Home education

As a parent, you must make sure your child gets full-time education from the age of five. Most parents send their child to school, but you do have the right to educate your child at home. The options you have are:

• to teach your child yourself
• use distance learning
• use a private tutor
• an independent school or college or
• a combination of all of these.

If you decide to educate your child at home you must send a letter to:

• your child's school
• our Attendance Service - contact details are below.

In your letter please confirm you:

• are withdrawing your child from school
• intend to home educate.

Once your letter has been received your child will be taken off the school roll.

We will then contact you to arrange a convenient time to visit you and your child at home. The purpose of the visit is to offer support and advice. The first visit should be within two months of receipt of your letter. We will then visit once a year.

We do not provide any financial assistance but are able to provide advice.

If you have any queries on this service, please contact the Attendance Service on 01753 787670 or you can email attendance@slough.gov.uk.

Letters to inform us of your intention to educate your child at home should be sent to:

Jeannette Walker
Attendance Team Manager
Slough Borough Council
St Martin's Place
51 Bath Road
Slough
SL1 3UF

Useful home education resources

Ace Education
Provides advice and information on education issues

Education Otherwise
Provides information and resources for home educating families

Exams Together
Provides information about exams

Home Education Advisory Service
Provides advice and practical support for families home educating.