Elective Home Education is the term used to describe parents’ decisions to provide education for their children at home instead of sending them to school. It is sometimes referred to as home schooling.
As a parent, you must ensure your child receives a suitable full-time education from the age of five and most do this through regular school attendance. If you are a parent or carer and currently thinking about making provision for your child’s education at home you are advised to read the guidance notes for parents [DOC]
You may already be an experienced home educator requiring additional help and support, in which case you will find useful contacts in Nottinghamshire County Council’s guidance notes. The Directgov website may also prove to be a useful source of information www.direct.gov.uk
There are benefits to registering your child with the local authority if you choose to educate them at home and these are outlined in the guidance notes. You will also find the registration form EHE1 towards the back of the booklet. If you are withdrawing your child from a school then you must notify the school in writing. The school will then inform the elective home education team.
Electing to educate children at home represents a significant responsibility for the family and parents are advised to consider the full implications of their decision. It can be a very positive step in meeting the learning needs of children but parents need to know that there is no financial support and access to public examinations such as GCSEs can prove problematical.
