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New to Home Education or Considering It for Your Child: A Guide to Getting Started

Are you new to home education or are you considering it as a viable option for your child or children? If so, then you are in the right place. Read my getting started guide which I’ve put together to help new and experienced home educators understand its core components including the legal framework, home education styles, planning your curriculum, and more.

Table of Contents

An Introduction to Home Education in The UK

Home education is legal throughout the UK, though with slightly different regulations in each of the separate countries. The parent’s responsibility broadly speaking stems from the Education Act of 1996 and is to provide an education suitable to age, ability, aptitude and any special educational needs the child may have. This leads to lots of questions about what makes an education suitable, and how to work out what a child of a particular age should be doing when, but it doesn’t have to be a scripted curriculum, which is the sort of thing that worries people when they’re just getting started.

Home education has been rising steadily in popularity in the UK, particularly since the pandemic, when families received what was referred to as homeschooling (usually an American term) but was actually remote schooling, delivered virtually by teachers from schools.

The legal term in the UK is Elective Home Education, not to be confused with EOTAS (Education otherwise than at school) which is where the local authority still has responsibility to deliver/ pay for education that is happening not at school.

A child looking at map suggesting navigation and a home education UK guide.

This is a *very* short overview of the legal requirements for home education in the UK. Note: the requirements differ from country to country, and again when special schools are involved. This is not comprehensive legal advice. You will want to read up further, particularly if you’re not in England like I am. Make sure you’ve fully understood your responsibilities!

(That sounds intimidating; it’s not meant to. Basically, when you understand your rights and responsibilities, you’ll be much better placed to get stuck into home education with confidence!)

With that said, the legal reference for England is to the Education Act of 1996 Section 7, which looks like this:

Duty of parents to secure education of children of compulsory school age.

The parent of every child of compulsory school age shall cause him to receive efficient full-time education suitable—

(a)to his age, ability and aptitude, and

(b)to any special educational needs [F1(in the case of a child who is in the area of a local authority in England) or additional learning needs (in the case of a child who is in the area of a local authority in Wales)] he may have,

either by regular attendance at school or otherwise.

https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1996/56/section/7?view=plain

A full time education does not mean that you need to keep to school hours or terms, have a timetable, follow a curriculum or lesson plans. Government guidance recognises all of that, and it’s well worth reading the full document, available on gov.uk

What makes an education suitable in legal terms comes from case law, and is beyond the scope of this introductory article. Some milestones from case law are worth noting here in brief though. Take the case of Harrison and Harrison v Stevenson appeal 1981, Worcester Crown Court for example, where the judge ruled that:

The Judge defined the outcomes of a suitable education as
to prepare the children for life in a modern civilised society; and
to enable them to achieve their full potential

In short, the appellants’ children are, and have been, allowed to follow their own interests and to investigate subjects largely of their own choice without restriction.

We also know from the case of R v Secretary of State for 35 Education, ex parte Talmud Torah Machzikei Hadass School Trust, judicial review 12 April 1985 that education is “suitable” if it primarily equips a child for life within their community, as long as it doesn’t limit future options, and that education authorities shouldn’t insist on home inspections as the only method to ensure full-time education.

Mr Justice Woolf: Education is suitable if it primarily equips a child for life within the community of which he is a member, rather than the way of life in the wider country as a whole, as long as it does not foreclose the child’s options in later years to adopt some other form of life if he wishes to do so.

Further on all of this can be found on gov.scot (and still applies in England).

What You Can Take Away from This

As these case studies and legal frameworks illustrate, home education in the UK offers remarkable flexibility within clear boundaries. The law doesn’t demand rigid schedules, prescribed curricula, or school-like structures. Rather, it emphasises outcomes that prepare children for life and enable them to reach their potential.

What matters legally is providing an “efficient full-time education suitable” to your child’s needs, abilities, and aptitudes. The courts have consistently upheld parents’ rights to tailor education to their community values while keeping future options open. Don’t be intimidated by the legal jargon! Once you understand your rights and responsibilities (which vary by country within the UK), you’ll find yourself empowered to create an educational experience that truly works for your family.

Remember that this overview is just a starting point. Further reading on your specific situation will equip you with the confidence to begin your home education journey.

child building multi coloured wooden block tower, representing their journey through home education in the UK.

First Steps to Home Education

Taking those first official steps into home education might feel daunting, but the process itself is surprisingly straightforward for most families. Let me walk you through how to begin this journey with confidence.

Deregistering from Mainstream School

If your child is already in school, and it’s a mainstream school, you will need to deregister them. This is a reasonably simple process. You will need to inform the head teacher (the school proprietor) in writing that you wish your child to be removed from the register:

  1. Write a formal letter to the headteacher stating your intention to home educate
  2. Include your child’s full name, date of birth, and current class
  3. Request that they be removed from the school register immediately
  4. Keep a copy of your letter for your records

The school must comply with your request. They don’t have the authority to refuse. Once received, they’ll inform the local authority about your decision.

