Whilst most parents send their child to school, some choose to teach their child at home. This is called elective home education (EHE).
As a parent, you are legally responsible for your child's education. This includes financial responsibility for things like learning materials, tutors and exam fees.
Things to think about
Home education can be hard work but also rewarding. You will need time, energy and motivation to meet your legal duties and make sure your child reaches their full educational potential.
If you decide to teach your child at home, their education must be full time, suitable and efficient. This is your responsibility. This means that you should consider:
- what a typical day or week will look like and how you will ensure that your child receives a full time education - this does not have to be school hours or term times, can include formal and informal learning and take place all year round
- how you will ensure that your child's studies are suitable including:
- access to core subjects - especially literacy and numeracy - and other subjects appropriate for your child
- making sure you prepare your child for their next steps
- how you'll make sure that your child is making progress including:
- how you make sure they have understood the learning
- how you know they are moving forward
- what next steps are appropriate for them
You should also think about:
- costs, such as:
- resources
- equipment
- books
- exam fees
- online learning charges
- tutors
- possible loss of a parent's income
- your child's wellbeing, including how you will give them chances to:
- meet and play with other children and young people
- talk about issues and ideas with other people to help their understanding and critical thinking
- access to special facilities and experiences, for example:
- science equipment
- sports and exercise
- trips and visits
Before you decide, we suggest you contact the EHE team for advice.
Reasons for home educating
Many parents consider EHE for positive educational reasons. However, there are times where we advise further caution.
If you are thinking about EHE because of a disagreement with your child's school, we recommend you work with the school to try to solve the problem before making a final decision.
If you are wanting to educate your child at home while you wait for a place at a particular school, remember that your child may be on a wait list for a long time. During this time, you must make sure that you can meet your legal duties in educating your child at home.
What to do
What to do when you decide to educate your child at home depends on your circumstances.
Children below statutory school age or not registered at a West Sussex school
If your child has not reached statutory school age or is not registered at a school in West Sussex and you are going to educate them at home, you can still get advice and guidance by contacting the EHE team.
Children registered at a school
If your child currently attends school, you must write to the school to tell them you are going to educate your child at home. The school cannot legally remove your child from their roll until they receive written confirmation from you. The process is called deregistration. The school then have a legal duty to inform the EHE team of your decision to deregister.
Ideally, both parents will agree to the deregistration. However, only one parent's name needs to be on the deregistration letter or email. If one parent disagrees, it is a family matter which you may require legal assistance to resolve.
Children registered at a special school
If your child attends a special school, you must contact the Special Educational Needs Assessment Team (SENAT) to deregister them. Part B of your child's Education Health and Care Plan (EHCP) gives details of your child's needs. You must make sure that you give full information about how you will meet those needs. The SENAT must consent to your child's removal from the school roll. Your child must attend school, if they can, until SENAT agree to the removal. Find more information on our home educating a child with special needs page.
If you change your mind
EHE does not have to be a permanent decision. You can apply for your child to attend a school at any time. Be aware that if you take your child out of a school, there might not be space for them to return to the same one later.
Find more information on our requesting a school place for a home educated child page.