Freedom for Children to Grow

The responsibility of parents in England and Wales is clearly established in section 7 of the Education Act 1996 (previously section 36 of the Education Act 1944):

7. 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.

What is a Suitable Education?

1. to prepare the children for life in modern civilised society, and
2. to enable them to achieve their full potential.

"education is ‘suitable’ if it primarily equips a child for life within the community of which he is a member, rather than the way of life in the country as a whole, as long as it does not foreclose the child’s options in later years to adopt some other form of life if he wishes to do so."

Provided the child is not a registered pupil at a school, the parent is not required to provide any particular type of education, and is under no obligation to:

• have premises equipped to any particular standard
• have any specific qualifications
• cover the same syllabus as any school
• adopt the National Curriculum
• make detailed plans in advance
• observe school hours, days or terms
• have a fixed timetable
• give formal lessons
• reproduce school type peer group socialisation
• match school, age-specific standards
• seek permission to educate 'otherwise'
• take the initiative in informing the local authority
• have regular contact with the local authority