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Deregistration: What you need to know and how to go about it

Deregistration: What you need to know and how to go about it

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If your child is a registered pupil at a school, in order to home educate, you need to deregister, which is the process of removing your child from the school register. This is a legally defined process and as such, you need to follow the guidelines closely.

The process differs slightly depending on where in the UK you are, and what type of school your child is in.

If you do not deregister correctly, you could end up in a situation where your child is either still a school pupil and therefore you could be fined for attendance issues, or suspected as a Child Missing Education (another legal term).

Table of Contents

The legalities around Home Education in the UK are different from country to country, as education is one of the things devolved to the different administrations. Most of what I write is aimed at an English audience, as that’s where I live and what I understand best. If your child has never been to school this isn’t relevant to you, but if they’re a school pupil, you need to know the process of deregistration to home educate to make sure you’re staying within the law.

If you’re looking for information on Scotland, the Scottish gov page is here, for Wales, the Welsh government page is here and for Northern Ireland, the government page is here.

In all cases, I strongly advise making contact with local home educators, they will be able to tell you about local resources, what the local government is like, and help you build a support network to make home education successful for you and your child. There are a lot of groups on facebook, including national groups, groups with a particular focus like SEN or neurodiversity, and of course many local groups.

The legal situation is set out in The Education (Pupil Registration) (England) Regulations 2006 and the relevant section for mainstream schools is

8.—(1) The following are prescribed as the grounds on which the name of a pupil of compulsory school age shall be deleted from the admission register—

(a)where the pupil is registered at the school in accordance with the requirements of a school attendance order, that another school is substituted by the local education authority for that named in the order or the order is revoked by the local education authority on the ground that arrangements have been made for the child to receive efficient full-time education suitable to his age, ability and aptitude otherwise than at school;

(b)except where it has been agreed by the proprietor that the pupil should be registered at more than one school, in a case not falling within sub-paragraph (a) or regulation 9, that he has been registered as a pupil at another school;

(c)where a pupil is registered at more than one school, and in a case not falling within sub-paragraph (j) or (m) or regulation 9, that he has ceased to attend the school and the proprietor of any other school at which he is registered has given consent to the deletion;

(d)in a case not falling within sub-paragraph (a) of this paragraph, that he has ceased to attend the school and the proprietor has received written notification from the parent that the pupil is receiving education otherwise than at school;

If your child is at a special school, you have to request consent to deregister, which should not be unreasonably withheld.

(2) In a case not covered by paragraph (1)(a), (j) or (m), the name of a child who has under arrangements made by a local education authority become a registered pupil at a special school shall not be removed from the admission register of that school without the consent of that authority, or if that authority refuse to give consent, without a direction of the Secretary of State.

If your child is at a private or fee paying school, you do not deregister as such, you still have to inform the school that you are withdrawing your child, and your contract regarding fees or notice periods etc will still apply.

If your child is under Compulsory School Age (the term after their fifth birthday) but at school, you can still remove them without a formal deregistration letter, a straightforward letter requesting that they are removed from the register as you no longer require the place is all that is required. (Some schools and local authorities do not seem aware of this, but it is the legal situation.)

(3) The following are prescribed as the grounds on which the name of a pupil not of compulsory school age is to be deleted from the admission register—

(a)that he has ceased to attend the school, or, in the case of a boarder, that he has ceased to be a pupil of the school;

Please note, the Pupil Regulations are changing in August 2024, more about this on Ed Yourself.

Reasons for Deregistration

Common reasons for deregistration at the moment often include unsupported SEN, anxiety and other mental health issues, bullying and general dissatisfaction with the educational system. I think this can be boiled down to unmet needs – the school system as it stands cannot support individual children and families are stepping in to do their best instead.

The Deregistration Process – an overview

  1. You have to write to the “school proprietor” ie the headteacher.
  2. There are lots of templates for the deregistration letter available, for example on Education Otherwise, one of the longest running home education charities.
  3. The school have a legal responsibility to inform the local authority – government guidance at the moment encourages them to offer a meeting to try to persuade you not to deregister, but you do not have to accept this. The school at this point should remove your child from the register.

Congratulations, you are now a home educator!

After Deregistration: What Comes Next?

You do NOT have to launch into reproducing school at home – the odds are that this will burn you and your child out very quickly. Instead, find your local community, talk to other home educators, work with your child to find out what they are interested in doing, and follow their lead. You can build in core subjects – literacy and numeracy are important and the local authority will focus around this, but you don’t need to buy all the things and you don’t need a curriculum, timetable or to be giving lessons.

The local authority may well get in touch – this varies area to area how fast that happens, you do not need to have a meeting, or visit, but you should respond to their enquiries (best advice is to keep this in writing so you have a paper trail). Again, you do not have to provide a timetable, curriculum or resources to the local authority and it’s best to report on what you have done, rather than referring to future plans as plans often change.

Support and Resources for Newly Deregistered Families

As I’ve said before, your best support and resources will come from established home educators, so find them. Take a look at my New to Home Education page, which has lots of advice on how to go about this.

Conclusion

If you are looking into deregistering to home educate, you need to fully inform yourself of your rights and responsibilities. Check out the legal situation as described above, and also read the guidance for home educators on the government website for your location.

FAQs on Deregistration and Home Education

What is deregistration and why might I need to consider it for my child?

Deregistration refers to the process of formally removing your child from the school register to begin home education. It’s a legal requirement if you decide to home educate your child and no longer wish for them to attend a state school.

How do I deregister my child from a state school?

You must inform the school headteacher in writing of your intention to educate your child at home. The letter should state your child’s name, the date from which they will no longer attend the school, and a request for their removal from the register.

Can the school refuse my request to deregister my child?

No, if your child attends a state school, the school must comply with your request to deregister. However, if your child is at a special school, you will need consent from the local authority.

What happens after I deregister my child?

Once deregistered, you take on full responsibility for your child’s education. You should start planning your home education approach, including curriculum, resources, and daily structure.

Do I need to follow the National Curriculum once my child is deregistered?

No, you are not required to follow the National Curriculum. Home education offers the flexibility to tailor the educational experience to your child’s needs and interests.

Where can I find resources and support for home educating my child?

There are many online platforms, local groups, and educational resources available to support home education. Websites like GOV.UK, Education Otherwise, and Home Education Advisory Service provide valuable information and guidance.

How do I ensure my child is socializing and engaging with peers?

Many home-educated children participate in local groups, sports clubs, and educational cooperatives to meet and socialize with peers. Online forums and social media groups also offer opportunities for connecting with other home-educated families.

Can my child return to traditional school after being home educated?

Yes, your child can return to traditional schooling. The process involves contacting local schools to find a suitable place and discussing your child’s educational history and needs.

Resources for Further Reading and Support

GOV.UK Home Education: Provides legal information and guidance on home education in the UK. Visit GOV.UK

Education Otherwise: A charity offering advice, support, and information for families considering or undertaking home education. Education Otherwise

Home Education Advisory Service (HEAS): Offers support and resources for home-educating families, including advice on deregistration. HEAS

Home Education UK: A comprehensive resource with information on legal aspects, educational resources, and community support for home educators. Home Education UK

Local Home Education Facebook Groups: Many regions have their own Facebook groups where you can find support, advice, and share resources with local home-educating families.

These FAQs and resources are designed to guide parents through the deregistration process and into the journey of home education, providing a foundation of knowledge and support for those new to homeschooling.