home education information leaflet

7/30/2019 Home Education Information Leaflet

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Information for Parents/Carers

Elective Home Education

January 2008


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ELECTIVE HOME EDUCATION

1. What are these guidelines about?

The purpose of these guidelines is to assist parents or carers who may beconsidering educating their child at home or who have already taken adecision to do so and to inform parents of the legal position and the role ofthe Local Authority (LA).

2. What is the parents duty?

Section 7 of the 1996 Education Act states that:It shall be the duty of the parent of every child of compulsory school ageto cause her/him to receive efficient full-time education suitable to her/hisage, ability and aptitude (and to any special educational needs s/he mayhave) either by regular attendance at school or otherwise.

3. What is the LAs duty?

The Education Act 1996 places upon the LA a duty to satisfy itself thatparents or carers who choose to educate their child otherwise than atschool meet the legal requirements to provide suitable education.

It is not the responsibility of the Local Authority to provide tutors for HomeEducation.

4. How does the LA do this?

Annual home visits are made by inspectors, who work for the LA. Theinspectors will offer helpful advice and information. Inspectors will use this

visit to satisfy the LA that arrangements made by parents for the educationof their child comply with the law. Alternatively, parents can provide astatement or philosophy of what they intend to do to satisfy thisrequirement.

5. What is ful l-time education?

The length of time children should be involved in learning is not specifiedin law. As guidance, children in school spend between 22 and 25 hours onschoolwork for 38 weeks of the year.

6. What is efficient education?

This is not legally defined. It is up to parents to fulfil their duty according toa reasonable interpretation of the term. Certainly what is provided neednot be the same kind of lessons as are provided at school; it will be up tothe parent to show that the child is making appropriate progress.

7. What about the National Curriculum?

The National Curriculum does not apply to children who are being

educated at home. There are no compulsory subjects for parents whoeducate their children at home.


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The curriculum can be described as covering main areas of learning andexperience that are desirable for any child. They are:

aesthetic and creative human and social linguistic and literary mathematical moral

physical scientific spiritual technological

It is recommended that the curriculum should be broadly based andshould seek to develop all of a childs abilities including those whereprogress seems to be slight or where interest is low. For guidance thecompulsory National Curriculum subjects for children aged 5-11 are:

english mathematics science technology information technology *geography *history physical education religious education *art *music

Pupils aged 11-16 study a modern foreign language if they are in school.The subjects marked* above are not compulsory for pupils aged 14-16.

This may be a very important list of subjects if a child may return to schoolat a future date.

Naturally, the time and depth of study will vary with the age of the child. Inaddition to covering a broad curriculum, a child needs opportunities forsocial development and the opportunity to relate to other children and

adults in a variety of circumstances. These social opportunities may bemore difficult to achieve when a child is educated away from other childrenof the same age (the peer group) and careful planning is advised.

8. Can my child attend school part-time?

No. Children either attend school full-time or are educated at home whilstthey are of compulsory school age. Compulsory schooling starts at thebeginning of the term following the childs fifth birthday and ends duringthe academic year when the pupil has his or her sixteenth birthday (lastFriday in J une).


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9. Can I withdraw my child from school?

Yes. However, you must notify the governing body of the school in writing,usually through the Headteacher, of the intention to commence electivehome education. The school then has a duty to report the deletion of thepupils name from the admission register to the LA where the child liveswithin ten school days. If the child is registered at a special schoolparents need the consent of the Complex Needs Panel within the LA.

This regulation ensures that LAs can maintain continuity in theirresponsibility for children with Special Educational Needs. This is also thecase for a pupil with a Statement of Special Educational Needs who isattending a mainstream school.

10. What happens if I do not inform the LA of provision for education orthe LA is not satisfied with the provision?

The LA has a legal duty to satisfy itself that suitable provision is beingmade. A refusal to provide evidence may lead to the LA taking steps toreturn a child to school - however the LA would first wish to take all

reasonable steps to work together with parents.

Where the LA is not satisfied that the parents are meeting legalrequirements, parents will be given this information in writing and areasonable period of time will be allowed to improve the situation. Again ifthe provision does not improve then this may lead to the LA taking stepsto return a child to the school. However, we would hope to reach agreedimprovements by detailed discussion with parents and will make allreasonable efforts to do so.

(However, if your child has never attended a school there is no legal

requirement to inform the LA).

11. What if my child is at special school?

You will need to seek agreement from the LA (The Complex Needs Panel)before removing a child from a special school.

