Portsmouth City Council
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Educating your child at home
Parents may educate their children at home rather than at school if they choose to do so. Section 7 of the 1996 Education Act sets out the rights and duties of parents as:
'The parent of every child of compulsory school age shall cause him to receive full time education suitable;
(a) to his/her age, ability and aptitude,
(b) to any special educational needs he/she may have, either by regular attendance at school or otherwise.'
The Local Authority has guidance available for parents, which we will send you on request. Please contact the Personalised Learning Manager on 023 9268 8322. The guidance is available to download at the bottom of this page.
How this works in Portsmouth
If your child is registered at a school you must first inform the headteacher in writing of your intention to educate otherwise, then your child's name will be removed from the school roll. If your child is not registered at a school you will need to inform us that you are going to home-educate so that we can carry out our responsibilities to make enquiries of the provision you are making.
If we are not satisfied with the arrangements you have made, you will be given a reasonable period of time to make any recommendations which are believed to be necessary. If, despite this opportunity, we have reason to believe your arrangements are not suitable, the matter will be referred to the Education Welfare Service. Under the Education Act 1996 Section 437, they may initiate School Attendance Order proceedings.
There are outside agencies who can assist you in providing materials and ideas relating to education otherwise. For more information you can check the parentcentre website and search for Elective Home Education, using the link to the right.
You may also re-register your child at school at any time. For further information and advice with this please contact the Admissions Team on 023 9284 1228 , or you can email admissions@portsmouthcc.gov.uk
If you have any further queries, please contact:
Learning and Achievement Service
2nd floor, Civic Offices
Guildhall Square
Portsmouth, PO1 2EA
Telephone: 023 92688322
