(England and Wales)
This guide helps you write a report when the LA asks for information about your child’s learning.
It is a simplified version of our full guide.
Your report only needs to be 1–3 pages.
Please read this guide once before you start writing.
Be honest.
Do not copy our examples.
Do not send photos or samples of work.
Do not use AI.
Send your report by email (not handwritten).
Do not panic. It is not a test. If something is missing, the LA will ask for more information.
You can use bullet points or short paragraphs.
Use these headings to organise it:
Educational Philosophy (about 3 lines)
Style of Education & How It Is Full Time (about 3 lines)
Numeracy
Literacy
Other Subjects
SEN (if relevant)
Other Learning (hands-on, fun activities)
How the Education Is Suitable
Progress
Social & Physical Activities
Resources Used
Disclaimer
Write 2–3 lines about:
What your child will gain from being home educated.
Do not explain why you left school.
Keep it positive.
EXAMPLE
Educational Philosophy.
Home education ensures Kirk has the time and space to be able to learn independently with support when needed, to improve his social abilities, and achieve his goals academically. I believe this personalised education will allow Kirk to follow any path he chooses.
Say what style you use, for example:
Child-led
Structured
Semi-structured
Autonomous
Briefly explain what this means for your family.
If SEN affects how you educate, mention it here.
You do NOT need:
A timetable
School hours
Term dates
But you must explain how learning takes up a large part of your child’s time.
Stating it is full time is not enough info.
Keep it short.
EXAMPLE
We follow a child led semi-structured approach. This means Patty is given freedom to choose what she learns and when, but with some expectations to learn some numeracy and literacy most days. Learning takes place all throughout the year including weekends. Patty is dyslexic, which means reading and writing time for us is structured in short sessions.
OR
Our home education is based on the school terms times, we follow a formal structured style in the mornings, with child led activities in afternoons.
Do not use the term deschooling. If you are taking time to settle in you can say that you are exploring how they learn best. Or that mental health is a priority. Remember learning isn't just workbooks and websites.
You could include something like these EXAMPLES if you have taken time to deschool:
Sookie left school mentally unwell, she was unable to take part in anything that resembled learning without it triggering a panic attack. We have therefore focused on learning through real life. (Then go on to explain how).
Or:
When we started home educating Babette it became clear that they were unable to learn independently, or even understand how to seek activities/information for themselves, we have therefore focused on supporting exploration of how they like to learn, and allowing them time to find what interests them. During this time they have x and y.
Use clear sections:
What they are learning (for example: fractions, algebra, multiplication)
What resources they use (CGP, BBC Bitesize, Khan Academy, games, baking, DIY, discussions, TV programmes, outings, websites etc.)
Whether they work independently or with support
What level this is at (if the learning does not have a clear age level such as baking, you need to explain the next section even more clearly)
Why this level is right for their age and ability.
Example this was at level they can do without stress and it is not too easy, it encourages them to learn new things.
Include the different areas of numeracy learned.
Include:
Reading,
Writing
Spelling/grammar
For example:
Science
History
Geography
Art
IT
Music
Give specific examples.
Avoid vague phrases like “we do science.”
Instead say:
They learned about plant growth using a home experiment kit and recorded results in a chart.
EXAMPLE
Content of learning
Numeracy.
Luke has completed the KS2 (age 8) CGP workbook for maths since our last update. He uses BBC Bitesize to quiz himself on the content and is now confidently starting KS3 books. He is currently learning about Pythagoras and has completed topics such as simple algebra, area and perimeter and squared numbers. He mostly learns independently but will ask if he needs support. I can see what he has learned and whether he has understood it from the quiz results.Literacy
Luke requires very little supervision with regards to literacy, he watches the Oak Academy year 5 videos, and then uses the Letts workbooks to practice what he has learned He has recently completed the sections on spelling, grammar and punctuation, reading comprehension and story writing. He is currently reading Horrid Henry books.Other subjects
In recent months Luke has been using a science kit to carry out experiments, first watching them on YouTube then with supervision he has carried them out, we discuss in detail what the experiment is for and what the results mean, he has been drawing graphs and charts in relation to these experiments, such as building a bicarbonate of soda powered rocket and plant chromatography.Luke has also visited various castles, and coastal areas and had discussions about history and coastal erosion.
OR
Mauri thrives with one to one learning time when it comes to literacy. We will have long discussions about a book he has read, for example he recently read Macbeth, he has been explaining each character in great detail as well as what the author was trying to make the reader feel. Mauri would like to sit his IGCSE literature next year so the learning is in preparation for that. I use the questions on practice exam papers to encourage appropriate discussions.
Mauri has been using English Language IGCSE papers and the Catherine Mooney text books to prepare for his exam next year.
