Getting Started

How to home educate in the UK - elective home education (EHE)

There are many reasons families choose to home educate. You might want to travel or 'worldschool', spend more time together, support your child’s unique interests, or simply step away from the pressures of school life. Perhaps your child has additional needs, is struggling with anxiety, or is facing bullying. Maybe they’re just not thriving in a classroom setting.

The decision to home-educate full-time is rarely made lightly. It usually follows a great deal of thought, research—and often, worry. It takes time, energy, and commitment, and there will be hard days. That’s completely normal.

For most families, home education becomes more than just a short-term fix. It’s a shift in lifestyle and outlook—a long-term approach to learning that centres your child’s wellbeing and individuality.

If you're thinking about deregistering your child from school, it's likely that something isn't working—and you’re not alone. Many families reach this point after months (or years) of stress, worry, or feeling that their child’s needs aren’t being met. Maybe your child is anxious, masking, being bullied, or simply not thriving in a school setting. Or perhaps you're drawn to a more flexible, child-led way of learning that just isn’t possible in the classroom.

Making the decision to home educate can feel overwhelming, especially when you're still in the thick of things. It’s a big step, and it’s normal to have doubts. But it’s also an act of care—of listening closely to your child, and trusting yourself to find a better way forward.

Home education isn’t a quick fix, but it can be a powerful reset. It gives you the chance to slow down, reconnect, and build a learning life that works for your child and your family. The early days can be bumpy, and that’s okay. You don’t need all the answers straight away. This is a journey—and you don’t have to walk it alone.

How to deregister

If your child is currently in school, the first step is to deregister them. This is a simple process—as long as they’re at a mainstream school in England. You just need to write to the headteacher to let them know you’re choosing to home educate. You don’t need permission, and you don’t need to give a reason. Once the school receives your letter, they must remove your child’s name from the register and inform the Local Authority. You don’t need to contact the LA yourself.

The process is slightly different if your child is on roll at a special school or SEN unit. In those cases, you’ll need permission from the Local Authority before you can deregister. But if your child is in a mainstream school and has an EHCP, you can still follow the standard process.

Here’s a template letter you can use to make it easy.

Deregistration Letter 2024.pdf

You can begin Elective Home Education (EHE) straight away. You don’t need anyone’s permission, and you’re not required to give advance notice or attend any exit meetings. The only thing you must do is send the deregistration letter to the headteacher.

Make sure you get a receipt or confirmation from the school—for your own records. Once that letter has been received and your child is removed from the register, your legal duty is done.

This link has UK deregistration info. They also have alternate procedures for Wales, Scotland, and Special Schools (plus what to do if the school is difficult): Educational Freedom

If your child has never been to school and you haven’t accepted a school place, you don’t need to inform anyone or take any action. You can simply begin home educating.

If your child was due to start secondary school but you’ve changed your mind, let the school and your Local Authority’s admissions team know that you no longer need the place.

If your child has just finished primary school and you're not applying for a secondary place, there’s nothing you need to do.

If you're moving to a new area and your child is currently on roll at a school, you must let the school know (in writing) that your child has left and will not be returning. You can simply say it’s due to a house move—you don’t need to mention home education or give your new address.

In all these situations, you are not required to contact the Local Authority. If the LA does get in touch, don't panic. If they ask, you can simply confirm that you are home-educating.

For most children, it’s helpful to have a period of ‘de-schooling’ after leaving school. A rough guide is about one month for every year they were in school—but follow your child’s lead. Don’t mention de-schooling to the Local Authority, though. Legally, education must begin from the moment you deregister. But education doesn’t have to look like school. It’s completely fine to take time to slow down, reconnect, and explore a gentler rhythm. There’s no need to rush into buying a curriculum or loads of resources. This is a time to decompress, rediscover joy in learning, and recover from any stress or pressure school may have caused. It’s just as important for you, as a parent, to adjust too. Let go of school expectations, observe your child, and trust that learning will come—often in unexpected ways.

Most Local Authorities (LAs) have an Elective Home Education (EHE) team. Some get in touch quickly after deregistration; others can take months. If you hear from them, try not to worry. Read any letters or emails carefully, and don’t ignore them—even if they’re just introductory. Some may include voluntary forms that don’t need a response. It’s a good idea to reply and state that you'd prefer all communication in writing. If they request a home visit, you can say no. Whether or not you meet them is entirely your choice. Legally, you’re not required to accept visits or allow them to see your child. You’re also under no obligation to provide samples of work or evidence—only to provide an education suitable to your child’s age, ability, and needs. This link explains how to handle LA contact in more detail. Local home education Facebook groups often have region-specific advice too, including template responses and helpful shared experiences.

In the beginning, try to keep things simple. Focus on reconnecting and finding your rhythm as a family. It’s completely okay to step back from formal learning for a while—this is often called deschooling. It gives everyone space to decompress, especially if school has been stressful. Spend time talking, exploring, reading together, and noticing what sparks your child’s interest. There’s no rush to get everything perfect. Home education is a journey, and it takes time to discover what works best for your child—and for you.

Here are three questions to support reflection:

What does your child need most right now—emotionally, socially, or academically?

What kind of learning feels natural and enjoyable in your home?

How might you gently build a routine that supports both your child’s curiosity and your family’s wellbeing?

There’s no one way to home educate—it looks different for every family, and it will change over time as your child grows and their needs shift. A huge amount of learning happens through everyday life and play. You’ll discover lots of approaches along the way, and it’s absolutely fine to try different things until you find what works for your child.

Don’t be afraid to deregister. It’s not a permanent decision—your child can return to school at any time if that becomes the right choice for your family (though, in truth, most families don’t want to go back!).

Try to find and join local home ed meetups—Facebook groups are a great starting point. These meetups aren’t just good for socialising; they’re a huge source of reassurance. It really helps to chat with other home-educating families. You’ll quickly see that we all have wobbles, doubts, and tough days. That’s normal—it’s a sign that we care and that we’re growing alongside our children.

Don’t worry if things feel uncertain at first. Trust yourself. You know your child best, and you’ll find your rhythm in time.

One of the many joys of home education—along with visiting places when everyone else is at school (no queues, no noise, cheaper tickets, easy parking!)—is the flexibility. You can tailor learning to suit your child’s needs, personality, and passions.

You don’t have to follow the National Curriculum (though it can be a useful reference for ideas or structure). Some families follow a set timetable with subjects and clear routines. Others are more unstructured, choosing interest-led or autonomous learning. Most people find their own blend, and that can evolve over time. There are many ways to home educate—and none of them are “wrong”.