What the law says

The law states:

 
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 he may have, either by regular attendance at 
         school or otherwise.

Which basically means that anybody can receive an education at school, or otherwise, as long as it produces an effective member of society. The law also says what that education should be, which is:

1. to prepare the children for life in modern civilised society, and
2. to enable them to achieve their full potential.

Now doesn't that sound like someone who could be anyone?!

Most People don't realise that it is perfectly legal for a child to stay at home, as long as he/she is not registered with a school. The law will only see you as a truant if you are registered at a school and are not in attendance of that school. The most important piece of knowledge I have gained during my time as an H.E Kid, is that SCHOOL IS NOT COMPULSORY!!

For some brilliant bits and pieces surrounding the law, go to Education-otherwise.org. There are many different stories of how to deregister and how Local Education Authoroties (LAs) react to deregistration.

LAs can be an absolute Nightmare, but as long as you arm yourself with enough of the knowledge, you can overcome them! They will probably ask to meet with you, maybe once every 6 months or once a year, they actually have no legal right to visit you or to even enquire about your educational philosophies. But, to show some common courtesy, ask to meet them in a mutually neutral place, such as a cafè, or their office. This way you are opening yourselves up to them, and they will feel more comfortable about what you are doing. After that first visit, you can decide whether to let them into your house, or to meet again. Some LAs may not like being told what to do, if that is the case, you may end up with a court order to go to school! If that happens, you are not alone! Many people have had this problem, and if it does arise, PLEASE, CONTACT EDUCATION OTHERWISE!! They'll be able to tell you how to proceed!

I hope this has been of some use to all you people out there either thinking of deregistering or doing some sort of Education otherwise than at school!

Earl