Mauri left school with limited maths skills, he was learning at approximately an 8 year old, therefore numeracy has gone back to basics to ensure no basic principles are missed. I noted that he did not understand area and perimeter so he has been learning from hands on tasks doing a DIY project in the garden. He is now solidifying his learning of multiplication with baking and cooking tasks. As his confidence has been building he has been putting pen to paper more but much prefers the Khan academy quizzes to check he has understood a concept.
EXAMPLE
Having played Minecraft Rory asked how you can quickly work out how many blocks to use, so we discussed basic multiplication, followed by Rory doubling a baking recipe, we followed that up with discussion on proportion and dividing. They have also used Lego and maths blocks to further practice these skills.
Over the last year Rory has been fascinated with animals, they have watched many documentaries such as Blue Planet. They have created posters with information about different endangered animals using information they have found online. I have noticed throughout the year that their comprehension skills have improved to the point they no longer ask me for clarification of information.
Rory enjoys creative writing, and uses story cubes to encourage including content they may not have thought of themself. I have noticed in the last few months there are fewer spelling mistakes as well as an improvement in the complexity of the language being used. This is likely because they love reading, and recently completed all 12 books in the Skullduggery Peasants series.
Only include if it affects learning.
Explain:
What the need is
How you support it
If your child has an EHCP, refer to their needs (Section B).
Keep it practical and simple.
EXAMPLES
Jess is autistic and thrives on routine so we have ensured the Home Education has a predictable daily routine, we are encouraging them to explore small changes once a day.
OR
Jess is dyslexic, we have found x website and x workbooks help support his learning style, they provide explanations in ways he can understand.
Home education is not just workbooks, some families do not even use them.
Include things like:
Baking
Lego
Gardening
Forest school
Board games
Clubs
Briefly explain what they did and what skills were learned.
You must explain how learning is right for your child’s (it is not a comparison to school):
Age
Ability
Aptitude (strengths/interests)
SEN (if relevant)
Keep it simple:
EXAMPLE
I have regular discussions with Dean about their learning, it gives me the opportunity to note how he is getting on, how they are understanding the topics/concepts, this shows me that the level of learning is appropriate to him. Dean will ask me for help if they are struggling to understand something, therefore I am confident that he is progressing well.
Or
Dean completes end of topic quizzes in either the workbooks or websites previously mentioned, these are automatically marked or I work through the answers with him, giving us the opportunity to discuss any areas they struggled with.
Or
As Dean left school learning 3 years below his age level, we have been working on his confidence with age 10 learning, he is moving through this content quickly with only a few sections that require support. He has already started on the next age level in maths as this is his stronger subject.
If new to home education:
Explain how you will check progress (discussion, quizzes, completed books).
If not new:
Explain what has improved since last year.
Examples:
Moving from KS2 to KS3 work
Increased reading confidence
Improved spelling
More independence
Make sure you refer to progress made in numeracy and literacy.
Keep this to one paragraph.
Write 2–4 lines.
Explain:
How they socialise
Any sports or physical activity
Outings (museums, parks, etc.)
Do not name specific groups or people.
If socialising is limited (for example anxiety), explain positively.
EXAMPLE
Michelle goes to a weekly Home Education group where they mix with children and adults of all ages, they enjoy the opportunity to play as well as take part in their educational outings to the museums.
OR
Michelle has a couple of close friends who he regularly spends time with, playing games or riding bikes. Michelle is with his siblings and cousins daily.
If your child is unable to socialise due to anxiety for example, explain this in a positive way
EXAMPLE
Due to Michelle’s anxiety they are unable to attend groups, but they regularly speak with our neighbour and see their cousins weekly. Social opportunities are always available but they choose to take part in quieter activities with people close to them such as going to the park during the day with their brother.
IT'S OK TO NOT WANT LOTS OF FRIENDS Remember not all children need or want to go to groups or have lots of friends. You shouldn’t say anything negative here, but it is ok to say something like Michelle has been working hard on their social skills and has recently been able to play alongside other children in the park. Or whatever is right for your child.
Go back through your report and make sure you have written which resources were used
Make sure you have included:
3 book titles
Which workbooks (include level if shown)
Which websites
Library visits
Equipment (science kits, art supplies, instruments, sports equipment)
You do not need to list everything, but include enough to show a wide range of resources are used.
EXAMPLES
Jackson has been reading the Biff and Chip level 3 books.
OR
Jackson uses a CGP KS3 numeracy workbook recently covering trigonometry
Or
Jackson does science experiments with a chemistry kit, recently using it to create a volcano
Add this at the end:
The above is not an exhaustive list and is subject to change at any time as my child’s needs change. We expect this is adequate information to satisfy your informal enquiry, please confirm receipt.
No photos or samples of work
No login details
No timetable
No number of hours
No future plans
No personal family details
No negative comments about school
Do not use the term “deschooling”
Use “home education” not “home schooling”
Keep all communication in writing.
We advise against sharing your concerns with the EHE team, instead reach out to us or other Home Educators via our Facebook group or website.
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