Elective Home Education Law in England, Explained

Home education in England is completely legal and more common than many people realise. But the law around it is often misunderstood — by parents, and sometimes by schools too. This plain-English guide sets out what the law actually says, so you can proceed with confidence.

The legal foundation: Section 7

The cornerstone is Section 7 of the Education Act 1996. It places the duty for a child's education on the parent, not the school. It says a parent must ensure their child receives efficient, full-time education suitable to their age, ability and aptitude, and to any special needs they may have — "either by regular attendance at school or otherwise."

That phrase "or otherwise" is where home education lives. You are exercising a long-standing legal right, not asking for an exception.

What you are — and aren't — required to do

The word "suitable" is interpreted broadly, and the law is far less prescriptive than people expect. As a home-educating parent in England, you are not required to:

• Follow the National Curriculum.
• Keep to school hours, terms or holidays.
• Have a formal timetable or deliver lessons in a classroom style.
• Enter your child for GCSEs or any other exams.
• Have teaching qualifications.
• Seek permission to home educate (for a child not in a special school placed by the LA).

What you are responsible for is providing an education that is genuinely suitable and full-time in substance — broad, consistent and appropriate to your child.

The role of the Local Authority

Local Authorities don't "approve" or licence home education. However, they do have a duty to identify children not receiving a suitable education, so they may make informal enquiries. You can respond with a written account and examples of work; you are not legally obliged to meet them or admit them to your home. Our guide to Local Authority home education visits explains this in detail.

If it genuinely appears to an LA that a child is not receiving a suitable education, it can begin a formal process that may lead to a School Attendance Order. In practice, this is uncommon and avoidable — a clear picture of your child's education resolves most enquiries quickly.

Do you have to keep records?

Legally, no — there's no statutory requirement to keep records or a portfolio. But practically, light records make your life far easier: they turn an LA enquiry into a five-minute task and help you see your child's progress. It's the single most useful habit in home education. See our record-keeping guide for a sustainable approach.

What about exams and qualifications?

There's no legal requirement to sit exams, but most families working towards college or apprenticeships choose to. Home-educated students take GCSEs as private candidates at exam centres — see how to take GCSEs as a home-educated child for the full process.

Starting out

If your child is currently in school, beginning is usually as simple as a letter to the head teacher. Our step-by-step guide to deregistering your child from school covers exactly what to send and what happens next.

Confidence comes from clarity

The law gives parents a clear right to home educate and a reasonable, manageable responsibility to make it suitable. Understanding that balance is what turns anxiety into confidence.

Tools help too. Homeducate lets you plan subjects, build a flexible timetable, track progress against GCSE specifications, and — when you need it — export a complete portfolio that demonstrates a suitable education at a glance.