If you are wondering what the criteria are for home education in the UK, you are not alone. Most parents start with the same worries: Do I need permission? What does the Local Authority expect? How do I know I am doing enough? The good news is that home education can be a flexible, child-led, and very successful choice when you understand the legal basics and focus on what really matters: a suitable education for your child.
This guide is for UK home educating families, with a particular focus on England, where the legal duty sits with parents under section 7 of the Education Act 1996. We will also flag where the rules differ in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, because the details matter. If you are just getting started, it can help to read our guide to starting home education alongside this one.
What are the criteria for home education in the UK?
In England, the key criterion is simple: you must provide an education that is suitable to your child’s age, ability, aptitude, and any special educational needs. That is the legal test. There is no requirement to follow the National Curriculum, use a particular style, keep school-like hours, or recreate classroom learning at home.
Home education can look very different from one family to another. Some families use structured lessons, others prefer project work, nature study, reading, practical life skills, or a relaxed mix. What matters is that your child is learning in a way that is appropriate for them. If you want help shaping that into a plan, our home education curriculum planning guide can help you think it through without overcomplicating things.
What counts as a suitable education?
A suitable education is one that prepares your child for life in modern Britain and gives them opportunities to learn and make progress. It does not have to mirror school, but it should not be random or purely occasional. A good home education usually includes some combination of:
- English and maths, in a way that suits your child
- Reading, writing, speaking, and listening
- Science, humanities, arts, or practical learning
- Life skills, independence, and social development
- Opportunities to build on your child’s interests and strengths
Many families also use different home education approaches over time. If you are not sure which style fits your child, it may help to look at different home education approaches and styles before you settle into a routine.
Do you need Local Authority approval to home educate?
No, in England and Wales you do not need Local Authority approval to home educate a child who is on roll at a mainstream school. You do need to notify the school in writing if you are withdrawing your child, but you do not need permission from the Local Authority for mainstream provision. The exception is a child at a special school, where LA consent is needed before withdrawal in England and Wales.
The Local Authority’s duty is not to approve or inspect your home education. Its role under section 436A is to identify children who do not appear to be receiving a suitable education. If the authority makes informal enquiries, you can choose how to respond, but if it receives no information at all, it may conclude that the education does not appear suitable. For more on this, see your rights and responsibilities in home education law and what to know about Local Authority contact and reports.
What about the coming Children Not in School register?
You may hear people talk about a Children Not in School register. This was created by the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Act 2026, but those sections are not yet in force. They will only begin on a day appointed by regulations. So, for now, there is no live compulsory home education register in England.
Do you have to follow the National Curriculum at home?
No. Home educating families in England are not required to follow the National Curriculum. That is often a relief, because it means you can build an education around your child rather than around a timetable designed for a classroom of 30 children.
You can still use the National Curriculum as a reference if it helps you feel organised, especially for core subjects or GCSE planning. Some parents like to use it as a checklist, others prefer to build from interests and real-life learning. There is no single right way. If you are planning the year ahead, our curriculum planning resources may help you map things out in a calm, manageable way.
What evidence do you need to keep?
There is no legal obligation to produce specific evidence for the Local Authority in England. That is an important point, because many parents worry they need to keep piles of worksheets or send in samples. You do not have to do that. The evidence is your own written account of the education you are providing.
That said, many home educating parents choose to keep records for their own peace of mind. A simple record can help you notice progress, spot gaps, and remember what has worked well. Flybrite is designed to help with exactly that, turning everyday moments into a tidy, LA-ready record in minutes, without making your home feel like a school. You can see how it works on the Flybrite home education record keeping page.
For families who like practical tools, the free letters, planners and checklists can also make the first few weeks feel much more manageable.
What should your record include?
Your record can be simple. Many families keep notes on:
- What your child has been learning
- Books read, trips taken, and projects completed
- Skills practised, such as writing, measuring, cooking, or problem-solving
- Any progress or next steps you have noticed
Photos are for your own family record only. They are not something you are legally obliged to send to the Local Authority, and they are not required evidence. If you do keep photos, use them as a memory aid for yourself, not as a substitute for a proper written account.
How do home educating families show progress?
Progress in home education does not have to mean sitting tests every term. Children make progress in many ways, and it often looks different from school. A child may move from reluctant reading to choosing books independently, from needing help with times tables to solving problems with confidence, or from low confidence to happily speaking at a museum workshop.
Think in terms of steady growth rather than perfect coverage. Useful questions to ask yourself include:
- What can my child do now that they could not do six months ago?
- Where is my child showing curiosity or confidence?
- Are there any gaps I want to revisit gently?
If you want a simple way to keep track of this, a digital log can save a lot of time. Flybrite helps you note learning as it happens, so a trip to the library, a baking session, or a museum visit becomes part of a clear record rather than a memory you try to reconstruct later.
What are the criteria for GCSEs as a home-educated child?
If your child is older, you may be thinking ahead to GCSEs. Home-educated children can take GCSEs as private candidates. The main criteria are practical rather than legal: you need to choose subjects, find an exam centre that accepts private candidates, and make sure you understand the deadlines and fees.
Many families begin by deciding whether GCSEs are the right route for their child, or whether another qualification or skills-based path suits them better. There is no requirement for every home-educated child to sit GCSEs. For some young people, a smaller number of core GCSEs is enough. For others, a broader exam plan works well. The key is to match the route to the child, not the other way round.
Practical tips for GCSE planning
- Start early, especially for maths, English, and sciences
- Check exam centre policies well in advance
- Keep a clear record of topics covered and exam board chosen
- Build in revision time gradually rather than leaving it until the end
If you are juggling multiple children or subjects, a planning tool can make a big difference. Many families find it helpful to keep one place for lessons, outings, and progress notes, rather than scattering everything across notebooks and phone photos. That is one reason thousands of UK families trust Flybrite to keep home education organised without the faff.
What does the Local Authority look for?
In England, the Local Authority is looking for signs that a child appears to be receiving a suitable education. It is not there to approve your methods or tell you exactly how to teach. If it asks informal questions, it is usually trying to understand the child’s learning, not to set a test.
You are not legally required to accept a home visit, and you are not required to respond to informal enquiries. However, if you provide no information at all, the authority may conclude that the education does not appear suitable. Many families therefore choose to respond in a calm, factual way, giving a short written summary of what their child is learning and how.
If you are unsure how to handle contact, our Local Authority reporting and contact guide can help you think through your options. You may also find our home education FAQs useful for quick answers to common worries.
How can you make home education feel manageable?
The biggest mistake many new home educating parents make is trying to do too much at once. You do not need a perfect timetable, a full replica of school, or a mountain of worksheets. Start with the basics and build slowly.
Practical ways to keep things simple
- Choose a few priorities for the term, not dozens
- Use everyday life as learning, cooking, shopping, walking, reading, and trips out
- Keep a short weekly note of what happened, rather than trying to write a long report later
- Use your local library, museums, parks, and community spaces
- Review what is working every few weeks and adjust gently
If you like printables for routines or quiet-time activities, the Flybrite Shop has practical instant downloads that can take some pressure off busy days. But even without extra resources, a well-chosen book, a walk, and a good conversation can go a long way.
What are the criteria for home education in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland?
The rules are not the same across the UK, so it is worth checking the nation you live in.
Scotland
If your child has been attending a public school in Scotland, you must have the council’s consent to withdraw them for home education under section 35 of the Education (Scotland) Act 1980. Scotland is not the same as England on this point, so do not rely on English guidance if you live there.
Wales
In Wales, parents can educate at home, but the process and local arrangements can differ from England. If your child is at a mainstream school, you normally notify the school in writing. Special school arrangements are different, so check the current Welsh guidance for your situation.
Northern Ireland
In Northern Ireland, you do not need Education Authority permission for a mainstream school withdrawal. You should tell the school principal, and for a special school you should tell the EA. Again, the details matter, so make sure you are following the guidance for your nation.
Top tips for new home educating families
If you are just beginning, here are a few reassuring truths to hold on to:
- You do not need to recreate school at home.
- You do not need LA approval for mainstream withdrawal in England and Wales.
- You do not need to follow the National Curriculum in England.
- You do not need to send photos or samples of work to the Local Authority.
- You can keep records in a way that suits your family.
Most importantly, you do not have to get everything right on day one. Home education is a process, and it is normal to adjust as you go. The families who settle well are usually the ones who keep things simple, stay consistent, and trust that learning can happen in many ordinary moments.
FAQ: What are the criteria for home education in the UK?
Do I need permission to home educate in England?
No, not for a child at a mainstream school. You notify the school in writing if you are withdrawing your child. Special school withdrawal is different and may need LA consent.
Do I have to follow the National Curriculum?
No. In England, home educating families do not have to follow the National Curriculum. You can choose an approach that suits your child.
Do I have to send work samples to the Local Authority?
No. Parents are under no legal obligation to produce specific evidence for the Local Authority. A written account of the education you provide is the key point.
Can my child take GCSEs if they are home educated?
Yes. Home-educated young people can take GCSEs as private candidates, but you will need to arrange an exam centre and meet the centre’s deadlines and fees.
Is there a compulsory home education register in England yet?
No. A Children Not in School register was created by the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Act 2026, but the relevant sections are not yet in force.
Conclusion
The criteria for home education in the UK are much simpler than many parents first fear. In England, the test is whether your child is receiving a suitable education for their age, ability, aptitude, and any special educational needs. You do not need permission for mainstream withdrawal, you do not need to follow the National Curriculum, and you do not need to send work samples to the Local Authority.
Once you understand the legal basics, the real job is building a rhythm that works for your family. Keep it practical, keep it kind, and keep a record that helps you see progress without adding stress. If you want a simple way to do that, start your free 7-day trial of Flybrite today, no card to start, and the record stays yours. It is a calm way to turn everyday moments into a tidy, LA-ready record in minutes.