s no legislation around home education or how to apply for homeschooling. However, Section 7 of the Education Act 1996 does state:
The parent of every child of compulsory school age shall cause him to receive efficient full-time education suitable – (a) to his age, ability and aptitude, and (b) to any special educational needs he may have, either by regular attendance at school or otherwise. ²
Basically, parents must ensure that any of their children of compulsory school age (5-16 years old) get a suitable education, whether at school or home.

Can I Take My Kids Out Of School & Homeschool?

If you choose to homeschool your children rather than send them to school, this is referred to as elective home education. Anyone can homeschool their children as long as their child isn’t subject to a School Attendance Order. ³  You’ll need to understand how to apply for homeschooling as a parent or guardian in accordance with the local council and laws relating to homeschooling your kids.

As a parent, you do still have the right to remove your children from school and teach them at home. However, by law, it becomes your responsibility to ensure your children get a ‘suitable’ education. While this can sound pretty vague, with the right amount of help and support, providing quality homeschool education is not as hard as it first appears. In fact, many homeschooled children thrive and perform a lot better than those in public and private schools.

Take a look at the top benefits of homeschooling your kids in the UK here.

Homeschool Compliance You Should Be Aware Of

According to the Department of Education homeschooling policy, the education you provide at home must be:

• Full-time
• Efficient
• Suitable

There are no legal definitions for these terms, but we’ve provided some guidance here:

Full-time – children who attend school typically have around five hours of teaching a day for 190 days a year over 38 weeks. Homeschooling doesn’t have to match this exactly but it gives you an idea of what ‘full-time’ means.

Efficient – this can be interpreted as meaning education which ‘achieves what it is intended to achieve’.

Suitable – the education you provide must be suitable for your child’s age and ability. In a nutshell, it must equip your child for adult life in society and not limit their options later. ⁴

You aren’t required by law to update your local authority on your child’s education progress. Local authorities have a duty to identify children who might not be getting a suitable education, so they may want to discuss your education provision with you.

This can be done through home visits or meetings elsewhere, and although you’re not legally obliged to do so, working with your local authority is always preferable.

Each local authority will have its own elective home education policies so it’s worth familiarising yourself with the procedures in place in your local area. ⁵

Do Homeschool Children Need To Sit Exams?

Homeschooled children don’t legally have to sit exams. However, most employers look for qualifications on a CV, especially GCSEs, so sitting exams can help homeschooled children achieve their career aspirations later in life. Exams can only be sat at specific exam centres, and you will need to cover the cost of these yourself. ⁶

How To Register For Unschooling?

If you’re considering how to apply for homeschooling, there isn’t a formal application process in the UK. You don’t need permission from your local authority to homeschool your child in England and Wales. In Scotland and Northern Ireland, you must get permission from your local authority, but they can’t refuse you without a good reason.

Wherever you are in the UK, you do need to let your child’s school know in writing that you’re removing your child’s name from the register. If your child has never enrolled at a school, then obviously, this doesn’t apply. ⁷

It’s worth mentioning that if your child has an Education, Health, and Care Plan and goes to a special school arranged by your local authority, you’ll need to get permission from the local authority to remove your child from school. ⁸

The school will then inform the local authority, who may contact you to ask how you intend to educate your child at home once their name has been removed from the register.

Legally, you don’t have to grant this request, but it’s worth engaging with your local authority as they may be able to offer help and support with your homeschooling journey. ⁹

References:
https://www.teacherstoyourhome.com/uk/blog/home-schooling-in-the-uk-a-guide-for-parents
https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5ca21e22e5274a77d9d26feb/EHE_guidance_for_parentsafterconsultationv2.2.pdf
https://childlawadvice.org.uk/information-pages/home-education/
https://www.ivyeducation.co.uk/insights/homeschooling-requirements-uk#evidence-and-monitoring
https://www.twinkl.co.uk/blog/home-education-do-you-have-to-do-gcses-if-you-are-homeschooled
https://www.theschoolrun.com/legalities-home-education-uk
https://childlawadvice.org.uk/information-pages/home-education/
https://www.theschoolrun.com/legalities-home-education-uk