Elective Home Education (EHE) is the name used for when parents decide to educate their child at home instead of sending him or her to school.
We have tried here to answer the most frequently asked questions about the legal, academic and practical issues of educating a child at home and outline the Local Authority (LA)’s duties in this regard. ‘Parent’ is used here to mean anyone with parental responsibility, including guardians and carers.
The Basics
Do I have to send my child to school?
No. The parents of every child of compulsory school age must arrange for that child to receive an “efficient full-time education suitable to his or her age, ability and aptitude, and to any special educational needs he or she may have, either by regular attendance at school or otherwise”. Otherwise includes EHE.
A child is of compulsory school age from the start of the school term after their fifth birthday until the last Friday in June in the school year in which they turn sixteen.
Must I tell anyone I am home educating my child?
If your child is registered at a Darlington school, you should inform the head teacher, in writing, that you are removing them from the school register in order to home educate. They will then inform us. If your child attends a school for special needs, you must get our consent before you withdraw them.
If your child has never been registered at a school (or you have moved from outside Darlington) please contact Children’s Services directly so that we can provide you with information and advice.
Must I be a qualified teacher?
No. You do need to be well organised, enthusiastic, committed and energetic.
What expenses would EHE involve and are grants available?
No funding is available to support home educators. Many resources, such as the library, are free. However, the following are some expenses you may have:
- Some resources and educational trips
- The services of a tutor or tutors
- Exam registration and any other assessment fees
What if I choose EHE and then change my mind?
If at any time you want your child to enter or return to school (or are unsure about how to do this), contact our Choice Adviser (see below).
The Local Authority’s Involvement
How is the LA involved in EHE?
We are always happy to help and advise, but are unable to offer direct teaching, provide teaching materials, recommend tutors or arrange work experience. We can help find exam centres, but payment is your responsibility.
What is the LA's duty under the Education Act 1996?
We have a duty to get involved if it seems parents are not providing a suitable education. ‘Suitable’ is defined by law as equipping a child for life in their community, while also allowing him/her to choose “some other form of life if he or she wishes to do so” as an adult. To check suitability, we gather evidence.
What evidence might the LA request?
Once we have been told that a family are home educating, we arrange a visit with the parent(s) and child to assess whether EHE is suitable. We will ask to see samples and diaries of the child’s work. However, the parent may choose to meet LA officers alone or not at all, in which case we ask for reports from parents or tutors, or a description of the parent’s educational philosophy.
What if our home education is considered unsuitable?
We will inform you of this and may request further visits and/or evidence. We will offer support and recommendations to help things improve. If the education continues unsuitable, we may issue a school attendance order. This means that the child must be sent to the school named on the order. However, a parent may still provide evidence and apply to have it cancelled.
EHE Learning
What should my child learn?
It is the parent’s decision what and how their child is educated, as long as that child is being prepared for life in today’s society and given the opportunity to achieve his or her full potential.
Do we have to follow the National Curriculum?
No. However, the National Curriculum does provide a useful framework, especially if you want your child to return to school or take formal qualifications such as GCSEs. The core subjects are English, maths and science. ICT, history, geography, technology, art, music, citizenship, physical education and a modern foreign language are also studied. The full curriculum is available on the internet.
Can my child go to school part-time?
Yes, but only if the head teacher agrees. They are required to follow the National Curriculum at school, but not at home. Times when they are not in school are marked as authorised absences.
Will my child have to take tests at each key stage, as in school?
No, formal testing is not required.
What if my child has special educational needs?
Please contact the SEN team on 01325 388 850, who will arrange for you to receive further advice from specialist services.
EHE for Older Children
Does my child have to do GCSEs and how can they take them?
No, they don’t have to do them. If they choose to, the options are:
- Register as a private candidate and sit the exam at a local school
- Arrange for part-time attendance at college
- Use correspondence courses.
Where can we get advice about qualifications and careers?
Connexions provide information, advice and guidance to young people aged 13-19. They are located in Houndgate and can be contacted on 01325 480 055.
Can my child get a part-time job?
By law, children must be at least 13 years old and have a work permit to work part-time. The type and hours of work that a young person can do are restricted by law and by DBC’s byelaws.
If your child plans to get a part-time job, please read the leaflet Information for ‘Parents and Pupils About Part-Time Employment of School-Aged Children’. Copies can be ordered from the Education Welfare Service on 01325 388 866.
Further Considerations
There are many reasons for choosing EHE. However, if your reason is a problem with your child’s school, we strongly recommend that you first discuss it with the school and try to work out any difficulties.
It is valuable to talk to someone who has experience of home education before making your final decision. National groups that support home educators include Education Otherwise [external link], 0845 478 6345, and the Home Education Advisory Service [external link] (HEAS), 01707 371 854,
EHE can be a happy and constructive experience for both you and your child. If you decide to become home educators the LA wishes you well.
For further information, or to request a copy of our EHE booklet (which covers the above in further detail and more) please contact the EHE Administrator on jennifer.gilby@darlington.gov.uk or 01325 388 805.
Alternatively, to discuss all educational options for your child, contact our Choice Adviser on david.chambers@darlington.gov.uk or 01325 388 934