What is Home Education?
Home education, also known as elective home education (EHE), means choosing to educate your child outside of a formal school setting. Under Section 7 of the Education Act 1996, parents are legally responsible for ensuring their child receives a full-time education suitable to their age, ability and any special educational needs.
This education doesn’t need to follow the National Curriculum. Parents can design a programme using tutors, online courses, libraries, learning centres or home-based resources. What matters is that the provision is efficient, suitable and safe.
Why Families Choose Home Education
Families opt for home education for many reasons. These can include:
-
Anxiety, trauma or mental health needs linked to school
-
Autism, ADHD, dyslexia or other neurodivergent profiles
-
Unmet special educational needs in mainstream settings
-
Bullying, sensory overwhelm or rigid school routines
-
Religious, cultural or philosophical beliefs
-
A desire for a more flexible, child-led or holistic curriculum
-
Temporary absence from school due to illness or family circumstances
At The Reading Doctor, we support many home-educating families who want to rebuild confidence, reduce pressure and support their child’s learning at a pace that works for them.
Respecting the Child’s Voice
We believe that children learn best when they feel heard and involved.
That’s why we include learners in decisions about their reading journey, at a level appropriate to their age and ability. We see home education as a partnership between families, learners and professionals. Our goal is to listen, guide and adapt.
Accessing Support
You can:
-
Self-fund Reading Doctor tuition
-
Request us as part of your EOTAS or EHCP provision
-
Receive regular progress reports, timetables and risk assessments to support LA communication
Whether you’re new to home education or refining your child’s literacy support, we’re here to help.
"Our mission is to unlock the potential in struggling readers by removing barriers and building learning pathways. Our goal is to enable our pupils to read for pleasure and to learn effectively."
- Deborah Salsbury, Founder -
What People Say