FAQs

What happens next?

Once informed of your decision to home educate, the EHE Officer will forward a copy of the booklet ‘Information for Elective Home Educators’ and write to request some basic information about your home education.  You will be asked to provide some basic information regarding the education of your child and offered an appointment with the EHE Officer to talk about your proposed arrangements for your child’s education and address any initial queries you may have about home education. Many people find a home visit helpful, but parents may wish to meet at another venue, with or without their child.

What support is available from the local authority?

The local authority is able to offer parents advice and support through home visits conducted by the EHE Officer as well as on going telephone and email correspondence. 

Support NOT available from the local authority

Wokingham Borough Council is unable to offer direct teaching or provide materials for children being educated at home. You will also be responsible for organising, and insuring for, any work experience placements, should you wish this. Similarly, should you wish your child to take formal qualifications, you would have to find an exam centre willing to take a private candidate and pay for any associated costs.

If you choose to employ a private tutor it is your responsibility to ensure that this person has the right knowledge and skills to take on this role. It is entirely appropriate that any tutor should also be able to demonstrate Disclosure and Barring Service clearance and provide references.

What if the EHE Officer has concerns or reservations about our education at home programme?

If the Education Officer believes that a suitable education is not taking place then further visits, consultations and/or a referral to the Early Help Hub for support may be offered with the aim of helping you to overcome the difficulties within a mutually agreed time scale. If, in the end, the Education Officer still considers that your child is receiving a less than suitable education then it is Wokingham Borough Council’s duty to issue a School Attendance Order. This will require you to send your child to a school named on the Order (Section 437, Education Act 1996). 

Can my child attend school part-time?

Government guidance states that “Schools should not mark a pupil as attending school, using the attendance code B for off-site education activity, unless the school is responsible for supervising the off-site education, and can ensure the safety and the welfare of the pupil off-site. Schools are ultimately responsible for the attainment of every child registered on their roll. Whilst being home educated, parents and carers are responsible for pupils, not schools.  Where parents have entered in to flexi-schooling arrangements, schools may continue to offer those arrangements. Pupils should be marked absent from school during periods when they are receiving home education.” flexi-schooling arrangements are agreed between head teachers and parents, the local authority is not involved with these arrangements and Wokingham does not support flexi-schooling arrangements.

Can my child attend a further education college?

Colleges can claim the cost of course fees on an individual basis for home educated young people under 16. Please contact your local college for further information about courses available.

What will happen if we decide to move?

Please let us know your new address by emailing the EHE Officer at ehe@wokingham.gov.uk.

What if I decide to educate at home and then change my mind?

If at any time you should wish your child to enter or re-enter the school system the admissions team can offer advice and support as required. admissions@wokingham.gov.uk

Further considerations

Deciding to educate your child at home is a major step that, as you know, not only involves commitment but also a tremendous investment in time and energy. There is a wide variety of reasons for parents choosing to home educate, but if it is due to an unresolved dispute with a school, the Education Welfare Service strongly suggests a dialogue first with the school to attempt to resolve any dispute. It is also well worth talking to someone who has experience of the highs and lows of home education before finally making the decision