Many parents are choosing to educate their child or children at home. Elective Home Education (EHE) is the term used by the Department for Education (DfE) to describe parents' decisions to provide education for their children at home in place of sending them to school.

This is different to home tuition provided by a Local Authority or education provided by a Local Authority other than at a school.

It is also different from Children Missing in Education which is used for those not in school or receiving a suitable education elsewhere e.g at home.

 

The responsibility for a child's education rests with the parents. In England, education is compulsory, but school is not.

Section 7 of the Education Act 1996 provides that:

"The parent of every child of compulsory school age shall cause him to receive efficient full-time education suitable –

(a)to his age, ability and aptitude, and

(b) to any special educational needs he may have,

either by regular attendance at school or otherwise."

 

Before deregistering a child to Elective Home Education Parents are advised to consider: