Home education

You have a right to home educate your child.

Home education is when a child is not educated in a school.

Home education is the official term for this type of education in the home. We use this rather than 'home schooling' or 'teaching at home'.

If you choose to home educate your child, you’re responsible for:

making sure your child gets an education
your child’s learning and progress
any costs or qualifications your child wants to take

Your child’s home education should be suitable for their age and ability. Find out what a ‘suitable education’ means on gov.scot.

Your child also has the right to:

be involved in decisions about their education
have their views heard

You are encouraged to work with the local council in the best interests of your child.

Find out more about the roles and responsibilities of parents and local councils on gov.scot.

Withdrawing your child from school

You must get consent to remove your child if they go to a school run by the local council.

The council may ask to see your home education plans. They may refuse to let your child leave school if they think your child will not get a suitable education.

Find more information about withdrawing your child from school on gov.scot.

If your child does not go to a school run by the local council

You do not need consent to remove your child from school if they:

have never been to a school run by the local council
do not go to a school run by the council in your local area
go to an independent school

If your child is not of school age yet

You do not need permission to remove your child from school if your child has not been enrolled in school yet.

Other exceptions

You do not need permission to remove your child from school if:

they have finished primary school but not yet started high school
your child’s school has closed

If your child needs extra support

If you home educate your child, your local council is no longer legally required to provide extra support.

Your council does not have to carry out any requests. But some councils may do so at their discretion.

Find out more about home education and additional support needs on Enquire.

If you have more questions

You can find out more about home education by:

reading the full guidance on home education at gov.scot
contacting the home education policy team on homeeducation@gov.scot

Independent support

You can get support and advice from independent networks like:

Local councils

Find out more about home education from your local council

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