Home education

3. Parents' duty

A suitable and efficient, full-time education

The law states that a parent's duty is to provide a child with an efficient, full-time education. This should be suitable to his/her age, ability, aptitude and special needs.

Government guidelines on home education say we may expect the education to include:

  • Consistent involvement of parents or other significant carers
  • Recognition of the child's needs, attitudes and aspirations
  • Opportunities for the child to be stimulated by their learning experiences
  • Access to resources for home education, like:
    • paper and pens
    • books and libraries
    • arts and crafts materials
    • physical activity and ICT
  • The opportunity for appropriate interaction with other children and adults

Home education can be varied and flexible. It can include activities not done at school. You do not need any specific qualifications to home educate your child.

You don't have to follow the National Curriculum or mainstream school specifications.

You don't have to stick to timetables, age standards, or mark work. You also don't have to give formal lessons.

You must show that your child is progressing through your home education.

Under Section 7 of the 1996 Education Act, it is the parents' duty:

To cause (the child) to receive efficient full-time education suitable to his (her) age, ability and aptitude and to any special educational needs he (or she) may have either by regular attendance at school or 'otherwise'

The Department for Education have provided information on efficient, suitable and full-time education. Please see section 2 on: