A Complete Guide to Homeschooling in the UK

Homeschooling is a legal and increasingly popular option for families in the UK who want to take charge of their children’s education. Whether you’re motivated by worldschooling, personalised learning, or providing more flexibility, this guide will walk you through the steps to start homeschooling, from deregistering your child to useful tips and websites for resources.

Step 1: Deregistering Your Child from School

To begin homeschooling, you must formally deregister your child from their current school. Here’s how the process works:

1. Write to the School – If your child is in a mainstream school, send a letter/email to the headteacher stating that you are opting to educate your child at home. The school is required to remove your child from the roll immediately (Or the date you intend to start homeschooling). For children in a specialised school, you’ll need local authority (LA) approval before deregistering.

• Sample Deregister Letter:

(Your name)

(Address)

(Date)

(Headteacher name)

(School address)

Dear (Headteacher name)

Ref: (Child’s name and DOB)

After careful consideration l have decided to withdraw my (son/daughter) from school in order to take personal responsibility for (his/her) education. 

Please remove (Child’s name) from the school roll with effect from (Date) as (he/she) will be home educated from that date, in accordance with the Education Act 1996 s.(7).

Please confirm receipt of this letter and that (Child’s name) will be removed from the roll in accordance with (in England) the Education (Pupil Registration) (England) Regulations 2006s(8)(1)(d)

Or

(in Wales) the Education (Pupil Registration) (Wales) Regulations 2010 (8)(1)(d)

I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the fantastic teachers and staff at (schools name).(Child’s name) has absolutely loved attending the school and has thoroughly enjoyed (his/her) time here. 

Yours sincerely 

(Your name)

You may get contacted from the school, to check if there are any issues to why you are deregistering and if there is any support they can help with.

2. Local Authority Contact – Once deregistered, the school will notify the LA. The LA may contact you to ask for information about your educational approach. You are not required to follow the National Curriculum, but the education must be “full-time and efficient” and meet your child’s age, ability, and special needs if applicable.

3. For Pre-schoolers – No formal deregistration is required for children who have not yet started school.

Step 2: Choose Your Homeschooling Approach

Homeschooling offers tremendous flexibility, and you can tailor your approach to suit your child’s learning style, interests, and needs. Here are some popular methods:

1. Structured (School-at-Home) – This method mimics traditional school with a fixed timetable and lesson plans, using the National Curriculum or similar resources.

2. Unschooling – A child-led approach, where learning happens naturally through everyday experiences, without formal lessons.

3. Eclectic/Relaxed Homeschooling – Combines structured learning in some subjects with more relaxed, interest-led approaches for others.

4. Worldschooling – Traveling as a family and using destinations as educational opportunities. This is ideal if you enjoy integrating travel experiences into your children’s education.

5. Project-Based Learning – Allows children to explore topics in depth through hands-on projects, promoting critical thinking and creativity.

Step 3: Develop a Learning Plan

Although you don’t need to follow the National Curriculum, it’s a good idea to have a basic plan in place to ensure your child is progressing. Here are some steps:

1. Identify Core Subjects – Focus on literacy and numeracy as essential skills. Other subjects like science, history, geography, and the arts can be introduced based on your child’s interests.

2. Create a Flexible Routine – Some children benefit from a routine, but flexibility is one of the key advantages of homeschooling. Your daily schedule can be as structured or relaxed as you like.

3. Incorporate Life Skills – Homeschooling allows for practical learning, such as cooking, budgeting, gardening, or volunteering, which develop real-world skills.

4. Plan Educational Outings – Museums, nature reserves, cultural experiences, and even day trips can provide valuable learning experiences outside the home.

Step 4: Keep Records

Although you’re not required to take formal exams or submit lesson plans, keeping records is helpful for monitoring your child’s progress. You can:

• Maintain a learning journal to track subjects covered and topics of interest.

• Take photos of projects or create a portfolio showcasing their work.

• Save samples of writing or math problems to demonstrate development.

The LA may request information on your homeschooling methods during their assessments, and having a record of learning activities will help illustrate how you meet the educational requirements.

Step 5: Connect with the Homeschooling Community

Homeschooling doesn’t have to be isolating! Connecting with other families can provide valuable support, socialisation for your children, and a wealth of ideas for learning. Here’s how to get involved:

1. Join Local Homeschooling Groups – Many towns and cities have home education groups that organize social meetups, co-ops, educational trips, and classes.

2. Online Communities – Websites, forums, and social media groups can offer advice, resources, and a sense of community. These can be especially useful for worldschoolers or those living in more remote areas.

Step 6: Assess Your Child’s Progress

Homeschooling allows you to tailor the pace of learning to your child’s needs, but regular assessment can ensure they are moving forward. Here are some methods for evaluating progress:

1. Informal Assessments – Observe your child’s understanding through discussions, projects, and their ability to apply skills in real-world situations.

2. Standardized Tests – While not required, some parents choose to use optional exams, such as Key Stage assessments or GCSEs, to gauge their child’s academic level.

3. Feedback from Tutors or Online Courses – If using an online curriculum or tutors for certain subjects, regular feedback can help identify areas of improvement.

Useful Resources and Websites

Here are some key websites and resources to support your homeschooling journey:

1. Government Resources:

• UK Government - Elective Home Education: Information on legal obligations and guidance for home educating in the UK.

2. Curriculum and Lesson Plans:

• Twinkl: Printable resources and worksheets aligned with the UK National Curriculum, perfect for structured homeschooling.

• BBC Bitesize: Free online lessons, games, and activities for primary and secondary school students.

• Education Otherwise: Provides support and resources for home educators, including information on legal issues.

3. Unschooling & Project-Based Learning:

• The Unschooling Handbook: A practical guide for adopting unschooling.

• Project-Based Offers ideas for encouraging independent learning through hands-on projects.

4. Worldschooling & Travel Education:

• Worldschooling Central: A community and resource hub for families incorporating travel into their educational plans.

• National Trust: Membership gives access to historical sites and nature reserves, which are excellent for learning history and biology in the UK.

5. Support Groups:

• HE UK: A comprehensive resource for UK homeschooling families, offering advice, support, and community connections.

• Home Education Forums: Online forums for asking questions, sharing experiences, and seeking advice from fellow homeschoolers.

Final Thoughts

Homeschooling in the UK is a flexible, rewarding journey that allows you to create a personalised education plan tailored to your child’s unique needs and interests. Whether you follow a structured curriculum, unschool, or adopt worldschooling, the key is to remain adaptable, open to learning opportunities, do what is best for your child and circumstances.