Home education in the United Kingdom (2026)

Last reviewed: 9 October 2026

In short: In England and Wales parents must secure full-time education by attendance at school or otherwise. Rules on notification and consent differ by nation.

RuleWhat applies
Legal status of home educationChildren of compulsory school age; EnglandPermitted, no prior approval or notification [1]
Nature of the parental dutyChildren of compulsory school age; England and WalesDuty to provide education, at school or at home [2]
Approval or notification neededChildren of compulsory school age; EnglandNo approval is needed to educate a child at home from the start. If the child is registered at a school, the parent should tell the school, which must accept full removal. Council permission is needed first if the child is at school under a school attendance order, or attends a special school because of special educational needs. Parents need not follow the national curriculum. [1]
Compulsory schooling ageChildren of compulsory school age; England and WalesCompulsory school age begins when a child reaches five on a prescribed day and ends on the school leaving date of the school year in which the child turns 16. The leaving date is set each year by order. [3]
Legal status of home educationChildren of compulsory school age; ScotlandPermitted, no prior approval or notification [4]
Nature of the parental dutyChildren of compulsory school age; ScotlandDuty to provide education, at school or at home [5]
Approval or notification neededChildren of compulsory school age; ScotlandThe local authority's consent is needed to withdraw a child from a public school (section 35 of the 1980 Act); it must not be unreasonably withheld. Consent is not needed if the child has never attended a public school in that authority's area. There is no statutory duty to tell the authority about home education when consent is not required. [6]
Compulsory schooling ageChildren of compulsory school age; ScotlandA child is of school age from five until sixteen. Starting and leaving dates are set by sections 32 and 33 of the 1980 Act. [4]
Nature of the parental dutyChildren of compulsory school age; Northern IrelandDuty to provide education, at school or at home [7]
Legal status of home educationChildren of compulsory school age; Northern Ireland⚠ Not yet verified
Approval or notification neededChildren of compulsory school age; Northern Ireland⚠ Not yet verified
Compulsory schooling ageChildren of compulsory school age; Northern Ireland⚠ Not yet verified

Notes

  • The GOV.UK page does not state its coverage but refers to England-specific matters. Wales was not read separately.
  • Scotland: consent is needed only to withdraw a child from a public school. The guidance read is the 2021 edition; a newer edition exists.
  • Northern Ireland: the education duty was verified in the 1986 Order, but no official page on notification or age could be read.

Sources

  1. GOV.UK: Educating your child at home (consulted 9 October 2026) · all sources
  2. legislation.gov.uk: Education Act 1996, section 7 (consulted 9 October 2026) · all sources
  3. legislation.gov.uk: Education Act 1996, section 8 (consulted 9 October 2026) · all sources
  4. Scottish Government (gov.scot): Home education guidance: 2. Legislative position (consulted 9 October 2026) · all sources
  5. legislation.gov.uk: Education (Scotland) Act 1980, section 30 (consulted 9 October 2026) · all sources
  6. Scottish Government (gov.scot): Home education guidance: 3. Withdrawing a child from school (consulted 9 October 2026) · all sources
  7. legislation.gov.uk: Education and Libraries (Northern Ireland) Order 1986, article 45 (consulted 9 October 2026) · all sources

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General information, not legal advice. Rules change: check the official source before you fly or ride.