1. Purpose of this Policy
Parents have a right to educate their children outside the school system if they so wish. Elective Home Education is the term used to describe a parental decision to provide education for their children at home instead of sending them to school. This is different to home tuition provided by a local authority or education provided by a local authority other than at school (EOTAS – Education Other Than at School). Rotherham Council recognises and respects the rights of parents to electively home educate when this provides children with suitable education, promotes their well-being and where it supports them effectively into adulthood.
This Policy aims to set out Rotherham’s approach to Elective Home Education and the basis for this approach. Parents and Carers should be able to read the Policy and understand rights, roles and responsibilities in relation to Elective Home Education, alongside what they can expect from the Council. It should be clear to all partners the role they play in relation to children who are home educated, whilst maintaining regard for the legal framework that allows a parental decision to home educate their child(ren).
This Policy refers to children of compulsory school age. Although parents may elect to provide education at home to their child at any time, local authority statutory duty is relevant to compulsory school age children only.
