How to Start Homeschooling UK Guide by SEN Tutors

Are you considering homeschooling your child but don’t know where to start? You’re not alone! More and more SEN parents in the UK are turning to homeschooling for a variety of reasons. Whether it’s to provide a more personalised learning experience, address special educational needs (SEN), or simply because the traditional school system isn’t working for their child, homeschooling offers a flexible and tailored solution. 

In this guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about how to start homeschooling UK, including legal requirements, creating a homeschooling syllabus, and accessing resources to make this journey smoother for you and your child.

Homeschooling can be a rewarding experience for both parents and children, allowing you to craft a learning environment that caters specifically to your child’s needs. Whether you’re asking yourself, “how do I start homeschooling UK?” or “can I home school my child with SEN?”, you’ll find the answers and actionable steps here.

How Does Homeschooling in the UK Work?

Homeschooling, also known as home education, is when parents take full responsibility for their child’s education instead of sending them to a traditional school. If you’re exploring how to home educate UK, you’re likely wondering how it works. 

In the UK, homeschooling is completely legal as long as parents provide a full-time education that is suitable for the child’s age, ability, and any special needs they might have. This flexibility allows you to tailor the learning experience specifically to your child’s strengths and interests.

Parents are free to design their own curriculum or follow the British homeschool curriculum. So, whether your child thrives with a structured schedule or prefers a more flexible, interest-led approach, homeschooling allows you to create an educational plan that suits them best.

Alternatives to Homeschooling Before You Deregister Your Child

Before you make the decision to deregister your child from school and get into homeschooling, it’s worth considering a few alternatives, especially if your main concern is that your child isn’t keeping up with the pace in their current environment. Every child is different, and sometimes, a small adjustment can make a big difference. Here are a few alternatives to explore before committing fully to homeschooling:

1. Speak with the School

Sometimes, open communication with your child’s teachers can help resolve issues. If you feel like your child isn’t getting the support they need, have a conversation with their teacher or the school’s Special Educational Needs Coordinator (SENCO). Schools are often willing to adapt learning plans or provide additional support, whether through extra tutoring or more tailored lesson plans.

• Request a Meeting: You can discuss what adjustments might help, such as extra time for assignments, seating changes, or even a modified curriculum.
• Explore an Education Health Care Plan (EHCP): For children with SEN, an EHCP can outline their specific needs and the support the school must provide.

2. Consider a Learning Support Assistant

For children struggling to keep up academically, having extra help in the form of a Learning Support Assistant (LSA) or classroom aide might be a better fit than homeschooling. This is especially helpful for children with SEN, as it allows them to receive more individual attention while remaining in a school setting.

• One-on-One Support: LSAs provide tailored support during lessons, helping your child focus and stay on track without the need to leave the school environment.

3. Look Into Flexi-Schooling

Flexi-schooling allows your child to attend school part-time while being homeschooled for the remainder of the time. This hybrid approach might work well if you want the benefits of both homeschooling and traditional schooling. However, it’s important to note that the school must agree to this arrangement, and it’s not always available.

• Best of Both Worlds: Flexi-schooling can give you the opportunity to supplement your child’s education at home while still allowing them to experience social aspects of school life.

4. Private Tuition or Tutoring

If your child is falling behind but you’re not ready to commit to homeschooling full-time, private tutoring can be a great middle ground. SEN Tutors offers tailored one-on-one tutoring services for children with special needs, helping them catch up and excel in subjects they might be struggling with. This can be done alongside regular schooling, giving them the extra support they need.

• Supplementary Support: Tutors can help your child with specific subjects, boost their confidence, and provide personalised learning strategies without the need to fully leave school.

5. School Intervention Programs

Many schools offer intervention programs designed to help children who are struggling academically. These might include after-school clubs, small group work, or additional lessons in subjects where your child is behind.

• Targeted Help: These programs are designed to address gaps in learning and can be a valuable way to help your child catch up without needing to resort to homeschooling.

Consider Placing Your Child on the SEN Register

If your child has specific learning difficulties or special educational needs, you might want to explore adding them to the SEN register. The SEN register is a list maintained by schools of children who need extra support in their learning. Being on the SEN register ensures that your child receives the necessary interventions and tailored educational help they need to succeed without the need to transition to homeschooling.

• Individualised Support: Once on the SEN register, your child can benefit from targeted support, including specialised teaching methods, modified resources, or additional time during exams. Schools can implement an SEN plan to accommodate your child’s unique learning style and challenges.
• Access to Resources: Children on the SEN register often gain access to various educational tools and resources that are designed to meet their specific needs, helping them progress within the school system without the need for homeschooling.

By registering your child on the SEN register, you may find that their needs are met in a traditional school environment, removing the necessity to take on homeschooling.

How to Start Homeschooling UK: A Step-by-Step Guide

Starting your homeschooling journey can feel overwhelming, but by breaking it down into steps, you can make the process more manageable. Understanding how to start homeschooling UK involves getting familiar with legal obligations, choosing a curriculum, and ensuring you have the right resources in place.

1. Understand the Legal Requirements

Before we get into how to start homeschooling UK guidelines, it’s important to understand the legal requirements in the UK. The law states that parents must ensure their child receives a suitable education, but what that looks like is up to you.

If your child is already attending school, the first step is to notify the headteacher in writing that you intend to homeschool. This is called deregistration, and the school must remove your child from their register. If you’re thinking, “Can I temporarily deregister my child from school?”, the answer is yes—parents can choose to homeschool temporarily, but re-enrolling your child later will depend on the school’s policies and availability.

