Deciding to deregister your child from school and begin home education can feel daunting—but it’s perfectly legal across the UK, and many parents successfully make this transition. Below is a straightforward, step-by-step guide covering England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland, highlighting the particular rules in each region.
Step 1: Understanding the Legal Framework
England & Wales
In England and Wales, deregistration is done by sending a letter or email to the school stating you no longer require the school place, as you plan to home educate. This completes your legal duty. No notice period is required, and you don’t have to chase acknowledgements.
Once the letter is sent, the school should immediately remove your child’s name from the register. If they delay or refuse, you can follow up with a “failure to deregister” letter based on the law. You do not need permission from the Local Authority unless your child is in a special school.
Scotland
In Scotland, the term “deregistration” isn’t used. Instead, you must request consent from your Local Authority to withdraw your child from a state school. Consent should be granted fairly quickly.
In your withdrawal letter, include details of your intentions and how you intend to educate, as failing to provide sufficient information may delay or even cause the request to be declined.
Northern Ireland
In Northern Ireland, elective home education is lawful. Parents can deregister simply by notifying the school in writing. No permission is required unless the child attends a special school. Home educators are not obligated to register with the Education Board or allow monitoring unless there are concerns about suitability.
Step 2: Writing and Sending the Letter
No matter where you are in the UK, the first key step is sending a clear, written request. Here’s what it needs to include:
- Child’s full name and current school
- Statement that you will be providing home education (English law references Section 7 of the Education Act 1996)
- A request to remove your child from the school roll with immediate effect
- A sentence asserting that your responsibility for full-time, efficient education begins immediately
- Signature of one parent and date
Key points:
- No notice period is required—you can hand in or send your letter on your child’s last day or the morning of their first non-attendance.
- Get confirmation—either a postal receipt or an email acknowledgment—to show the letter was received.
Regional Differences at a Glance
England – Send letter; no notice needed. School must remove name immediately. If refusal occurs, use a “failure to deregister” letter.
Wales – Same as England, citing Wales-specific regulations. Use the appropriate regulations (for example, Regulation 8(1)(d)).
Scotland – Write to the Local Authority requesting consent to withdraw; include educational plans. Continue attendance until consent is received (usually within about six weeks).
Northern Ireland – Notify the school in writing; no consent required unless it’s a special school. No ongoing monitoring is required unless there are concerns.
Template Letters
You can find template letters and plenty of useful information on the Educational Freedom website, which I found really helpful when I first started home educating. They also run a Facebook group where you can connect with others and get lots of support.
Final Tips
- Keep records of sending and any acknowledgement from the school.
- Start home education immediately once deregistered (important in England and Wales).
- Don’t be alarmed if the school doesn’t reply formally—this is common.
- If your child attends a special school, check carefully whether Local Authority consent is needed.
- Connect with home education support groups for advice and community.
A Final Note on the Name
You’ll notice some people say “homeschool” and others say “home education.” In the U.S., “homeschool” is the common term, while in the U.K., many prefer “home education” (and some get quite firm about it, as children aren’t technically being “schooled”). Personally, I don’t think it matters. What matters is the learning itself and finding what works for your family.
So call it what you like—the important part is the education, not the label.
