How to Homeschool in the UK

More families than ever are choosing to educate their children at home. Whether you are considering it for the first time or have already made the decision, this guide covers everything you need to know about home education in England, from the legal framework to practical approaches and how Otio Academy can help.

Is Homeschooling Legal?

Yes, home education is entirely legal in England and has been since the Education Act 1996. The law states that parents are responsible for ensuring their child receives an efficient, full-time education suitable to their age, ability, and aptitude, and to any special educational needs they may have. Crucially, this education does not have to take place in a school.

Education is compulsory; school attendance is not. This is a fundamental distinction that many people are not aware of. You have every right to educate your child at home, and you do not need the permission of the school, the local authority, or anyone else to do so.

Key fact: There are estimated to be over 80,000 home-educated children in England, though the true number may be significantly higher as there is currently no mandatory register. The Children Not in School register, once implemented, will provide a clearer picture.

How to Deregister from School

If your child is currently enrolled in a school and you wish to home educate, you need to formally deregister them. The process is straightforward but there are important points to be aware of.

For children in a mainstream state school (not a special school), you simply need to write a letter to the headteacher informing them that you are withdrawing your child to home educate. The school is then required to remove your child from the school roll and inform the local authority.

Important: If your child attends a special school or has an EHCP naming a specific school, you cannot simply deregister. You must first get the local authority's consent to remove your child from the school roll, or have the EHCP amended to remove the named school. If the local authority refuses, you can appeal to the SEND Tribunal. Do not withdraw your child before this process is complete, as it could be treated as unauthorised absence.

Your letter does not need to give a reason for your decision, although some parents choose to explain their circumstances. Keep a copy of the letter and send it by email or recorded delivery so you have proof it was received.

Once the school receives your letter, they should remove your child from the roll promptly. They should not try to talk you out of your decision, delay the process, or make you feel that you need permission. If you encounter resistance, you can contact your local authority's Elective Home Education team for support.

What the Law Requires

The legal requirement is that you provide a "suitable education." The law does not define exactly what this means, but it is generally understood to mean an education that:

Prepares the child for life in modern society
Enables the child to achieve their full potential according to their age, ability, and any special educational needs
Is provided on a full-time basis

"Full-time" in the context of home education does not mean six hours a day of desk work. Home education is typically much more efficient than school-based learning because there is no time lost to class management, transitions, assemblies, or waiting for other students. Many home educators find that a few focused hours of learning per day, combined with educational activities, projects, and real-world experiences, provides a thorough education.

Do You Need to Follow the National Curriculum?

No. There is no requirement for home-educated children to follow the National Curriculum. The National Curriculum is a set of standards that state-funded schools must teach, but it does not apply to home educators.

You are free to choose what your child learns, how they learn it, and when they learn it. Some families choose to follow the National Curriculum closely because it provides a clear structure. Others create their own curriculum based on their child's interests and needs. Many take a mixed approach, following a structured programme for core subjects like English and maths while taking a more flexible approach to other areas.

The only requirement is that the education you provide is "suitable." As long as your child is learning and making progress, you have considerable freedom in how you achieve this.

Tip: Even though you do not have to follow the National Curriculum, it can be useful to be aware of what children of a similar age are learning in school. This helps if your child ever returns to school or wants to sit public examinations like GCSEs.

Working with Your Local Authority

When you deregister your child, the local authority will be notified and their Elective Home Education (EHE) team may get in touch. The local authority has a duty to identify children who are not receiving a suitable education, but they do not have the right to routinely monitor home education or enter your home.

In practice, most local authorities will write to you asking for information about the education you are providing. You can respond in writing, by providing a report or portfolio of your child's work, or by inviting the EHE officer for a visit. You are not legally required to allow a home visit, but many families find that a positive relationship with the local authority makes life easier.

If the local authority is not satisfied that a suitable education is being provided, they can issue a School Attendance Order (SAO), which requires you to register your child at a named school. You have the right to demonstrate that you are providing a suitable education before an SAO is issued, and you can appeal against one in court.

