How to Start Home Education UK: Complete Guide 2026

Is Home Education Legal in the UK?

Yes. Home education in the UK is completely legal.

The law is simple: education is compulsory, but school is not.

Under the Education Act 1996, parents have a legal right to educate their children at home. You don’t need permission from anyone – not the school, not the Local Authority, not the government.

Do I Need to Follow the National Curriculum?

No. You’re not required to follow the National Curriculum, teach specific subjects, or stick to school hours.

You only need to provide an education that’s:

• Efficient – achieving what it sets out to achieve
• Full-time – suitable in quality and quantity
• Suitable – appropriate for your child’s age, ability, aptitude, and needs

What this looks like in practice? That’s up to you.

Do I Need Teaching Qualifications?

No. You don’t need any qualifications to home educate in the UK.

Not a teaching degree. Not a PGCE. Not even GCSEs.

Legally, any parent or carer can home educate. What matters is that you’re providing suitable education – not that you’re a qualified teacher.

But What If I’m Not “Smart Enough”?

This is the fear everyone has. I had it too.

Here’s the reality: You’re not expected to know everything. You’re expected to facilitate learning.

That means:

• Using online resources (Oak Academy, Khan Academy, BBC Bitesize)
• Going to the library
• Watching educational videos together
• Finding tutors for subjects you can’t teach (if needed)
• Learning alongside your child

My maths is terrible. My eldest uses Khan Academy for maths and I just check she’s doing it. She’s thriving.

How to Deregister from School

If your child is currently in school, you need to deregister them before starting home education.

The Process (It’s Simple)

Step 1: Write to the headteacher

Send a short letter stating you’re withdrawing your child to home educate. That’s it.

Step 2: The school removes your child from the register

By law, the school must remove your child once they receive your letter. They cannot refuse or delay.

Step 3: The school notifies the Local Authority

The school is legally required to inform the LA that your child has been deregistered for home education.

Step 4: The Local Authority may contact you

Your LA might write asking about your educational provision. You’re not legally required to respond, but most people do. (More on this below.)

Important Exceptions

You cannot simply deregister if:

• Your child attends a special school (you need LA permission)
• Your child has an EHCP (Education, Health and Care Plan) – you need LA agreement to remove the school placement
• Your child is under a School Attendance Order

For these situations, you need to work with the Local Authority first.

What If My Child Has Never Been to School?

Even easier. You don’t need to deregister – just don’t register them for school in the first place.

The Local Authority may contact you when your child reaches compulsory school age (the term after they turn 5). Simply inform them you’re home educating.

What Does Home Education Cost?

Honest answer? It varies wildly.

Some families spend £50 per year. Others spend £5,000+.

Breakdown of Typical Costs:

Low Budget Home Education (£50-300/year)

• Resources: Free online programs (Oak Academy, Khan Academy, BBC Bitesize)
• Books: Library + occasional workbooks (£20-50)
• Activities: Free museums, parks, nature walks
• Materials: Basic stationery (£30)

Total: £50-300/year

Mid Budget Home Education (£500-1500/year)

• All of the above, plus:
• Curriculum: Workbooks, online subscriptions (£200-400)
• Activities: Paid classes (swimming, music, sport) (£200-600)
• Trips: Entry fees to attractions (£100-300)
• Resources: Educational games, science kits (£100-200)

Total: £500-1,500/year

Higher Budget Home Education (£2000-5000+/year)

• All of the above, plus:
• Tutors: £30-50/hour for specialist subjects (£500-2000)
• Premium curriculum: Complete programs (£300-800)
• Regular classes: Multiple weekly activities (£1000-2000)
• Equipment: Laptops, tablets, microscopes (£500-1000)

Total: £2,000-5,000+/year

Hidden Costs to Consider

• Lost income: One parent usually reduces work hours
• Increased utilities: Being home all day
• Transport: Trips, classes, meet-ups

Choosing Your Approach and Curriculum

This is where most people get stuck. There are SO many options.

Main Home Education Approaches:

1. Structured/School-at-Home

Following a set curriculum with timetables, subjects, and regular assessments.

Pros: Clear structure, easy to track progress, reassuring for nervous parents
Cons: Can feel rigid, requires more planning, child might resist “more school”

Best for: Kids who thrive on routine, parents who want clear guidelines

2. Semi-Structured/Eclectic

Mix of formal lessons for core subjects (maths, English) plus child-led learning for everything else.

Pros: Balance of structure and flexibility, adaptable, sustainable long-term
Cons: Requires more planning, can feel inconsistent at first

Best for: Most families (this is what we do)

3. Unschooling/Child-Led

Following the child’s interests completely. No formal lessons, no set curriculum.

Pros: Child stays motivated, natural learning, flexible, low stress
Cons: Requires confidence, harder to evidence for LA, gaps in knowledge can emerge

Best for: Self-motivated children, confident parents, younger kids

Recommended Curriculums for Beginners:

Free Options:

• Oak National Academy – Video lessons following UK curriculum, completely free
• Khan Academy – Excellent for maths and science
• BBC Bitesize – All subjects, UK-focused
• Duolingo – Free language learning

Paid Options (Worth It):

• Reading Eggs/Mathseeds (£10-15/month) – Brilliant for primary age
• CGP Workbooks (£5-8 each) – UK curriculum aligned, clear structure
• Twinkl (£5-10/month) – Massive resource library

Your First Week: What to Actually Do

The first week is the hardest. You’ll feel lost. That’s normal.

