Homeschooling in Wales: A Comprehensive Guide for Parents
Homeschooling is a growing trend in Wales, where families are choosing to educate their children at home for various reasons. Whether it’s the flexibility to tailor education to a child’s unique needs, dissatisfaction with traditional schooling, or the opportunity to explore alternative learning approaches, homeschooling offers a wealth of possibilities. In this blog, we’ll explore the essentials of homeschooling in Wales, including the legal framework, grants, and practical steps for getting started.
Home Education Wales | What is Homeschooling in Wales?
Home education in Wales is a legal and flexible option for families. The Welsh Government recognises that parents are primarily responsible for ensuring their child receives an education suitable to their age, ability, and needs. This can be achieved through traditional schooling or home education. Support and resources for home educators are available, emphasising the importance of community, sharing experiences, and accessing resources such as handbooks and social media groups to aid families in their home education journey.
Homeschooling allows parents to:
Provide a personalised learning experience.
Create an education plan aligned with their child’s interests and learning style.
Move away from the pressures of standardised testing, if desired e.g. GCSE exams
While homeschooling can be a rewarding journey, it comes with responsibilities. Parents must understand the legal framework, available resources, and their obligations to provide a suitable education. Also, parents take on a full-time responsibility in some cases as a ‘Home Educator.’
Can I Take My Child Out of School in Wales?
Yes, parents in Wales can legally withdraw their child from school to begin home education. However, there are steps you must follow to ensure compliance with the law: It is crucial to provide detailed information about the child’s education to address potential inquiries from local authorities and to effectively communicate with educational bodies regarding the child’s educational status.
1. Informing the School
If your child is currently enrolled in a school:
Write a formal letter to the headteacher stating your intention to home educate.
The school will notify the local authority of your decision.
2. For Special Schools
If your child attends a special school, you may need to obtain permission from the local authority before withdrawing them. This ensures that any special educational needs continue to be met effectively.
3. Immediate Withdrawal
Once the school has been informed, you can begin home education immediately. There is no legal requirement to wait for local authority approval unless your child is in a special school.
What Are the Rules for Home Education in Wales?
1. Legal Right to Home Educate
In Wales, parents have the legal right to educate their children at home. The law requires the education to be:
Efficient: Designed to achieve meaningful learning outcomes.
Suitable: Tailored to the child’s age, ability, and aptitude, including any additional learning needs e.g. SEN
2. Notifying the School
If your child is already attending school, you must:
Write to the headteacher to inform them of your decision to withdraw your child for home education.
For children attending a special school, additional consent may be required from the local authority.
If your child has never been enrolled in a school, there is no legal requirement to notify the local authority, though many parents choose to do so in order to keep them informed as some local councils check in with home educated families once a year.
Local Authority Role in Home Education
Local authorities in Wales have a duty to ensure that children within the local authority area are receiving a suitable education. They may:
Make informal inquiries about your homeschooling approach.
Request evidence of your child’s progress, such as examples of work, educational plans, or records of activities.
Issue a school attendance order if they believe the education being provided is unsuitable.
Providing a Suitable Education
As a parent choosing to home educate, it is your responsibility to ensure that your child receives a suitable education. This means providing a full-time education that is efficient and tailored to your child’s age, ability, and aptitude. In Wales, the laws mandate that children must receive a full-time education from the age of 5. Local authorities may make informal inquiries to ensure that home educated children are receiving an appropriate education. This could involve reviewing educational plans, samples of work, or records of activities. It’s important to be prepared to demonstrate how your home education approach meets the legal requirements for a suitable education, and to avoid a school attendance order.
Special Educational Needs (SEN)
If your child has special educational needs (SEN), additional considerations come into play when deciding to home educate. If your child attends a special school, you will need to obtain consent from the local authority before removing their name from the school’s register. This ensures that their specific educational needs continue to be met effectively.
However, if your child attends a mainstream school, you don’t need the local authority’s permission to home educate, even if they have an Education, Health and Care (EHC) plan. As a parent, it is crucial to ensure that your home education plan addresses and supports your child’s SEN requirements, providing them with the resources and support to thrive.
Safeguarding and Wellbeing
Ensuring your child’s safety and wellbeing is paramount when home educating. While the local authority has a duty to investigate any concerns about a child’s welfare, the decision to home educate alone is not a cause for concern. However, the local authority may contact you to discuss your child’s education and wellbeing as part of their safeguarding responsibilities. If you have any concerns about your child’s safety or wellbeing, you can reach out to the local authority or a social worker for support.
What is the Home Education Grant in Wales?
The Welsh Government introduced the Home Education Grant as part of its commitment to supporting home-educating families. This grant provides financial assistance to ensure that home-educated children have access to the resources and materials they need for a well-rounded education.
Eligibility
The grant is typically available to families who have formally withdrawn their child from school.
Local authorities may have specific eligibility criteria, so it’s essential to check with your council.
How to Apply
Contact your local authority to inquire about the application process and required documentation.
Be prepared to provide evidence of your homeschooling setup, such as an education plan or details of resources you intend to use.
Grant Uses
The grant can be used for:
Educational materials, such as books and workbooks.
Technology, including laptops or tablets.
Extracurricular activities or clubs.
The availability and specifics of the grant may vary by region, so it’s essential to verify details with your local council.
How Much Money Do You Get for Homeschooling UK?
One common question among parents considering homeschooling is whether financial support is available. In the UK, including Wales, homeschooling is primarily funded by families themselves. However, there are some instances of financial assistance:
1. Home Education Grant
As mentioned earlier, the Home Education Grant in Wales provides targeted financial support for home-educating families. The amount and availability vary depending on the local authority.
2. No Regular Funding
Unlike schools, homeschooling families do not receive regular funding from the government to cover educational costs. This means parents are typically responsible for expenses such as:
Educational materials e.g. writing pads, textbooks.
Extracurricular activities.
3. Tax Relief and Benefits
Homeschooling does not currently qualify for specific tax reliefs. However, low-income families may be eligible for general benefits that can help offset costs, such as Universal Credit.
Practical Tips for Homeschooling in Wales
If you’re ready to begin homeschooling in Wales, here are some tips to ensure success:
1. Plan Your Curriculum
While following the National Curriculum is not mandatory, many parents use it as a guide to structure their child’s education. Alternatively, you can design a personalised curriculum that suits your child’s needs and interests e.g. only doing GCSE subjects that your child doesn’t find too hard or too boring
2. Join Local Homeschooling Groups
Connecting with other homeschooling families provides valuable support, resource sharing, and opportunities for social interaction. These groups can be found on facebook and also on Studdle’s website.
3. Utilise Community Resources
Take advantage of libraries, museums, and cultural institutions in your area. Many offer free or low-cost educational programs that complement home learning.
4. Keep Records
Maintain a portfolio of your child’s work and progress. This can be helpful for local authority inquiries and tracking educational milestones. Establish an organised method of maintaining this, so that the local council is fully aware that your child is receiving a ‘suitable’ education.
5. Focus on Socialisation
To ensure your child develops social skills, consider:
Enrolling them in clubs or sports teams
Participating in group learning activities
Attending community events
- Work Experience placements / internships
Homeschooling in Wales – Conclusion
Homeschooling in Wales is a flexible and rewarding option for families looking to take control of their child’s education.
Whether you’re starting homeschooling for the first time or transitioning from traditional schooling, Wales offers resources and support to help you succeed. With careful planning and a commitment to your child’s learning journey, homeschooling can open the door to endless possibilities for growth and development.