Outstanding Benefits of Homeschooling in the UK

Homeschooling, or more accurately elective home education, has become increasingly popular for families in the UK in recent years. While the term “homeschooling” is commonly used (and we’ll continue to use this throughout this article), many prefer the term “home education” to emphasise that learning at home doesn’t necessarily follow the traditional classroom model.

In fact, home education can take many different forms. It’s tailored to individuals and their needs. According to recent figures from autumn 2024, 111,700 children are in elective home education (EHE). Statistics also showed that in the academic year, 153,000 children had received some EHE. This was an increase of 27,000 children from the previous year.

The shift towards home education reflects a growing recognition that a home-based education can offer things that a school-based one cannot. This way is often chosen by parents for children who do not fit the mould required for mainstream education. Many of these children have additional needs.

This article will explore the ins and outs of homeschooling in the UK, addressing common questions and concerns. Whether you’re curious about the legal side of things or are considering home education for the first time, we aim to answer your questions and more.

What is homeschooling?

Home education is an alternative approach to traditional education. Children are educated outside of a formal school setting, typically within the family home but also through groups and external input.

Unlike conventional schools where children follow a set curriculum, parents have more flexibility as to what is taught and when. This means the experience is more personalised. Parents or guardians are responsible for planning and delivering the education.

Home education doesn’t have to resemble a traditional classroom. One of the main benefits is how adaptable it is. Learning can take place anywhere. This might be a dedicated study space at home, but it could be online or through educational outings or external courses. It is typically more fluid and child led. Parents often blend various methods and combine traditional teaching with hands-on activities.

It can be an incredibly diverse experience. Some families do follow a set curriculum and set up their schedule much like a school day. Some are more holistic in their approach and choose an ‘unschooling’ method, which allows children to explore their interests freely. The flexibility means that home education can work well for children who struggle with traditional school settings for whatever reason. It is also good for those who need additional challenges.

In the UK, home education is entirely legal. Parents have the right to educate their children themselves. It does, however, come with certain responsibilities. This includes ensuring the child receives an education suitable for their age, ability and aptitude. Though the specifics vary, the core principle is the same: providing children with an education that is catered to their unique needs outside of the traditional school system.

Homeschooling requirements in the UK

Unlike Germany, Sweden, Brazil and others, UK parents and guardians have a legal right to educate their own children. Parents must, however, adhere to certain requirements that ensure the child’s education is appropriate. The regulations differ slightly between the four nations of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland so it’s important to read the specific guidelines for your location. However, there are some common rules and expectations that parents must follow.

Legal Requirements

The Education Act 1996 is the key piece of legislation that governs homeschooling in England. It states that children of school age must receive a suitable education. If you chose EHE, you are required to provide an education that is:

Full time (as in school).
Suitable to the child’s age, ability and aptitude.
Efficient, meaning it prepares the child for life beyond education.

There is no set curriculum to follow. Families can choose or design their own educational path. However, patens must ensure that the education provided is effective and meets the child’s needs so that they are learning and developing.

Registration and Notification

In England, parents do not need to seek permission from the local authority to homeschool their child. However, if the child is currently enrolled in a school, you must formally withdraw them. This involves writing to the school and informing them of your decision to home-educate. Once the child is removed from the school, they are unable to return unless they are re-enrolled. Their place is not kept, so if there is a waiting list and the school is oversubscribed, you may not be able to get them back into the school.

In Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, the process for informing the council differs slightly but you still need to notify the authorities.

Local Authority Monitoring

While there is no formal register at present, local authorities do have a duty to ensure home-educated children are receiving suitable education. In some cases, the local council may request a visit. This will be to assess the quality of the education being provided, although this is not a statutory requirement. If the local authority has concerns about the child’s welfare or the adequacy of their education, they can intervene and issue a School Attendance Order.

Local authorities are also expected to offer advice and support to homeschooling families. However, this support does depend on the area.

Special Educational Needs (SEN)

If your child has special educational needs (SEN), you are still allowed to home educate. Home education can sometimes be an ideal solution for children with additional needs as it allows for a more tailored approach to their education. However, if your child has an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) or a Statement of Special Educational Needs, the local authority is still responsible for ensuring your child’s educational needs are met.

Examinations and Qualifications

Although home education doesn’t require you to follow a prescribed curriculum, if your child is aiming to sit formal exams like GCSEs and A-Levels, you will need to ensure they have access to appropriate resources and exam centres.

Many exam boards allow privately entered students and there are home education networks that can provide guidance on registering for exams. Unlike traditional education, parents must pay the exam fees.

Safeguarding and Welfare

Parents who home-educate are also responsible for their child’s wellbeing. Local authorities are still required to ensure that children are safeguarded. While home education can provide a safe and supportive learning environment, parents must still adhere to child welfare laws to ensure that their children’s physical and emotional needs are being met.

Can I homeschool my child?