Templates are widely available for example on Education Otherwise, the oldest and longest-running home education charity.

The government has guidelines for home educators and schools, also a useful thing to read. You can find them here. Note: the Pupil Registration Regulations changed in August 2024, details around this on EdYourself

Special Circumstances to Consider

The standard deregistration process applies to most situations, but there are important exceptions:

If your child attends a special school: You’ll need consent from your Local Authority before deregistering. This doesn’t mean you can’t home educate, but the process requires an additional step. Take a full read up on EdYourself website.

If your child is currently subject to a School Attendance Order: The other situation in which things are different is if your child is currently subject to an SAO: school attendance order. If this applies, I strongly recommend getting expert legal advice. This is not an area I can advise on.

If your child has an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP): If your child has an EHCP, education and health care plan, you may be told that you can’t deregister. You can. You may be told that the plan will cease. It won’t, and should stay with your child while they are in education. You will, again, need more detailed advice beyond the scope of this article. 

There are a lot of Facebook groups specialising in home educating children with special needs, for example Home Educating our special needs children: and also the HE Special mailing list, homepage here.

After Deregistration: First Contact with Local Authorities

Once deregistered, your local authority will likely make contact to ask about your educational plans. Remember:

  • They have a duty to identify children not receiving suitable education
  • They may request information about your educational provision
  • You don’t need to have detailed plans immediately
  • You can provide a general outline of your approach initially

While you’re legally required to provide a suitable education, you aren’t required to follow specific methods, schedules, or curriculum. Take time to research and consider what approach will work best for your family.

Regional Variations

The process I’ve outlined applies to England, but there are important differences if you’re in other parts of the UK:

Taking these first official steps creates the legal foundation for your home education journey. Once completed, you can focus on the exciting part—creating an educational approach that truly fits your child.

A photo of a young child reading as they explore home education resources.

Choosing Your Home Education Style

When I first stepped into home education over 20 years ago, I felt overwhelmed by all the different approaches people talked about. Should we follow a strict timetable? Should we throw structure out completely? The wonderful discovery I made was that there’s no single “right way” to home educate, and finding your own path is part of the journey.

Understanding Different Approaches

Home education comes in many flavours, each with its own philosophy and methods. You might find yourself picking and choosing, and very likely changing it up as time goes by.

Here’s a snapshot of the main approaches:

Structured Home Education

Some families prefer keeping a more school-like approach (this is often referred to as homeschooling, particularly in the US):

  • Working toward formal qualifications like GCSEs: Perhaps the child or young person is very near to GCSE age and they are working towards recognised qualifications. At that point, following the relevant curriculum of the specific subjects and even exam boards is going to be necessary, although it still doesn’t have to be school hours, or a timetable broken up into lessons. 
  • Supporting children who thrive with clear routines and expectations: Some families prefer to keep a routine or structure even when qualifications aren’t an issue, and if that works for you, go for it! Do remember though that if your child is studying one-to-one with you or a tutor, they probably will not need as many hours as are commonly done in school – lots of school time is taken up with management of groups, movement round a building and so on, and small group or individual learning can be much more efficient.
  • Planning for an eventual return to mainstream education

Even within a structured approach, remember that one-to-one learning is incredibly efficient compared to classroom teaching. You’ll likely accomplish in a couple of hours what might take a full day at school!

Autonomous Education (Unschooling)

Maybe though you’ve heard of autonomous education or unschooling and want to explore that approach. This is what we’ve tended to do over the years, and it’s all about finding your child’s interests and then giving them the time and space to get right into them. It can also be referred to as child-led, and sometimes people will talk about Montessori principles too. 

This approach, which we’ve primarily used in our family, focuses on:

  • Following children’s natural interests and curiosities
  • Recognising that meaningful learning happens through play and everyday activities
  • Trusting children’s innate desire to learn and develop
  • Facilitating rather than directing the learning process

I’ve watched my children learn complex concepts through things they love: whether that’s developing mathematical thinking through Minecraft, understanding physics through skateboarding, or building reading skills because they wanted to understand Pokemon cards.

Eclectic Approach

Most home educating families actually land somewhere in between, creating a personalised blend:

  • More structured approaches for core skills like literacy and numeracy
  • More freedom for exploring arts, history, science, and personal interests
  • Adapting approaches based on each child’s learning style and preferences

You can be child-led and be structured if that is what your child prefers/ has chosen! Education doesn’t have to be broken up into subjects or only come out of books/ websites though, it can come through practical activities like crafts and cooking, maths can come out of a shopping trip, or even through playing a board or video game.

The likelihood is that you will find that you are more structured in some areas, and more relaxed in others. Many home educators like to make sure they are covering the literacy and numeracy that a child needs for day to day life in a reasonably formal way (this is also an area that the Local Authority will focus on) and there are lots of great (and cheap!) resources available for that. In our family, we’ve used workbooks for certain foundational skills while following interests for everything else: a blend that evolved as we learned what worked best for each child.

