- >Home
- >Education and learning
- >Home education
- Home education - FAQs
Home education - FAQs
Frequently asked questions by parents / carers who are considering educating their child(ren) at home.
At what age is it compulsory for children to have to receive full time education?
Do I need anyone's permission to educate my child from home?
What if my child has special needs?
Can I educate my child part-time at home and part-time at school?
Can I change my mind about home education?
Do I have to teach the National Curriculum ?
Will I have to arrange for SATS testing?
Can my child still take GCSEs?
Will my child still be entitled to careers advice?
At what age is it compulsory for children to have to receive full time education?
All children must receive full time education from the start date of what would be the school term following their 5th birthday. Compulsory education continues until the last Friday in June, of Year 11, i.e. any child, who is aged 16 between September and 31st August, is of compulsory school age until the last Friday of June in that year.
Do I need anyone's permission to educate my child from home?
Any parent / carer who expresses the wish to educate their child at home must inform the Director of Children, Learning and Young People of their intention by writing to:
Director
of Children, Learning and Young People
(For the attention of the Special Educational Needs Management Service)
New
Council Offices
Earl Street
Coventry
CV1 5RS
Please state your child's full name, date of birth, date when it is proposed that home education will commence and where applicable, the name of the last school attended.
If your child is in school you must formally deregister by writing to the Headteacher and say that you intend to teach your child at home. Please send a copy of the letter to the Local Authority.
Your child will then be removed from the roll.
Failure to notify the school and Local Authority (LA) in writing of your intentions to educate at home could result in prosecution for failing to ensure their attendance.
If your child has never been to school, you do not have to take any action prior to starting home education but the LA should be informed of your decision so that the home education arrangements can be monitored.
Please note that all parties with parental responsibility need to be in agreement with the decision to educate a child at home. In the case of parents who live apart the Local Authority will take steps to consult the other parent and seek their agreement.
What if my child has special needs?
If your child has a Statement of Special Educational Needs and attends a special school, you need permission from the Local Authority to deregister them. Pupils, with a Statement of Special Educational Needs can be educated at home providing the LA judge the arrangements you provide to be appropriate for the child's "age, ability and aptitude."
Even if the LA is satisfied that parents are making suitable arrangements, it remains under a duty to maintain the Statement and to review it annually. In some circumstances the child's needs identified in the Statement will have been related to the school setting and the child's needs may be met at home by parents without LA support. It may be appropriate, once it is established that a child's special needs are being met without any additional support from the LA, to consider ceasing to maintain the Statement. This would be done at the Annual Review or at any other time.
Can I educate my child part-time at home and part-time at school ("Flexi-Schooling")?
"Flexi-schooling" is an arrangement between the parent and the school where the child is registered and attends the school only part time; the rest of the time the child is home educated (on authorised absence from school). Flexi schooling is a legal option but this is at the discretion of the headteacher and governors and the responsibility for the coverage and assessment of the National Curriculum will be theirs. The child will be required to follow the National curriculum whilst at school but not whilst he/she is being educated at home.
Can I change my mind about home education?
If at any time you wish your child to return to school full time then you can contact the Local Authority to get a school place. Parents / carers need to be aware that the normal admissions procedures will apply. You will be able to express a preference for any particular school(s). Your preference will be met if there is a place available in the appropriate year group at any particular school.
Do I have to teach the National Curriculum?
The National Curriculum only applies to state schools. It is up to you and your child what, how and when you study providing it is appropriate for their age , ability and aptitude.
Will I have to arrange for SATS testing?
No. It is only state schools that are required to carry out SATS tests. The LEA will not test your child.
Can my child still take GCSEs?
It is possible for young people to take exams as external candidates at various exam centres. As the parent / carer you will need to find a registered centre to take the exams. It would be advisable for you to also contact individual examination boards to discuss the arrangements for private candidates. You will have to pay for any exam registration fees and assessment of coursework, by an accredited person.
A wider range of apprenticeships and work based learning programmes are available to young people with good GCSE's. They are also required for many college courses. Alongside qualifications like 'A' levels and national diplomas, universities often require GCSE's, particularly in English and maths (Grade C and above).Once a pupil is 16 years of age they can enrol in a wide range of adult courses including A / AS level exams.
Other types of national recognised accredited courses are available and the Connexions Service can provide advice on these (please see next section).
Will my child still be entitled to careers advice ?
Yes, careers advice is now offered through the Connexions service for all 13 – 19 year olds. If your child is over 13 years old, you can contact the local Connexions office who will explain how they can help.
Work experience
Children educated at home have no entitlement to participate in work experience under arrangements made by the LA. If you arrange work experience for your child you should consider the extent to which the child is covered by, for example, health and safety, child protection and insurance provision of the work place.
Get in touch
Contact us quickly and easily using our online contact form.