The UK School Deregistration Guide & Letter Template

How to legally remove your child from a mainstream school to start home education or online schooling, including a free deregistration letter template.

Education Content Reviewed by Viktorija (Level 3 SEN Consultant) | Updated for 2026
Quick Answer: Is it legal to deregister my child from school in the UK?

Yes, it is entirely legal. Under Section 7 of the Education Act 1996, parents have the right to provide Elective Home Education (EHE). You simply need to send a formal deregistration letter to the headteacher. Under Regulation 8(1)(d), the school then has a legal duty to remove your child from the register. You do not need the school's permission unless your child attends a Special School.

If you have made the decision to transition your child to a premium online school or begin home schooling, your first administrative step is to formally remove them from their current physical school. You cannot simply stop sending them, as this will result in unauthorised absences and trigger involvement from education welfare officers.

Fortunately, if your child attends a mainstream school in England or Wales, the deregistration process is a straightforward legal right. Online schooling is fully legal in the UK, and the power to make this change lies entirely with you.

The Legal Framework: Regulation 8(1)(d)

The rules governing how a child is removed from a school register are dictated by the Education (Pupil Registration) (England) Regulations 2006.

The Law on Deregistration

Under Regulation 8(1)(d), the headteacher must delete a pupil’s name from the admissions register if they receive written notification from the parent that the pupil is receiving education otherwise than at school.

Once the headteacher receives your formal written notice, they have a statutory duty to remove your child's name and inform the Local Authority. They cannot delay this process, demand a meeting first, or refuse your request.

How to Deregister: The Step-by-Step Process

Step 1: Secure Your Alternative Provision First

Before sending your deregistration letter, it is highly recommended to have your child's next educational step secured. You can use our free UK online school matching service to find accredited, affordable online schools tailored to your child's needs (budget, SEN, flexibility). Having this in place prevents any gap in their education.

Step 2: Write the Deregistration Letter

The notification must be in writing (a formal letter or an email directly to the headteacher). It must clearly state that you are withdrawing your child to take responsibility for their education under Elective Home Education (EHE). You do not legally need to name the online school you are moving to, though you can if you wish.

Step 3: Submit the Notice

Send the email or hand-deliver the letter to the school office (requesting a receipt). We highly recommend keeping a copy for your own records, along with proof of postage or a read-receipt if sent digitally.

Step 4: The School Informs the Local Authority

Upon receipt of your letter, the school will remove your child from the register from the date you specified. The school is legally required to inform the Local Authority that your child has been deregistered for EHE. You do not need to contact the Local Authority yourself to initiate this.

The Free Deregistration Letter Template

To make this transition as stress-free as possible, we have provided a legally sound template below. Simply copy this text, fill in your child's details, and send it to the headteacher.

Copy & Paste Template

To: [Headteacher's Name]
School: [Name of School]
Date: [Today's Date]

Re: Deregistration of [Child's Full Name], [Date of Birth], [Year Group]

Dear [Headteacher's Name],

I am writing to formally notify you that I am withdrawing my child, [Child's Full Name], from [Name of School] in order to take full responsibility for their education under Elective Home Education (EHE).

Please remove [Child's Name]’s name from the admissions register with effect from [Date you want them to finish, e.g., today's date or the end of the current term], in accordance with Regulation 8(1)(d) of the Education (Pupil Registration) (England) Regulations 2006.

As you will be aware, upon receipt of this written notification, the school has a statutory duty to delete [Child's Name] from the register and notify the Local Authority. Please could you confirm in writing once this has been completed.

Thank you for your assistance and for the support the school has provided during [Child's Name]’s time with you.

Yours sincerely,

[Your Signature]
[Your Printed Name]
[Your Address/Contact Details]

Children with an EHCP or in Special Schools

If your child has an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) or attends an online school for SEN, the rules change depending on the type of school they currently attend.

Crucial Differences for EHCPs

  • Mainstream School with an EHCP: You can use the standard deregistration process above. You do not need permission to leave. However, the Local Authority remains legally responsible for maintaining the EHCP and will still conduct annual reviews.
  • Special School with an EHCP: You cannot simply deregister your child. Under Regulation 8(2), you must obtain the formal consent of your Local Authority to have your child's name removed from a Special School register. You will need to prove that the online school or home education provision you are planning is suitable to meet the needs outlined in Section F of their EHCP.

What Happens Next?

A few weeks after you deregister, the Local Authority's Elective Home Education (EHE) team will likely contact you. This is a routine informal enquiry to ensure your child is safe and receiving a suitable education.

If you have used our matching service to transition into a premium online school, this step is incredibly simple. You will simply provide the Local Authority with your child's online school timetable, curriculum, and proof of enrolment, which immediately satisfies their legal requirements. You can read our Advice Hub & FAQs for more details on interacting with Local Authorities.

Find the perfect online school before you deregister.

Take the stress out of home education. Answer a few simple questions, and our experts will match your child with accredited UK online schools that fit your exact budget and academic needs.

Start Your Free School Match

Official UK Government References

For your own verification, please consult the primary legislative sources below:

Legal Disclaimer: online-schools.co.uk provides this information for educational and advisory purposes. We are an independent matching service, not a law firm. While we ensure this content reflects current UK law, legislation is subject to change. If your child has an EHCP or attends a special school, we strongly advise consulting directly with your Local Authority or an educational solicitor before attempting to deregister.