Other interests and topics may be a lot more free flow and there’s no harm in that at all. As long as what is being delivered hits those legal requirements we mentioned above, you can form a completely unique approach to your child’s education that is custom built for them.

Finding Your Family’s Rhythm

The beauty of home education is that you can tailor your approach to fit your unique family. Consider:

  • Your child’s learning preferences: Does your child thrive with structure or resist it? Do they learn best through reading, doing, or discussing?
  • Your teaching style: What feels natural to you as a facilitator of learning?
  • Your family circumstances: Work commitments, multiple children, and other factors will shape what’s practical for your situation.

It’s perfectly fine to start with one approach and shift as you discover what works best. Many families begin to be more structured (especially when transitioning from school) and gradually relax as they gain confidence.

The Home Education Advisory Service offers excellent guides to different educational approaches that can help you explore options.

Let Your Home Education Approach Change Over Time

Perhaps the most important advice I can offer is to expect your approach to gradually change over time. Over our two decades of home education, we’ve moved between different styles based on:

  • Different ages and stages
  • Individual children’s changing needs
  • New interests and opportunities
  • Life circumstances and practical considerations

Give yourself permission to adapt and adjust your approach. What matters most isn’t which educational philosophy you follow, but whether your approach is helping your child develop a love of learning and the skills they need to thrive.

An image of children playing with blocks together, symbolising group play and collaboration during home education.

Creating an Effective Learning Environment

“So where will you do school?” is often one of the first questions people ask when you mention home education. You might find people will ask where you are going to learn, and you’ll see lots of pictures of children sitting around the kitchen table, particularly in articles about homeschooling. You don’t have to do this!

The liberating answer is: anywhere and everywhere! Learning isn’t confined to a specific space or time: it happens throughout your day, home, and community. It very much depends on how you want to approach education. See the notes on educational approaches above. If you want to have a dedicated area, go for it. Some folks have the space to dedicate an entire room to education, and that always looks great, but for me we’ve got resources all over the house stored in nooks and crannies, although each of us does have a computer and desk.

Physical Spaces: Think Beyond the “School Room”

Despite what perfectly staged Instagram posts might suggest, you absolutely don’t need a dedicated classroom with educational posters and colour-coded storage to home educate effectively:

  • Our home reality: Resources scattered throughout the house in cupboards and bookshelves
  • Kitchen table learning: Still the most-used “classroom” for many home educators
  • Comfortable spaces: Sofas, bean bags, and even beds can be perfect for reading and discussions
  • The great outdoors: Gardens, parks, and woodlands provide rich learning environments

If you do have space for a dedicated learning area, that’s lovely! But please don’t worry if you don’t. Many successful home educating families work from small flats or shared spaces. If you don’t have space to keep your education stuff out, you could try having a tray or bag with educational bits in (this can be particularly good with younger children, having a learning basket with books, crafts and so on in).

The Educational Freedom organisation offers great ideas for creating learning environments in limited spaces.

Creating Rhythm and Balance

While physical space matters less than you might think, having some rhythm to your days can be helpful, especially when transitioning from school:

Morning routines work well for many families:

  • Starting the day with reading together
  • Tackling more focused work when energy levels are high
  • Saving more physical or creative activities for later in the day

Learning containers can help children understand when focused attention is expected:

  • Time blocks rather than rigid timetables
  • Visual schedules for younger children
  • Learning baskets with themed materials for the week

Clear boundaries help everyone:

  • Not everything needs to be an “educational experience”
  • Downtime is essential for processing and integrating learning
  • Children need to know when they can just play without analysis

Some children learn better (or feel they learn better) by separating out some of their education from the rest of the day, even if you’re going for a more child-led approach. What has worked for us in the past has been having a start to the day that involved doing a few more formal bits. Maybe you’re using a curriculum or a website for maths and English, for example, or perhaps you want to do some reading together. Having a routine where everyone knows what is expected of them will work well for this style.

Adapting to Different Learning Needs

In our family, we’ve found that each child has different environmental preferences:

  • One needed complete quiet to concentrate
  • Another thrived with background music
  • My youngest needs movement breaks between activities

If you have multiple children, you’ll need to negotiate how to meet everyone’s needs. Regular family meetings can help resolve conflicts about space and noise levels.

This is particularly important for neurodivergent children who might have specific sensory needs or focus requirements. Be willing to experiment with different setups until you find what works best.

Beyond Your Four Walls

One of home education’s greatest advantages is the freedom to learn beyond your home:

  • Libraries become second homes for many home educators
  • Museums and galleries offer rich learning experiences (many offer free entry)
  • Nature spaces provide scientific learning and physical activity
  • Community centres host groups and classes specifically for home educated children

Many museums offer educational workshops specifically for home educating families during term time. The Home Education UK website maintains a list of museums with specific home education programmes.

