Home Education (UK) — Calm, clear & doable
Built for neurodivergent families. Start today with a gentle plan, legal templates, and tools that fit your child — not the other way round.
- Readiness check personalised actions
- Routine builder that respects energy
- Legal & EHCP templates + timeline
- Downloads logs, letters, cards
Quick start (10-minute plan)
- Pick today’s 3: one reading thing, one numbers thing, one interest project.
- Set up: quiet corner, timer/visual schedule, movement breaks.
- Log: 1–3 photos + one sentence “what we learned”.
Readiness Assessment — personalised actions
Your action plan
Deschooling guidance — resetting expectations
- 2–8 weeks of decompression is normal; protect sleep and regulation.
- Short, interest-led activities; celebrate tiny wins.
- Keep a simple photo log; monthly “what we learned” bullets.
Legal basics (England/Wales) & Local Authority
General guidance; not legal advice. Policies change — check your LA’s current info.
Key points
- Parents can provide Elective Home Education (EHE).
- No set hours; education must be suitable for age, ability, needs.
- National Curriculum not required (can be a guide).
- LA may ask for info; you can respond in writing.
Find your council
Opens in a new tab; then search for “home education” on your council site.
Deregistration letter template
Your Name
Your Address
Postcode
Email / Phone
Headteacher’s Name
School Name
School Address
Postcode
[Date]
Dear [Headteacher’s Name],
This letter is to inform you that I am removing my child, [Child’s Name, DOB], from the school roll in order to provide Elective Home Education, effective immediately.
Please acknowledge the removal from roll in writing.
Kind regards,
[Your Name]EHCP support & timeline
What to know
- EHCP can continue with home education; provision must still be suitable.
- Keep communication in writing; log needs, adjustments, outcomes.
- Ask for reasonable adjustments in any meetings; bring a supporter.
Transition timeline
- Week 0–2: deschooling; confirm deregistration; notify relevant services.
- Week 2–6: baseline notes; start light routine; gather evidence.
- By Week 8: short written summary of provision + examples (for LA/EHCP).
- Termly: mini review; adjust plan; note outcomes.
Daily routine builder
Suggested schedule
Learning style assessment & strategies
Pick what fits most days (it can change):
Personalised strategies
Downloadable resources
Realistic costs (per year)
Library, second-hand, free online (BBC Bitesize, Oak, Khan). Makerspace with recyclables.
Paid workbooks, clubs, museum passes, occasional tutors or groups.
Regular tutors, online courses, exams/centres (GCSE later on), specialist equipment.
- Money-savers: library holds, swap groups, discount days, community science kits.
- Spend where it matters: interests, sensory supports, exam fees (when needed).
Success stories
“School refusal vanished after 6 weeks of gentle mornings. Reading came back when we stopped pushing.” — Parent of 9yo
“Interest-led projects turned ‘won’t write’ into comics and scripts.” — Parent of 11yo
“Sensory breaks every 15 mins changed everything.” — Parent of 7yo
Share your experience in our community.
FAQs
Do I need to be a teacher?
No. Law allows parents to educate at home; focus on a suitable education for your child.
How many hours?
No set hours. Short, regular learning that works beats long stressful sessions.
GCSEs/A-levels?
Possible later as a private candidate via exam centres. Not needed for primary ages.
Socialising?
Local groups, park meets, clubs, museums at quiet times — quality over quantity.
Returning to school?
Yes; keep records. Consider gradual reintegration and supports.