Guides · the UK
Homeschool guides for the UK
New to the jargon? Start with the homeschool glossary. Plain-English guides that cite official sources and show when they were last checked. They're general information, not legal advice — always confirm current requirements with the official authority.
State and territory guides
Getting started
- How to start home education in the UK: a step-by-step guideStarting home education in England, Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland: deregistering from school, Scottish consent, never-enrolled children, first steps.
- Is home education right for our family? Questions to ask before you decideThinking about home education in the UK? Weigh the reasons, benefits and challenges, what the law asks, key questions and how returning to school works.
- Home education vs school in the UK: a fair comparisonA balanced look at home education and school in the UK: the law, learning, social life, cost, oversight, exams as a private candidate and university entry.
- How much does home education cost in the UK?What home education really costs in the UK: no general public funding, exam fees as a private candidate, everyday spending and free resources to try first.
- Home education methods explained: Charlotte Mason, classical, Montessori, unschooling and moreHome education approaches compared for UK families: structured, classical, Charlotte Mason, Montessori, unit studies, unschooling and eclectic.
- How to choose a home education curriculum in the UKHow to choose home education resources in the UK: start with your child, pick a solid maths and reading programme, flex the rest, and try before you buy.
- Home education schedule examples for every age (UK)Sample home education schedules for UK Years 1–13: daily timetables by age, weekly rhythms and tips for teaching several children at once.
- Home educating while working: how UK families make it workHow to home educate while working full-time or part-time in the UK: teaching windows, independent learning, getting help and planning the week.
Support and next steps
- Home education tutoring in the UK: when it helps and how to chooseWhen UK home educators benefit from a tutor, how to choose one, DBS, PVG and AccessNI checks, online vs in person, and exam prep for private candidates.
- Finding home education groups and co-ops in the UKHow UK home-educating families find local groups, co-ops and classes, which national organisations can help, and how to run a co-op safely.
- Home education and socialisation: how home-educated children make friends in the UKWorried about home education and socialisation? How UK home-educated children make friends, build social skills and spend time with other children.
- Home educating a child with SEND, ALN or ASN in the UKHome educating a child with additional needs in the UK: EHCPs in England, ALN and IDPs in Wales, ASN in Scotland, SEN in NI, and where to get help.
- Home educating the secondary years in the UK: GCSEs, A-levels and universityHome educating teens in the UK: GCSEs, IGCSEs and A-levels as a private candidate, finding an exam centre, college at 14–16 and applying to university.