Deciding to home educate your child is a significant step. It will take up a considerable amount of your time, energy and resources.
Once you advise school of your decision to home educate, your child will be removed from the school. They will no longer be on the school roll and will no longer have a school place. You will have full responsibility for your child’s education. This means you'll have to cover the cost of any exams, tutors, resources etc.
If you want your child to return to school, you'll need to apply via the school admissions process.
To help you make a decision and for advice on educating your child at home view the:
- Elective home education policy.
- Guidance on elective home education by the Department for Education(DfE).
Elective Home Education Advice and Guidance
Elective Home Education (EHE) is the term we use. It describes the guardians' choice to provide children with full-time education from home. Or, in some other way that is an alternative to sending them to school full-time. It enables you to design a learning programme that best suits your child's learning needs.
Pros and Cons
EHE is a legitimate choice with many positive attributes. However you MUST be aware that it comes with 'consequences'. Some of which may not be so positive. The most obvious being that no resources are offered by the Local Authority. This means no help for:
- costs with exams
- workbooks or subscription cost support
- support for the cost of tutors
It's your responsibility to fund and organise your chosen home education programme.
This is also true if your child has an Education, Health and Care plan (EHCP). Once your child is no longer registered at a school, the EHCP will be subject to changes. This is particularly so with therapy services. Such provision will only take place in a clinic, not at your home. If your child has an EHCP, contact their school SENCO to discuss the impact of your decision on the EHCP.
Decision time
Once you make the decision to home educate, you are encouraged to inform the school in writing. For further information see the guidance from the Department for Education (DfE).
Alternatively, to book a pre EHE 10-minute meeting with our EHE officer email: ehe@harrow.gov.uk
What happens next?
Once you inform your child's setting that you're going to home educate, the EHE Team will contact you.
Either in writing or by email, we will contact you to introduce ourselves. We'll request, informally, information about your home education programme. We'll offer support, guidance and advice should you need it.
Contact will then be made for a 6-month follow-up and an annual review. We'll informally request feedback on your children’s learning. We'll want to know about progress and targets achieved. This will be requested for the duration that EHE takes place.
Legal Requirements
Education for all children in the United Kingdom is compulsory. However attendance at a school is not. This is provided suitable arrangements are in place. Section 7 of the Education Act 1996 states:
“It shall be the duty of the parent of every child of compulsory school age to cause them to receive efficient full time education suitable to their age, ability, and aptitude, [and to any special needs they may have] either by regular attendance at school or otherwise.”
The education you provide doesn't need to replicate that of a school. However, it must be appropriate for the child's age, aptitude, and ability. Moreover it must support their social and emotional development.
Children with special educational needs will need special arrangements. This is a legal requirement. Guidance will be given in the child’s EHCP. We advise parents to read this guidance and if you have any questions please contact us via ehe@harrow.gov.uk
Alternatively you can contact SENDIAS at Harrow.Sendias@family-action.org.uk