What are the new rules for home education in the UK?
If you are home educating, it can feel like the rules are always changing, or at least being talked about as if they are. That leaves many parents wondering what they actually need to do, what the Local Authority can ask for, and whether anything has changed for your family yet. The short answer is this: in England, your legal duty is to provide a suitable education under section 7 of the Education Act 1996, and you do not need Local Authority approval to home educate your child.
There is a lot of noise online about registers, checks, and new systems, so it is easy to feel unsettled. This guide brings everything together in plain English, with the current position for UK home educating families, practical next steps, and a few ways to make record-keeping feel far less heavy. If you are just getting started, you may also find our guide to starting home education with confidence helpful.
What has actually changed, and what has not?
At the moment, the most important thing to know is that there is no new requirement in force for England that changes the basic legal position for home educating families. The duty remains on parents to provide a suitable education. The National Curriculum is not required for home education, and the Local Authority does not approve, sign off, accredit, or inspect your home education.
There has been a lot of discussion about a future Children Not in School register, but that system is not yet in force. It was created in law, but the relevant sections do not operate until a day appointed by regulations. So, if you are hearing that all home educating families must register now, that is not correct.
For a fuller explanation of your rights and the current legal position, see our guide to understanding home education law in England and Wales.
Do I need Local Authority approval to home educate?
No, not in England or Wales if your child attends a mainstream school. You simply give written notice to withdraw your child from the school, and the school removes them from the roll. If your child attends a special school, the rules are different and Local Authority consent is needed before withdrawal.
In Northern Ireland, you do not need Education Authority permission either, but you should tell the school principal if your child is leaving a mainstream school. For a special school, tell the Education Authority. Scotland is different again: if your child has been attending a public school there, you must have the council’s consent to withdraw them.
Because the rules vary across the UK, it is worth checking the correct nation before acting. If you are unsure what to say to your child’s school, our free letters and checklists on the home education templates hub can save you time and stress.
What can the Local Authority ask for?
In England, the Local Authority has a duty under section 436A to identify children who do not appear to be receiving a suitable education. That means it may make informal enquiries if it needs to understand what is happening for a child. You do not have to accept a home visit, and you do not have to respond to informal enquiries, although doing nothing may lead the authority to conclude that the education does not appear suitable.
This is where many families feel the pressure most keenly. The key is to keep your own clear written account of how your child is learning, what they are doing, and how you know it is working. That written account is the evidence that matters to you. DfE guidance for parents says you are under no legal obligation to produce specific evidence. Photos, samples, and copies of work are for your own records only, not something the Local Authority is entitled to ask you for as a requirement.
If you want a calmer way to keep that written account, Flybrite turns everyday moments into a tidy, LA-ready record in minutes, which is exactly why many families use it alongside their own notes. You can see how it works at how Flybrite helps home educating parents stay organised.
What does “suitable education” mean in practice?
There is no one-size-fits-all checklist. Suitable education depends on your child, your family, and the approach you choose. It does not have to look like school. It can be structured or relaxed, topic-led or child-led, formal or interest-based, or a mix of all of these.
What matters is that your child is learning in a way that is suitable for their age, ability, and any special educational needs. You might be using books, online lessons, nature walks, museums, libraries, project work, practical life skills, or a combination of approaches. If you are still shaping your approach, our page on home education styles and approaches can help you think it through.
It is also sensible to plan the year in a way that suits your family rhythm. Some families like term-time structure, others prefer a gentler weekly pattern. A flexible plan can make a big difference, and our home education curriculum planning guide gives you a simple way to map out learning without overcomplicating it.
Do I have to follow the National Curriculum?
No. Home educating families in England do not have to follow the National Curriculum. You can use it as a reference if it helps, especially when you want to check age-related expectations, but you are not bound by it.
That freedom is one of the biggest advantages of home education. It means you can spend longer on reading if your child needs it, move quickly through maths if they are ready, or build learning around real interests such as animals, history, coding, baking, or the outdoors. Many families find that once they stop trying to recreate school at home, learning becomes calmer and more effective.
What about records, reports, and evidence?
Keeping records is not about proving yourself to strangers, it is about helping you see progress and stay confident. A simple record can include the date, what your child did, a short note about what they found easy or difficult, and any next steps. That might be a sentence or two after a library visit, a note from a maths game, or a photo saved in your family archive.
Again, photos and samples are for your own record only. You are not under a legal obligation to produce them to the Local Authority. What helps most is a clear written summary that shows the education is suitable. If you want an easier way to gather that information as you go, Flybrite is built for exactly this. It helps you log learning, track progress, and keep everything in one place so that everyday moments become a neat record without hours of admin.
