If you are thinking about home educating, one of the first questions is often whether you can afford it. Is home education free in the UK? There is no general fee to educate your child at home, but families may choose to spend money on books, activities, exam fees and other resources. The amount varies enormously. You do not need to recreate a school day or buy a complete curriculum to provide a suitable education.
This guide explains the costs, the rules for withdrawing a child from school, and what to expect from your Local Authority. The law differs across the UK, so check the rules for your nation before taking action. If you are just beginning, our guide to start home education uk can help you think through the first practical steps.
Is home education free in the UK?
Home education itself is not a paid service and there is no general funding entitlement for families educating their children at home in England. You are not required to buy a particular curriculum, employ a tutor or pay for lessons. Many families use library books, free online material, local walks, museums and everyday activities as part of their child’s education.
That does not mean every family has no costs. You might choose to pay for workbooks, a science kit, sports clubs, transport, educational visits or a tutor. If your child plans to take GCSEs, there can also be costs for exam entry, an exam centre and any preparation materials. Fees differ between subjects and centres, so contact centres directly and plan ahead. Home-educated young people usually enter as private candidates, and not every centre offers every subject or assessment arrangement.
Common costs to consider
- Learning materials: books, stationery, digital subscriptions, equipment or optional curriculum resources.
- Activities: clubs, classes, visits, public transport and meet-ups with other families.
- Qualifications: GCSE or other exam entry and centre fees, where relevant.
- Your time: planning, researching and supporting your child can affect work and childcare arrangements.
Start with what your child needs and what your household can manage. You can begin simply, borrow from the library, use free resources and add paid options only when they are useful. A planned curriculum is one possible tool, not a legal requirement. If you want help mapping out options, see Home Education Curriculum Planning Guide.
What are some good reasons to transfer my child to another school in the UK?
A move to another school may be worth considering if your child would benefit from a different environment, a particular subject offer, more suitable support or a change in travel arrangements. Families sometimes explore a transfer when a child is unhappy, struggling to feel safe, not receiving appropriate support or finding that the school’s approach does not meet their needs.
Before deciding, you could speak with the school, ask what adjustments or support may be available, and find out about other local schools. If you are considering home education instead, it can help to separate the immediate problem from the longer-term decision. What would need to change for your child to feel supported? What can your family realistically provide at home? There is no single right answer for every child.
Some parents consider an autism friendly home education environment because they want greater flexibility around routines, sensory needs, communication or time to recover from school-related stress. Home education can allow a family to adapt its day, but it also brings responsibility for arranging suitable education and any support the child needs. Think through practical matters such as access to specialist services, social opportunities and your own capacity. For a neutral overview of options, read about home education methods.
Do both parents have to agree to deregister from school?
There is not one simple answer that covers every family and situation. Parental responsibility, any court orders, who the child lives with and the circumstances of the decision may all matter. If those with parental responsibility disagree, it is sensible to get independent legal advice before changing the child’s school arrangements. Do not assume that one parent’s preference automatically settles a dispute.
For a child at a mainstream school in England or Wales, a parent gives written notice to the school that the child will be educated otherwise than at school. Local Authority permission is not required. Different rules apply if the child attends a special school: consent from the Local Authority is needed before withdrawal. In Scotland, you must obtain the council’s consent to withdraw a child who has been attending a public school, under section 35 of the Education (Scotland) Act 1980. In Northern Ireland, you do not need Education Authority permission for a mainstream school; tell the school principal. The Education Authority should be told if the child attends a special school.
Because the process depends on where you live and the type of school, read the relevant guidance before sending notice. Our overview of home education law explains the main legal differences and where to check your position.
What happens to kids who don't go to school?
Children who do not attend school may be educated at home, attend another educational setting, or have another arrangement. Not being on a school roll does not remove a parent’s responsibility to make sure their child receives a suitable education. In England, that duty is set out in section 7 of the Education Act 1996. The education must be suitable to the child’s age, ability, aptitude and any special educational needs. It does not have to follow the National Curriculum or copy school.
Home-educated children may learn through planned lessons, projects, books, practical activities, interests or a combination that changes over time. Some families use a fairly structured timetable; others prefer a flexible rhythm. These are descriptions of approaches, not formal legal categories. You do not have to choose a named approach or submit a timetable for approval.
Families often ask about home education socialisation in the UK. Children can meet others through clubs, sports, library events, youth groups, community activities, family networks and local home education groups. Social opportunities will look different from one child to another, so consider what they enjoy and what is accessible. A regular activity can help create friendships, but there is no requirement for every child to socialise in the same way or on the same schedule.
Can I just deregister my child from school?
In England and Wales, if your child attends a mainstream school, you generally notify the school in writing that you are taking responsibility for their education outside school. You do not need Local Authority approval. Keep a copy of your letter and ask the school to confirm receipt. If your child is registered at a special school, contact the Local Authority first because consent is required before withdrawing them.
