Home education: questions parents ask

Yes – in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. You must make sure your child gets a suitable, efficient education (full-time in England, Wales and NI), at school or otherwise.

Not from a mainstream school in England, Wales or Northern Ireland – you write to the head teacher. You do need the council’s consent if your child is at a special school arranged by the council, if a school attendance order is in force, or in Scotland if your child attends a council school.

In England, Wales and NI the school tells the council when your child comes off the roll. If your child has never been to school, there’s no legal duty today, but the guidance encourages you to let the council know. The planned register in England and Wales is not in force yet.

No. You don’t have to follow any national curriculum, keep school hours or terms, or have a teaching qualification.

There is no set number. Home education doesn’t have to copy school, but in England the guidance says you should be able to show roughly how much time is spent on education.

In England you don’t have to agree to a home visit; you can give information in writing. In Wales the guidance expects the council to see and talk with your child at least once a year, but not necessarily at home. In Scotland the 2025 guidance encourages regular contact. If a council isn’t satisfied, it can start the school attendance order process.

Generally no. Parents pay for resources, tutors and exams. Some councils help with exam fees or offer advice at their discretion.

Yes, as a private candidate at a centre that accepts them. You find the centre, make the entries and pay the fees. See our exams page.

Checking anyone you use is your responsibility. The DfE guidance says to take up references and ask for a recent criminal record check (DBS in England and Wales, PVG in Scotland, AccessNI in NI).

None are required by law, but dated notes of learning, samples of work and a list of trips, clubs and tutors make it much easier to show the education you provide. Our free records templates help.

Councils look at time with other people as part of a suitable education. Local home education groups, clubs, sport, libraries and volunteering all help.

Yes, at any time. Apply for a place through your council’s school admissions team (or, for some schools, the school itself). The old school won’t keep a place open. See our going back to school guide.

No. You apply for a school place in the usual way. In England, the School Admissions Code says a parent can apply for a place at any school, at any time.

Children normally join the year group for their age. In England you can ask for a place outside the normal age group; the admission authority decides case by case and gives reasons.

Contact your council’s SEN team rather than admissions. You can ask for a particular school to be named in the plan, and a school named in an EHC plan must admit the child.

A planned council register for England and Wales under the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Act 2026. It is not in force yet and no start date has been announced.

No. This help desk is general information, not legal advice, and only your council decides whether an education is suitable. Check the official guidance and get advice if you need it.