Parent Advice & Official FAQs

Generally, no. If your child attends a standard state or independent mainstream school, you do not need the headteacher's or the Local Authority's permission to remove them. You simply need to write a letter to the headteacher stating you are withdrawing them to be educated at home (Elective Home Education).

Exception: If your child attends a designated Special School under an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP), you must obtain the consent of your Local Authority before their name can be removed from the school register.

Yes, but it is standard procedure. Under Section 436A of the Education Act 1996, Local Authorities have a statutory duty to make informal enquiries to ensure children are receiving a suitable education.

When the council contacts you, simply provide them with proof of your child's enrollment in your chosen online school, alongside a copy of their curriculum and timetable. Because top UK online schools offer robust academic frameworks, this easily satisfies the Local Authority's requirements.

Yes, under a new specific framework. Historically, online schools could not be inspected by Ofsted because they lack a physical premises. However, the Department for Education (DfE) recently launched the Online Education Accreditation Scheme (OEAS).

Under this scheme, Ofsted acts as the quality assurance body, inspecting providers on the quality of education, safeguarding, and leadership. When we match you with an online school, we prioritize providers who are accredited, or actively seeking accreditation, under this rigorous new framework.

Very easily. This is the most common concern for parents, but premium online schools are highly social environments. They offer virtual common rooms, interactive group projects, and extensive extracurricular clubs (from coding and debating to chess and art).

Furthermore, many UK online schools organize regular physical meet-ups, field trips, and residential camps across the country. Families also frequently supplement online learning by joining local Elective Home Education (EHE) sports clubs and social groups in their local area.

Absolutely. High-quality online schools teach the standard UK curriculum (often international iGCSEs which are globally recognized). When it is time for exams, your child will sit their physical papers as a "Private Candidate."

You or the online school will register them at an approved local examination centre in the UK (such as Tutors & Exams). They will sit the exact same exams, under the exact same conditions, as students in traditional brick-and-mortar schools.

No. Top online schools use a "blended" approach. A quality curriculum ensures that live, screen-based lessons are broken up with independent offline study, reading, and physical project work.

For instance, a science lesson might involve a live virtual introduction, followed by an offline practical experiment completed in your kitchen, before returning to the screen to upload results. The timetable is specifically designed to prevent digital fatigue.

In certain circumstances, yes. If your child has an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) and your Local Authority agrees that a mainstream school cannot meet their needs, they may agree to an "Education Otherwise Than At School" (EOTAS) package.

If EOTAS is written into Section F of the EHCP, the Local Authority can use a Personal Budget to fund or part-fund an online school placement. However, this is a complex legal process that must be negotiated directly with your Local Authority's SEN team.

Yes, at any time. Elective Home Education is not a permanent, irreversible decision. If your family circumstances change, or your child decides they want to return to a physical school, you simply apply for a school place through your Local Authority's standard admissions process.

Because your child will have been following the British Curriculum (Key Stage 3, GCSEs, etc.) via their online school, transitioning back into a mainstream academic environment is usually academically seamless.

Typically, no. When parents choose Elective Home Education outside of an EOTAS agreement, they assume full financial responsibility for their child's education. This includes tuition fees, equipment, and examination entry fees.

Legally, no. Practically, yes. Under UK law, both fall under the umbrella of Elective Home Education (EHE). However, traditional "homeschooling" means the parent acts as the primary teacher, sourcing all materials and creating lesson plans.

"Online schooling" means you are outsourcing the education to professional, qualified teachers via a digital platform. The school provides the timetables, live lessons, marking, and pastoral support, while the parent simply facilitates a quiet learning environment at home.