Remember that creating an effective learning environment isn’t about replicating school. It’s about creating spaces, physical, temporal, and emotional, where curiosity can flourish and learning feels natural and connected to real life.

Finding Your Balance

One thing though which can be important is making sure that you/ your children have the space to switch off. Although learning can happen any time, any place, particularly if you’re coming out of a school environment and feeling pressure to achieve, it can be difficult to set yourself boundaries. You do not need to make everything into an educational experience, it’s OK to just have fun too.

Basically, you need to work out how to create a balance: giving yourselves time to focus and concentrate when they need it, providing communal focus points, and relaxation at other points. Particularly if you have a big family you’ll have to come to an agreement on how to give different people the environment they need, and probably revisit that regularly.

A photograph of a child reading, representing a balanced approach to home education in the UK.

Joining Home Education Communities

When we started home education, there were very few home education groups. Our main outlet was a Yahoo group, and there was a local monthly meet that frowned upon children younger than CSA (compulsory school age). Nowadays that picture has changed dramatically, and in some areas of the UK you will be spoilt for choice, with multiple activities going on every day, from social groups to tutor sessions, casual meetings, sports groups and so on. It’s really important to find a community particularly in the early days to help you with resources, approaches and understanding what your local authority’s attitude to home education is.

Building Your Support Network

The first step in finding community is knowing where to look.

Facebook Groups: Facebook is a hub for many groups, there are huge national groups which is what many people find to begin with, but they can be overwhelming, and while I’d love to tell you that everyone is helpful, there are a lot of people very new to home education who aren’t handing out the most accurate advice. A really good idea is to find your local group by searching for home education + local authority name, e.g. a search for “home education + south yorkshire” brings up a host of home ed groups (though interestingly, not actually one for south yorkshire.

Screenshot of search results from searching on facebook for home education + south yorkshire
A cursory Facebook search reveals several regional and national home education groups.

Once you’ve found your local group, you can find out what activities are going on that are useful to you, and start meeting up with people. 

National Organisations: You might also want to join national groups or special interest groups. Groups like Education Otherwise and Home Education UK offer resources, support, and sometimes local contacts. These established communities often provide accurate advice and legal guidance.

Note: When searching online, you might also use the term “homeschooling,” but be aware this will bring up US-focused groups as well. Always check group descriptions carefully before joining to ensure they’re relevant to UK home education.

Specialised Groups: There are groups for home educating alongside special needs, or more structured groups if that’s what you’re interested in, and there are groups dedicated to different ages and stages, like the home education exams and alternatives group which runs the incredibly useful H.E. exams wiki.

Whether you’re home educating a neurodivergent child, focusing on a particular educational approach, or preparing for exams, there’s likely a dedicated group for your specific needs.

I run a small Facebook group specifically for parents of neurodivergent children if that’s relevant to your situation. These specialised communities can provide targeted support that general groups might not offer.

Moving Beyond Online Connections

Once you’ve found your online groups, you can discover local opportunities:

  • Regular park meetups or social gatherings
  • Subject-specific classes taught by other parents or hired tutors
  • Sports groups specifically for home educated children
  • Co-op learning where families share teaching responsibilities
  • Field trips and educational visits with other families

The Home Education Network offers an interactive map of local groups throughout the UK, which can be incredibly helpful for finding nearby activities.

Why Community Matters

It’s important to build yourself a community for support. Doing things differently from the mainstream can be very tiring. Spending time with other people going through the same things will recharge you and give you the confidence to take on the challenges of living a little outside the mainstream. 

Having a supportive network of fellow home educators provides:

  • Practical knowledge about local resources and authority approaches
  • Emotional support when facing challenges or doubts
  • Opportunities for children to form friendships with peers who share their educational experience
  • The chance to learn from more experienced home educators
  • A place to celebrate successes with people who truly understand

Remember that finding the right community fit can take time. We tried several different groups before finding our home education tribe. Don’t be discouraged if the first group you try doesn’t feel right. Keep reaching out and connecting. You will also have the opportunity to find out how your local authority behaves towards home educators. 

A photograph of a scrabble board with the words 'school', 'learn', and 'math' visible, suggesting possible activities for home education in the UK.

Planning Your Curriculum

When you first deregister, your Local Authority is likely to get in touch with a form asking what your educational plans are. At this stage it’s really tempting to want to know what your child would be covering in school, and to get a timetable set up and all of that. You don’t have to do this! You don’t need to follow the National Curriculum (or any other specific curriculum for that matter) but you can if you choose to.

Starting with Confidence, Not Pressure

That moment when the Local Authority asks about your educational plans can feel overwhelming for new home educators. The good news? You have tremendous freedom in how you approach this.

