How to Deregister Your Child From School in England
Deciding to home educate is one thing. Actually taking your child out of school is another. Many parents feel uncertain about the process — worried they might do it wrong, concerned about how the school will respond, or simply unsure what happens next. The good news is that the process is straightforward. This guide walks you through it step by step, based on the legal position in England as it currently stands.
If you are in Wales, Scotland, or Northern Ireland, the rules differ — this article covers England only. If your child attends a state school, you have the right to withdraw them at any time without giving a reason. If your child is at an independent school or a pupil referral unit, additional considerations apply, which are covered below.
Your Legal Right to Home Educate in England
Section 7 of the Education Act 1996 places a legal duty on parents to ensure their child receives efficient full-time education suitable to their age, ability, and aptitude, and to any special educational needs they may have. Crucially, this duty applies to parents, not schools. Attending school is one way to fulfil it; home education is another.
There is no requirement to register with anyone before you start, no need to inform your local authority in advance, and no requirement to follow the national curriculum. The right to home educate is well-established in English law, and local authorities have no power to prevent a parent from making this choice.
Withdrawing From a State School
If your child attends a state-funded school, the process is simple. You write to the headteacher to inform the school that you are withdrawing your child to educate them at home. The school must remove your child from the roll when they receive your letter. They do not have the authority to refuse, delay, or impose conditions.
Your letter does not need to be long or formal. A short, clear note is sufficient. You do not need to explain your reasons, justify your decision, or ask permission. Some parents prefer to give notice, particularly if their child is mid-term, but you are not legally required to do so. Many families find it helpful to send their letter by recorded delivery or email with read receipt, so they have proof of receipt.
A sample letter might look like this:
Dear [Headteacher’s name], I am writing to inform you that I am withdrawing [child’s name], currently in [year group], from [school name] with effect from [date], to educate them at home. Please remove [child’s name] from the roll accordingly. Yours sincerely, [Your name]
The school is required by law to notify your local authority when a child is deregistered for the purpose of home education. The local authority may then be in touch, though this is not always immediate.
Withdrawing From an Independent School
If your child attends an independent school, you must check your contract with the school. Most independent schools require a term’s notice, and withdrawing without giving notice may mean you owe fees for the notice period. Read your contract carefully before writing to the school. The school does have the right to enforce the notice period financially, even if you have already stopped attending.
The same legal right to home educate applies — you are not required to continue attending — but you may face a financial liability if you have not given the contractually required notice.
Deregistering a Child With an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP)
If your child has an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP), the deregistration process involves an additional step. When you withdraw your child from school, the local authority does not automatically cease to maintain the EHCP. You will need to inform the local authority that you intend to home educate, and they must then decide whether to maintain or cease the plan.
If you are home educating a child with an EHCP, the local authority has a duty to satisfy themselves that the special educational provision specified in the plan is being made. This is a more involved relationship than for children without plans. Many families successfully home educate children with EHCPs, but the legal position is more complex. It is worth reading the SEND Code of Practice alongside this, and seeking guidance from organisations such as IPSEA or SOSSEN if you have concerns.
One important point: a local authority cannot name a school in an EHCP and use this to prevent a parent from home educating. However, they can require that the EHCP provision is made. If the provision is expensive or specialist, there can be disputes. Getting early legal advice can help.
What Happens After You Deregister
Once your child is deregistered, you are free to begin home education. The school will notify your local authority, and at some point an officer may contact you. This contact is not mandatory for you to respond to, though most families choose to engage. You have no legal obligation to allow home visits, though some local authorities ask for them.
Your local authority has a duty to identify children not receiving suitable education. They may send you a letter asking for information about your home education provision. You are not obliged to respond in any particular format, and you are not required to prove your provision meets any specific standard beyond what the Education Act requires. Many families write a brief letter describing their approach. Others share examples of work. Some choose minimal engagement.
What matters is that you can demonstrate, if challenged, that your child is receiving efficient full-time education suitable to their age, ability, and aptitude. How you do this is up to you.
Starting Home Education After Deregistration
Many experienced home educators recommend taking a deschooling period after leaving school — roughly one month per year the child was in school — before introducing any formal structure. Children coming out of school often need time to decompress, reconnect with their own curiosity, and adjust to the different pace and rhythm of home education.
This does not mean doing nothing. It means following your child’s interests, spending time outdoors, reading aloud, playing, talking, visiting museums, cooking, and simply being together. The transition from a school mindset to a home education mindset takes time for children and parents alike.
When you do begin introducing more structure, you can build it gradually around your family’s needs. There is no one right approach. Some families follow a curriculum; others work project by project; others follow the child’s lead entirely. The flexibility is one of the greatest advantages of home education.
Keeping a Simple Record of Your Decision
You are not required to register your home education with anyone in advance, and there is no formal application process. That said, it is wise to keep a note of the date you sent your deregistration letter, any acknowledgement you received from the school, and the date your child was removed from the roll. This creates a clear timeline should you ever need to refer to it.
If your local authority contacts you, keeping a record of correspondence is also helpful. Home education is entirely legal; there are no grounds for concern, but having a clear paper trail is good practice.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to give the school notice before deregistering?
For state schools, there is no legal requirement to give notice. For independent schools, check your contract — most require a term’s notice for financial reasons, even if you can withdraw attendance immediately.
Can the school refuse to deregister my child?
No. A state school cannot refuse a valid request to deregister a child for home education. The headteacher must remove the child from the roll upon receiving your written request.
Do I have to inform the local authority before I start?
No. The school notifies the local authority when your child is deregistered. You do not need to contact the local authority before you begin home educating.
What if my child has an EHCP?
You can still home educate a child with an EHCP, but the local authority retains responsibilities under the plan. It is worth seeking specific guidance from IPSEA or a similar organisation, as the legal position is more complex.
Can I re-enrol my child in school later if home education does not work out?
Yes. Home education is not a permanent or irrevocable choice. You can apply to schools at any point, though securing a place is subject to the usual admissions processes and there is no guarantee of a specific school. Many families who try home education for a period later return to school without difficulty.