How to Deregister a Child from School in England
See when written notice is usually enough, when permission may be needed, and use our deregistration letter template for mainstream-school cases in England.
Start here if you need to deregister quickly
Mainstream school in England
You generally do not need the school's or council's permission to withdraw your child completely. Send written notice saying that, after a specified date, your child will stop attending and receive education otherwise than at school.
Do I need permission first?
Check first if your child has SEN and attends a special school, or is attending under a School Attendance Order: council permission is needed in those cases. It is not needed for a mainstream school solely because your child has an EHC plan.
Legal Scope and Disclaimer
- This page provides general information only and is not legal advice.
- Laws and guidance can change, and rules differ across the UK.
- This guide is mainly for England and was checked against the official sources linked below on 22 August 2026.
- Homeschooly is not a law firm and does not provide legal services.
- To the fullest extent permitted by law, Homeschooly disclaims liability for loss arising from reliance on this page or tool output.
- Always verify against current official guidance and seek professional advice for your specific circumstances.
Planning the next admin step too? See the home education record keeping app for keeping notes, evidence, and reports together after deregistration.
Legal Position (England)
Section 7 of the Education Act 1996 sets out the duty to secure suitable education. GOV.UK guidance says parents can choose elective home education and that a mainstream school must accept a complete withdrawal.
For a written withdrawal notice, regulation 9(1)(f) of the School Attendance (Pupil Registration) (England) Regulations 2024 requires the notice to say that the child will stop attending after a specified date and receive education otherwise than at school. Once that date has passed, the school must delete the child's name from the admission register unless a School Attendance Order is in place, and inform the local authority. The parent remains responsible for securing suitable education. If you are unsure about your specific circumstances, seek independent legal advice.
Deregistration by School Type
Mainstream Schools
In England, you generally do not need permission to withdraw a child completely from a mainstream school for elective home education, even if the child has an EHC plan. The written notice must identify the specified effective date and say the child will receive education otherwise than at school.
Special Schools
Requires Consent
Your Responsibilities as a Home Educator
Before deregistering, check that you can explain how home education will be suitable, consistent, and appropriate for your child.
Legal Obligation
Parents are expected to provide an efficient, full-time education suitable to the child's age, ability, aptitude, and any special educational needs. You are not automatically required to keep a particular record, but optional notes or examples of work can help you explain your provision if asked.
Provide a "Suitable Education"
Section 7 of the Education Act 1996 requires efficient, full-time education suitable to your child's age, ability, aptitude, and any special educational needs.
Responding to Local Authority Enquiries
An informal enquiry is not the same as a compulsory home visit. The council does not have an automatic right to enter your home solely to monitor home education, but not providing useful information or cooperating with reasonable enquiries can lead to escalation, including consideration of a School Attendance Order.
No Teaching Qualifications Required
In England, parents do not need teaching qualifications and do not need to follow the National Curriculum for elective home education.
Show How Education Is Full-Time and Suitable
There is no strict legal hourly definition for home education, but you should be able to explain what education is being provided and how it meets your child's needs.
Keeping Educational Records
There is no automatic general legal requirement to keep a particular set of home-education records. Notes, examples of work, and a brief summary of progress can still help if your local authority asks how education is being provided.
What You Are NOT Required to Do
The Deregistration Process
If you decide to proceed, these are the usual administrative steps for England. Check current guidance before acting.
Before You Begin
Deregistration can have practical consequences for exam arrangements and support services. Plan ahead before sending your notice.
A short pre-September checklist
If you are making arrangements before the new school term, use this as an administrative check. School term dates do not set the legal date for home education.
- Check whether your child is in a mainstream or special school and whether a School Attendance Order is in force.
- If an exception applies, contact the local authority before sending a deregistration notice.
- Choose a clear specified date in the notice; it can be planned around your family rather than assumed to be the first day of term.
- Prepare a simple first-fortnight outline, including learning priorities, resources, and any support or exam arrangements.
- Save a copy of the notice and evidence of when it was sent and received. Keep optional notes or examples of work if they will help you explain your provision.
Prepare a Written Deregistration Notice
Include your child's full name, date of birth, and a clear statement that, after a specified date, your child will stop attending and receive education otherwise than at school. Check the exceptions before sending it.
