ASCL is concerned by the rapid increase in elective home education (EHE) post-pandemic. The Department for Education publishes aggregate data on EHE from local authorities. LAs reported an estimated 80,900 children in home education on the  Autumn 2022 census day and 86,200 in Spring 2023. 

ASCL therefore welcomes greater clarity through the revised guidance.

Making the decision to home educate is not an easy one for parents, and ASCL welcomes the way the guidance lays out the significant implications for parents as educators. School leaders can signpost families to the guidance when they are considering home educating their child.

ASCL recognises this guidance has been updated for greater clarity; however we would like to see a single set of transparent guidance for both parents and LAs, rather than two separate versions.

Full response to consultation