Elective Home Education

Guidance notes for parents who choose to home educate their child

‘Putting learning first for Dudley

Are you considering educating your child outside the school system?

What does the law say?

The law is found in the Education Act 1996. Section 7 states that the parent of a child who is of compulsory school age has a legal duty to see that their child receives:

“Efficient full-time education, suitable to his/her age, ability and aptitude, and to any special education needs s/he may have, either by regular attendance at school or otherwise”

The last two words are crucial. Parents are free to choose whether or not their child goes to school. Education is compulsory not schooling. If home education is chosen then it is important to note that the education provided must be ‘efficient’ and ‘suitable’ for the individual child.

What do I need to do if I wish to educate my child at home?

Although it is not necessary, it is recommended that you go into school and talk things over with the Headteacher.
You need to write to the school stating that you intend to educate your child at home. It would be helpful if you could copy your letter to:

Education Welfare Service

1 Trinity Road,

Dudley, DY1 1JQ

For a child that’s starting school you should also write to this address.

You can then expect to receive a letter from the Educational Welfare Department to arrange a meeting with you, either at home or at their office. This is normal procedure. The department seeks to establish initial contact and perhaps discuss with you any issues you feel may have been overlooked etc. Following this initial meeting your contact details will be passed to a Education Improvement Adviser, with whom all future contact will take place.
The Local Authority (LA) has a duty to ensure that a suitable education is taking place. The way this is done is open to negotiation between the Authority and the family. There are basically three options.

A visit made to the family home by the Adviser
A meeting held outside of the home (at both of these options your child/ren may or may not be present)
By the sending in of a report which may or may not be accompanied by samples of work.

However, past experience has shown that to establish a good working relationship, built upon mutual trust and the exchange of information and advice a home visit with parent(s) and child(ren) at a mutually convenient time is the LA’s preferred option.

Special Education Needs

If your child has a Statement of Special Education Needs this will continue to be subject to the usual Annual Review process to ensure your child’s special needs are being met. This review includes assessing whether the statement is still appropriate and it may be possible to alter or even cease to maintain the statement depending on the child’s current circumstances. Should it be necessary for the statement to remain in force, the parents continue to have responsibility for the education provided. However, the LA has a legal duty to ensure that the child’s needs are met. This will involve working closely with the appropriate professionals, namely:

Education Psychologist
Health Workers
Occupational and Physiotherapists
Speech Therapists or Social Services Officers who may already have been working with your child

Further advice and information about Special Educational Needs is available from Children’s Services on 01384 814214.

You may wish to discuss your plans with the Parent Partnership Officer on 01384 485450. The Parent Partnership Officer is there to help you – not tell you what is the right thing to do from an LA point of view.

Curriculum and Assessment

If you would like to discuss any aspect of curriculum or assessment procedures normally carried out in schools please contact:

Assistant Director for Early Years, Youth & Education Services

Westox House, 1 Trinity Road,

Dudley, DY1 1JQ

01384 814250

Can A Home Educated Child Return to School at a Later Date?

Yes. Parents may approach a local school to see if they have a place available, or may contact their Adviser or the LA for information about available places. Even if they have not been covering the same material as children in school, home educated children often display a maturity, confidence and flexibility which helps them to integrate well.

If you decide at any point that your child should return to school you should contact:

Head of School Admissions Team

Westox House, 1 Trinity Road,

Dudley, DY1 1JQ

01384 814264

to discuss the availability of school places in your area. Please bear in mind that Dudley Secondary Schools are very popular and there may be limited spaces available to new pupils in some areas of the Borough.

Contact details of various organisations listed below:

For information send an A5 sae to: Education Otherwise,

PO Box 352

Kings Lynn, PE34 3XW

0870 7300074