Elective Home Education
The 1996 Education Act states that it is the duty of parents to secure an appropriate full-time education for their children. Most parents carry out this duty by ensuring that their child attends a school. A small minority of parents decide to educate their children at home.
The Department for Education (DfE) Elective Home Education Guidance for Parents states that the government’s aim is to ensure all young people receive a world-class education that allows them to reach their potential, and live a more fulfilled life regardless of background in a safe environment.
Planning an effective curriculum
Home education does not have to be delivered by subjects but would be expected to develop knowledge and skills in the three core areas of:
- English
- Mathematics
- Science
A good educational programme should include elements such as:
- ICT
- Problem solving
- Personal, social and health education
- Outdoor and environmental education
- Citizenship, including careers education
- Home economics and living skills
It is also important to consider your child’s socialisation with other children and young people.
Your home education programme should be suitable, efficient and full-time.
Elective Home Education and Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND)
If you decide to home educate, and your child has an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP), you must ensure that the education you are providing for your child is suitable to any special educational needs identified in the plan.
If your child attends a special school and this was arranged by a local authority, then the permission of the local authority must be obtained before his or her name can be removed from the admission register. A home education programme for a child with an EHCP should be designed to enable the child to progress towards the outcomes set out in the EHCP.
These outcomes will be set out in an Annual Review meeting involving parents, professionals and the home educated child/young person.
First steps
If your child is already enrolled at a school, you must give written notification to the Headteacher of the school stating that you intend to provide home education for your child. It is advisable to discuss your decision beforehand, either with school staff, the school’s Education Welfare Officer, or with the local authority Elective Home Education lead.
Your child’s school is expected to inform the Education Welfare Service that you are planning to home educate your child. A member of school staff should then contact you to arrange an Elective Home Education (EHE) School Meeting. The meeting is for the purpose of sharing information and ensuring the best possible outcomes for your child. The meeting can take place before or after you notify the school formally of your decision to home educate.
We have produced a guide for parents with more information:
Parents should also read elective home education guidance published by the DfE.
Contact
Telephone: 020 8871 8306
Email: homeeducation@wandsworth.gov.uk