Choosing Home Education
Parents have a legal responsibility to provide education for their child. The majority of parents choose to fulfil this duty by sending their child to school, but parents can also choose to provide education at home. In March 2004 the Executive published Guidance On The Circumstances In Which Parents May Choose To Educate Their Children At Home.
Parents who wish to provide home education for a child who currently attends a state school must seek the consent of the education authority to withdraw the child from school. An authority cannot withhold consent without good reason. If a child has not attended a state school there is no requirement to seek consent from the authority to educate the child at home.
A written consultation was carried out from November 2006 to February 2007, followed by publication of the consultation responses and analysis report.
For further information on home education see Parentzone.