Home education law in plain English.

Home education can give families flexibility in how and when learning happens. It can make room for a child to work at their own pace, spend longer where they need to and move on when they are ready.

Families choose it for different reasons. Some want learning to fit more naturally around family life and commitments. Others value close involvement in their child’s learning or support from a community of other home-educating families.

In England, parents have the right to educate their child at home. The responsibility for that education remains with them. Alamiyah Home Education Centre can support a family’s arrangements, but it does not take over that responsibility.

Section 7 of the Education Act 1996 places responsibility for a suitable education on the parent. Its words are “either by regular attendance at school or otherwise”. Home education is the second lawful route in England and Wales and does not require prior approval.

There is no requirement to follow the national curriculum, keep set hours or use a particular method. If your child has never been on a roll, you do not have to notify the local authority, although you may choose to. If your child is on a roll, deregistration must be made in writing.

Under section 437 of the same Act, a local authority must act if it appears that a child is not receiving a suitable education. It may therefore ask for information. Parents provide that information and remain responsible for demonstrating the suitability of their provision.

A setting providing education to a group of children above the Department for Education’s working threshold must register as an independent educational institution under the Independent School Standards regime, section 96 of the Education and Skills Act 2008. The Department for Education uses 18 hours a week as its working threshold.

Alamiyah Home Education Centre caps attendance at 16 hours a week, below the Department for Education's working threshold. See membership and fees for current session patterns.

For a fuller explanation, read what 18 hours means and section 7 explained.

Alamiyah Home Education Centre does not provide placements for children with an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP).