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Education other than at school
Do children have to go to school?
The responsibility of parents is clearly set out in Section 7 of the Education Act 1996 (previously Section 36 of the Education Act 1944 ).
" It (is) the duty of the parent of every child of compulsory school age to cause the child to receive efficient full-time education suitable to his or her ability, and aptitude, and to any special educational needs he may have either by regular attendance at school or otherwise."
What is a parent's duty?
Obviously, for most children this means that they will attend a school that serves their locality. For a number of reasons, a small minority of parents will want to take on the responsibility of educating their children outside of the state system. Some may send their children for private education to independent schools; others will want themselves to take on the duty to educate their children at home.
Full-Time Education
This means regular attendance equivalent of 194 days during a 'school year'. A general expectation is that children will spend 25 hours on schoolwork each week, depending on their age and educational stage.
Suitable Education
This is defined as suitable to a child's age, ability and aptitude if the education provided:
- prepares the child for life in a modern civilised society;
- enables the child to achieve his or her full potential.
How do I go about 'education otherwise' - including home education?
If a child is below statutory school age it would be helpful to inform the Director of Schools Support Services, via Access Services, of an intention to educate at home or in the independent school sector.
A simple note stating this intention should be included with the child's name, date of birth, address, telephone number and last school [if any] and sent to:
Access Services
Graylaw House
394 High Road, Leyton
London E10 6QE
If the child has been at school before, either within the Borough or before a family has moved into the Borough, then there is a need to write to the above address
to state a wish to take on the duty to educate a child either at home or otherwise. The letter should also state the intention that the name of a child is to be removed from the register of a school. This is subject to the school receiving a copy of a letter from Babcock authorising home education for that child.
What happens when my child is de-registered from a school or if I indicate that I want to educate my child at home?
If a parent intends to educate a child at home, an officer from Access Services will write to request that a parent provides in outline some information about the programme of work. At this stage a letter from a parent could also indicate the resources such as books and educational visits that might be used.
Once this information has been received a child will be placed on the Home Education Register.
Section 437 to 443 of the Education Act 1996 places a duty on LBWF to be satisfied that all children of compulsory school age are receiving a suitable education. An education adviser from the School Effectiveness Team will contact a parent to arrange a home visit in conjunction with an Education Welfare Officer to discuss with parent and their child, what programmes of work will be followed.
It may take up to a month to arrange this visit. This should ensure that the parent and the child have time to make a good start and that a suitable time and date can be arranged for the adviser's visit. The visit will be an opportunity to discuss with the adviser how a suitable education is being provided. The adviser is not expected to tell a parent how to educate the child. Following the visit, a letter will be sent to confirm that a visit has taken place and to summarise the discussion about the suitability of the home education programme.
What if I don't send a note but just keep my child out of school?
Under the Education Act 1996, LBWF must be satisfied that parents are fulfilling their duty to provide a suitable education. If a parent does not provide any information about the home education programme then this will count as a refusal to present reasonable evidence. would then need to consider whether steps should be taken to get the child into a school / back into school. This could involve legal steps and the need to serve a school supervision order.
What sort of reasonable evidence can a parent provide to show that they are fulfilling their responsibility?
The evidence is that which would persuade a reasonable person. It needs to indicate that the child is receiving full time education suitable to her / his age, ability and aptitude. ‘Full time’ education is 25 hours of teaching per week.
For example, this includes:
- A statement from the parents describing their educational philosophy and the practical arrangements for implementing it.
- Evidence of the qualifications or experience that parents have to educate their children at home.
- Reports by educational professionals who have visited the home and formed the opinion that the child is being suitably educated there.
- Reports by tutors, family members, friends or others that have been or will be involved in the child's education - describing their role.
- Samples of work produced by the child while being educated at home.
What happens if the adviser / education welfare officer is not satisfied?
