Elective Home Education (EHE)

Educating your child at home

Some parents chose to educate their children at home, for a variety of reasons. This Local Authority (LA) supports the right of parents to educate their children at home.

What should you do if you want to educate your child at home?

If your child is attending school, you should inform the headteacher of your child's school, in writing. The headteacher should then inform the LA.

If your child has never attended school, you need no permission to do so but you may choose to inform the LA of your intention.

What are parents' responsibilities?

“The parent of every child of compulsory school age shall cause him/her to receive efficient full-time education suitable,

(a) to his/her age, ability and aptitude, and
(b) to any special educational needs he/she may have,

Either by regular attendance at school or otherwise”

(Section 7, 1996 Education Act).

In legal terms, an education is ‘efficient’ if it achieves what it sets out to achieve and ‘suitable’ if the education prepares the child for life in modern society and enables the child to achieve his full potential.

What are the LAs responsibilities?

The LA needs to satisfy itself that children receive suitable educational provision. In order to do so, the officer with responsibility for home education will make contact with the family in order to discuss their plans and to offer support and guidance.

Contact

Inclusion Team (EAL/GT/EHE)
Ty Dysgu Dowlais
Market Street
Dowlais
Merthyr Tydfil
CF48 3HW

Telephone: 01685 725000
E-mail: merthyrhomeed@merthyr.gov.uk