Welcome to the Schoolhouse
Homeschooling in the United Kingdom
Homeschooling in the United Kingdom is a legally supported and increasingly popular option for Christian families. Whether you’re in England, Scotland, Wales, or Northern Ireland, this guide helps you understand your rights and resources.
Important Notice: Read Before Proceeding
This information is for general guidance only and is not legal advice.
The United Kingdom does not have a unified national home education law. Instead, each of the four countries that make up the UK—England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland—has its own education laws and requirements. SchoolhouseTeachers.com is not a registered school in the UK and is intended for independent, parent-directed use. Families are responsible for understanding and complying with the home education laws of their specific region.
A Flexible, Christian Worldview Home Education Option for UK Families
>> SchoolhouseTeachers.com offers Christian families across the UK a flexible, customizable, and Christ-centered platform to educate their children at home. With hundreds of self-paced online courses, planning tools, and record keeping features, families can build a custom home education experience grounded in Biblical values.
The Growth of Home Education in the UK
Over the past decade, home education in the UK has experienced significant growth. In the 2013/14 academic year, approximately 34,000 children were being home educated. By the 2023/24 academic year, this number had risen to over 153,000, marking a substantial increase. (explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk)
While the COVID-19 pandemic initially prompted many families to consider home education due to health concerns, the trend has continued beyond the pandemic. Parents cite various reasons for choosing home education, including dissatisfaction with traditional schooling, the desire for a more personalized education approach, and the need to better support children with special educational needs or mental health challenges. (theguardian.com)
Historical Context: UK vs. USA
Home education has a rich history in both the UK and the USA, but the movements have evolved differently.
United Kingdom
According to historical summaries compiled online (such as Wikipedia), home education in the UK has been legally recognized for decades. The Education Act 1996 in England and Wales, the Education (Scotland) Act 1980, and the Education and Libraries (Northern Ireland) Order 1986 all affirm parents’ rights to educate their children at home. Organizations like Education Otherwise, established in 1976, have been instrumental in supporting home-educating families across the UK.
United States
In contrast, the home education movement in the USA gained momentum in the 1970s and 1980s, often driven by religious and philosophical motivations. Today, home education is legal in all 50 states, with varying regulations. The USA has a higher percentage of home-educated students compared to the UK, reflecting different cultural and legal landscapes. (Summaries of this historical context are available on Wikipedia.)
Legal Framework and Regulations
Home education is legal throughout the UK, but each country within the United Kingdom has its own rules and expectations. The UK government does not impose national home education laws. Families must adhere to the education laws of the country where they reside.
England
- Governed by the Education Act 1996 (Section 7).
- Parents must provide an education suitable to age, ability, and aptitude.
- No requirement to follow the National Curriculum.
- No need to register unless withdrawing a child from school.
Wales
- Also under the Education Act 1996, with additional Welsh government guidelines.
- Local authorities may request information but cannot enforce curriculum adherence.
- A voluntary database exists to track home-educated children.
Scotland
- Governed by the Education (Scotland) Act 1980.
- Parents must obtain formal consent from their local authority to deregister from public school.
- Local authorities may monitor provision more closely.
Northern Ireland
- Governed by the Education and Libraries (Northern Ireland) Order 1986.
- Home education is legal without mandatory registration.
- Local Education and Library Boards may request information but do not regulate daily instruction.
Support Networks for Home-Educating Families in the UK
UK home educators benefit from robust Christian communities and national support organizations:
Education Otherwise
A UK-wide charity providing support and information for families whose children are being educated outside school. It promotes and supports the right of a parent or guardian to home educate their child. (https://www.educationotherwise.org)
Christian Home Educators UK
An active online community offering guidance, encouragement, and shared curriculum ideas for Christian home-educating families. (Look for them on social media.)
Classical Conversations UK
Supports families through classical education and Christian community groups, providing resources and fellowship. (https://www.classicalconversations.co.uk)
These networks help reduce isolation and offer fellowship, co-op classes, field trips, and training.
SchoolhouseTeachers.com: A Complete Christian Home Education Solution
One Platform—Every Grade, Every Subject
- Hundreds of PreK–12 (Reception through Year 13) online courses
- Bible-integrated instruction
- No per-child fees
- Family membership includes all content
Planning and Documentation Tools
- Education Plan Builder
- Letter of Intent Template
- Portfolio Management System
- Applecore Record Keeping
- Transcript Generator (Annual & Lifetime only)
Additional Benefits
- World Book Online access ($250/year value!) – Our license with World Book Online provides members with free access to this premium encyclopedia.
- 25,000+ family-friendly streaming videos for education and fun
- Encouragement from the home education community
Special Lifetime Membership Offer for UK Families
Join SchoolhouseTeachers.com with a Lifetime Membership and gain permanent access to every course, tool, and support resource for one flat fee—no renewal required.
Final Legal Reminder:
SchoolhouseTeachers.com is not a registered school in the UK and does not provide legal services. Families are responsible for ensuring that their home education program complies with the laws of their country within the UK. Always consult local educational authorities for the most current guidance.
READY TO BEGIN?
Explore the Learning Pathway Options
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Contact Our Support Team with Questions
Let’s begin your home education journey today!
Blessings,
The SchoolhouseTeachers.com Team
Get Everything You Need—Join Today!
By becoming a SchoolhouseTeachers.com member, you’ll gain access to:
✔ THE EDUCATION PLAN BUILDER: Create and download a structured home education plan.
✔ THE LETTER OF INTENT TO HOMESCHOOL TEMPLATE: Draft and download a formal home education notice.
✔ THE FULL CURRICULUM LIBRARY: Choose from 100s of courses for all subjects, PreK–12 (equivalent to Reception through Year 13 in the UK).
✔ APPLECORE RECORD KEEPING: Track assessments, grades, and progress in one place.
✔ TRANSCRIPT TOOLS: (Annual & Lifetime Members): Generate transcripts to document coursework for college or career.
Join today and homeschool with confidence!
Most of the courses on SchoolhouseTeachers.com are presented in English. However, you can translate any page on our website into many major languages using your browser’s built-in translation feature. To do this, click on the three dots or three lines (menu) in the upper right corner of your screen and select “Translate . . .” from the options.
Looking for homeschool support in other countries? SchoolhouseTeachers.com offers Christian homeschooling resources and curriculum to families across the globe. Explore our international homeschool pages for country-specific guidance.
