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Elective home education

Elective Home Education (EHE) is where a parent (which should be taken to include all those with parental responsibility and/or who have care of a child, including guardians and foster carers.) chooses to provide their child’s education outside the school system, in line with section 7 of the Education Act 1996.

This means that the parent is solely responsible for the approach, structure, content and cost of all education provision (such as private tutors, cost of resources and examination fees); and has a duty to ensure that they are providing an efficient, full-time and suitable education, having regard to age, ability, aptitude and any relevant special educational needs. This needs a great deal of personal and financial commitment.

EHE is not home tuition provided by the Local Authority or where the Local Authority provides education otherwise than at a school.

Parents are advised to discuss EHE before taking their child out of school. Children who have an Education, Health & Care Plan (EHCP) can also be educated at home, but parents must inform Wakefield SENART of their wish to EHE. If your child attends a specialist provision, you also need the permission of Wakefield SENART. You can contact them at senart@wakefield.gov.uk.

If you withdraw your child from school to home educate, there is no guarantee you will get a place back at the same school if you decide you no longer wish to home educate.

If your child gets free school meals, they will no longer have access to this service.

The Education Welfare Service can support parents considering home education, offering advice and guidance as appropriate. You can contact us at ehe@wakefield.gov.uk.

If a parent chooses to educate their child at home from the start of compulsory education and their child isn’t registered in a school, they should inform Wakefield Education Welfare Service at ehe@wakefield.gov.uk.

If the child is currently on roll at a school, the parent must formally withdraw their child from their school place. This is done by putting their intention to EHE and the reasons behind this in writing to the head teacher. The school must send this along with the relevant EWS referral form to the Education Welfare Service.

Please note: Parents are encouraged to make an informed decision before choosing EHE and are advised to have a meeting with the school before this decision. It is expected that EHE begins from the date in which your child is withdrawn from school.

Please take some time to read the EHE guide for Parents.

You can also a more simplified 1 minute guide to EHE.

Home educators are not legally required to follow the national curriculum. However, we recommend that they are aware of its contents. This is available online at https://www.gov.uk/national-curriculum.

Post 16 Options

Connexions Wakefield

Connexions Wakefield Digital provide an online careers information, advice and guidance service for young people. The Digital Careers Advisers are available to help with choices, careers, education and work, job applications, local opportunities and much more.

Contact

Wakefield E-Prospectus provides details of all courses available in the district including schools, colleges, apprenticeships and local training providers. This is also where you can make and track applications.

Step Up (Young People)

Previously known as The Employment Hub, Step Up (Young People) provide free help for 15 to 24-year-olds to access education and employment. They can advise and support with:

  • CV writing
  • interview preparation
  • advice on employability skills
  • finding employment, training, apprenticeships, and internships opportunities

Contact

Whichever route you decide, please remember to inform Child Benefit at: https://www.gov.uk/child-benefit-16-19.

Please also note that although your child may have already received a National Insurance card, they are not allowed to do paid work during school hours until they have reached their official school leaving date (the last Friday in June). However they can look for part time work outside of school hours.

For more information on child employment please see our Child employment web page.

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