For any family, deciding to withdraw your child from school is a significant step. There may be multiple reasons for doing so — some include a need for greater flexibility, the desire to deliver more tailored education, or wellbeing concerns.
Whatever the reason, it’s crucial to understand the legal steps and pathways before making a final decision.
Can I take my child out of school? Your current legal entitlements
At the time of writing (October 2025), parents in England have a legal right to educate their child at home instead of sending them to school if they wish to, though this applies only to a full-time education. If you wish to engage your child in flexischooling and attend school part-time, this request may be refused.
The local authority will be informed and won’t reject your request unless your child attends a special school due to special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), and has an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP). In that instance, you’ll need the council’s approval before deregistering. If your child has an EHCP but attends a mainstream school, you don’t need the council’s approval.
Why do parents consider withdrawing their child from school?
Every child is different, and not all thrive in traditional classrooms. Many families start researching how to withdraw your child from school because current provisions aren’t meeting their child’s needs.
Common reasons may include:
- Welfare concerns in school (for example, bullying that isn’t being addressed)
- Mental health needs
- The need for a more flexible daily schedule
- SEN support not being adequately delivered
- Parents wanting more control over what and how their child learns
Since 2020, online learning has grown rapidly, offering a middle ground between home education and formal schooling. According to government figures, more than 111,700 pupils were registered as home‑educated in 2024 and many now learn partly or entirely online. If you’d like to learn more about this topic, you can read our blog on the rise of and statistics on online learning.
Upcoming homeschooling legislation
At the time of writing the upcoming Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill is currently being considered. The new law will bring wide‑ranging reforms to support families, modernise schools, and strengthen safeguarding for young people. These measures will introduce important changes for home‑educating families.
Some of the proposals include:
- Mandatory registration for all home‑educated children, with parents required to provide information on the methods, time commitment, and location of learning.
- Requiring local authorities to provide consent before a parent can withdraw a child from school.
- Allowing councils to conduct home visits and, if a parent refuses, giving grounds for legal action.
- Permitting local authorities to assess the suitability of education; if found lacking, requiring the child to return to formal schooling and taking legal action in extreme cases.
These reforms aim to ensure every child receives a safe and suitable education. Families should follow updates closely on GOV.UK and the Department for Education’s Education Hub.
While some parents welcome the stronger safeguarding measures, others worry about the increased administrative pressure and loss of flexibility. While it has not been passed yet, it is something to keep in mind.
What are the current legal requirements for withdrawing your child from school?
Section 7 of the Education Act 1996 states that every child must receive an education that is “efficient, full‑time and suitable”. However, there’s no set definition of what “full‑time” or “suitable” entails, giving families the flexibility to design a learning programme that works best for them.
Withdrawing your child from school for permanent home education (also known as elective home education (EHE)) is currently fully lawful once you inform the school in writing. The law recognises that parents have the right to participate in all educational decisions relating to their child, and therefore local authorities currently cannot refuse a properly notified deregistration request.
What do I do if I want to withdraw my child from school?
If you’re wondering “How do I withdraw my child from school?”, the process is, at the moment, straightforward but needs to be handled carefully:
- Write to the headteacher to confirm your decision to home educate. There’s no official form or government approval needed for mainstream schools.
- Once the headteacher has your written notice, they must remove your child from the school register and inform the local authority of the withdrawal.
- If your child attends a special school and has an EHCP, you’ll need written consent from the council before deregistration is confirmed. Contact your local council for guidance on how to obtain this consent.
- Keep copies of all correspondence (letters, emails, replies) for your records. These may be useful if the council later asks for information about your educational plans.
- After deregistering, you may be asked for a brief outline of your educational approach. You can respond informally, mentioning subjects, materials, or online resources you intend to use.
From this point, parents are responsible for all aspects of their child’s education, including preparation for future exams.
Common misconceptions about withdrawing your child from school
There are several myths surrounding the process of withdrawing your child from school. Here’s what parents should know:
Myth #1 – You need government approval
Currently, parents don’t need government approval unless their child is in a special school with an EHCP. In future, registration may become mandatory, but home education will remain legal.
Myth #2 – There’s a fixed curriculum you must follow
When home‑educating, there’s no set national curriculum requirement. Parents can choose materials, delivery methods, and pacing to suit their child’s needs.
Myth #3 – Home‑educated children can’t take exams
They can, often through private exam centres or online learning providers. Families remain responsible for registration and costs though, so be sure to plan ahead as exams can cost over £100 per paper.
Myth #4 – Home‑educated children miss out socially
Online communities, co‑ops, and extracurricular clubs mean children can still meet peers, collaborate, and build friendships.
Myth #5 – Returning to school isn’t possible
Re‑enrolment is allowed whenever it suits the family, subject to local availability of school places.
Understanding the rules for taking your child out of school
Even with upcoming legislative changes, the current rules for taking your child out of school remain the same: write to your child’s headteacher confirming your intention to home‑educate. There’s no waiting period, and learning can begin as soon as deregistration is processed.
Education should start quickly after withdrawal. Unexplained breaks can prompt follow‑ups from the local authority, which has a duty to ensure every child receives suitable learning. While parents aren’t required to follow the national curriculum, they should be able to show that the home education is regular and well‑organised.
Online learning such as TLC LIVE’s Online School can make it easier for parents to manage home education and to show clear structure and progress to the council. As the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill moves forward, consistent record‑keeping will become even more important.
Final thoughts
There’s plenty to think about before you withdraw your child from school, and this guide is a useful starting point. Take time to research, stay updated on legislation, and explore all your options.
With the upcoming legislation, there may be big changes to home education, so it’s important to stay up to date on these laws if this is a route you’re discussing at home.
If you’d like to learn more about how online school can support home education, contact TLC LIVE today to discuss your options.
By Ryan Lockett, Headteacher of TLC LIVE’s Online School