Week 1 Schedule (Keep It Simple)

Monday: Deschool Day

• Sleep in if you want
• Go to the library, get books
• Talk about what home education will look like
• Watch an educational documentary together

Goal: Decompress from school. No pressure.

Tuesday: Explore Interests

• Let your child choose what to learn about
• Watch YouTube videos on their topic
• Do a simple project or craft
• Visit a museum or park

Goal: Rediscover joy in learning.

Wednesday: Try Some Structure

• 1 hour: Maths (workbook or Khan Academy)
• 30 minutes: Reading time
• 1 hour: Topic work (science, history, geography)
• Afternoon: Free play, outdoor time

Goal: Test what structure feels comfortable.

Thursday: Get Out of the House

• Find a local home ed group meet-up
• Go to a park and do nature study
• Visit a free museum
• Swimming or other physical activity

Goal: Socialization + real-world learning.

Friday: Review and Plan

• Light learning day
• Discuss what worked this week
• Plan next week together
• Celebrate the first week!

Goal: Reflection and adjustment.

Dealing with the Local Authority

This causes the most anxiety. Let me demystify it.

What the Local Authority Can (and Can’t) Do

They CAN:

• Contact you to ask about your educational provision
• Request information in writing
• Ask to visit (you can refuse)
• Issue a School Attendance Order if they believe education is unsuitable

They CANNOT:

• Force you to follow the National Curriculum
• Demand access to your home
• Require your child to take tests
• Insist on seeing your child alone
• Force you to respond to every inquiry

Should I Engage with the LA?

This is controversial in the home ed community.

Some families: Refuse all contact (legally allowed)
Most families: Provide written reports annually
Some families: Welcome visits and ongoing contact

My approach: Provide an annual written report, decline visits unless necessary.

What to Include in a Report to the LA

Keep it factual, positive, and confident. You’re proving education is happening – not asking permission.

Creating Structure (Without Being a School)

You need some structure. But not school structure.

The Flexible Routine

Here’s what works for us (girls aged 10 and 12):

Morning (9am-12pm)

• 9am: Breakfast, get dressed, ready for the day
• 9:30am: Maths (30-45 minutes)
• 10:15am: English/Reading (30-45 minutes)
• 11am: Break/snack/outdoor time
• 11:30am: Topic work (science, history, geography) or project

Afternoon (12pm-3pm)

• 12pm: Lunch
• 1pm: Free learning (art, crafts, building, reading, screen time)
• 2pm: Outing OR online class OR free play

Total “formal” learning: 2-3 hours per day

That’s enough. More than enough for primary age.

Important: Flexibility Is Your Superpower

Bad day? Skip formal work, go to the park instead.

Child obsessed with dinosaurs? Spend the whole week on dinosaurs.

Rainy Tuesday? Build a blanket fort and read for three hours.

This flexibility is WHY home education works.

The Socialization Question

“But what about socialization?”

You’ll hear this A LOT. Here’s the reality:

Home Educated Kids Get PLENTY of Socialization

Through:

• Home ed groups: Weekly meet-ups, park days, trips
• Classes: Swimming, dance, music, sports, drama
• Clubs: Scouts, Brownies, youth groups, hobby clubs
• Community: Library groups, volunteering, religious groups
• Neighbors & family: Play dates, cousins, friends

Finding Home Ed Groups

Search Facebook for:

• “Home education “
• “Homeschool “
• “Elective home education “

Join 3-5 groups. Attend meet-ups. You’ll find your people.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Trying to Do Too Much at Once

Don’t buy 10 curriculums, join 5 classes, and plan every day for 6 months.

Instead: Start minimal. Add gradually.

2. Recreating School at Home

Desks, timetables, subjects, bells. If you wanted school, you’d have kept them there.

Instead: Use your kitchen table, keep it flexible, follow interests.

3. Comparing to School Progress

“She should be doing Year 4 work!” “He’s behind where he’d be in school!”

Instead: Compare to THEIR OWN progress. That’s all that matters.

4. Not Joining the Community

Home education can be isolating if you stay home all the time.

Instead: Join groups, make friends, get out of the house.

5. Worrying About GCSEs From Day One

If your child is 6, you don’t need to plan for GCSEs yet.

Instead: Focus on now. Exams can be figured out later.

Free Resources to Get Started Today

Curriculum & Learning:

• Oak National Academy – Free video lessons, UK curriculum
• Khan Academy – Maths and science, free
• BBC Bitesize – All subjects, UK-focused
• Crash Course (YouTube) – Older kids, excellent science/history

Support & Community:

• Education Otherwise – UK home education charity
• Home Education UK – Resources and support
• Facebook: Search “[Your Area] Home Education”

Free Days Out:

• Most UK museums are free (Natural History, Science Museum, etc.)
• National Trust (free if you’re a member)
• Local libraries (free activities and books)
• Parks, nature reserves, beaches

Ready to Start?

Starting home education in the UK is simpler than you think.

You don’t need to have it all figured out. You don’t need the perfect curriculum or a detailed plan for the next 10 years.

You just need to:

• ✓ Deregister (if currently in school)
• ✓ Choose a basic approach
• ✓ Gather a few free resources
• ✓ Start with one simple day
• ✓ Adjust as you go

Three years ago, I had no idea what I was doing. I was terrified. I nearly gave up in week two.

Now? It’s the best decision we ever made.

The first few weeks are messy. Then it clicks. And suddenly you’re three months in thinking “Why didn’t we do this sooner?”

You can do this. I promise.