Educating your child at home

We recognises that the education of children is the responsibility of parents and carers.

The majority of parents choose to educate their children at school, however every year a small number decide to make their own arrangements and educate their children at home. This is known as Elective Home Education (EHE).

Section 7 of the Education Act 1996 gives parents the right to educate their children “otherwise” than at school.

It states that: “The parent of every child of compulsory school age shall cause him to receive efficient full-time
education suitable to his age, ability and aptitude, and to any special educational needs he may have, either by regular attendance at school or otherwise.”

The law allows for diversity in education and parents have a right to have their children educated in accordance with their own beliefs and values.

Home education is a huge commitment and requires dedication, energy and patience. The Elective Home Education Service is staffed by an  EHE Co-ordinator, whose role is to actively support families who choose to home educate. She is able to help parents decide whether home education is the right choice for their child, and to refer families to other services, such as Educational Welfare and Educational Psychology, for additional support if it is needed.

For those families who choose to home educate, The EHE Co-ordinator offers a programme of regular contact. She is a qualified teacher who is able to offer guidance about curriculum subjects and teaching and learning strategies and to give a wide range of information about educational opportunities for home educated children.

She works positively with families to help them improve the education they are providing if it does not meet the child’s needs and can assist with arranging admission to school if this is in the child’s best interests.

Wolverhampton LA has a full EHE Policy and also produces a detailed Information Guide for Parents and Carers.  These are available to download from these links. 

 

The guide should answer most of the questions you may have as a parent, but the EHE Co-ordinator can be contacted for further advice;

Contact us

ELH Co-ordinator
Children and Young People
Wolverhampton City Council
Jennie Lee Centre
Lichfield Road
Wednesfield
Wolverhampton
W11 3HT

Phone 01902 555257