When you first deregister, remember:

  • You don’t need to recreate school at home
  • There’s no legal requirement to follow the National Curriculum
  • Your approach can (and will) evolve as you discover what works
  • Many successful home educators start with very simple plans

Rather than attempting to plan an entire year’s curriculum, give yourself permission to start small and build gradually. This approach builds confidence rather than creating pressure.

Finding Your Planning Style

Regardless, you may well want to set up some aims for yourself, and however flexible these are, this will form the basis of how you get started. I caution against the idea of overplanning, simply because it’s much easier to do more than you plan to, and it can feel really bad to do less, so give yourself some room for manoeuvre.

Your approach to curriculum planning might look completely different from other families, and that’s perfectly fine! Some options include:

Interest-Led Planning

  • Start with topics your child is genuinely excited about
  • Weave core skills (reading, writing, maths) into these interests
  • Allow space for deep dives into subjects that capture their imagination
  • Document learning as it happens rather than planning everything in advance

Structured But Flexible

  • Choose key areas to focus on each term
  • Create loose weekly plans rather than rigid daily schedules
  • Leave space for unexpected learning opportunities
  • Review and adjust your approach regularly

Resource-Based Planning

  • Select quality resources for core skills
  • Use these as a backbone for your educational approach
  • Supplement with library books, outings, and projects
  • Let the resources guide your pace rather than forcing a timeline

The Home Education Advisory Service offers planning templates and curriculum ideas that can be helpful starting points without being overly prescriptive.

Core Skills Focus

Start with covering the basics of literacy and numeracy. Look at where your child is and where they want to be. Build in some life skills and something that meets their interests. We all learn much better when it’s focussed on something we enjoy. By all means keep notes, a blog or a spreadsheet, whatever floats your boat, but keep it flexible.

Whatever planning approach you choose, keeping an eye on fundamental skills provides a solid foundation:

  • Literacy: Reading, writing, and communication skills
  • Numeracy: Mathematical understanding and practical applications
  • Critical thinking: The ability to analyse, question, and evaluate information
  • Life skills: Practical capabilities that build independence
  • Personal interests: Areas that nurture your child’s natural curiosity

Keep Your Record-Keeping Simple!

While detailed planning isn’t necessary, simple record-keeping can be incredibly valuable:

  • Take photos of projects, outings, and activities
  • Keep a simple journal of what you’ve explored (weekly rather than daily)
  • Save samples of work that show progress over time
  • Note breakthroughs, interests, and significant learning moments

These records serve multiple purposes. They help you track progress, provide evidence of education if required by authorities, and create meaningful memories of your home education journey.

If you do want some kind of guide, the full National Curriculum is available online or there are alternatives, like perhaps the Core Curriculum books for primary age. I reviewed them a while ago here alongside some other suggestions.

Remember that curriculum planning is a skill that develops with time. Start simply, be kind to yourself, and trust that your approach will evolve as you gain confidence in your home education journey.

Scratch screenshot learning to code in home education, suggesting ways to learn.
Computer games and even learning to code can be fun resources for your home education activities.

Finding Resources and Materials

When we started home education, way back when, it was quite challenging to find suitable resources, and we often either bulk ordered, imported from the US or all ended up with the same thing. Nowadays, there are so many options it’s hard to choose.

One of the joys of modern home education is the abundance of resources available. When we started our journey decades ago, options were limited and often expensive. Today, the challenge isn’t finding resources—it’s choosing between the wealth of possibilities!

Budget-Friendly Essentials

You don’t need to spend a fortune to provide quality educational materials:

High-Value, Low-Cost Options

  • The Works: For cheap workbooks and stationery, The Works is a fantastic resource. A treasure trove for workbooks, stationery, and educational games at remarkably low prices
  • Charity shops: Fantastic for second-hand books, puzzles, and educational games (I’ve found complete curriculum materials for pennies!)
  • Library services: Beyond books, many libraries offer online resources, educational programs, and special borrowing options for home educators
  • Resource swaps: Many local home ed groups organise regular resource exchanges

Free Online Platforms

There are lots of online systems and apps available, I have a dedicated section on this. Again, home education communities are the best place to find out about new resources or good deals, and I’d recommend getting connected as quickly as you can.

  • BBC Bitesize: Comprehensive resources across all subjects and key stages 
  • Khan Academy: Outstanding maths and science resources with progress tracking 
  • Oak National Academy: Created during the pandemic but still available as an archive of high-quality lessons

During the pandemic, Oak National Academy provided a lot of online resources, and these are still available either on the original site or in archives, obviously this is very school oriented, but useful if you’re working towards qualifications or wanting your child to return to school at some stage.

Resources for Different Learning Styles

Different children learn differently, so having a variety of resource types helps:

For Visual Learners

  • Documentaries and educational videos
  • Illustrated reference books
  • Mind maps and visual planners
  • YouTube channels like Crash Course and SciShow

For Auditory Learners

  • Audiobooks and podcasts
  • Discussion-based learning
  • Music-based educational resources
  • Read-alouds and audio guides

For Kinesthetic Learners

  • Hands-on experiment kits
  • Building and construction sets
  • Arts and crafts supplies
  • Movement-based learning activities

The SENCO Forum maintains an excellent list of resources specifically designed for different learning styles and needs.

Subject-Specific Resources

Based on our experiences, these resources have been particularly valuable:

For Mathematics

For Literacy

  • Real books rather than reading schemes
  • Audiobooks for reluctant readers
  • Twinkl resources for phonics and writing activities

For Science

  • Kitchen science kits for simple experiments
  • STEM subscription boxes for regular hands-on activities
  • Nature journals and identification guides

The Home Education UK website maintains a comprehensive directory of subject-specific resources with reviews from home educating families.

Everyday Materials as Learning Tools

Some of our richest learning happens with ordinary materials:

  • Cooking for practical maths, chemistry, and following instructions
  • Board games for numeracy, strategy, and social skills
  • Gardening for biology, patience, and responsibility
  • Family discussions about current events for critical thinking

Remember that the quality of resources matters more than quantity. Start with a few well-chosen items, then add more as you discover what works best for your child’s learning style and interests.

Dealing with Challenges

When you start home educating, you’ll discover everyone has an opinion, and everyone is ready to point out the difficulties and challenges. From socialisation, to qualifications, practical subject questions to life skills, people will fall over themselves to tell you why it can’t work.

Every home education journey has its ups and downs. After two decades on this path, I’ve encountered most of the common challenges, and discovered they’re all manageable with the right approach.

Addressing the Socialisation Question

This is perhaps the most common concern raised by family, friends, and random strangers in the supermarket!

Socialisation is a red herring. There’s no requirement to keep your child in the house (although some people will assume you’re supposed to during school hours, you absolutely don’t) and getting out and about, interacting with society generally, joining home ed groups or uniformed groups, taking swimming lessons, joining sports clubs. 

The Reality of Socialisation

There’s loads of opportunities for both socialising and socialisation (they’re two slightly different things. Socialising is meeting up with people for rest and relaxation or community, socialisation is learning how to be a member of society, and school is a very unnatural way of going about it. Where else do you spend all your time in a room with 30 people within six months or so of your age and only from your locality? It doesn’t happen at work that’s for sure. 

Home-educated children generally learn to interact with people of all ages and all backgrounds because that’s what they’re doing throughout life:

  • Home educated children typically experience more diverse social interactions than their schooled peers
  • They learn to interact with people of all ages, not just their exact age group
  • They develop social skills in real-world contexts, not artificial classroom environments
  • Their social connections are often based on genuine shared interests rather than geographical coincidence

In practical terms, socialisation naturally happens through:

  • Home education groups and regular meetups
  • Community classes, clubs, and activities
  • Sports teams and extracurricular programs
  • Volunteering and community involvement
  • Extended family interactions

The Education Otherwise website offers excellent articles addressing the socialisation myth with research-based evidence that can be helpful when explaining your choice to concerned relatives.

Some parents worry about teaching subjects they struggled with themselves or addressing specific educational needs. For detailed questions about that though, I’ll need a dedicated post.

Approaches That Work

Some subjects are difficult to achieve from home, but even things like practical science can be approached:

  • Outsource challenging subjects through online courses, tutors, or co-op teaching
  • Learn alongside your child. I’ve relearned maths concepts I struggled with in school
  • Use high-quality curriculum materials with clear explanations
  • Leverage the wealth of free educational videos and resources available online
  • Remember that subject-specific knowledge is more accessible than ever

For subjects like science practicals or foreign languages that seem challenging to teach at home, there are online resources like Fab Science that offer practical guides and resources.

Balancing Work and Home Education

This practical challenge affects many families. Approaches that have worked in our home ed community include:

  • Flexible work arrangements (part-time, remote, or shift work)
  • Self-employment or freelancing that allows for schedule control
  • Parents dividing educational responsibilities based on work schedules
  • Using some structured resources that older children can work through independently
  • Creating a schedule that allows for education outside typical school hours

Remember that learning doesn’t need to happen between 9am and 3pm. Many working parents successfully home educate by shifting learning to evenings, weekends, or flexible patterns that fit their family’s unique situation.

Managing External Opinions

One of the toughest challenges is navigating the opinions and questions from those who don’t understand home education:

Building Confidence

  • Prepare simple, positive responses to common questions
  • Connect regularly with other home educators who understand
  • Focus on your child’s growth rather than external expectations
  • Keep notes of successful learning moments to review on challenging days
  • Remember why you chose this path in the first place

The most powerful antidote to external criticism is seeing your child thrive in their learning journey. With time, even skeptical family members often become supporters when they witness the benefits firsthand.

Finding Balance

Perhaps the most universal challenge is finding the right balance: between structure and freedom, between guidance and independence, between educational focus and simply enjoying family life:

  • Be gentle with yourself on difficult days
  • Recognise that learning happens even on days that don’t go to plan
  • Remember that flexibility is a strength of home education, not a weakness
  • Take regular breaks to prevent burnout
  • Celebrate the small victories along the way

On things like time management, time to yourself, and how to work around home educating, this is stepping up parenting challenges. Work can be a challenge, but there are work from home roles, or self employment, or shift work. There’s nothing to say that education needs to take place only during school hours, so as long as your child is cared for adequately throughout, you can educate whenever.

Home education is a journey with both challenges and rewards. The challenges are real, but they’re balanced by the extraordinary opportunity to nurture your child’s natural love of learning in a way that’s perfectly tailored to them.

children at the british museum

Top Tips for Starting Out Home Educating Your Child

After two decades of home educating, here are the insights I wish I’d had when starting out:

  1. Start with a Flexible Plan: Have general goals in mind, but be prepared to adapt as you discover what works for your family. The best plans evolve with your child’s needs and interests.
  2. Understand the Law: Knowing your rights and responsibilities gives you confidence. Take time to understand the legal framework for home education in your part of the UK.
  3. Create a Learning Environment That Works for YOU: Whether that’s a dedicated schoolroom or learning at the kitchen table, find what fits your family’s space and style. Remember that learning happens everywhere, not just in designated “educational” spaces.
  4. Connect with Others: Join local and online home education communities for support, resources, and friendship. These connections will sustain you through challenges and enhance the joys.
  5. Be Flexible: One of home education’s greatest strengths is adaptability. Be willing to change approaches, resources, or schedules when they’re not working.
  6. Incorporate Practical Life Skills: Some of the most valuable learning happens through cooking, shopping, gardening, and other everyday activities. These practical skills are just as important as academic subjects.
  7. Use a Broad Range of Resources: Don’t limit yourself to textbooks. Libraries, museums, nature, community events, and online resources all offer rich learning opportunities.
  8. Schedule Regular Breaks: Both you and your children need time to rest and recharge. Build regular breaks into your day and your year.
  9. Document Your Journey: Keep simple records of activities, progress, and experiences. These will be helpful for planning, meeting local authority requirements, and remembering how far you’ve come.
  10. Enjoy the Process: Home education offers a unique opportunity to learn alongside your child and watch their curiosity flourish. Treasure these moments – they pass quickly!
  11. Trust Your Child: Children are natural learners. Trust their curiosity and interests to guide much of their learning journey.
  12. Trust Yourself: You know your child better than anyone. Trust your instincts about what they need, even when it differs from conventional approaches.

Take Courage and Step Off The Well-Trodden Path into Home Education

Choosing to home educate feels like stepping off a well-trodden path into less charted territory. It takes courage to choose a different way, but you aren’t walking this path alone. Thousands of families across the UK are on this journey too, creating rich, personalised educational experiences for their children.

The early days may feel overwhelming as you work around new terms, approaches, and communities. Give yourself grace during this transition period. Remember that home education is not about recreating school at home. It’s about discovering education that truly fits your unique child.

In my 20+ years of home educating, I’ve had moments of doubt, exhaustion, and uncertainty. But these have been far outweighed by the joy of watching my children learn in ways that honour who they are, seeing their confidence grow, and building deep family connections through shared learning experiences.

For those of you just starting, as well as continuing your home education journey, remember that it doesn’t have to be perfect to be wonderful. Some days will be magical; others will be messy. Both are part of the journey.

I hope this guide gives you the confidence to take those first steps. Connect with others, trust yourself, and enjoy the extraordinary privilege of learning alongside your child.

Useful FAQs

Here are the 10 most common questions, in my opinion, about getting started with home education in the UK.

In the UK, parents must provide an “efficient full-time education suitable to age, ability, aptitude and any special educational needs” their child may have. The law doesn’t require following the National Curriculum, keeping to school hours, or teaching specific subjects. Different regulations apply in England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland, so check the specific requirements for your nation.

Do I need to follow the National Curriculum if I home educate?

No, there’s no legal requirement to follow the National Curriculum in any part of the UK. You’re free to create an educational approach that best suits your child’s needs and interests. Some families do choose to follow parts of the National Curriculum, especially if they plan for their child to return to school or take GCSEs, but many create entirely personalised approaches.

How can I remove my child from school to start home education?

If your child attends a mainstream school, you need to write to the headteacher requesting that your child be removed from the register for the purpose of home education. The school must comply with this request. Different procedures apply for children in special schools or with EHCPs, though home education remains an option in these cases too.

What resources and materials do I need for home education?

You don’t need expensive curriculum packages to start home educating. Many families begin with library books, free online resources, and everyday learning opportunities. Budget-friendly options include workbooks from The Works, Khan Academy’s free online lessons, and BBC Bitesize resources. The most important resources are your time, attention, and willingness to learn alongside your child.

