Understanding your legal rights as a home educating parent UK is essential before you start home education.
Too many families begin home educating without knowing what they’re legally required to do – and more importantly, what they’re NOT required to do.
I spent weeks researching our home educating parent legal rights UK before deregistering my girls from school. I wanted to know exactly where the law stood, what the Local Authority could demand, and what I could refuse.
This guide covers everything you need to know about home educating parent legal rights UK – from deregistration to curriculum choice, from Local Authority contact to future education options.
Know your rights. Protect your family. Home educate with confidence.
What’s Covered in This Guide
- → Your Fundamental Right to Home Educate
- → What the Law Actually Requires
- → Who Has the Right to Home Educate?
- → Deregistration Rights and Process
- → Your Right to Choose Curriculum and Methods
- → Local Authority Rights vs Your Rights
- → What You Can Legally Refuse
- → Rights for Parents of SEN Children
- → Your Child’s Right to Return to School
- → Protecting Your Rights
- → Legal Myths vs Reality
- → Frequently Asked Questions
Your Fundamental Right to Home Educate
Let’s start with the most important thing: home educating parent legal rights UK are protected by law.
The Legal Foundation
Education Act 1996, Section 7 states:
“The parent of every child of compulsory school age shall cause him to receive efficient full-time education suitable—
(a) to his age, ability and aptitude, and
(b) to any special educational needs he may have,
either by regular attendance at school or otherwise.”
That “or otherwise” is your legal right to home educate.
What This Means:
- ✓ Home education is a legal right, not a privilege
- ✓ You don’t need permission from anyone
- ✓ School is not mandatory – education is
- ✓ You can choose to educate at home at any time
- ✓ This right is equal to the right to use schools
European Convention on Human Rights
Your home educating parent legal rights UK are also protected under:
Article 2 of Protocol 1:
“In the exercise of any functions which it assumes in relation to education and to teaching, the State shall respect the right of parents to ensure such education and teaching in conformity with their own religious and philosophical convictions.”
Translation: The state must respect your right to choose your child’s education according to your beliefs and values.
What the Law Actually Requires
Understanding your home educating parent legal rights UK means knowing what you MUST do versus what you DON’T have to do.
Legal Requirements (What You MUST Do):
- Provide efficient, full-time education
- Efficient: achieves what it sets out to achieve
- Full-time: suitable in quality and quantity (NOT school hours)
- Suitable: appropriate for age, ability, aptitude, and special needs
- Educate children of compulsory school age
- From term after 5th birthday until last Friday in June of Year 11
- Or until they turn 16, whichever comes first
- Deregister from school (if attending)
- Write letter to headteacher stating you’re withdrawing child
- School must remove from register
- School notifies Local Authority
That’s it. Those are your ONLY legal requirements.
NOT Legal Requirements (What You DON’T Have to Do):
❌ Follow the National Curriculum
❌ Teach specific subjects
❌ Follow school hours or term times
❌ Have teaching qualifications
❌ Register with the Local Authority
❌ Allow home visits
❌ Meet with LA officers
❌ Provide detailed curriculum plans
❌ Use formal assessments or tests
❌ Prove your child is “at the same level” as school children
❌ Submit regular reports (though many choose to)
❌ Have your child seen by LA officers
❌ Follow any particular educational philosophy
Critical Point:
Many Local Authorities will imply or state that certain things are requirements when they’re not. Know your home educating parent legal rights UK so you can distinguish between legal requirements and LA preferences.
Who Has the Right to Home Educate?
Understanding your home educating parent legal rights UK includes knowing who can make the decision to home educate.
Parental Responsibility
Anyone with parental responsibility can decide to home educate:
✓ Birth mothers (automatically have PR)
✓ Fathers married to mother (automatically have PR)
✓ Fathers on birth certificate (since December 2003, automatically have PR)
✓ Fathers with PR agreement or court order
✓ Adoptive parents
✓ Guardians appointed by court or will
✓ Those with residence order or special guardianship
Separated Parents
If both parents have parental responsibility, both must agree to home educate.
If one parent disagrees:
- Try mediation first
- May need to apply for Specific Issue Order
- Court will decide based on child’s best interests
See our guide on co-parenting home education UK for more details.
Foster Carers and Care Orders
- Foster carers: Do NOT automatically have right to home educate
- Local Authority in care: Makes education decisions
- Care orders: Complex – seek legal advice
Deregistration Rights and Process
Part of your home educating parent legal rights UK is the right to withdraw your child from school.
