Home education in England:

What Parents Need to Know in 2025

A clear, simple guide for families exploring their options.

Elective Home Education (EHE) is legal in England.

Parents are responsible for providing an education that is “efficient, full-time and suitable” to the child’s age, ability and aptitude. There’s no required curriculum or testing, but Local Authorities (LAs) can make enquiries and may ask for evidence that a suitable education is taking place.

Is schooling from home legal in England?

Yes. Parents have the right to educate at home. If a child is on a school roll, you must write to the headteacher to deregister (except for special schools, where LA consent is needed). LAs can seek information to satisfy themselves that education is suitable and may issue a school attendance order if they’re not satisfied. Recent guidance updates (Aug 19, 2024) clarify LA powers around attendance and data.

What are the steps?

1
If currently enrolled, send a deregistration letter to the school (special schools require LA consent).
2
Keep a basic education plan: aims, subjects, timetable or approach (not mandatory, but helpful for LA enquiries).
3
Maintain evidence of progress (e.g., samples of work, reading lists, reports).
4
Respond politely to LA enquiries and offer evidence in writing, a meeting, or a home visit (your choice).
5
Optional: arrange exams privately (e.g., GCSEs via exam centres).
In England, bina supports your legal duty to provide a “suitable” education by delivering structured teaching, progress tracking, and regular reports you can share with your LA. You keep full parental control; we handle day-to-day teaching and documentation aligned to UK expectations.
That’s where
helps

What is bina and how is it different?

bina is a global, accredited online school for children ages 4–12.

We offer live, interactive, small-group learning that brings the energy and connection of a great classroom into your home.

Small, live classes with caring teachers

Classes are capped at 7 students, so teachers know your child’s name, learning style, and interests. You stay as involved as you want to be while we handle the teaching and structure.

A curriculum that fits your child

Your child learns at a pace that works for them, with space to explore their interests and the support they need to thrive. Our accredited programme is internationally recognised, giving you peace of mind that they’re learning what matters.

Friendships and belonging

Children make genuine friends with classmates from around the world. In small groups, they build confidence, practise social skills, and feel part of a real community — all from the safety of home.

You stay in the know

You’ll get weekly updates on what your child is learning and quarterly progress reports. A dedicated family success manager works with you to make sure everything fits your goals as a parent.
For legal purposes, families in England are considered to be home educating under Elective Home Education (EHE). The Local Authority (your council’s education service) may ask about your provision, but with bina your child has teachers, classmates, and a clear curriculum — you’re not left teaching alone.

What parents say

"bina has helped us navigate SEL in a fun way and develop her independence and confidence!"

Lorena Marden

"My grandson is a hands on and visual learner. Where we live there are no real learning programs geared towards different learning styles. bina has been a blessing for Aydin and our family. The worry and stress have eased tremendously."

Diedre Shakir

“Lily’s love for learning and creativity really gets to shine at bina. As her parents, we are inspired knowing her weekly goals and progress as discussed with us by her teachers and support team.”

Rae Bram

“We spent all of 2023 traveling through all 7 continents. We tried homeschooling, world schooling and even unschooling. Finding bina helped us to bridge the gap we were missing with the other education options we tried.”

Sarah Schmirl

"bina has helped us navigate SEL in a fun way and develop her independence and confidence!"

Lorena Marden

"My grandson is a hands on and visual learner. Where we live there are no real learning programs geared towards different learning styles. bina has been a blessing for Aydin and our family. The worry and stress have eased tremendously."

Diedre Shakir

“Lily’s love for learning and creativity really gets to shine at bina. As her parents, we are inspired knowing her weekly goals and progress as discussed with us by her teachers and support team.”

Rae Bram

“We spent all of 2023 traveling through all 7 continents. We tried homeschooling, world schooling and even unschooling. Finding bina helped us to bridge the gap we were missing with the other education options we tried.”

Sarah Schmirl

Find out if bina is right for you

1
Book a free consultation to see how bina can fit your family’s goals, schedule, and lifestyle.
2
Join a bina adventure with your child and walk away with tailored growth insights — no strings attached.
We’re happy to answer your questions and help you figure out what’s possible for your family.
Whether you’re ready to make a change or just gathering information, we’re here to help.

The questions we hear most from parents like you.

Do I have to register with the Local Authority (LA)?

No, there’s no national register, but your LA may contact you. Provide enough information to show a “suitable” education.

Will bina keep my child in step with UK standards?

Yes. bina’s small-group, live classes follow an accredited curriculum that keeps your child on track academically and often ahead.

Can my child sit GCSEs later?

Yes. Home-educated students sit as private candidates at local exam centres.

Can my child still make friends if we homeschool?

Yes. Our small, interactive classes help kids build real connections with classmates from around the world.

How much of my time will this take as a parent?

We handle the teaching, curriculum, and daily structure. You support your child, but you are not expected to be their teacher.

What does a typical day with bina look like?

Most days include a mix of live classes, movement breaks, hands-on activities, and time to connect with peers. Classes are short and focused to match young kids’ attention spans, with plenty of breaks built in so children stay energized throughout the day.

What if we decide to return to traditional school later?

No problem. bina’s accredited curriculum keeps your child aligned with academic standards, making transitions easy.