HOME EDUCATION GUIDANCE NOTES FOR PARENTS

Do I have to send my child to school? Can I home educate?

What should I do if I decide to take my child out of school?

What is compulsory school age?

What happens if I decide to educate my child at home?

How often will an Education Officer visit?

What should I do if my child has a Statement of Special Educational Needs?

What happens if I decide to move?

What help can I receive from the LEA?

Do I have to agree to the home visit?

What if I just keep my child out of school?

Do I have to teach the National Curriculum?

How will I be expected to educate my child?

What evidence will the Education Officer be looking for?

What educational experiences do successful parent educators provide?

Do I have to enter my child for examinations?

FURTHER THINGS TO CONSIDER

Useful addresses and telephone numbers

Director of Education and Lifelong Learning

If you have any enquiries regarding home education

If you need any advice about attendance issues

If you need advice about your child’s special educational needs, or exclusion from school

Special Educational Needs

If you need individual guidance and help on careers, courses, work experience or interview preparation

Courses and further education

Publications on the National Literacy Programme, suggested schemes of work and many more useful educational publications

Organisations to support home educators

Education Otherwise

Local Co-ordinator, Education Otherwise

Home Education Advisory Service

Education Now

Herald

Choice in Education

Casebourne Home Tuition

Christian Education Europe

National Extension College

Other useful addresses

National Independent Education Watchdog

Council for the Accreditation of Correspondence Colleges

Contact for addresses of examining boards

Supportive Parents for Special Children

HOME EDUCATION
GUIDANCE NOTES FOR PARENTS

This booklet has been designed to help you as a parent or a carer if you are considering educating your child or children at home. This can be a demanding but very rewarding task. The following notes are set out to explain certain legal responsibilities for both you as parents and also for the Bristol Local Education Authority (LEA). They explain some of the issues that you may wish to consider. A list of helpful contacts is included at the end of the booklet.

Do I have to send my child to school? Can I home educate?

Section 7 of the 1996 Education Act states:

‘Duty of parents to secure education of children of compulsory school age. 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.’

For most children this means that they will usually attend their local school but for various reasons you may decide to undertake the responsibility of educating your child ‘otherwise’, that is at home.

What should I do if I decide to take my child out of school?

If your child is attending a state school when you decide to home educate you must inform the headteacher or chair of governors in writing that you wish to remove your child from the school roll because you wish to educate him or her otherwise than at school. Please also inform the LEA by writing to the Education Officer (Education out of School) whose address can be found at the end of this booklet.

What is compulsory school age?

The law requires a child to be educated from the age of five to sixteen. A child whose fifth birthday occurs on or before the first day of a school term must by law receive full-time education from the beginning of that term. Circular 11/97 from the Department of Education and Employment gives the school leaving date for all children whether ‘at school or otherwise as ‘the last Friday in June in the school year in which a child reaches age sixteen’.

If your child is under five years of age you do not need to do anything. However it is helpful for the School Admissions Section if you write to let them know if you are intending to educate your child at home from a particular date.*** The address is listed at the end of the booklet.

What happens if I decide to educate my child at home?

The LEA has a duty to be satisfied that you are providing an efficient’ education for your child which takes into account the age, ability, aptitude and any special educational needs that the child may have. You will be sent a questionnaire which requests your and your child’s full name, date of birth and address. You are also asked which school your child attended. the last date of attendance and whether your child has a Statement of Special Educational Need. The questionnaire requests details about the programme of work that you intend to offer your child, what resources you intend to use and any social opportunities available for your child. A list of helpful organisations which can offer you guidance and support is included at the end of this booklet. You will be given time to get your arrangements going, usually around three months. You will then receive a letter from an Education Officer who will request a visit. We prefer to undertake our responsibility by making home visits arranged at mutually agreed times. convenient dates or times can always be arranged.

Please note that the LEA has a duty for child protection and will routinely check the Child Protection Register for all new applications for education at home.

How often will an Education Officer visit?

Generally the Officer will allow a settling in’ period for the parents to get established and then visit annually. In most cases the Education Officer is satisfied that the child is receiving an efficient, full time education suitable to the child’s age, ability and aptitude and will arrange annual visits. Occasionally during discussion with the parents issues are raised where the child may be making insufficient progress in certain areas of his or her education. In this case the Officer would allow the parent time for this to be addressed and would make arrangements to return in around six months time. In cases where the child is receiving little or unsatisfactory education, issues would be fully discussed with the parent and a visit would be arranged in three months time to assess improvements which are necessary for the child’s education.

What should I do if my child has a Statement of Special Educational Needs?

