Back to: A Parents Guide to Elective Home Education
Ways in which parents may demonstrate to the local authority that education is suitable
| You and your child could meet an officer from the LA at either your home or a neutral venue to discuss the education that is being provided. | Provide reports from any tutors that are working with your child |
| Complete a questionnaire | Provide examples of work, timetables etc |
Compulsory School Age
A child becomes of compulsory school age from the first of the following dates (31 August, 31 December or 31 March) which occurs after she or he becomes five years old (or if the fifth birthday falls on one of those dates, on that day). The child remains so until the last Friday of June in the academic year in which she or he becomes sixteen. Children may also be educated at home in order to participate in education and training until the age of 18. (Section 2.3)
DfE Elective Home Education Guide for Parents
Actions the local authority can take if you are not providing a suitable education.
If the local authority are not satisfied that the education provided is suitable they may serve a notice (known as S.437 (1) notice). This will outline a time period, usually at least 15 days, during which you are requested to satisfy the local authority that the education you are providing suitable education.
Following this, if the local authority are still not satisfied that your child is receiving suitable education and believes that your child should be in school then the local authority has a legal obligation to serve a school attendance order (SAO). Failure to comply with an SAO is a criminal offence.