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What Is Elective Home Education?

Definition of EHE

In the UK, Elective Home Education (EHE) refers to a parent's decision to educate their child at home rather than sending them to school full-time.

Elective Home Education is:

  • A voluntary choice made by parents to provide education at home.
  • Distinct from education provided by local authorities for children who cannot attend school due to illness or other reasons
  • Governed by Section 7 of the Education Act 1996, which requires that children receive a full-time education suitable to their age, ability, aptitude, and any special educational needs

Key points

  • Parents are not required to follow the national curriculum, but they must ensure the education is full-time and suitable
  • Parents assume full responsibility, including costs such as exam fees
  • Schools must not pressure parents into EHE—this is considered off-rolling, which is unacceptable
  • Flexi-school is not the same as Elective Home Education as the child remains on roll at their school. Here is further information that will explain what Flexi-schooling is.

Role of the local authority

  • Local authorities will make informal inquiries to assess the suitability of the education being provided
  • If the education is deemed unsuitable, the child may be classified as Children Missing Education (CME)
  • Support from local authorities is discretionary, especially for children with special educational needs.