Home Education (Parents)

Planned programme of education form Early Years - for Year R (reception)

Planned programme of education form Key Stage 1 to 3 - for Year 1 to Year 9

Planned programme of education form Key Stage 4 - for Year 10 to Year 11

Choosing to Home Educate

Parents have a duty to ensure that their children receive a suitable full time education either by regular attendance at school or otherwise (under Section 7 of the Education Act 1996). Some parents decide, as they are entitled, to provide suitable education by educating their children at home.

When parents withdraw their child from school to do this, and the child is of compulsory school age, the name of the child can only be deleted from the admissions register of the school where the parents inform the school in writing as provided by Section 8 (1) (d) of the Education (Pupil Registration) Regulations 2006: That he/she has ceased to attend the school and the proprietor has received written notification from the parent that the pupil is receiving education otherwise than at school’. It is then the duty of the school to inform the Local Authority.

Although children and young people with statements of special educational needs can be home educated, the Local Authority remains responsible for ensuring that the child's needs are met. The statement must stay in force and be reviewed annually.  The local authority must ensure that parents can make suitable provision, including providing for their child’s special educational needs. If the parent’s arrangements are suitable, the Local Authority is relieved of their duty to arrange the provision directly, but it still remains the duty of the Local Authority to ensure the child’s needs are met.

Milton Keynes Council Home Education Policy

Schools must legally notify MKC immediately a child is withdrawn to be home educated.  Parents will be required to provide evidence that their child is/will be receiving a suitable home education, a pro-forma will be sent to parents to support this process.  Action will be taken by way of legal prosecution where parents have not provided sufficient evidence and the child will be required to return to school.  See graphic below:

Home education policy graphic

Registering Home Education

The Local Authority maintains a record of children known to be home educated. The contact details for registering home education are below.

Children Missing Education Team (CME)

Children Missing Education Team contact information

Civic, 1 Saxon Gate East, Milton Keynes MK9 3EJ