You have the right to home educate your child if you wish. The school cannot prevent you withdrawing your child from school. The Headteacher must remove a child’s name from the school roll on receipt of a written request by the parent advising the Headteacher of their intention to home educate. However, if your child attends a special school, Southend City Council (SCC) must give consent for your child’s name to be removed from the school roll.  Equally, a school cannot request or advise a parent to de-register their child from the school to home educate. Any decision to home educate must be made by the parent.

You might want to start by speaking to the home education national support groups and other parents who home educate first, to hear the pros and cons of home educating. Additionally, you can speak to one of our EHE advisors on 01702 215073 and check out the information on the home education page of the Southend City Council website. If you decide to go ahead we ask parents to complete the EHE registration form. This is not compulsory but ensures that you are kept updated on information and news of various EHE activities and support in the local area. Download the registration form here.

For your child to be removed from the school registers, you must write to the Headteacher to inform them of your intention to home educate. Upon receipt of the written request by the parent, the Headteacher will inform SCC. The EHE team will then contact you to offer you the opportunity to access support and advice. We do ask that you contact the EHE team before you make your final decision ehe@southend.gov.uk this will give you the opportunity to discuss all your options and access support from an EHE advisor if you are having difficulties with your child’s school.

Elective Home Education (EHE) is the term used by the Department for Education (DfE) to describe the education provided by parents at home, rather than providing education for their children by sending them to school. This is different to home tuition provided by a Local Authority or education provided by a Local Authority other than at a school. It is recognised that parents may choose home education for a variety of reasons.

The definition within section 78 of the 1996 Education Act provides that:

“The parent of every child of *compulsory school age shall cause him to receive efficient full-time education suitable – To his age, ability and aptitude, and to any special educational needs, he may have, either by regular attendance at school or otherwise”

*Compulsory school age begins on the next prescribed day following a child’s fifth birthday (or on their fifth birthday if it falls on a prescribed day). The prescribed days are 31 December, 31 March and 31 August each year. A child continues to be of compulsory school age until the last Friday of June in the school year that they reach the age of sixteen.

Consider contacting the teacher, headteacher or school’s governing body before looking at EHE or alternative schools. It is important to make every effort to resolve any problems before withdrawing your child from school.

The responsibility to provide a suitable education to your child will be effective from the date after you remove your child from the school. Parents must ensure their child/ren receive a suitable full-time education for as long as they are being educated at home.

Parents’ rights to educate their child at home applies equally where a child has SEN. This right is irrespective of whether the child has an Educational Health Care Plan (EHCP) or not. If the school or institution named in your child’s EHCP is a special school SBC must give consent for the child’s name to be removed.

Advice is available on Livewell Southend website Special Educational Needs or Disabilities (SEND) local Offer. Helpline number 01702 212328. The SENDIASS team provide independent support and advice and their contact number is 01702 215499, the team also facilitate SEND workshops throughout the year aimed at parents and carers. SENDIASS information can be found on Livewell Southend. Additionally, we have an EHE advisor who can provide advice and support to you.

You do not need to be a qualified teacher to educate your child at home. Parents who become their child’s teacher do not need to follow  a specific school timetable, National Curriculum or national Key Stage tests as they are also non-compulsory. Parents do however need to ensure that they are able to provide an efficient and suitable education that ensures their children make progress. The EHE team offer support and guidance to parents starting as home educators and are on hand to guide you to provide the best possible education for your child.