If your child attends a special school you must obtain the consent of the LEA before you remove your child from the school. If your child attends a mainstream school you can also opt to educate your child at home. However, in both cases, you must ensure that you make provision for your child’s special educational needs in accordance with his/her statement. The annual review of your child’s statement must take place whether your child is being educated at school or at home. This procedure is set out in the SEN Code of Practice (Education Act 1996).

What happens if I decide to move?

If you move within Bristol, please let us know your new address so that we can keep in touch. The address and telephone number is at the end of the booklet. If you move away from Bristol please let us know. and also notify the new LEA, where you will be living.

What help can I receive from the LEA?

If you wish, the Education Officer is always very happy to offer help and advice during a visit. We also provide some helpful contact addresses and telephone numbers at the end of the booklet. Unfortunately we are unable to provide resources or financial assistance if you decide to educate your child at home.

Do I have to agree to the home visit?

If you are not happy to share information through a visit you may wish to let us know that you are providing a suitable education in other ways. You may prefer to:

• meet at another agreed venue with an Education Officer

• send a letter or a report setting out your educational plans enclosing if you wish, samples of your child’s work

• send a letter or a report from a reputable third party, acceptable to the parents and the LEA, endorsing your educational plans

• send in representative, dated samples of your child’s work

• send in a report from a reputable person, acceptable to both you and the LEA that endorses the education that you are providing for your child

• provide evidence in any other appropriate form acceptable to yourselves and to the LEA

If you wish to make alternative arrangements please let the Education Officer know on receipt of the ‘visit ‘letter.

What if I just keep my child out of school?

The LEA must be satisfied that you are providing an education that is efficient and suitable. If you do not provide evidence of this we must conclude that your child is not being effectively educated .We would then act in the interest of the child and take steps to return your child to school. This process will normally involve an Education Welfare Officer.

Do I have to teach the National Curriculum?

No as this only applies to state schools. The subjects taught to pupils in all maintained schools are

For children aged 5-11

• English, following the National Literacy Programme

• mathematics, following the National Numeracy Programme

• science

• design and technology

• history

• geography

•art

• music

• physical education

• religious education

For children aged 11 as above plus a modern foreign language

Children aged 14 can start to specialise and can drop some subjects.

Details of the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA) which produces many publications on the National Literacy Programme and suggestions for schemes of work are listed at the end of the booklet. They are also available on the internet. You will have to pay for these.

All maintained schools are required:

to provide a broad and balanced curriculum

to promote the spiritual, moral, cultural, mental and physical development of pupils

to prepare pupils for the opportunities, responsibilities and experiences of adult life

These principles are appropriate for all styles of education. Children in school normally spend between 22 and 25 hours each week on work, plus homework, according to age.

How will I be expected to educate my child?

You do not have to follow a school routine, have a fixed timetable, give formal lessons, attain national standard or teach in a particular style. The Education Officer’s interest will be in establishing that you are providing a suitable education rather than endorsing any particular method you may prefer to use. Parents generally use either an informal approach to education initiated by the child’s interest, supported and developed by the parent or pre-plan a more formal programme of learning. Often the education is offered using a mixture of both methods.

What evidence will the Education Officer be looking for?

The Education Officer will be checking to see whether the education you are providing is ‘efficient’, ‘full-time’ and suitable’. The Officer will also take an interest in the welfare of your child.

The Officer will discuss the work that your child is doing with you and very briefly with your child depending on your child’s age. The information the officer will be seeking will be covered in discussion with you along the following outline:

• What subjects are you teaching?

• How are you educating your child?

• What resources, books and materials, are available to support your child’s learning?

• How do you plan to ensure that your child has a broad and balanced education?

• Does your child have opportunities for practical activities as well as written work?

• How much time is spent on your child’s education?

• Does your child have a quiet, light and safe area suitable for work?

• Does your child have good opportunities for physical exercise and physical education?

• Does your child have opportunities to mix socially with other children of his or her own age?

• Do you record your child’s progress?

• Do you keep a dated record of work achieved and progress made?

• What are your long-term plans? Will your programme enable your child to access to further education and career opportunities?

The Children Act (1989) states:

“The welfare and safety of the child are paramount”.

If, during the course of a home visit, an Education Officer has concerns about the well-being of a child, it is their duty in law to report these concerns to Social Services who may subsequently take appropriate action.

What educational experiences do successful parent educators provide?

