There’s a lot to consider when thinking about deregistering/withdrawing a teenager. Please read through the website to learn the facts around Home Education such as exams, how to deregister/withdraw etc. Please note this page refers to exams in England, please check exam info for your own country.
But…. one thing we are asked a lot:
‘My teenager is so unhappy in school/not achieving/not attending… but what if I fail them?’
Or similar questions.
We have just one question to ask you…
Our guess is not much, they’re possibly suffering with ill health, depression, being bullied, failing subjects, struggling with the workload… it’s sad but the list is endless.
Now consider this… without school they will be happy, they will be able to rest, relax, recuperate, whatever it is they need. They will be able to go to Home Education groups and activities (look on Facebook for Home Ed teens groups as well as local groups) as well as continue their existing friendships.
Usually we would recommend a family deschools, however, your child may want or need to jump straight into learning the content required for GCSEs (or the equivalent in Scotland), however….
whilst exams are still possible, and there is nothing stopping your child doing them before 16 or even after 16, they’re not even compulsory, we will discuss the other options in a minute. Your child can do as many or as few as they want. If they’re wanting to go on to further education then it’s important they find out what is required, it could be 5 GCSEs….
…but if your child is not in a situation to jump straight into formal study then read up on deschooling, and consider a slightly alternative route. This could be delaying exams for a year, or going to college at 16 without GCSEs or functional skills instead. Please do lots of research though to ensure you are not closing off any options.
Now it is worth pointing out the importance of reading our exams page, and understanding that the exam board the school uses may not be the same one you can access, though they are all similar, also remember sciences etc. have to be done via iGCSE due to the practical components.
Depending on how old your child is it might be a good idea to find out whether there are any local exam centres willing to take external candidates before finalising your decision.
It may also be worth requesting the school consider a flexischooling arrangement. The school may be inclined to agree to this if they feel the child is capable of good grades. Otherwise, unfortunately they probably won’t.
Other options include functional skills exams, college aged 14-16, college at 16 without GCSEs, Open University (though advanced education does void your right to Child Benefit unless they’re also still studying A-level or below.
You can home educate for as long as you and the young person wants to, this can extent into their late teens, though look into benefit entitlement for 16+ to ensure your eligibility.
What ever you decide, we suggest you chat with your teen, their happiness and health has to come first, there are ways to make Home Education work. It is vital to speak to your teen, get them involved in their education, they could research their options post 16, this could give them the incentive to do what is required for the next step.
Most teens engage with home education much more willingly if they have been an integral part of the decision and are allowed their voice when it comes to style, approach and content of the learning.
A theme has surfaced recently through a few TikTok reels where home-educated teens share feelings of loneliness. While this is not the experience for every teen—and we all know social media captures only a fragment—it does highlight something worth paying attention to.
For those outside the home education community—including local authority teams—videos like these can paint an incomplete picture. It may suggest that home-educated young people are isolated or missing out on friendship. Within the community, many of us know just how much thought and energy already go into creating opportunities for connection—but perceptions can quickly take on a life of their own.
In reality, many families are actively supporting their teens through co-ops, sports, volunteering, creative work, community groups, and informal meet-ups. These experiences are valuable and often rich with friendship and personal growth.
Even so, it can be helpful to pause and ask a few honest questions:
– Are our teens feeling genuinely connected, not just occupied?
– Do they have enough unstructured time with peers to simply be together?
– Is there space for them to say when they are feeling lonely or out of step?
Continuing to build spaces where young people feel seen, supported, and part of something meaningful makes a real difference.
Is it really just about lessons? Or are we trying to give our teens something more—a life that feels connected, balanced, and true to who they are? We are part of a strong and thoughtful community, where sharing ideas, supporting one another, and staying mindful of our teens’ emotional needs can make a real difference in helping them thrive.
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