Your Deregistration Rights:
✓ You can deregister at any time (mid-term, mid-year, any time)
✓ School MUST remove child from register upon receipt of your letter
✓ School cannot refuse or delay
✓ School cannot require notice period
✓ You don’t need to give reasons (though brief explanation helpful)
✓ Deregistration is immediate
The Process:
- Write letter to headteacher stating you’re withdrawing child for home education
- School removes from register – usually same day or next working day
- School notifies Local Authority – legally required within 5 days
- LA may contact you – see below for your rights regarding this
Exceptions (Cannot Simply Deregister):
❌ Child attends special school – need LA permission
❌ Child has EHCP with school placement – need LA agreement to change
❌ School Attendance Order in place – need to challenge this first
Sample Deregistration Letter:
Dear [Headteacher Name],
I am writing to inform you that I am withdrawing [Child’s Full Name], currently in [Year Group], from [School Name] with immediate effect.
I will be providing home education for [Child’s Name] as is my legal right under Section 7 of the Education Act 1996.
Please remove [Child’s Name] from the school register and confirm receipt of this letter in writing.
Yours sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Date]
Your Right to Choose Curriculum and Methods
One of the most important home educating parent legal rights UK is curriculum freedom.
What You Can Choose:
✓ Any subjects – not required to teach National Curriculum subjects
✓ Any methods – formal lessons, unschooling, project-based, anything
✓ Any schedule – morning, evening, year-round, term-time, whatever works
✓ Any resources – online, workbooks, real-world learning, mix of everything
✓ Any pace – faster or slower than school, following child’s readiness
✓ Any philosophy – Charlotte Mason, Montessori, classical, eclectic, autonomous
National Curriculum
The National Curriculum is only mandatory for state schools.
You are NOT required to:
- Teach National Curriculum subjects
- Follow National Curriculum objectives
- Assess against National Curriculum levels
- Cover Key Stage requirements
You CAN choose to follow it if you want, but it’s entirely optional.
“Suitable” Education
Your education must be “suitable” – but YOU define what’s suitable for YOUR child:
- Suitable to their age (broadly appropriate developmental level)
- Suitable to their ability (matching where they actually are, not where school says they “should” be)
- Suitable to their aptitude (recognizing their strengths and interests)
- Suitable to any SEN (addressing their specific needs)
Example:
Your 8-year-old is reading at “Year 3 level” but passionate about marine biology. Teaching them advanced science through their interest while supporting reading development is “suitable.” Forcing them to read scheme books at “their level” while ignoring their passion wouldn’t be.
Local Authority Rights vs Your Rights
Understanding home educating parent legal rights UK means knowing the boundary between LA duties and your rights.
What the Local Authority CAN Do:
✓ Contact you to inquire about educational provision
✓ Request information in writing
✓ Make informal inquiries
✓ Ask to visit (you can refuse)
✓ Ask to see child (you can refuse)
✓ Ask for evidence of suitable education
✓ Initiate SAO process IF they have evidence education is unsuitable
What the Local Authority CANNOT Do:
❌ Force entry to your home
❌ Demand home visits
❌ Require you to meet them
❌ Insist child speaks to them
❌ Interview your child alone without consent
❌ Require you to follow National Curriculum
❌ Demand written plans or timetables
❌ Require formal assessments
❌ Insist on regular monitoring
❌ Set conditions on home education
❌ Threaten legal action without evidence
❌ Make home education unnecessarily difficult
Your Right to Privacy
You have a right to privacy in your home and family life (Article 8 ECHR).
This means:
- You can refuse home visits
- You can limit information shared
- You can insist on written communication only
- You control who has access to your children
LA’s Duty vs Your Rights
LAs have a duty to identify children not receiving suitable education. BUT this duty doesn’t override your rights.
Balance: You can provide evidence of suitable education WITHOUT surrendering your privacy rights.
What You Can Legally Refuse
Exercising your home educating parent legal rights UK includes knowing what you can refuse.
