DfE response to Children’s Commissioner on home education

Responding to the Children’s Commissioner Anne Longfields report on home education:

A Department for Education spokesperson said:

“Unofficial exclusions are illegal regardless of whether they are done with the agreement of parents or carers and regardless of the age of the pupil. Where a pupil is asked to leave the school, the formal exclusions process set out in the school exclusion guidance must be followed.

“Where children are being home educated, we know that in the vast majority of cases parents are doing an excellent job. We also know, however, that in a very small minority of cases children are not receiving the standard of education they should be, which is why last year we ran a call for evidence on proposals to introduce a register, as well monitoring of provision and support for home educators. We will respond to that in due course.”