Unlike traditional schooling, there’s no need to follow the National Curriculum. You have the freedom to create a homeschooling syllabus UK that aligns with your child’s needs and interests. This is one of the biggest benefits of homeschooling—flexibility!

2. Create a Homeschooling Curriculum

One of the most exciting parts of homeschooling is that you get to design your own curriculum. You don’t have to stick to the British homeschool curriculum unless you want to. Instead, you can build a plan that works best for your child. A key part of understanding how to start homeschooling UK is knowing how to structure lessons that are engaging and effective.

Here are some options:

• Structured Learning: This follows a similar format to school but is done at home. You can incorporate subjects like maths, science, and English while also exploring other topics of interest.
• Interest-Led Learning: Some families opt for a more relaxed approach, allowing the child’s interests to guide their education. This is perfect for children who thrive when they’re exploring topics that excite them.
• Mix-and-Match: You might prefer to blend the structured British homeschool curriculum with interest-led learning to keep things flexible but focused.

If you’re homeschooling a child with SEN, you’ll need to adapt the home education curriculum to suit their specific needs. Tailored learning plans are essential for helping them succeed.

3. Gather Homeschooling Resources UK

Getting the right resources is key to effective homeschooling. Luckily, there are plenty of homeschooling resources UK to support you, whether you prefer physical textbooks or online materials.

Here’s a breakdown of what you’ll need:

• Textbooks and Workbooks: These are still a great way to cover core subjects like English and maths. You can find a range of educational resources online or in stores like WHSmith.
• Online Resources: Many families are opting for schooling online because it offers flexibility. Websites like BBC Bitesize provide free lessons on a variety of subjects.
• Homeschooling Groups: If you’re looking for community and additional support, there are local and online homeschooling groups where you can share resources and advice.

For parents of children with SEN, specific home schooling resources UK may be needed to accommodate learning difficulties or disabilities. SEN Tutors can help guide you through finding the best materials for your child.

4. Set Up a Learning Environment

Now that you have the legal requirements and curriculum sorted, it’s time to think about where and how your child will learn. Whether you’re setting up a dedicated room for schoolwork or using your kitchen table, having a consistent learning space can help keep things organised and minimise distractions.

Remember, homeschooling doesn’t mean you need to replicate a traditional classroom at home. The goal is to create an environment where your child feels comfortable and motivated to learn. This is especially important if your child has special needs, as a calm and supportive environment can make all the difference in their progress.

5. Flexibility and Routine: Finding the Balance

Homeschooling allows for immense flexibility, but having some structure in place is equally important. Some parents prefer to set specific learning times, while others prefer a more fluid approach, letting the child’s interests guide the day’s lessons. The key to successful homeschooling is finding a routine that works for you and your child.

If your child is following the British homeschool curriculum, you may want to incorporate set hours for core subjects. Alternatively, if you’re working with SEN Tutors with SEN homeschooling sessions, a more tailored approach might involve regular breaks or hands-on learning activities to keep your child engaged.

Why Homeschooling SEN Children Can Be Beneficial

Children with Special Educational Needs (SEN) often struggle in traditional school settings. Large classrooms and rigid timetables may not suit their individual learning styles. If you’re wondering, “how do I start homeschooling UK with a child who has SEN?”, the process is much the same as with any child, but with additional support and resources.

At SEN Tutors, we specialise in creating individualised education plans for children with a variety of learning needs, including ADHD, autism, and learning disabilities like dyslexia. Our Hertfordshire SEN Tutors in London UK Area are experts in providing the one-on-one attention your child may need to succeed.

Homeschooling children with SEN allows you to:

• Create a calm, distraction-free environment
• Offer a curriculum tailored specifically to their needs
• Give them the time and space to learn at their own pace

For families considering homeschooling, this tailored approach can be the key to unlocking a child’s full potential.

Financial Help: Are There Homeschooling Grants UK?

For parents homeschooling children with special needs, the cost of additional resources, tutoring, or specialist equipment can add up. Thankfully, there are homeschooling grants UK that can help. Grants are often available for families with children who have SEN or those using Education Other Than at School (EOTAS) packages.

Some grants can help cover the costs of tutoring, online courses, or even special learning tools. If you’re homeschooling a child with SEN, check with local authorities or look into grants for homeschooling special needs UK to see what financial support is available.

Frequently Asked Questions on How to Start Homeschooling UK (FAQs)

How do I start homeschooling UK?

Start by notifying your child’s school (if they’re enrolled), choose a curriculum, gather your resources, and create a learning environment at home.

Can I homeschool my child with special needs?

Yes, you can homeschool your child with special needs. In fact, homeschooling offers more flexibility to tailor lessons and the learning environment to your child’s unique requirements.

How to homeschool UK and prepare for exams?

If you’re preparing your child for GCSEs or A-levels, you can follow a more structured homeschooling syllabus UK based on the British curriculum. There are plenty of resources available to guide you through the exam preparation process.

Conclusion: Starting Your Homeschooling Journey

Homeschooling can be a rewarding and flexible alternative to traditional schooling, especially if your child has SEN or other specific needs. By understanding how to start homeschooling UK, you can create a tailored education plan that works for your family. From creating a personalised curriculum to finding the right resources, homeschooling offers the chance to focus on what matters most—helping your child reach their full potential.

If you need additional support or guidance, contact SEN Tutors today! Whether you’re following the British homeschool curriculum or developing your own home education curriculum, our team of experts is ready to provide the assistance you need.