You Can Refuse:
1. Home Visits
✓ Not legally required
✓ Entirely voluntary
✓ You can provide evidence through written reports instead
2. Meeting with LA Officers
✓ Not legally required
✓ You can insist on written communication only
✓ If you do meet, you can choose location (e.g., library, their office)
3. Child Being Seen
✓ Not legally required
✓ Written/photographic evidence is sufficient
✓ If child is seen, you can be present throughout
4. Child Speaking to LA Alone
✓ Absolutely can refuse
✓ LA has no right to interview children alone
✓ This is a safeguarding issue – insist on being present
5. Specific Curriculum Demands
✓ LA cannot dictate curriculum
✓ You choose subjects and methods
✓ National Curriculum is not required
6. Regular Monitoring
✓ Not legally required
✓ Annual contact is common, but even this is voluntary
✓ You can refuse ongoing monitoring arrangements
7. Detailed Plans/Timetables
✓ Not required to provide detailed daily plans
✓ Brief overview of approach is sufficient
✓ Evidence of suitable education, not prescription of future plans
8. Formal Assessments/Tests
✓ Not required to test your child
✓ Not required to prove they’re “at the same level” as schooled children
✓ Progress can be shown in many ways
Rights for Parents of SEN Children
Your home educating parent legal rights UK extend to children with special educational needs.
Children Without EHCPs:
If your child has SEN but no EHCP:
✓ Full right to home educate
✓ Can deregister same as any child
✓ LA cannot refuse
✓ You’re responsible for meeting their needs
Children With EHCPs:
If your child has an Education, Health and Care Plan:
⚠️ More complex – EHCP usually names school
⚠️ Cannot simply deregister – need LA agreement
⚠️ LA must agree to remove school placement
⚠️ EHCP can be amended to remove school (Section I)
✓ You CAN home educate child with EHCP
✓ LA must still ensure provision in Sections B, F, G, H if at home
Process for EHCP Children:
- Write to LA stating intention to home educate
- Request EHCP review/amendment
- Explain how you’ll meet needs outlined in EHCP
- LA must consider request (cannot automatically refuse)
- If refused, can appeal to tribunal
Your Rights With EHCP:
✓ Right to request home education be named
✓ Right to show how you’ll meet needs
✓ Right to annual review of EHCP
✓ Right to appeal decisions
✓ Right to still receive therapy services (if in EHCP)
Lost Rights With EHCP Home Education:
❌ Lose automatic right to school place
❌ LA may reduce services (legally gray area)
❌ May be harder to get back into school later
For EHCP situations, seek advice from IPSEA (Independent Provider of Special Education Advice).
Your Child’s Right to Return to School
Part of home educating parent legal rights UK is understanding future flexibility.
Returning to School:
✓ You can return to school at any time
✓ Home education is not permanent
✓ Apply for school place same as any child
✓ Child keeps their “in-year fair access” rights
The Process:
- Apply for school place through normal admissions
- If no places available, go on waiting list
- LA must help find place (Fair Access Protocol)
- Usually placed within 6 weeks
Exam Rights:
✓ Home educated children CAN take GCSEs
✓ Take as external/private candidates
✓ Must find exam centre accepting private candidates
✓ Pay exam fees (£100-150 per GCSE typically)
✓ Same qualifications as school students
College/Sixth Form Rights:
✓ Home educated students CAN apply to colleges
✓ Same admission rights as school students
✓ May need to prove prior learning (depends on course)
✓ Many home educators go straight to college at 16
University Rights:
✓ Home educated students CAN apply to university
✓ UCAS application same process
✓ Need required qualifications (A-Levels or equivalent)
✓ Many universities welcoming to home educated applicants
✓ Can get student finance
Protecting Your Rights
Knowing your home educating parent legal rights UK is one thing. Protecting them is another.
Document Everything:
- Keep copies of all correspondence with LA
- Keep records of learning (photos, work samples, diary)
- Note dates of any calls/visits
- Keep deregistration letter and school confirmation
Communicate in Writing:
- Prefer email/letters over phone calls
- Creates paper trail
- Prevents misunderstandings
- Can be used as evidence if needed
Know When to Seek Help:
Seek legal advice if:
- School Attendance Order issued
- LA making unreasonable demands
- Threats of legal action
- Safeguarding concerns raised unfairly
- Disagreement between parents needs court resolution
Support Organizations:
- Education Otherwise: Legal advice and support for home educators
- Home Education UK: Information and resources
- IPSEA: Special educational needs advice
- Local home ed groups: Advice on your specific LA
Standing Firm on Rights:
- Be polite but firm
- State your legal position clearly
- Don’t be pressured into waiving rights
- It’s okay to say “I’ll respond in writing”
- It’s okay to say “I’d like to seek advice first”
Legal Myths vs Reality
Let’s bust some common myths about home educating parent legal rights UK.