Approaches to Homeschooling

One of the great advantages of home education is that you can choose an approach that suits your child. Here are some of the most common approaches:

Structured / School-at-Home

This approach follows a set curriculum with textbooks, workbooks, timetables, and regular assessments. It provides clear structure and is easy to track progress. It works well for families who prefer routine and for children who are working towards specific qualifications. Online schools like Otio Academy fall into this category, providing the structure of a curriculum with the flexibility of home-based learning.

Unschooling / Child-Led Learning

Unschooling follows the child's natural curiosity and interests. There is no set curriculum or timetable. Instead, the child learns through exploration, play, real-world experiences, and pursuing their passions. Advocates argue that this produces highly motivated, self-directed learners.

Eclectic / Relaxed Homeschooling

Most home educators end up somewhere in the middle. They might use a structured programme for maths and English but take a more relaxed, interest-led approach to other subjects. This flexibility allows families to adapt their approach as their child's needs change.

Charlotte Mason

This approach emphasises living books (real literature rather than textbooks), nature study, narration (telling back what has been learned), and short, focused lessons. It aims to develop good habits of attention and a love of learning.

Classical Education

Based on the Trivium (grammar, logic, rhetoric), classical education progresses through three stages: learning facts and foundational knowledge in the younger years, developing logical thinking and analysis in the middle years, and building persuasive communication and independent thought in the senior years.

Socialisation

This is one of the most common concerns parents have about home education, but in practice it is rarely a problem. Home-educated children socialise in many ways:

Local home education groups that meet regularly for activities, trips, and social events
Sports clubs, scouts, guides, cadets, and other youth organisations
Music lessons, drama groups, and art classes
Volunteering and community involvement
Online communities and virtual meetups with other home-educated children
Friendships with neighbours, family friends, and children of all ages

Many home-educating families actually find that their children have richer social lives than they did at school, because they interact with a wider range of people in more varied settings rather than being limited to a single peer group of the same age.

Resources and Communities

You do not have to do this alone. There is a thriving home education community in the UK with many resources available:

Local home education groups: Most areas have active groups that organise regular meetups, trips, and activities. Search on social media or ask your local authority for a list.
Online forums and communities: Facebook groups, forums, and websites dedicated to home education in the UK are excellent sources of advice and support.
Education Otherwise: A long-established UK charity supporting home-educating families.
Home Education UK (HEUK): An information and support organisation for home educators.
Local libraries: Libraries are a free and valuable resource for home-educating families. Many offer educational activities and events as well.
Exam centres: When your child is ready for GCSEs, A-levels, or other formal qualifications, they can sit exams as a private candidate at an exam centre.

Getting started tip: If you are new to home education, start by connecting with a local home education group. Experienced home educators are usually very willing to share advice, and joining a group immediately gives your child social opportunities and gives you a support network.

How Otio Academy Supports Home Educators

Otio Academy is designed to give home-educating families the best of both worlds: the flexibility and personalisation of home education with the structure and curriculum coverage of a school.

Complete curriculum coverage: Our AI-driven platform covers KS2 through KS5, with courses aligned to iGCSE and A-level specifications. You do not need to plan lessons or source materials.
Mastery-based progression: Your child works at their own pace. The AI ensures they truly understand each topic before moving on, so there are no gaps in their learning.
Flexible scheduling: There are no live lessons that your child must attend at fixed times. Learning can happen whenever and wherever suits your family.
Progress tracking and reports: You receive regular, detailed reports on your child's progress, which are also useful if your local authority asks for evidence of education.
Social opportunities: We organise online student groups, virtual meetups, and real-world trips and events where your child can connect with other learners.
Exam support: When your child is ready for formal qualifications, we support them through the process of registering as a private candidate and preparing for their exams.

Good to know: Many of our families use Otio Academy as their primary educational provider while supplementing with their own activities, trips, and projects. Our platform is flexible enough to work alongside whatever approach you take.

Downloadable Templates

Use this free template to formally withdraw your child from school.

download School Deregistration Letter