The process is different in Scotland. If your child has been attending a public school, you must apply for the council’s consent to withdraw them. In Northern Ireland, notify the principal if your child attends a mainstream school; you do not need Education Authority permission. If your child is at a special school, notify the Education Authority. Check current local and national guidance, especially if your circumstances are unusual.
Planning to deregister from school in summer
If you plan to deregister from school in summer, think about timing and practical arrangements before the end of term. You may want to request school records, check any exam commitments and make a simple plan for the first few weeks. There is no need to have every resource or a year’s timetable ready before you begin. If you are in Scotland, allow time for the council consent process and do not treat a written notice alone as permission to withdraw.
Keep the first plan manageable. You might agree on a daily rhythm, choose a few activities, and leave room to find out what works for your child. You can adjust as you go. For free planning sheets and letters, visit Home Education Templates and Letters.
Home education register UK: what parents need to know
Families searching for a home education register in the UK should know that the rules are changing, but there is not currently a general live register that parents must join. The Children Not in School register was created by the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Act 2026, which received Royal Assent on 29 April 2026. The relevant sections are not yet in force; they will commence on a day appointed by regulations. Check official guidance for updates rather than assuming that registration is already required.
In England, the Local Authority has a duty under section 436A of the Education Act 1996 to make arrangements to identify children who are not receiving a suitable education. This does not mean the Local Authority approves, inspects or signs off home education. It may make informal enquiries to understand whether a suitable education appears to be taking place. There is no general funding entitlement linked to a register.
How to respond to a Local Authority visit or enquiry
Parents often search for how to respond to a Local Authority visit because contact can feel worrying. In England, a home visit and a response to informal enquiries are voluntary. You do not have to accept a visit or provide a report, but providing nothing may leave the authority to conclude that it cannot see evidence that a suitable education is taking place. You can ask what information it is seeking and offer a written account of your child’s education instead of a visit.
Do not feel you need to produce a polished curriculum plan. A clear account in your own words can describe what your child has been doing, what they are interested in, how you support learning and how your plans respond to their age, ability and needs. You are under no legal obligation to produce specific evidence, such as photographs or copies of work. Keep any photos or examples for your family’s own records if you wish, but do not send them as a requirement.
Stay calm, keep copies of correspondence and ask for questions in writing if that helps. If you want a practical overview of Local Authority reports and contact, see Local Authority Reporting for Home Educators. Flybrite can help turn everyday learning moments into a tidy, LA-ready written record in minutes. The record stays yours, and you choose what to share. Find out home education platform.
Practical tips for getting started
- Check the rules for your nation. The withdrawal process differs in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, and special-school arrangements matter.
- Think about your child’s needs. Consider interests, wellbeing, additional needs, friendships and the amount of structure that suits your family.
- Make a modest budget. List likely costs, including transport and possible exam fees, then identify free local resources.
- Keep a simple record. Brief notes about books, conversations, outings, projects and skills can help you reflect on progress and explain your provision if asked.
- Review and adapt. Home education can change as your child grows. A plan is a starting point, not a promise that you must follow it forever.
Local libraries, museums, parks and community groups can offer low-cost ways to explore new topics. If you use printable activities for a quiet afternoon or a bit of focused practice, the chore charts has optional instant-download resources. They are extras, not a requirement for home education.
Home education statistics 2026: what can the numbers tell us?
Searches for home education statistics in 2026 reflect growing interest in how many children are educated outside school. Figures can differ depending on the date, the definition used and whether they come from Local Authority estimates or official data. The new Children Not in School register provisions are not yet in force, so do not assume there is a complete, current national register from which a definitive total can be drawn.
Statistics can offer context, but they cannot tell you what will suit your child or predict your family’s experience. If you are comparing figures, look for the source, publication date and what is actually being counted. For your own decision, focus on your child’s needs, your responsibilities and the practical support available locally.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need Local Authority permission to educate my child at home?
In England and Wales, permission is not needed to withdraw a child from a mainstream school. Special-school consent rules apply. Scotland and Northern Ireland have different procedures, so check the guidance for your nation.
Does home education have to follow the National Curriculum?
No. In England, home education does not have to follow the National Curriculum or mirror school lessons. Parents are responsible for providing an education suitable to their child.
Can my home-educated child take GCSEs?
Yes. Many home-educated young people take GCSEs as private candidates. Contact exam centres early to check subjects, practical assessment options, arrangements and fees.
Can I refuse a Local Authority home visit?
In England, a home visit in response to informal enquiries is voluntary. You can consider responding in writing instead. Providing no information may make it harder for the authority to establish that suitable education appears to be happening.
Start home educating with a plan that can change
Home education does not have to be expensive, highly structured or settled from day one. You can begin with your child’s needs, use the resources around you and build a routine that works for your household. Check the rules where you live, keep a straightforward written record and adjust your plans as you learn together.
If you would like an easier way to organise your notes, try Flybrite’s 7-day free trial, with no card needed to start. The record stays yours. Start your free trial.
