[Your Address]

[LEA Address]

[Date]

Dear [LEA Inspector Name]

RE: [Child’s name and date of birth]

Thank you for your letter dated [date] regarding my above child and the fact that [he/she] is to be educated otherwise than at school. Please note that it is not convenient for you to visit [date].

I would like to clarify my position with regard to supplying evidence of the provision I am making for my child’s education. I am aware that under Section 7 of the Education Act 1996, I have a responsibility to cause my child to receive efficient, full-time education, suitable to his age, ability, aptitude and special educational needs. As you are aware, I consider it to be in my child’s best interests if this education takes place at home, rather than in a school. I am also aware that an LEA has a duty to act if it appears that a parent is not discharging this responsibility.

Further to this, I understand that case law has established that, since no such ‘appearance’ can exist or not exist in the absence of any information, it is reasonable for LEAs to make informal enquiries about provision. In consideration of this understanding of my rights and responsibilities, I will be happy to supply information to you about my arrangements for my child’s education once we have had sufficient time to thoroughly consider all the information available about home education and arrive at a method which is best suited to my child’s age, aptitude and ability.

I understand that I am under no legal responsibility to accept home visits from you and that there are various ways in which this information may be supplied. I am currently considering which will be the most convenient and effective way of communicating our plans and provisions to you.

I feel that 6 months will be sufficient time for us to settle in to home education and establish our provision. I will therefore contact you in September concerning my [son’s/daughter’s] education.

I trust that this is satisfactory

Yours sincerely

[Your Name]