Deciding to home educate is a big step, but the paperwork to begin is surprisingly simple. In most cases in England, you write one letter and your child is removed from the school roll. This guide walks you through it.
Please note: This is general information for England, not legal advice. Rules differ in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, and special cases (see below) have extra steps. Check current government guidance if you're unsure.
Step 1: Make your decision and pick a start date
You don't need anyone's permission to home educate a child who is registered at a mainstream school. You simply need to notify the school in writing. Many families choose a clean start date — the end of a week or a half-term — but you're free to begin whenever suits your family.
Step 2: Write to the head teacher
The legal trigger is a letter to the head teacher stating that you are withdrawing your child to home educate. On receiving it, the school must remove your child from the register and inform the Local Authority. You do not need to give detailed reasons.
Dear [Head Teacher's name],
I am writing to inform you that I am withdrawing my child, [child's full name], date of birth [DOB], from [school name] with effect from [date], as I am taking responsibility for their education otherwise than at school, under Section 7 of the Education Act 1996.
Please remove [child's name] from the school register and confirm this in writing. Thank you for your support during their time at the school.
Yours sincerely,
[Your name]
Send it by email (so you have a record) or by post, and keep a copy. Ask for written confirmation that your child has been taken off the roll.
Step 3: The school informs the Local Authority
Once you're off-roll, the school notifies the LA, who will usually write to you. This is normal. They may ask about your educational plans — you can respond with a short statement of your approach. For what to expect, read our guide to Local Authority home education visits.
Important special cases
- Special school placement: If your child attends a special school and was placed there by the Local Authority, you usually need the LA's consent before deregistering. Contact them first.
- EHCP: You can still home educate a child with an Education, Health and Care Plan, but it's wise to talk to the LA, as the plan may need reviewing.
- School Attendance Order or ongoing legal process: If one is in place, get advice before withdrawing.
- Scotland and other nations: Different rules apply — in some cases consent to withdraw is required. Check your nation's guidance.
Tip: There's no need to rush a curriculum into place on day one. Many families take a few weeks to "deschool" and settle before building a routine.
Step 4: Set up the lightest possible structure
Once you've begun, a simple structure makes everything calmer: a rough weekly rhythm, the subjects you'll focus on, and a habit of jotting down what you do. You don't need a classroom — just a way to see that learning is happening and progressing.
This is where Homeducate helps from day one: build a flexible timetable, plan subjects (including full GCSE specifications if you're working towards exams), and log learning in seconds so you always have a record. Our record-keeping guide shows how to keep it light and sustainable.
Free download: Just getting started? Our free checklist helps you keep the early days organised.
You've got this
The administrative part of starting home education really is just one letter. From there it's about finding your family's rhythm — and there's a large, welcoming UK home-ed community to lean on as you do. For the legal background in plain English, see our guide to elective home education law in England.