Home Education Uk

Everything you need to know

Education Act 1996

" Children have to be educated, but they also have to be left to educate themselves."
- Ernest Dimnet

The 1996 Education Act is a comprehensive legislative framework that governs education in England and Wales. It enshrines the principle that education is a fundamental right for every child and sets out the duties of parents and local authorities in ensuring that this right is fulfilled.

   The Act recognises that parents have the primary responsibility for their children's education. According to Section 7, parents must ensure that their child receives an efficient full-time education suitable to their age, ability, aptitude, and any special educational needs they may have, either by regular attendance at school or otherwise. This "otherwise" clause is the legal foundation for home education.

   One of the most empowering aspects of the Act is the freedom it grants parents to choose the mode of education that best suits their child. This flexibility allows for a tailored educational experience that can adapt to each child's unique learning style, interests, and pace.

   While the Act places the primary responsibility on parents, it also outlines the role of local authorities in monitoring home education. Local authorities have a duty to ensure that all children in their area are receiving a suitable education. They may make informal inquiries to ascertain this, but they must respect the parents' right to educate their children as they see fit. This balance is crucial – it ensures oversight without unnecessary interference.

   The Act does not prescribe a specific curriculum or method for home education, allowing for a diverse range of educational philosophies and practices. Whether you follow a structured curriculum, adopt a child-led unschooling approach, or something in between, the Act supports your right to choose the best educational path for your child.

Understanding the 1996 Education Act is empowering for us as home educators. It reassures us that our choice to educate our children at home is legally recognised and protected. This knowledge allows us to engage confidently with local authorities, other educators, and the wider community, knowing that we are fulfilling our legal responsibilities while providing a personalised, enriching educational experience for our children.

As a home education community, we can support each other by sharing resources, experiences, and advice on navigating the practical aspects of the Act. By staying informed and connected, we can ensure that we all make the most of the freedoms and responsibilities it grants us.
To read the Act yourself, see here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/elective-home-education

Compulsory School Age (CSA)

"Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world
- Nelson Mandela

A child is of compulsory school age at the beginning of the first term after their 5th birthday, therefore, a birthday between 1st January and 31st March will mean CSA is at the start of the school term after 1st April. Birthdays between 1st April and 31st August will have a CSA of the start of the term after 1st September and a birthday between 1st September and 31st December will mean CSA is the start of the first term after 1st January.

 

Compulsory school age continues until the last Friday in June in the school year that they turn 16 years old.

Costs and Funding

"An investment in knowledge pays the best interest" - Benjamin Franklin

Yes, education costs money

Our charges are an even amount of £45.00 per month so you know exactly how much to budget month on month. You don't have to save up for school uniforms every term, no sponsorships for fund raising activities, no extra costs for having more than one child, no worries about the extra cost of the school run because the cost of fuel has gone up!

Child Benefit

Home education doesn't affect your child benefit. If your child was in home education before they turned 16, you will still be entitled to receive child benefit until they turn 20 if they are still in home ed. 
See more here: https://www.gov.uk/child-benefit

Universal Credit

Home education parents are the same as any other parent, and you will not be penalised for your choices. 
For more information on universal credit, click here: 
https://www.gov.uk/universal-credit

Writing GCSE's

Your child can write GCSEs or IGCSEs but you will have to pay for the exams at your nearest examination centre.  Costs vary with each exam and each centre so do make enquiries well in advance so that you are prepared.
IGCSEs are a better option for the sciences as they don't require course work obtained in laboratories.

Additional costs to home educate

At a minimum, you will need to ensure there are some stationary supplies - pens, pencils, erasers, sharpeners, ruler, paper - lined and plain, glue, scissors, maths set, calculator, colours pens, pencils, paints. Most of this you will already have, and will have had to buy for school anyway.

Outings and holidays

Be on the lookout for Home Ed days when booking days out. Many places offer discounts for home ed families so that they can enjoy the cheaper rates offered to mainstream schools.
Take advantage of the cheaper flight and hotel rates during school terms and enjoy family holidays at quieter times with no threat of fines!

Who needs to know?

If your child is in a mainstream school already, you will need to deregister them by writing to the head of the school. Your letter is an instruction, not a request, so they have no choice but to accept your decision although they may try and dissuade you. The school will notify your Local Authority (LA) who will be in contact with you. If your child has never been in a mainstream school, you don’t need to tell anyone, although this may change and if it does, we will let you know.


What about reports?

Your Local Authority will want an annual report showing that your child is recieving a suitable education appropriate to their age, ability, and apptitude. Here at Skillsets Connect, your child will earn certficates as they go along so tracking their progress, and proving it, is easy.

Any questions?

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