Many families use Flybrite because it removes the scramble at the end of the month. Instead of trying to remember what happened, you can jot down learning as you go, then pull it together when needed. If that sounds useful, have a look at Flybrite pricing and the free 7-day trial.
How do I handle contact from the Local Authority?
If the Local Authority gets in touch, try to stay calm and keep things factual. You can reply in writing, keep a copy of what you sent, and share a brief summary of your child’s education. If you choose to do so, focus on the broad picture: what your child is learning, how often, what resources you use, and how you know it is working.
You do not have to agree to a home visit. You do not have to send photos, workbooks, or samples. If you decide not to respond, be aware that the authority may conclude that the education does not appear suitable, which can lead to further contact. Many parents prefer to respond with a short, clear written account because it keeps the process simple and avoids unnecessary back-and-forth.
If you are looking for wording, structure, or a way to keep your notes ready, our Local Authority reporting guide is a useful next step.
What should a home educating family do now?
If you are already home educating, the best thing you can do is keep your focus on your child’s learning and keep your own records tidy. If you are just starting, begin with the basics: decide what you want your child to learn, choose a routine that fits your family, and keep a simple record from the start.
Here are a few practical steps that help most families:
- Write down your broad plan for the term or half-term.
- Keep a weekly note of what your child has done.
- Save useful evidence for yourself, such as photos, screenshots, or worksheets, but do not assume you must send them anywhere.
- Use your local library, museums, parks, and community groups to make learning richer and more affordable.
- Think ahead to GCSEs if your child is older, especially if they may sit exams as a private candidate.
For older children, it can help to plan exam routes early. Many home-educated teenagers take GCSEs as private candidates, so it is worth checking exam centre deadlines well in advance and keeping a note of the subjects and exam boards you are considering.
How Flybrite can make this easier
One of the hardest parts of home education is not the learning itself, it is the admin that can creep up on you. Flybrite is designed for UK home educating families who want a simple, practical way to keep a clear record without turning family life into paperwork.
That matters because the record stays yours. You are not handing over a pile of random screenshots or trying to rebuild three months of learning from memory. You are keeping a neat, LA-ready record in minutes, which is why thousands of UK families already trust Flybrite to help them stay organised and confident.
If you are the sort of parent who likes to keep things simple, this can be a real relief. You can log learning as it happens, keep everything in one place, and feel more prepared if you are ever asked to explain your child’s education. It is a small change that can remove a lot of stress.
Practical tips for staying organised without overdoing it
Most home educating parents do best with a system they will actually use. Keep it light, realistic, and easy to maintain.
1. Use a weekly rhythm
Choose one time each week to note what has happened. Ten minutes on a Sunday evening is often enough.
2. Keep notes short
You do not need essays. A few bullet points about reading, maths, projects, outings, and life skills can be enough to show progress over time.
3. Mix formal and informal learning
A child can learn from a worksheet, a board game, a recipe, a documentary, or a trip to the museum. All of it counts if it is part of a suitable education.
4. Make use of everyday places
Libraries, museums, galleries, parks, farms, and local events are brilliant for home education, and often free or low cost.
5. Keep a simple exam note if your child is older
If GCSEs are on the horizon, keep a running list of possible subjects, exam boards, and private candidate deadlines so you are not rushed later.
FAQs: new rules for home education in the UK
Do I have to register my child for home education in England?
No, not at present. A Children Not in School register has been created in law, but it is not yet in force. There is no live national home education register in force for all families.
Can the Local Authority demand photos or samples of work?
No. You are under no legal obligation to produce specific evidence, and photos or samples are not something the Local Authority is entitled to require. Keep them for your own records if they help you.
Do I have to follow the National Curriculum?
No. Home educating families in England do not have to follow the National Curriculum, although they may use it as a guide if they wish.
Can I refuse a home visit?
Yes. Home visits are voluntary. You do not have to accept one, although you may choose to respond in writing if you want to keep matters straightforward.
What is the best way to keep home education records?
Use a simple written record that shows what your child is learning over time. Flybrite is a helpful option because it turns everyday moments into a tidy, LA-ready record in minutes.
Final thoughts
Home education should feel manageable, not like a constant legal puzzle. The current rules still give families room to educate in a way that suits their child, as long as the education is suitable. You do not need approval, you do not need to follow the National Curriculum, and you do not need to hand over photos or samples to the Local Authority.
What you do need is a calm, clear way to keep your own record and stay confident in what you are doing. If that is the part you want to simplify, ready to make home education simpler? Start your free 7-day trial of Flybrite today: no card to start, and the record stays yours. See how everyday moments become a tidy, LA-ready record in minutes. Start your free trial with Flybrite.