Educating children at home works well when it is a positive choice and carried out with a proper regard for the needs of the child.
The law imposes a duty on parents and guardians of children of compulsory school age (currently 5 to 16 years old) to secure efficient full-time education. This can be done at school or otherwise.
For most children this means that they will go to a school, but for various reasons a number of parents choose to teach their children at home. As the local authority, we have a statutory duty to, as far as possible, ensure every child in Wigan is receiving a suitable education, we will therefore contact you, usually annually, to establish what education is being provided.
Parents are expected to provide an efficient full-time education suitable to age, aptitude, ability and any special educational need. There is no obligation to follow the National Curriculum but there should be an appropriate minimum standard which is aimed at. The education should aim at enabling the child, when grown-up, to function as an independent citizen in the UK and beyond the community in which he or she was brought up, if that is the choice made in later life by the child.
If you choose to educate your child at home, you as parents must be prepared to assume full financial responsibility for the child’s education, including bearing the cost of any public examinations.
Withdrawal from school
If your child/ren are enrolled at a school and you have not already done so, you will need to write to the school to let them know that you have decided to educate them at home (include the last date that they will attend at school).
Alternatively, if you have been offered a school place, you will need to write to advise that you do not wish to accept that place because you intend to educate your child/ren at home.
Help and support to educate at home
What if I find home education isn't working?
If you find home education is not working your child can go back to school but you will need to apply for a place.
If you feel pressure to start educating your child at home to avoid formal exclusion or because your child is having difficulties with learning or behaviour, please contact the team on 01942 487139.