Very EasyCompulsory ages: 5 to 16

Homeschooling in England

Maximum freedom with no registration, no curriculum, and no testing: your legal right since 1996

England is one of the most permissive places in the world for home education. Parents have a legal duty to ensure their child receives an efficient, full-time education suitable to their age, ability, and aptitude, but there is no requirement to follow the National Curriculum, no mandatory registration, and no routine testing or assessment. The legal right to home educate is established under **Section 7 of the Education Act 1996**.

In our Library: Homeschooling in England: Complete 2026 Guide (After the Schools Act)

Quick Reference

School Days

No minimum

Hours Required

No minimum

Subjects

required

Notification

none

Key Requirements at a Glance

No registration with any authority is currently required
No obligation to follow the National Curriculum
No mandatory testing, exams, or assessments
No qualifications required for parents
Children who have never attended school need no notification at all
The Children's Wellbeing and Schools Act 2026 will create a children not in school register, but it is not yet in force and no timeline has been set

Legal Framework

Home education in England is governed by Section 7 of the Education Act 1996, which places a duty on parents to ensure their child receives 'efficient full-time education suitable (a) to his age, ability and aptitude, and (b) to any special educational needs he may have.' Section 437 gives local authorities the power to intervene if it appears a suitable education is not being provided. The Children's Wellbeing and Schools Act 2026 received Royal Assent on 29 April 2026 and contains children not in school measures, including a register. The Department for Education says these measures are not yet in force and has not set a timeline.

Find a home education group in England

8 home education groups in England, listed by town with ages, meeting days and fees. Each one checked against its own website and dated, so you can see how current it is.

Home Education Groups in England

Steiner and Waldorf schools and kindergartens in England

The Waldorf Map lists 14 schools, 15 kindergartens and playgroups, 4 co-ops and homeschool groups, 4 classes and courses, and 1 special education school in England, with phone numbers, websites and a map. If you are homeschooling, many run parent-and-child groups, open mornings and fairs that families outside the school are welcome at.

Elmfield Rudolf Steiner School, Stourbridge
Michael Hall Waldorf School, Forest Row
Ringwood Waldorf School, Ringwood
South Devon Steiner School, Totnes

See all of them on the map

Filing Requirements

No notification of any kind is required if the child has never been registered at a school.

Testing Requirements

Required: No

Frequency: N/A

Grades: N/A

No standardised testing, exams, or formal assessments are required. Parents may choose to enter children for GCSEs or other exams privately if desired.

How to Get Started

1
Decide Not to Enrol in School
When your child reaches compulsory school age (5), you are under no obligation to register them at a school. Simply do not apply for a school place.
- •Confirm you understand the legal duty under Section 7 of the Education Act 1996
- •Begin planning your educational approach
Tip: There is no form to fill in, no authority to notify, and no permission to seek You do not need to inform your local authority, though some families choose to Compulsory school age starts the term after a child turns 5, not at age 4
2
Provide a Suitable Education
Begin educating your child. The education must be 'efficient full-time education suitable to their age, ability and aptitude.' You choose the curriculum, methods, and schedule.
- •Choose your educational philosophy and approach (structured, unschooling, eclectic, etc.)
- •Gather resources and materials
- •Consider joining local home education groups for social opportunities
Tip: Education does not have to look like school: learning through play, projects, real-world experiences, and self-directed study all count Keep some evidence of educational activity (notes, photos, work samples) in case the local authority ever asks Many families find their approach evolves over time: there is no wrong way as long as the child is learning

Pros & Cons

Pros

✓No notification or registration required
✓Complete curriculum freedom
✓No contact with local authority unless they have concerns
✓No testing or assessment obligations
✓Can start immediately with no paperwork

Cons

•Local authority may make inquiries if they become aware
•No access to school resources or exam centres by right
•Parents bear full responsibility for educational provision

Sports & Activities

There is no equivalent of US-style school sports access laws in England. Home-educated children do not have a legal right to participate in school sports teams or extracurricular activities. Some schools may allow access on an informal or case-by-case basis.

Questions about homeschooling in England

Do I need permission from the local authority to home educate?

No. You do not need anyone's permission to home educate in England. If your child has never been to school, you don't even need to tell anyone. If withdrawing from school, you notify the headteacher: this is a notification, not a request for permission.

Do I have to follow the National Curriculum?

No. The National Curriculum applies only to state-funded schools. Home-educating families have complete freedom to choose their own curriculum, methods, and educational philosophy.

Can the local authority insist on visiting my home?

No. There is no legal right for the local authority to enter your home or see your child. You can choose to provide written evidence of your educational provision instead. Many families prefer to submit a written report rather than accept a home visit.

How can my child take GCSEs or A-Levels?

Home-educated children can sit exams as private (external) candidates at schools or exam centres that accept external entries. You will need to register and pay for the exams yourself. Some exams with practical components (e.g., science) may be harder to arrange.

What is the Children's Wellbeing and Schools Act 2026?

It became law on 29 April 2026 and contains measures on children not in school, including a register held by local authorities. The Department for Education says these measures are not yet in force: it will consult on draft guidance and regulations first, and has not set a timeline. It does not change the right to home educate.

Can I home educate a child with special educational needs (SEND)?

Yes. Children with an Education, Health and Care (EHC) Plan can be home educated. However, the local authority retains duties under the plan. If your child is at a special school named in the EHC Plan, you will need LA consent to deregister.

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