When you deregister your child from school, you are expected to have a suitable education in place from day one. This does not mean having a timetable, workbooks, formal lessons, tutors, or a school-style structure. Nor does it require detailed future plans.
What is required is that you understand your responsibilities as a home-educating parent. This includes being financially responsible, sourcing appropriate learning resources, and ensuring your child is educated in a way that is suitable to their age, ability, aptitude, and any special educational needs or disabilities (SEND).
It is entirely normal for home education to take time to establish. Many children need a period of adjustment or “deschooling” after leaving school, during which families explore what works best for the child. Local Authorities are aware of this, though never mention the term deschooling to them. However, some LAs request information immediately after deregistration.
If this happens, you may wish to use our template letter requesting time to settle before providing information. If the LA declines this request (which they are entitled to do), we suggest adapting and sending the following response.
Template response
As you are aware, we deregistered X on X date. At this early stage, we are still exploring the educational opportunities and freedoms that home education allows.
We are not required to produce or provide future educational plans, and given the short time since deregistration, there has been limited opportunity for provision to take place. (You may wish to add here if you are following school holidays and therefore had a break, where appropriate.)
We are, however, confident that our approach to home education—which includes X and Y (briefly describe your educational philosophy)—alongside resources such as X and Y, will enable our child to learn in a way that is suitable for their age, ability, and aptitude.
X has SEND, including X and Y. This means their education needs to be adapted in X and Y ways, which we are meeting by (brief explanation of how you are supporting their needs).
As a starting point, we identified that X left school with gaps in understanding in X, and this is where we have begun.
Alternatively, you may state:
• We are currently identifying any gaps in knowledge, such as X.
• We have already accessed X and Y, or completed X.
• X has shown a particular interest in learning X.We fully understand our legal responsibilities and will ensure that X receives a suitable education. We believe the information provided is sufficient to demonstrate that X is not missing from education and is receiving a suitable education.
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