Parents and carers have a legal responsibility to make sure that their children receive an education. Parents can choose to educate their children at home rather than at school.
The law makes the Local Education Authority (East Riding of Yorkshire Council) responsible for monitoring the education given to children at home and making sure it is suitable.
Every child must have an efficient full-time education suitable to his or her age, ability, aptitude and to any special educational needs he or she may have. (Education Act 1996).
There are a number of common questions that families ask when they are considering educating at home. Looking through these frequently asked questions will assist you in making an informed decision as to whether home education is an appropriate alternative to school for your child or children.
Frequently asked questions
Do children have to go to school?
The 1996 Education Act states that it is the duty of parents to secure an appropriate education for their children. This can be done either by regular attendance at school, or otherwise. For most children in the East Riding of Yorkshire this means that they will attend their local school, but for various reasons, a small number of parents decide to take on the responsibility to educate their children outside the school system.
What are the parents' duties?
Under Section 7 of the Education Act 1996, it is the parents duty: "to cause (the child) to receive efficient full-time education suitable to his (or her) age, ability and aptitude and to any special educational needs he (or she) may have either by regular attendance at school or otherwise."
What is "efficient" and "suitable" education?
Unfortunately, these words are not defined in the Act. However, education can be said to be efficient if it achieves what it sets out to achieve and suitable if it prepares a child for taking his/her place in our society and also that opportunities provided enable them to achieve their full potential.
It is up to parents to show the Local Authority that the programme of work is helping each child to develop according to his/her age, ability and aptitude and any special educational needs he/she have.
What is "full time" education?
The length of time is not specified but full-time education in school means that children spend between 23 and 25 hours on work each week, plus homework, according to age. Children attending state schools attend for 38 weeks a year.
What would be seen as a good curriculum?
• Broad: It should introduce the pupils to a wide range of knowledge, understanding and skills.
• Balanced: Each part should be allotted sufficient time to make its special contribution but not such that it squeezes out other essential parts of the learning.
• Relevant: Subjects should be taught so as to bring out their application to the pupil`s own experience and to adult life and to give due emphasis to practical aspects.
• Differentiated: What is taught, and how it is taught needs to be matched to the pupil's abilities and aptitude. It should also be sufficiently challenging so that a child can show that some progress is being made.
A good curriculum also includes other aspects at an appropriate level such as personal and social education, health education, outdoor and environmental education, citizenship, careers education, food technology and a considerable acquaintance with information and communication technology (ICT).
Opportunities to mix and relate to other boys, girls and adults are considered to be important to a child`s personal and social development.
The LEA encourages schools to employ a range of teaching and learning methods. These might include a variety of independent and group learning styles such as:
• active learning;
• collaborative work in groups;
• problem solving and decision making skills;
• teamwork skills.
Are there any tips for making a success of home education?
• Try to see that the learning process is as active, practical and participative as possible and systematically planned.
• Try to take full advantage of all the resources available around you.
• Give great importance to reading in your programme.
• Have a programme of educational visits and broadcasts planned. Make sure they are prepared in advance and followed up afterwards.
• Provide opportunities which help with physical development, and ones which allow social interaction to take place in different contexts.
• Make your approaches to learning more enjoyable by varying the style and content, and processes it involves.
• When necessary, give opportunities for independent study and research, and provide a quiet area for sustained study/work.
• Public examinations and regular testing are available to children in schools and colleges. In our view children educated at home should not be deprived of these opportunities to assess their progress.
• Consider progression beyond the age of 16. The Connexions Service provides advice and guidance in relation to career options. Visit the Connexions website.
How do I go about it?
If your child is of pre-school age then you do not need to do anything, though it would help us considerably in keeping track of those who are being educated at home if you were to write to the Local Authority at the address below stating that you intend educating your child (name, date of birth, address and telephone number), at home from a particular date.
If your child is of statutory school age and is registered as a pupil in an East Riding school, simply write to the Head Teacher of the school stating that you intend to educate your child at home. The Head Teacher is then required to notify the Local Authority within 10 days of receiving your letter. It would be helpful if you could also inform the Education Welfare Service of your intention to home educate.
How will the Local Authority ensure that the provision is satisfactory?
The Local Authority will then write to you with a questionnaire so that we can establish how you intend to go about home education for your child. A Local Authority Officer will then contact you direct to make an appointment for an Assessor to visit, to check that your arrangements are satisfactory.
The Assessor will need to discuss with you the programme of work you have arranged and offer advice where possible. This discussion will need to be fairly detailed but it is not intended to be intimidating in any way. Please note that we have a duty to ask that evidence be produced to ensure that the provision is suitable.
You should note that the visiting Assessor will not be able to direct the learning which takes place, nor accept any responsibility if you decide to educate your child at home. It is your responsibility to plan your child's education and to carry it out. The LEA cannot provide books or other resources, which may be recommended, although we will try to be as constructive as we can.
If your child is already being educated at home and the family moves to East Riding of Yorkshire, write to the Local Authority and let us know each child`s name, date of birth and previous as well as current address, telling us that you are educating at home. The Local Authority will send an acknowledgement to you and you will be asked to submit a questionnaire as above.
What kind of evidence will be helpful?
A written programme of work will be a good starting point for discussion. Samples of work also give a good indication of progress over time, as well as current abilities.
What if I don't inform the Local Authority and just keep my child at home?
Under Section 7 of the Education Act 1996, East Riding of Yorkshire Local Authority must satisfy itself that parents are fulfilling their duties. If you do not provide evidence of this either in writing or by discussions with an Assessor, the Local Authority may conclude that your child's education is not effective and we would then take steps to get your child back into school.
How often will the Local Authority check?
We hope to establish a good working relationship soon after we receive the questionnaire and an early visit by an Assessor can be arranged. Our aim is to have one visit each year. However, if any doubts are expressed at any stage, the programme may need more frequent review. An Education Welfare Officer may also visit, to check that work is progressing as planned.
To contact the Education Welfare Service:
Telephone: 01482 392146
Fax: 01482 392104
e.mail: education.welfare@eastriding.gov.uk
Postal address:
Education Welfare Service
East Riding of Yorkshire Council
County Hall
Beverley
East Riding of Yorkshire
HU17 9BA
