Home education

If you decide to home educate your child, it will be your responsibility to provide your child with a suitable full-time education that meets your child's needs according to their age, ability, aptitude and any special educational needs they may have.

You should plan your child's work. This includes thinking about how you will record your child's learning and show the progress they have made – your 'assessment method'.

The National Curriculum

There is no legal requirement for you to follow the National Curriculum. It is worth considering, however, as the National Curriculum provides a useful checklist of the skills and knowledge expected of a balanced education.

Also, if you intend for your child to return to school in the future, it may be an easier transition for them if you have followed the National Curriculum.

Compulsory subjects

The National Curriculum applies only to schools. This mean no subjects are compulsory for home education.

We expect to see evidence of literacy and numeracy as a minimum.

Life skills

It's important your child has the chance to socialise with family, friends and other children of all ages on a regular basis to support their development. You may wish to consider your child:

• having outings and visits as part of their learning process
• joining an organisation or club for young people so they can form relationships in safe and comfortable surroundings

In 2001, the United Nations' Committee on the Rights of the Child stated:

"Education must include not only literacy and numeracy but also life skills, such as the ability to make well- balanced decisions; to resolve conflicts in a non-violent manner and develop a healthy lifestyle, good social relationships and responsibility, critical thinking, creative talents, and other abilities which give children the tools needed to pursue their life options."

Families who choose to home educate often follow a variety of educational approaches.

Being home educated offers freedom outside of the classroom, meaning parents can make use of local amenities and the great outdoors. Education can be more 'hands-on' and suited to 'kinaesthetic' learning – that is, learning involving physical activity.

Public exams

If you would like your child to take public examinations such as GCSEs or A-levels, it will be your responsibility to:

• find a suitable exam centre
• register for the exam
• find a qualified person to assess coursework
• arrange for your child to take their exams

It is important to:

• contact exam boards to register your child as an external candidate
• find out what syllabus should be followed for the exam