It may be helpful for you to share some of the rewarding approaches to home education offered by home educators who

provide opportunities for active and practical learning
make learning enjoyable by using a variety of approaches
encourage their child to read widely
encourage their child to be curious and to question
praise and value their child's successes
take good educational advantage of local resources such as museums, libraries, art galleries, theatres, parks, clubs, computers, videos and audio tapes
use educational visits and broadcasts to support their child ‘s learning
provide a range of opportunities for physical development
encourage their child to develop socially with other children, especial/v their own age, and also with adults
give their child a quiet area to work
give their child opportunities for independent enquiry and learning
have a coherent philosophy of education

Do I have to enter my child for examinations?

No you do not have to enter your child for tests or examinations. However you will need to consider the long-term educational opportunities for your child many of which will need qualifications at sixteen years of age.

For your information:

Children’s progress and achievement is assessed and compared with other children of the same age by Standard Assessment Tasks (SATS).

Most

7 year olds are expected to achieve Level 2 or above

11 year olds are expected to achieve Level 4 or above

14 year olds are expected to achieve Level 5 or above

About half of 16 year olds are expected to gain five or more GCSEs or GNVQ Part One, A-C grades. If they do not manage to get the qualifications at school they can do an access course at college to catch up.

Details of local colleges are listed at the end of this booklet.

FURTHER THINGS TO CONSIDER

Deciding to educate your child at home is a major responsibility and requires a great deal of thought beforehand. You alone are responsible for ensuring your child’s education. It will require a lot of your time and energy.

Consider carefully

the cost in terms of books, equipment, visits and if necessary tutors
how you are going to manage and plan your child’s education
how you will provide the social opportunities for joint activities and friendship
how you will access specialised facilities and equipment

Think about why you are making this decision. If

your child has a problem at school we may be able to help you find a solution which suits your child better. Our Education Welfare Officers will help you (addresses and telephone numbers are on the contact list at the end).
you have had a disagreement with a member of staff the headteacher or the Governors do contact a District Childrens Officer who will offer help and advice (see list).
your concern has a religious basis you do have a right to withdraw your child within the school from religious education and collective worship

Home education can be a very rewarding and constructive experience for both you and your child. We have enclosed the names of independent support agencies for you at the end of the booklet.

If at any stage you wish to return your child into the school system please contact the Education Officer for Children who are Educated Out of School who will assign someone to help you.

Useful addresses and telephone numbers

Director of Education and Lifelong Learning

Richard Riddell
The Council House
College Green
Bristol
BS99 7EB

If you have any enquiries regarding home education

Jo Olivier

Education Officer,
Education out of School
Education Inclusion and Regeneration
Floor 4
The Council House
College Green
Bristol
BS99 7EB

Telephone number 0117 9037739

If you need any advice about attendance issues

District Educational Welfare Officer

North Bristol telephone number 0117 9038427

South Bristol “ 0117 9031660

East Bristol “ 0117 9031302

Central Bristol “ 0117 9031300

If you need advice about your child’s special educational needs, or exclusion from school

The District Children’s Officer
Education Inclusion and Regeneration
Floor 4
The Council House
College Green
Bristol
BS99 7EB

Telephone number 0117 9037739

Special Educational Needs

Alison Jackson
SEN Manager
Floor 4
The Council House
College Green
Bristol
BS99 7EB

Tel: 0117 9037709

If you need individual guidance and help on careers, courses, work experience or interview preparation

Connexions
West of England
4 Colston Avenue
Bristol BS1 4ST

Telephone number 0117 9873700

Courses and further education

City of Bristol College
Brunel Centre
Ashley Down
Bristol

Telephone number 0117 9045000

Publications on the National Literacy Programme, suggested schemes of work and many more useful educational publications

QCA Publications
P0 Box 99
Sudbury
Suffolk
CO10 6SN

Telephone number 01787 884444

e-mail www.open.gov.uk/qca

Organisations to support home educators

Education Otherwise

P.O. Box 7420
London N9 9SG

Telephone number: 0891 518303

e-mail e_o@netlink.co.uk

Local Co-ordinator, Education Otherwise

Ian Chatfield
14 Narroways Road
St Werburghs

Telephone number 0117 9412707hh

e-mail iansilkechatfield@yahoo.co.uk

Home Education Advisory Service

P0 Box 98
Welwyn Garden City
Herts. AL8 6AN

Telephone number 01707 371854

e-mail 100752.1061@compuserve.com

Education Now

A non- profit making research, writing and publishing company. A co-operative devoted to developing more flexible forms of education and educational diversity

113 Arundel Drive
Bramcote Hills
Nottingham NG9 3

Herald

Topic based schemes with details of back-up resources published thrice yearly

Kelda Cottage
Lydbrook
Glos GL17 9SX

Telephone number 01594 861107

herald@altavista.net