Homeschool Hub: Free Resources & Guides

🇬🇧 Homeschooling in the UK

Yes, home education (often called elective home education) is legal across the UK, but the rules differ between England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. In every nation parents are responsible for making sure their child receives a suitable education, and you do not have to follow the national curriculum.

• England: you must make sure your child receives a full-time education from age 5, but you do not have to follow the national curriculum. If your child is at school, tell the school; it must accept if you are taking your child out completely.
• England: your local council can make an informal enquiry to check your child is getting a suitable education. New legislation is introducing compulsory council registers of children not in school, so check GOV.UK for when these duties take effect.
• Scotland: if your child attends a state school, you usually need your local authority's consent to withdraw them, and consent should not be unreasonably withheld. You do not need consent to home educate a child who has never attended a state school.
• Wales: local authorities follow statutory elective home education guidance, which expects them to see and speak with your child when checking that the education is suitable.
• Northern Ireland: you do not need permission to home educate. Write to the school principal asking for your child to be removed from the register. The Education Authority may make contact to see how your child is progressing.
• Rules in each nation can change. Check the official page for where you live before withdrawing your child from school.

Official sources: GOV.UK: Educating your child at home (England) · Scottish Government: Home education guidance · Welsh Government: Elective home education guidance · nidirect: Educating your child at home (Northern Ireland). Rules can change, so always check the official source. This is general information, not legal advice. Last checked 4 October 2026.