Is Online Schooling Legal in the UK?
A clear, calm guide for parents. Yes — it is completely legal. Here’s exactly what the law says and what you need to do.
If you are thinking about moving your child to an online school, one of the first questions that usually comes up is: “Is this actually legal?”
The short answer is yes. It is fully legal in England and Wales, and thousands of families already educate their children this way every year.
The law is actually very clear once you understand one important point: education is compulsory, but going to a physical school is not.
1. What the law actually says
Your legal duty as a parent is set out in the Education Act 1996.
Section 7 of the Education Act 1996
“The parent of every child of compulsory school age shall cause him to receive efficient full-time education suitable—
(a) to his age, ability and aptitude, and
(b) to any special educational needs he may have,
either by regular attendance at school or otherwise.”
Those two words — “or otherwise” — are the legal foundation for home education and online schooling in the UK. When your child learns through an accredited online school, you are still meeting your legal duty.
2. How online schooling fits into Elective Home Education (EHE)
In legal terms, full-time online schooling is treated as a form of Elective Home Education (EHE).
Because most online schools do not have a traditional physical site, they are not registered in the same way as brick-and-mortar independent schools. This means the legal responsibility for making sure the education is suitable stays with you as the parent.
In practice, when you use a good online school, they provide the teachers, the timetable, the curriculum (including GCSEs and A-Levels), the marking and the reports. This makes it much easier to show that your child is receiving a proper full-time education.
3. How to deregister your child properly
If your child is currently on the roll of a school, you must formally deregister them. Simply stopping attendance is not enough and can cause problems.
The correct process is set out in the Education (Pupil Registration) (England) Regulations. You can also read our detailed step-by-step guide here: How to deregister from school.
If your child is in a mainstream school:
- Write to the headteacher (letter or email is fine).
- Clearly state that you are withdrawing your child to educate them at home under Elective Home Education.
- Give the date the withdrawal takes effect.
The school cannot refuse. Once they receive your written notice they must remove your child’s name from the register and inform the Local Authority.
Important note for children with an EHCP or in a special school
If your child attends a special school, or is placed in a school under an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP), you usually need the Local Authority’s agreement before the school can remove them from the register. If your child is in a mainstream school with an EHCP, you can still deregister, but the Local Authority remains responsible for the plan. You can read more in our SEN online school guide.
4. What happens with the Local Authority
After you deregister, the Local Authority has a duty to check that your child is receiving a suitable education. This is normal safeguarding and nothing to worry about.
When they get in touch, families using a reputable online school usually just provide:
- Proof of enrolment
- The school’s timetable and curriculum overview
- Recent reports or attendance records
Most Local Authorities are already familiar with the main UK online schools, so this process is usually straightforward.
5. Government standards for online schools
Online schools are not inspected by Ofsted in the same way as physical schools. However, the Department for Education has introduced the Online Education Accreditation Scheme (OEAS).
Schools that take part are assessed against clear standards for the quality of education, safeguarding and leadership. When we help families through our free matching service, we prioritise schools that meet these higher standards.
A quick reassurance: Moving to an online school does not mean you are doing anything unusual or risky. You are using a legal route that thousands of families already follow, and you remain fully in control of the process.
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Start Your Free AssessmentOfficial UK Government Sources
This guide is based on current legislation and statutory guidance. You can check the primary sources yourself here:
- Education Act 1996 – Section 7
- Education (Pupil Registration) (England) Regulations 2006
- DfE Elective Home Education guidance
- Online Education Accreditation Scheme (OEAS)
Disclaimer: This page is for general information only. online-schools.co.uk is an independent matching service and is not a law firm. If your situation involves complex legal issues (for example court orders or a complicated EHCP), we recommend speaking directly to your Local Authority or an education solicitor before deregistering.
Parents tell us comparing schools and costs is overwhelming. We do that research for you and recommend the best fit.
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Online school legal FAQs
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