Did you know?

0.2% of children are

being educated by their parents in

Trafford

Elective home education (or EHE) is the term used by Department for Education, where parents’ decide to educate their children at home instead of sending them to school. This is not home tuition which is set up by the local authority.

These guidelines are to clarify

the balance between the

authority and the rights of the

parent. Parents are

responsible for their children’s

education and we want this to

be a positive experience, so

created a booklet to answer

some questions.

Do Children have to go to school?

Education is compulsory in England, however, school is not. You

have a responsibility to secure an suitable and efficient educa-

tion, but this does not have to be in a school setting. You may

choose to home educate your child from anytime whilst they are

of compulsory school age. You must be prepared to financially

support your decision as there is no funding available for home

education. If a child is already registered at a school, you can in-

form the school of your decision in writing.

‘The parent of every child of compulsory school age shall cause him/her to receive effi-cient full-time education suitable to his/her age, ability

and aptitude, and to any special educa-

tional needs he/she may have, either by regular attendance at school or otherwise.’

Each child has individual educational

needs, so the local authorities understand

the variations of approaches to learning.

Parents must recognise the child’s needs

and aspirations through this.

How initiate EHE: Write to the Head Teacher if your child is of statutory

school age (explain reasons for taking child from school) Head teacher is then required to notify the local authority

and we will contact you to make sure that everything is going well

If you have an attendance order, this must be revoked before your child can be deleted from the register.

Parents may employ other people to educate their child, e.g. private tutors, this will continue to be the parent’s responsibility

Special Educational Needs does not affect the parents’ right to educate their child at home. However, when a child has an Education and Health Care Plan, the local authority has a duty to ensure that these needs are met even when the child is home educated. If your child is on roll at a Special School the local authority will need to be consulted before your child can be removed from the school roll.

If the education provided at home does not meet the needs of the child, the local authority will judge that the parents are not making ‘suitable arrangements’. The local authority has a duty to review EHC plans annually which applies to children educated at home. A consultation will be arranged that parents are welcome to attend, but are not obliged to do so.

Should the local authority have any concerns you will always be informed in writing and can challenge these within a reasonable time. Children are also invited to express their views in any meetings following this.

Did you know?

Local authorities have no statutory duty to monitor the quality of home education on a

routine basis.

We believe that the best interests of children are served when parents and local authorities work together, and so, before issuing such a notice we will try to address the situation informally and co-operatively

Local authorities also have an important duty to safeguard and promote the welfare of children. This does not mean that they have the power to enter the homes of, or see, children for the purposes of monitoring the provision of elective home education.

www.trafford.gov.uk/ehe

www.trafforddirectory.co.uk/ehe

ehe@trafford.gov.uk

0161 911 8669

If I no longer want to home educate, how do I get my child back

into school?

You can apply for a school place at any point during the academic

year. If schools are full you may have a limited choice. Contact us

for further advice and information.

Do I receive any funding for resources?

There is no funding for pupils that are home

educated

I don’t feel school are meeting my child’s needs. Is it easier for

everyone if I just home educate ?

Please contact us to discuss this further. We can advise you of the

options available to you.

Do you provide tutors?

The obligation to provide education is taken on by the parents, as

a result we do not provide any tutors.

Designed by MMU Students N. Morris and J. Sawyer, 2018.