Home education

Elective home education (EHE) is a term used to describe a choice by parents to provide education for their children at home, or in some other way they desire, instead of sending them to school full-time.

Choosing home education

Some families make the carefully considered decision to home educate long before their child reaches compulsory school age. Other families send their children to school but later decide they would prefer to educate them from home.

Only a 'parent' can make this decision, but it can be very useful to talk to other families with experience of home education.

The commitment to educate at home is long-term. It can be financially and personally demanding but also very rewarding. Some parents use their own tutors or classes provided through home education groups.

If you choose EHE because you could not secure your child a place at your preferred school, you should keep in mind your child may be on the preferred school's waiting list for a long time. If you accept a place at an alternative school, you can stay on the waiting list for your preferred school. You must re-apply when applications open in June each year to remain on the waiting list.

EHE should not be considered an option solely:

• to avoid a permanent exclusion
• to avoid prosecution for poor attendance
• because a child's special educational needs have not been met

Parents and carers

The term 'parent', as defined in Section 576 of the Education Act 1996, includes:

• all biological parents, whether they are married or not
• any person who, although not a biological parent, has parental responsibility for a child or young person – this could be an adoptive parent, a step-parent, guardian or other relative
• any person who, although not a biological parent and not having parental responsibility, has care of a child or young person

A person typically has care of a child or young person if they:

• are the person with whom the child lives, either full-time or part-time
• look after the child, irrespective of their biological or legal relationship with the child

Our responsibility

We wish to maintain a good working relationship with all Thurrock families who provide home education one or more child.

The information in these web pages reflects our elective home education policy. It should be read together with the government's guidance – go to GOV.UK: elective home education guidance for parents, April 2019