12. What if my child has special needs?

The inspectors will offer advice and may arrange other professional visitsto assist in advising parents. If your childs special education needsrequire a formal assessment leading to a statement, the LA will makearrangements or you may request an assessment by writing to the:

Senior Advocacy and Monitoring ManagerBuilding 4,North London Business ParkOakleigh Road SouthLondon N11 1NPTel: 020-8359-7701e-mail: [email protected] will be fully involved in all discussions about your childs SpecialEducational Needs.


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13. Where can I receive advice?

You may wish to consider materials and ideas from outside agencies andsupport groups. The following organisations may be useful:

Education OtherwisePO Box 325Kings Lynn

PE34 3XWTel. 0845 478 6345www.education-otherwise.org/index.htm

Home Education Advisory ServiceWelwyn Garden CityHertsAL8 6ANTel. 01707 371 854www.heas.org.uk

Please see attached appendix for further addresses that may be helpful.

14. Some thoughts to consider.

Deciding to educate your child at home is a major step that involvesconsiderable commitment. Do think carefully before making a decision talk to your child and plan in detail what you intend to do. Consider anycosts which may be involved, e.g. equipment, books, visits, tutors. Someareas of educational experience such as science and technology aredifficult to provide adequately at home.

Please consider the social side of growing up; regular contact with peers,joint activities and the stimulus of other childrens work are real benefits toall children.

It is unlikely to be of benefit to your child if you decide to educate at homebecause of:

disagreement with a school or teacher disappointment at not being offered a place at your preferred school

difficulty in persuading your child to attend school.

In any of these cases, please contact the Headteacher, the GoverningBody or the LA, to help resolve the difficulties.

15. Does the LA help in any way financially?

If a parent chooses to home-educate, they assume financial responsibilityfor their childs education, including the cost of public examinations, andpossibly invigilation charges. The LA can however provide advice andguidance on curriculum and direct families to exam boards and other

providers. www.qcda.gov.uk

Websites are available for parents who home educate, to direct them tosupport and resources please see appendices.


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16. How can I demonstrate that suitable education is being

provided?

There are many equally valid approaches to educational provision, and theway in which you provide information is entirely up to you. It may bein the form of specific examples e.g. paintings, diaries, projects,educational visits, musical and sporting achievements.

17. Can I employ other people to educate my chi ld?

Yes, this is often the case. However you remain responsible forthe education and safeguarding of your child. You remain responsible forensuring that those who are employed have had an Enhanced CriminalRecords Bureau Check, and that you have taken up professional andpersonal references about the tutors employed.

18. Are there other organisations available to help?

For pupils aged 13-19, the Local Connexions Service is available.

Burnt Oak Leisure CentreWatling AvenueEdgwareHA8 0NJTel: 020 8359 6401E mail: [email protected]

19. We wish you success!

If, after careful consideration, you decide to educate at home, we hopethat you find it a happy and constructive experience. The LA is not able toprovide teaching support or very detailed curriculum plans, but we willoffer encouragement and advice. We are committed to a successfuleducation for all children and recognise that elective home education canwork well for some children.

20. Your contact

If you wish to discuss any aspect of elective home education or any issuesthat concern you, please contact:

Alison DawesHead of Access to SchoolsChildrens ServiceLondon Borough of BarnetBuilding 4, North London Business ParkOakleigh Road South, London N11 1NPTel: 020-8359-7698E mail: [email protected]


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Appendix

Voluntary organisations that may offer advice on elective homeeducation:

1. Childrens Home Based Education Association14 Basil Avenue

Armthorpe, DoncasterDN3 2AT

Tel: 01302 327 695

2. Education Otherwise25 Common LaneHemmingford Abbots, CambridgeshirePE18 9AN

Tel: 0870 730 0074

3. World-Wide Education Service (PNEU)Barleymow PassageLondonW4 4PH

Tel: 020 8994 3622

4. Advisory Centre for Education (ACE)

Tel: 020 7354 8321 (Mon Fri. 2pm 5pm)

5. The European Acadmey for Christian Homeschool ingMaranatha HouseUnit 5 Northford CloseShrivenhamSwindon SN6 8HL

Tel: 01793 783783E-mail: [email protected]

6. www.education-otherwise.org

P. O. Box 7420London N9 9SG

Tel: 0870 7300 074


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7. Muddle Puddle An independent site focusing on learning for 0-8 years.

www.muddlepuddle.co.uk

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