Returning to school after homeschooling: UK guide [2024]

In the UK, as in most other countries, parents have a statutory duty to ensure their child receives a suitable education.

Some families choose to homeschool their children, for reasons that can include a desire for a more tailored education or a dissatisfaction with the traditional school system. Anxiety or anxiety related disorders are also often a factor when it comes to homeschooling, especially in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Sometimes the majority of a child’s education can be through homeschooling, whereas in other instances it is just for a period of time. For those who choose to return to a more traditional educational setting, it is important to consider all the various options available.

Table of Contents

What is Elective Home Education (EHE)?

What are the possible reasons for returning to school after homeschooling?

What are the options available for homeschooled children returning to school?

Smooth transition tips for home-educated children returning to school

What makes Kings an ideal option for previously homeschooled children

What is Elective Home Education (EHE)?

In the UK, Section 7 Education Act 1996 places a duty on parents to ensure that their child of compulsory school age receives a suitable education, either by regular attendance at school or otherwise.

Elective Home Education (EHE) offers parents the choice to educate their child outside of traditional schooling. It allows parents to take responsibility for ensuring their child receives a full-time education in a non-school setting. Some children start elective home education at age 5 and continue without attending school. In other situations, a child may transition to EHE after being removed from the school's roll.

What are the possible reasons for returning to school after homeschooling?

There are several different reasons why a child may return to a school setting after homeschooling, including the following.

Ongoing parent commitment

While there are many positives to homeschooling, or home ed as it’s sometimes also known, parents who take on this role essentially add two more jobs to their plate: teacher and administrator.

They spend a significant amount of time with their child which might limit their usual activities, depending on the child’s age. This shift can result in stress and fatigue, and homeschooling parents often find limited support, or support groups, available.

Fewer social experiences

While homeschooled children can still develop well socially, they may naturally miss out on peer interactions, diverse friendships, and exposure to different backgrounds, potentially leading to narrow perspectives and biases.

Educational difficulties

While homeschooling can be manageable in the early years, parents may find it challenging to support their children effectively as they approach GCSEs and A-levels.

In some cases (under Section 437(1) of the Education Act 1996), local authorities will intervene if it appears that the parents are not providing a suitable education. If the parent fails to satisfy the local authority that they are providing the child with a suitable education, the local authority can serve a school attendance order on them.

High costs

Sometimes, homeschooling can bring about a significant increase in household costs, which can prove untenable in the long term. The reasons for this include a parent often having to give up full-time employment and additional costs such as textbooks and exam fees.

Some Local Authorities might provide financial assistance to home-educating families, but this is discretionary and therefore cannot be relied upon.

What are the options available for homeschooled children returning to school?

There are several options available to children who are looking to return to a school setting for suitable full-time education after having previously been homeschooled. Here, we look at some in more detail.

1. Local state schools

Children who have been homeschooled can apply for a place at a local primary school or secondary school at any point, although school places at their desired school cannot be guaranteed. Applications are made via the local council’s School Admissions team.

Pros:

• Local children attend, providing familiarity and a local network.
• There are diverse subjects and expert teachers available.

Cons:

• Large class sizes may challenge children used to quieter settings.
• The preferred local school may have no space.

2. Flexi-schooling

Flexi-schooling combines part-time schooling at the child's school and at home. The head teacher can allow flexi-schooling at their discretion without legal obligation.

Pros:

• It offers flexibility and customisation in education and empowers students to tailor their learning with part-time home options.
• It enables parents to have an active role in their child’s education while utilising school resources.

Cons:

• The potential lack of consistent structure can be an issue.
• There can be limited access to extracurricular activities for children in flexi-schooling.

3. Independent schools

Independent schools, like Kings, are privately funded, granting them operational autonomy and freedom in curriculum design.

Pros:

• They typically offer smaller class sizes and a result more personalised attention and academic pathways.
• They tend to provide less chaotic environments, aiding homeschooled children's transition.

Cons:

• Some have high tuition fees, but exceptions like Kings offer affordability and financial aid.
• They are sometimes criticised for lack of diversity; however some - like Kings - educate an international cohort, which creates highly diverse learning environments.

