FAQ: Home Schooling

in the UK

1. Is home schooling legal in the UK?

Yes. In England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland, parents have the legal right to educate their child at home instead of sending them to school. Education law requires that children receive a full-time education suitable to their age, ability, aptitude, and any special educational needs—but this does not have to follow the National Curriculum.

2. Do I need permission to home educate my child?

• If your child is not currently enrolled in school: you do not need permission—you can simply begin home educating.

• If your child is enrolled in a state school in England or Wales: you must inform the headteacher in writing if you want to remove them. The school is legally required to take the child off the register.

• If your child attends a special school: you need the local authority’s consent before deregistering.

• Scotland: parents must seek consent from the local authority before withdrawing a child from a state school.

• Northern Ireland: parents must inform the Education Authority in writing.

3. How do I remove my child from school to home educate?

Write a formal deregistration letter to the headteacher stating that you are taking responsibility for your child’s education at home. Once the school receives it, they must remove your child from the roll (unless it’s a special school, where local authority permission is required).

4. Do I have to follow the National Curriculum?

No. Home educators can choose their own approach—structured lessons, project-based learning, or informal child-led learning. However, many parents follow aspects of the National Curriculum to make future transitions (e.g., GCSEs or A-levels) smoother.

5. Will the local authority check up on us?

Local authorities have a duty to ensure children are receiving a suitable education, but there is no set inspection framework. They may request information about your educational approach. You do not have to allow home visits, but you should be able to show evidence of your child’s progress.

6. Can home-schooled children sit GCSEs?

Yes, but they must be entered as private candidates since they are not registered with a school. This means:

• You need to find an exam centre (often local schools or private exam centres).

• You must pay exam fees (typically £40–£150 per subject, sometimes more for practicals like science).

• Some GCSEs with coursework or practical assessments (e.g., Art, Drama, Sciences with lab work) can be more difficult to arrange privately. Many home-educated students choose exam-board options that minimise coursework (e.g., IGCSEs).

7. When can my child take GCSEs?

There’s no legal requirement to take GCSEs at a specific age. Many home-educated children sit them around age 16, but some take them earlier or spread them over several years.

8. Do home-educated children have to take exams?

No. Exams are not compulsory. Some families use alternative qualifications (e.g., Functional Skills, vocational courses) or none at all. However, GCSEs or equivalent qualifications can be important for future education and employment.

9. What support is available for home educators?

• Local authorities may offer limited advice but generally do not fund resources or exam fees.

• Home education groups (both local and online) provide support, resources, and meetups.

• Charities and organisations like Education Otherwise and Home Education Advisory Service (HEAS) give guidance.

10. Can my child return to school later?

Yes. You can apply for a school place at any time, though places are subject to availability.

11. What about socialisation?

Home-educated children can socialise through sports clubs, community groups, arts activities, Scouts/Guides, local home-education meetups, and more. Many families find their children mix with a wide range of ages, not just peers.