Parents will receive a letter after a home visit is made. If there is dissatisfaction this will be specified in the letter. A reasonable amount of time of 3 months is normally given to the parent to improve a situation.
And then?
If, after a follow-up visit there is still some concern, the education service could request that the child be sent back to school. It must be stressed that this course of action is a last resort. LBWF has to satisfy itself that the child’s welfare and educational entitlement is not being compromised by the home education arrangements that are in place. It is hoped that through detailed discussion and agreement, this situation can be avoided.
If I educate my child at home how often will the Borough education service make a check?
After the initial home visit, other visits will be made with the agreement of parents at least once a year. Follow-up visits are made over time to enable advisers to monitor how parents meet the changing educational needs of their children, as they grow older.
Are there any compulsory subjects that should be taught at home?
There are no compulsory subjects and the National Curriculum does not apply to home education.
What is taught and how teaching is approached at home is for parents to decide, provided that education is 'full time' and 'suitable'. Parents will want to look at the different approaches that can be adopted and follow a pattern of lessons and a time - table that allows them to help their children reach their full potential. There are a number of educational organisations and a range of materials available for home education. Some parents choose to use some of the National Curriculum and GCSE subject syllabuses to help with their home education programmes.
It is always a good idea when deciding on a sensible programme to develop medium and shorter-term plans that provide a clear guide for teaching and learning at home.
What if my child is registered at a special school?
Here the situation is rather different.
Section 324 of the Education Act 1996 ensures that it is possible for a child with a formal statement of special educational need to be home educated.
This would still involve LBWF in an annual review of a child's educational progress and needs. You are advised to discuss your case with either the SEN Manager or SEN Inclusion Officer.
Can my child return to school to a school?
Parents are able to decide with their child that there should be a return to school. The normal process of approaching a school in the locality would apply. It would also be important to inform Access Services of your intention, especially if a school place has been found.
Access Services will transfer a child's name from the Home Education Register to a school register when a head teacher and governors have agreed a place.
Where can I obtain further advice?
Parents can get together with others in the locality to share ideas and teaching and learning materials.
Other possible contacts include:
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Home Education Advisory Service Tel: 01707 371854 |
Qualifications and Curriculum Development Agency Tel: 020 7509 5555 |
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Advisory Centre for Education [ACE] Tel: 0808 800 5793 |
Home Education for Children with SEN |
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Education Otherwise Tel: 0870 7300074 |
Please note that LBWF is not recommending any of the above, but they represent starting points for you to get more information.
A final caution where we suggest a few 'do's and dont's'
DO
Think long and hard about a decision to educate a child at home. It is a very big responsibility and will involve considerable time, expertise and energy.
Make sure you inform us of your intentions to home educate – especially if your child is not on a school roll or is too young to be attending school.
Plan what an intended programme will look like before home education is started.
Look at other, financial costs -including equipment, visits and the possibility of additional tuition. Remember that government do not give LAs / Babcock financial resources to support children who are home educated.
Remember that it may be very difficult to secure a school place the older your child gets, for example as they approach the time for their GCSEs.
Take note that neither the LA or Babcock reimburses parents who secure places at a further education college, so if it your intention to pursue this course of action, do make financial provision for it.
DON'T
decide to educate your child outside of the system because of the some of the following situations:
As a way of getting out of short - term quarrels with a head teacher or a school. A parent should talk with the head teacher, if this does not help ask LBWF to arbitrate.
Simply as a means of waiting until a preferred choice of school becomes available. There can be no guarantee of a place at a preferred school becoming available, irrespective of where you live.
As a means of avoiding an on–going assessment for special educational needs. This is likely to disadvantage your child and could result in delay in their receiving appropriate support to meet their educational needs.
As an excuse when a child has not been attending school regularly. If a child experiences trouble attending school, home education will not necessarily help to increase their interest in learning.
As a final and once and for all decision. Parents might manage quite well while their children are younger but subject expertise needed for older children and GCSE subjects can be more problematic.