Send It to the School
Send by email, hand delivery, or post, and keep evidence of when it was sent and received.
After You Notify the School
Once the specified date has passed, and the conditions in regulation 9(1)(f) are met, the school must delete your child's name from the admission register unless a School Attendance Order is in place, and inform the local authority.
After deregistration
Many families want a simple way to keep examples of work, notes, and progress once home education begins. If that is your next step, these resources may help.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common legal and practical questions from parents considering deregistration
Does this guide apply across the whole UK?
Not fully. This page is mainly for England. Laws and processes differ in Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland, so check the guidance for your nation before acting.
Do I need permission to deregister?
For a mainstream school in England, you generally do not need the school's or council's permission to withdraw your child completely for home education. Council permission is needed if your child is attending under a School Attendance Order, and if your child has SEN and attends a special school. Permission is not needed for a mainstream school solely because your child has an EHC plan.
How much notice do I need to give?
Your written notice should state that your child will stop attending after a specified date and will receive education otherwise than at school. Under regulation 9(1)(f) of the School Attendance (Pupil Registration) (England) Regulations 2024, once that date has passed and the conditions are met, the school must delete the child's name from the admission register unless a School Attendance Order is in place. The notice should not imply that the register is removed before the specified date.
Can the school refuse my request?
For mainstream schools in England, schools generally cannot block a complete withdrawal for elective home education. Once a valid notice meets regulation 9(1)(f) and its specified date has passed, the regulations require the school to delete the child's name unless a School Attendance Order is in place. If the school disputes this, check the current official guidance and consider independent advice.
What about exams and GCSEs?
Home educated children can enter GCSEs or IGCSEs as private candidates. You will usually need to find an exam centre and pay entry fees, which vary by subject and centre.
Will the local authority inspect us?
The local authority can make an informal enquiry about whether suitable education is being provided. That is not the same as a compulsory home visit, and routine home education guidance does not give the council an automatic right to enter your home solely for monitoring. If you do not cooperate with reasonable enquiries, the council may escalate its enquiries and consider the School Attendance Order process.
What if my child has an EHCP?
In England, an EHC plan does not itself remove your right to home educate from a mainstream school, and council permission is not needed solely because your child has an EHC plan. If your child has SEN and attends a special school, you need the council's permission before educating them at home.
Can I deregister mid-year?
Home education does not have to follow school term dates. You can plan a change during the school year, but make sure your written notice names a clear specified date and that you have a practical education plan ready.
What if the school says I need to meet with them first?
A meeting can be useful, but you can usually notify in writing without attending a meeting first. Keep communication polite and in writing where possible.
What happens if I fail to provide suitable education?
If the local authority is not satisfied that suitable education is being provided, it can start the School Attendance Order process. Keeping optional notes or examples of work and responding constructively to enquiries can help you explain your provision, but the absence of a particular record by itself does not automatically mean education is unsuitable.
Do I legally have to keep home-education records?
There is no automatic general requirement to keep a particular log, portfolio, or report for elective home education in England. Keeping brief notes, examples of work, or a progress summary may be useful if the local authority asks how your child is receiving suitable education.
Do I need to follow the National Curriculum?
No. Home education in England does not require the National Curriculum, though your provision must still be efficient, full-time, and suitable under Section 7.
What if my child has special educational needs?
You can still home educate, but planning for support is important. If your child is in a special school placement arranged by the local authority, consent is usually required before deregistration.
Official Resources
Official guidance first, then independent organisations for peer support
Official Government Guidance
Community Support
Peer groups can help with practical questions, but always check legal points against official guidance:
- • Search for "Home Education [Your County]" to find local groups
- • "Home Education UK" - large national group with supportive community
- • "Homeschool UK Resources" - curriculum and resource recommendations
Before You Proceed
Deregistration is a significant legal and educational decision. Before acting, work through these practical checks:
- Can you explain your education approach in writing?
- Can you provide suitable education for your child's current needs?
- Have you reviewed nation-specific rules (England, Wales, Scotland, or Northern Ireland)?
- Have you checked current GOV.UK guidance and local authority information?
- Do you need independent legal advice before taking action?
This page and the letter tool are provided for administrative support only. Review the legal notice above before relying on this content.