How can I meet the social needs of my home-educated child?

Home educated children typically socialise through local home education groups, sports teams, hobby classes, community activities, and extended family interactions. Many areas have regular meet-ups specifically for home educating families. These varied social experiences often help children develop confident social skills across different age groups and settings.

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

Yes, children can return to mainstream school after a period of home education. The process typically involves applying for a school place through your local authority, just as you would when moving to a new area. Some schools may want to assess your child’s current educational level, but many home educated children transition successfully back to school when their families choose this path.

What support is available for parents who choose home education?

Support is available through national organisations like Education Otherwise, local home education groups, online forums, and social media communities. Many local authorities also provide information for home educators, though their approaches vary. If your child has special educational needs, specialised groups and resources exist to support their specific learning journey.

How do I plan a home education curriculum?

Start by considering your child’s interests, learning style, and any areas needing particular attention. Many families begin with a simple focus on literacy and numeracy, then build other subjects around their child’s interests. You might choose a ready-made curriculum, create your own approach, or blend different methods. Remember that your plan can and should evolve as you discover what works best for your child.

What are the best practices for setting a daily routine in home education?

The ideal routine varies enormously between families. Some thrive with structured schedules similar to school, while others prefer a more flexible approach built around core activities. Consider your child’s natural rhythms (are they a morning person?), your family’s other commitments, and the balance between focused learning and free exploration. Many families find that mornings work well for more structured learning, with afternoons for projects, outings, and activities.

How do I assess my child’s progress in home education?

Assessment in home education can be informal and ongoing rather than through formal tests. Observe your child’s developing skills, keep samples of their work over time, take notes on their interests and achievements, and discuss their learning with them regularly. Some families use standard assessments periodically if helpful, but many find that regular observation and documentation provide a richer picture of genuine learning progress.

Where to Find Useful Resources

A selection of the resources I have found the most useful for home education over the years. Some are linked in the text above.

Content and Curriculum Support

GOV UK home education: Provides guidance on home education and links to the National Curriculum if you choose to follow it closely.

Twinkl: Offers a wide range of educational resources and lesson plans for various subjects and levels.

Khan Academy: A free online resource with courses on many subjects for all age groups.

Forums and Online Communities

Education Otherwise: The UK’s oldest home education charity offering support, resources and legal information.

Home Education UK: Information service supporting home educating families.

Facebook Groups: Numerous groups exist for UK home educators, offering a platform to ask questions, share resources, and connect with others in your area.

Local User Groups and Support

Education Otherwise forum: Provides a list of local home education groups across the UK.

Local Libraries: Often a hub for educational workshops, reading groups, and a resource for learning materials.

Meetup.com: Can be a great place to find or organise local home education meetups, activities, and educational outings.

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Home Ed Inspiration, Ideas, and Activities

Click the links below and scroll through my collection of ideas, workshops, excursions, and more to discover practical everyday activities you can do together in and around your home classroom.

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Home Education by Age and Special Interests

Explore our collection of activities, ideas, and resources tailored for different ages and learning adventures. From sensory play with toddlers to exam preparation with teenagers, plus our special passion for living Tudor history at Kentwell Hall.

Early Years Home Education (Ages 0-5)

The magic of early learning happens through play, exploration, and following your child’s natural curiosity. These formative years are about creating rich environments where learning flows naturally through everyday adventures – no formal lessons required, just lots of wonder and discovery together.

View All Early Years Resources

Primary Years Home Education (Ages 6-11)

Primary years bring the perfect balance of hands-on exploration and gentle structure. This is when children’s natural curiosity flourishes through exciting projects, real-world adventures, and discovering that learning can be joyful. We focus on building confidence alongside skills, always following their interests and enthusiasm.

View All Primary Years Resources

Secondary Years Home Education (Ages 12-18)

The secondary years mark an exciting shift towards independence and deeper learning. Teenagers thrive when given ownership of their education journey, whether pursuing exam routes, exploring passion projects, or preparing for life beyond home ed. It’s about mentoring rather than directing, supporting their growing autonomy while staying connected to their goals.

View All Secondary Years Resources

Kentwell Hall Tudor Recreation Adventures

For over 15 years, our family has immersed ourselves in living Tudor history at Kentwell Hall’s extraordinary recreations. These aren’t just visits – they’re transformative learning experiences where children don’t just study history, they live it. From churning butter in period costume to speaking Tudor English, these adventures have shaped our understanding of bringing learning to vivid life.

View All Kentwell Hall Adventures

Get in Touch

Need support for your home ed journey? Looking for tutoring for your young person? Have an idea for a collaboration? I’d love to hear from you!

Get in Touch

How I Can Help

After 20+ years of home educating my four children (two now adults), I’ve gathered a wealth of experience that I’m passionate about sharing. Beyond blogging and guest writing, I offer several services designed to support families on their home education journey.