MYTH: “You need LA permission to home educate”
❌ FALSE
✓ Reality: Home education is your legal right. You don’t need anyone’s permission.
MYTH: “The LA must monitor your home education”
❌ FALSE
✓ Reality: The LA has a duty to identify children not receiving suitable education, but monitoring is not mandatory. You can provide evidence without ongoing monitoring.
MYTH: “You must allow home visits”
❌ FALSE
✓ Reality: Home visits are entirely voluntary. You can provide evidence through written reports.
MYTH: “Your child must be at the same level as schooled children”
❌ FALSE
✓ Reality: Education must be suitable for YOUR child’s age, ability, and aptitude. Not compared to schooled children.
MYTH: “You must follow the National Curriculum”
❌ FALSE
✓ Reality: National Curriculum only applies to state schools. You can teach anything, in any order.
MYTH: “You need teaching qualifications”
❌ FALSE
✓ Reality: No qualifications required. Parents of any educational background can home educate.
MYTH: “Home educated children can’t take exams”
❌ FALSE
✓ Reality: They can take GCSEs, A-Levels, and other qualifications as private candidates.
MYTH: “Once you home educate, you can’t return to school”
❌ FALSE
✓ Reality: You can apply for school places at any time. Home education is not permanent.
MYTH: “The LA can tell you how to teach”
❌ FALSE
✓ Reality: Curriculum and methods are your choice. LA can only ensure education is suitable, not dictate how.
MYTH: “You must teach Monday-Friday, 9-3”
❌ FALSE
✓ Reality: “Full-time” means quality and quantity of education, not school hours. You can educate any schedule.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is my fundamental right to home educate?
Under Section 7 of the Education Act 1996, parents have the legal right to educate their children “otherwise” than at school. This means home education is a protected legal right, not a privilege requiring permission. You can choose to home educate at any time without needing approval from schools or Local Authorities.
Can I refuse Local Authority home visits?
Yes, absolutely. Home visits are entirely voluntary and not a legal requirement. You have the right to provide evidence of suitable education through written reports, photos, and work samples without allowing anyone into your home. Your privacy rights are protected under Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights.
Do I have to follow the National Curriculum?
No. The National Curriculum is only mandatory for state schools. Home educating parents have complete freedom to choose what subjects to teach, which methods to use, and at what pace. Your only requirement is that education is “suitable” for your child’s age, ability, aptitude, and any special needs – which you define.
Can I home educate if my child has special educational needs?
Yes. If your child has SEN but no EHCP, you have full rights to home educate just like any parent. If your child has an EHCP, it’s more complex – you’ll need the Local Authority to agree to remove the school placement from the plan, but you can still home educate with agreement or through tribunal appeal.
What happens if both parents don’t agree about home education?
If both parents have parental responsibility, both must agree to home educate. If one parent objects, you may need mediation or court involvement through a Specific Issue Order. The court will decide based on the child’s best interests. This is particularly relevant for separated or divorced parents.
Can my home educated child return to school later?
Yes, absolutely. Home education is not permanent. You can apply for a school place at any time through normal admissions processes. Your child retains their rights under the Fair Access Protocol, and Local Authorities must help find a suitable place, usually within 6 weeks.
What are my rights if the LA threatens a School Attendance Order?
The LA can only issue a School Attendance Order if they have evidence education is unsuitable. You have 15 days to respond with evidence of suitable education. If an SAO is issued, you have another 15 days to comply or challenge. Most SAOs are withdrawn when families provide adequate evidence. Seek advice from Education Otherwise immediately if threatened with an SAO.
Do I need teaching qualifications to home educate?
No. There is no legal requirement for teaching qualifications, degrees, or any formal educational credentials to home educate in the UK. Parents of any educational background can legally home educate their children. What matters is providing suitable education, not having qualifications.
Know Your Rights, Home Educate With Confidence
Understanding your home educating parent legal rights UK is empowering.
You have the right to:
✓ Choose home education for your family
✓ Educate in whatever way suits your child
✓ Protect your privacy and family life
✓ Refuse unreasonable demands
✓ Change your mind and return to school if needed
✓ Provide evidence in ways that work for you
The law is on your side. Home education is not a privilege granted by the state – it’s your fundamental right as a parent.
Know these rights. Use these rights. Protect these rights.
And home educate with confidence, knowing the law supports your choice.
Protect Your Home Education Rights
Join our newsletter for legal updates, rights protection tips, and support for UK home educating families.
