Homeschooling, known officially as elective home education (EHE), is a legally protected choice available to every parent in the UK. Despite this, many families are unsure exactly what steps they need to take, whether they need permission, and how children who are homeschooled eventually sit exams such as GCSEs.
This guide walks through the legal basis for home education, the exact deregistration process if your child currently attends school, what happens if your child has never been enrolled, curriculum options, exam routes, and realistic cost planning.
The legal framework: Section 7 of the Education Act 1996
Section 7 of the Education Act 1996 states that parents are responsible for ensuring their child receives a suitable, full-time education, either by regular attendance at school "or otherwise". That final phrase, "or otherwise", is the legal foundation for home education in England and Wales.
The law does not prescribe a fixed curriculum, set hours, or a particular teaching style for home education, unlike the National Curriculum requirements placed on state schools. This gives home-educating families significant flexibility, but it also means the responsibility for ensuring education is "suitable" sits entirely with the parent.
If your child is currently enrolled in school: the deregistration process
If your child is on a school roll and you decide to home educate, you must formally deregister them by writing to the headteacher.
- Write a clear, dated letter to the headteacher stating your intention to remove your child from the school roll for the purpose of elective home education
- You do not need the school’s permission or approval, though most schools will ask for a meeting or further information as a courtesy
- The school is legally required to remove your child from its admissions register once it receives your letter, except in specific circumstances, such as if your child is subject to a school attendance order or is a dual-registered pupil at a special school
- The school will usually notify the local authority once your child is deregistered, as local authorities keep informal records of children known to be home educated in their area
If your child has never been enrolled in school
If your child has never attended school, for example if you decide before they reach compulsory school age (or shortly after) that you will home educate from the start, there is no legal requirement in England to notify the local authority.
Many families choose to inform their local authority anyway, since it can make it easier to access some local support, home education groups, and, in some areas, informal access to school facilities such as exam centres, though none of this is a legal requirement.
Choosing a curriculum approach
Because there is no legal requirement to follow the National Curriculum, home-educating families choose from a wide spectrum of approaches.
| Approach | Description |
|---|---|
| Structured/formal | Following a set curriculum, timetable and workbooks, often modelled closely on school subjects and National Curriculum content |
| Unschooling/child-led | Learning driven by the child’s interests and natural curiosity, with parents facilitating rather than directing formal lessons |
| Blended | A mix of structured core subjects, such as Maths and English, alongside more flexible, interest-led learning in other areas |
Many families adjust their approach over time as their child grows, often becoming more structured as children approach GCSE age and start preparing for formal qualifications.
Exam options for home-educated learners
Home-educated young people can still sit GCSEs and other recognised qualifications as private candidates.
- GCSEs as a private candidate: many exam centres accept private candidates for GCSE Maths and English, though you will need to arrange this directly with a centre, sometimes with additional practical assessment challenges for science subjects
- IGCSEs: the International GCSE is popular with home educators because some exam boards offer IGCSE options with fewer coursework or practical components than the standard GCSE, making them more accessible for private candidates
- Functional Skills Level 2 in English and Maths: widely accepted by employers, colleges and universities as equivalent to GCSE grade 4/C or above, and often more straightforward to sit as a home-educated or adult learner since assessments are more flexible and centres are more used to independent candidates
Lift offers Functional Skills Maths Level 2 and GCSE Maths and English courses designed with flexible, independent study in mind, well suited to home-educated learners preparing for formal qualifications.
Planning the cost of homeschooling
Home education does not attract the same funding as school places, so families need to budget for the practical costs involved.
- Curriculum materials and resources, ranging from free online resources to paid structured curricula or online course subscriptions
- Exam entry fees as a private candidate, which can be higher than the fees schools pay per pupil, since private candidate fees often include an administration surcharge charged by the exam centre
- Any tutoring or online course fees if you choose to supplement your own teaching with structured, tutor-led courses for specific subjects
- Trips, clubs, and social or extracurricular activities, which many home-educating families budget for separately to ensure a well-rounded experience
Costs vary enormously depending on your approach; a fully self-directed, resource-light approach can cost very little beyond exam fees, while a heavily tutored or curriculum-subscription-based approach can cost considerably more.