In the UK, yes, you can homeschool your child. It is a legal option for all parents or guardians, and it allows for a personalised and flexible approach to your child’s education. However, before you embark on this journey, there are a few key factors to consider:

The UK law is clear: children must receive a suitable education. It must be full-time, efficient and suitable to the child’s age, ability and aptitude.
In England, once your child reaches the age of 5, they must receive and education.
You must inform your child’s school in writing if you wish to home educate.

Practical Considerations

Before deciding on home education, it’s important to consider some practical aspects:

Time Commitment

Home education requires a significant amount of time and effort. Parents must take on the roles of the teacher, curriculum planner and exams officer (where appropriate). Though they can structure the day as they see fit, the responsibility for the child’s education falls solely on the parent.

Support and Resources

Many home education families join local or online communities. These offer resources, advice and opportunities for socialisation. There are also various organisations and networks across the UK that provide support, guidance and structured group activities.

Cost

Home education incurs some costs. Purchasing educational materials, books and paying for tutoring or extra-curricular activities all comes down to the parents. It’s important to budget for these costs and ensure that you are financially prepared to home educate your child.

Home education also means being unable to work typically. Although education doesn’t have to take part in school hours, holding down a job, even a part-time one and being responsible for a full-time education is a lot of responsibility. Some parents who home educate are with their children 24/7 too, which is a lot to take on.

Is homeschooling better for a child?

Home education can undoubtedly offer a child a tailored and rich education. But like any educational path, it’s not without its challenges. While some children thrive in a homeschool environment, others may struggle with the potential isolation or lack of structured opportunities that may arise. Just as there are good schools and poor schools, there are also skilled and well-prepared home educators, as well as those who lack the necessary expertise, competence or commitment.

Benefits of Home Education

There are several advantages to home education:

Personalised learning

One of the biggest benefits of home education is the ability to tailor the education to the child’s specific needs, strengths and interests. With one-on-one attention, a home-educated child often enjoys a pace and style of learning that suits them better. This can be especially true and beneficial for children with learning differences or special educational needs. For children who excel in certain subjects, home education means they can go beyond the typical curriculum. They can take exams at any time and don’t have to do them at age 16 or even all at one, for example.

Flexible scheduling

Home education offers a level of flexibility that traditional schools can’t. Parents can design their day around their child’s energy levels, learning preferences and family commitments. The flexibility is particularly beneficial for families who travel frequently or who have non-traditional work schedules. It’s also great for those who want to take advantage of off-season trips to places of educational interest – especially as school attendance fines are expensive in England.

Closer family relationships

The amount of time spent together as a family can strengthen the bonds between parents and children. Many homeschooling families report that the experience fosters closer relationships as children and parents engage in shared activities. This time together can promote a positive learning experience. It allows for deeper understanding and support. This is particularly true when facing difficult or challenging topics.

Some parents choose home education because they wish to protect their children from negative influences. Many parents worry about peer pressure, bullying or other unsafe elements to traditional schools. Home education means parents have more control over their child’s interactions. They can potentially shield them from harmful social situations. For certain children, home education means children can focus on their learning without being distracted by others in a traditional classroom setting.

The Drawbacks of Home Education

There are also some important drawbacks to consider:

Potential for isolation

Home education can be isolating. Children may actually want the social experience of a school even though their parents don’t want this for them. This could lead to conflict.

Children attending traditional schools have daily opportunities for socialisation, making friends and developing social skills like teamwork and conflict resolution. In a home setting, parents need to proactively seek out socialisation opportunities like home school groups, extracurricular activities or community sports leagues. Without these efforts, children miss out on valuable social experiences that are vital to their development.

Isolation could also be a problem for the parents. Home educating parents often spend a significant time at home and with their children, which can lead to feelings of isolation and burnout. While there may be many home education community groups, some families may find it difficult to find the right sort of group locally.

The quality of education varies

Just like some schools excel and other perform poorly, the same can be said for the quality of home education. Some parents simply don’t have the necessary knowledge, skills or dedication. Home education requires commitment and not every parent can commit the time and resources it requires.

Parents may lack expertise. This is especially true for secondary and post-secondary education when subjects like modern foreign languages require a depth of skill that the parent might not possess.

Safeguarding:

For children whose home environment might not be safe, home education could mean that there is no outside oversight into a child’s life. While most children will have loving and responsible parents, the lack of external scrutiny means some home educated children will go under the radar. Local authorities do occasionally check in on a child’s welfare, but these checks are not as frequent or as comprehensive as would happen in schools.

Limited access to resources

In traditional education, children have access to a huge range of different resources. This includes specialist teachers, extracurricular activities, sports, equipment and more. This is all included without parents incurring costs. With home education, parents must fund all education—including exams. And as one parent is unable to work due to being responsible for their child’s education, funding such resources might be difficult.

Will I be inspected?

A common question by parents considering home education in the UK is whether they will be inspected by local authorities. Unlike schools, which see Ofsted visit fairly regularly, home-educating families don’t have routine inspections.

However, there are certain circumstances when local authorities do become involved. They don’t have the power to conduct a formal inspection unless there is a specific reason to believe that a child isn’t receiving an adequate education.

These are some occasions when you might see a representative from the local authority:

Initial contact: When you deregister your child from school (if they had been enrolled), the school will inform the LA. You may then receive a letter from the local council asking for information about your educational approach. You don’t have to respond or provide evidence unless there is a concern.
Routine checks (sometimes): In most cases, you don’t face a regular inspection. Some local authorities may request a meeting or ask for written information about your child’s education. You don’t have to accept home visits or submit anything like a formal report.
Concerns about the quality of education: If the LA has concerns about the quality of your child’s education, they may request some information from you. If they are still not happy, they could issue a School Attendance Order (SAO). This means your child must go to school.
Safeguarding issues: If there are concerns about a child’s welfare, social services may become involved.

How to respond to a local authority enquiry

If contacted by the LA, you can:

Provide a written report that explains your approach, the resources you’re using and how you’re meeting your child’s educational needs.
Offer examples of your child’s work or progress. Remember, you are not required to follow the National Curriculum.
Decline a home visit. You are not legally required to allow them to enter your home unless there are safeguarding concerns.

Do I need any training to homeschool my child?

No, in the UK, you don’t need any formal teaching qualifications or specific training to home educate. Parents are legally allowed to regardless of their educational background or professional experience. Although this is the case, being a home educator does come with responsibility. There are certain skills and knowledge that will make it more effective.

Requirements of home schooling

There are a few requirements for those considering home education:

Parents must provide a “suitable education.” This must be appropriate for their age, ability and any special educational needs (SEN).
For children currently enrolled in school, parents must write to the headteacher to formally deregister them. The school will then notify the local authority.
If a child has an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHPC), parents must inform the local authority, particularly if the child was previously attending a special school.

Types of home schooling approaches

One of the benefits of home education is being able to tailor your approach. There are several common approaches parents take. These range from structured teaching to child-led learning.

Structured home schooling

This follows the traditional school system closely. Parents often use workbooks, online classes and a set timetable. Parents may follow the National Curriculum. This is suitable for parents who prefer a clear framework and those planning for GCSEs and A-Levels.

Classical Education

This is based on ancient methods of education. It focuses on critical thinking, logic and rhetoric. It’s often divided into three stages: grammar (early years), logic (middle years), and rhetoric (teen years).

Unschooling (child-led learning)

This focuses on the child’s interests. There is no structured curriculum. Learning happens organically. This is through play, exploration and real-world experiences. Advocates of unschooling believe that it encourages creativity and a lifelong love of learning.

Montessori Approach

This was developed by Maria Montessori. It uses hands-on, self-directed learning. Montessori uses specific learning materials to develop independence and practical skills. It encourages mixed-age learning and exploration.

Charlotte Mason Method

This focuses on living books (narrative literature rather than textbooks), nature studies and the arts. Learning is structured but it involves shorter lessons, outdoor activities and practical skills. This focuses on the development of good habits and character.

Project-based Learning

Learning is based on real-world applications and projects. Children do in-depth studies of different topics that they’re passionate about. There may be projects on history, science or art, for example. This encourages research skills, creativity and critical thinking.

Eclectic Approach

Some parents take the parts of different methods to offer a mix of approaches. This means learning is more personalised and flexible.

Online and Distance Learning

Some families choose to use online courses and virtual schools. This provides structured lessons and teacher support. It uses platforms like BBC Bitesize, Oak National Academy, and private online schools.

Curriculum Options

You don’t need to follow the national curriculum, though many do. Here are the different curriculum options available in the UK:

The National Curriculum (England, Wales, Northern Ireland). This covers core subjects like English, maths, science and foundation subjects like geography, history and art. It helps maintain consistency with the school system and is good for children who intend to take GCSEs and A-Levels.
The Scottish Curriculum for Excellence. This focuses on broad learning experiences and skill development. There are four levels: Early, First, Second and Senior. It is more flexible than the National Curriculum and encourages interdisciplinary learning.
International Curricula. Some families choose internationally recognised curricula like the International Baccalaureate (IB) and the Cambridge International Curriculum.

Can you be paid to homeschool?

Home education is considered a parental responsibility and with it comes the costs. The government doesn’t provide funding, grants or financial assistance. Families receiving benefits like Universal Credit and Child Benefit will generally continue to receive them because home education doesn’t impact eligibility.

While direct payment for home education is rare, some specific circumstances may offer limited financial support. If a child has an EHCP, some authorities might provide partial funding for access to support services like speech therapy or assistive technology.

Ultimately, home education in the UK is a self-funded choice. However, some parents also find ways to turn their expertise into an income through tutoring, resource creation or online teaching.

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