Home education

Some families make the carefully considered decision to home educate long before their child reaches compulsory school age. Other families send their children to school but later decide they would prefer like to educate them from home.

When you choose to educate your child at home, it is called 'elective home education'. Only those with parental responsibility can make this decision but it can be very useful to talk to other families with experience of home education.

The commitment to home educate is long-term. It can be financially and personally demanding and also very rewarding. Some parents use their own tutors or classes provided through home education groups.

Finding information

There are several home education websites that may be helpful to you:

• Education Otherwise
• Home Education Advisory Service (HEAS)
• Educational Freedom
• Home Education UK
• Ed Yourself home education consultancy
• Essex Home Education group

Totals of children receiving home education in Thurrock are provided below.