Find out more about what makes Kings an ideal option for previously homeschooled children

4. Free schools or academies

Academies and free schools in England are state-funded, non-fee-paying institutions independent of local authorities. They have autonomy over the national curriculum, teacher pay, school terms, and days.

Pros:

• They offer teachers more flexibility to try innovative teaching methods, which can be beneficial for students from non-traditional educational backgrounds.

Cons:

• They are sometimes criticised for reduced accountability compared to traditional schools.
• They may have lower diversity and inclusivity levels.

5. Specialist or special educational needs (SEN) schools

Young people with special educational needs who prefer not to or cannot attend mainstream schools have the option of specialist schools in the UK. These schools cater to a variety of needs and can be maintained by the local authority or be independent.

Pros:

• Specialist SEN schools offer an environment tailored to students with diverse learning challenges and special needs, supported by a dedicated team of professionals.
• They provide a broader range of resources, including technology and equipment, compared to most homeschooling setups.

Cons:

• SEN schools may lack the flexibility of homeschooling.
• Transitioning to a special school from a home environment, especially for students with sensory-related needs, can sometimes pose challenges.

6. Alternative education programmes

Alternative education programmes are typically geared towards students who thrive in more unconventional learning environments, and offer a wide range of educational approaches.

Pros:

• They often provide customised learning focusing on individual student needs.
• There is an emphasis on hands-on, experiential learning, fostering engagement, creativity, and critical thinking.

Cons:

• A lack of standardisation can lead to inconsistencies in student performance and test readiness.
• They often have limited resources compared to traditional schools.

Smooth transition tips for home-educated children returning to school

Below we look at some tips on how to ensure a successful reintegration/integration into a school setting after being home-schooled.

Communication

Transitioning from homeschooling to traditional schooling may be challenging for students and families. Effective communication is key to easing this process and meeting the child’s needs. This involves: fostering open dialogue with educators, practicing active listening, encouraging proactive discussions, and setting realistic expectations.

Adjustment strategies

To ensure a smooth transition, there are several things that can be helpful, including:

• Arranging pre-attendance school visits to familiarise students with the environment and address concerns.
• Participating in extracurricular activities to meet new people and foster a sense of community.
• Utilising buddy systems for informal support and guidance from older students.

Well-being and progress monitoring

Children transitioning from homeschooling may face anxiety in adapting to a new environment and parents or carers may be uncertain about how their child will cope.

Prioritise academic monitoring to identify skill gaps and adjust teaching styles, emotional observations to address isolation and anxiety, and celebrate achievements to boost confidence and motivation.

Kings: the ideal option for previously homeschooled children

A supportive environment with caring educators and welcoming peers can help previously homeschooled children feel more secure and confident in their new learning, and as a result help them thrive. Kings offers exactly that.

Our small, friendly and personalised learning environments provide the ideal starting point for those students looking to integrate, or re-integrate into the school system.

• At Kings there is less pressure and judgement than in other environments: people come from all over the world and are all starting afresh, whereas in a state or private school the majority of children have been there for years and already have their established groups.
• Each student gets a personalised learning experience that perfectly supports their individual learning styles and goals, with a dedicated team of tutors, teachers and university counsellors.
• Our students join us from many different countries, and as such have all had differing educational experiences. This definitely benefits previously homeschooled UK students who may otherwise feel at a disadvantage, or that they stand out for their less standard educational background.
• All of our schools have well established welfare teams. Their sole purpose is to make sure each student is happy, content and supported, and that - as a result - they achieve the best possible educational outcome.

Kings offers a range of pre-university programmes, from GCSEs and A-levels to specialist degree pathway programmes and a dedicated Art and Design Foundation. Our colleges in London, Oxford, Brighton and Bournemouth cater for both day students and boarders, with a range of accommodation options available at each location.

Our students consistently win places at the best universities both in the UK and beyond, and leave us satisfied, happy and well-rounded individuals with a truly global outlook.

If you would like receive more detailed information about the Kings and our programmes, please get in touch with us at enquiries@kingseducation.com.