Elective Home Education

Parents are legally responsible for ensuring a full-time, suitable education. This can be at school or home. Elective home education can be a rewarding and positive experience. Teaching your child at home can be fun and can help them learn in their own way.

Before you choose to teach your child at home, think about:

the time you need to spend teaching
the money it might cost

If you are unhappy with your child’s school, contact them in the first instance to discuss any issues.

Support for families with Elective Home Education

Our team can help you with questions about teaching at home. You can email or call us and leave a message. We will get back to you as soon as we can.

Contact us

phone: 01273 336 888
email: Teaching and Learning Provision

When you leave a message, please say:

your name
your telephone number
why you are calling

How to Choose Elective Home Education

You need to write to the head teacher saying:

you are taking your child out of school
you will be taking full responsibility for their education.

Include the date this will start and your signature.

The school will inform us so that we can offer advice and support.

The Elective Home Education service also offers monthly drop-ins at three locations across East Sussex. These are for people who are considering home education or need advice. You do not have to give your name or details when attending a drop-in.

You may choose to share the information about your full-time home education provision:

at a home visit from your Elective Home Education (EHE) Advice and Support officer
through a telephone report with your Elective Home Education Advice and Support officer
by sending a report.

We will also offer a home visit if we feel you would benefit from extra support.

If your child is at a special school and you are considering elective home education, talk to the school. Your child must stay on the school roll until the local authority can discuss it with you and make a decision.

Further information about elective home education if your child has an Education, Health and Care Plan can be found on the East Sussex Local Offer.

EHCP: Elective Home Education | East Sussex Local Offer

If your child has special educational needs, contact Amaze SENDIASS for advice.

If you already home-educate, or your child is not going to primary school:

We have made a guide called:

Elective Home Education Parent Pack [1.2 MB] [docx] (MS Word download)

This is for home-educating families and provides advice and guidance.

Ask us if you would like help with:

teaching ideas
special educational needs
what to do after age 16
signposting for support
going back to school

(Contact details are above.)

If your child has special educational needs, contact Amaze SENDIASS for advice.