Before taking the plunge what do we need to know about the bureaucratic process?

[oolaroola]

Thanks in advance for any info/advice.

We are thinking of taking DS out of year 2 and starting a part time forest school for home educated children. DS would initially attend the setting for 2 days a week and be home educated for the remaining time.
I've seen the thread on de registering but was wondering if after that we would be under any obligation to provide evidence of Ds's education or if we would be visited by the LEA or Ofsted?

You need to find out whether the forest school you are planning to set up would be classed as a school and what the regulations are concerning that. Some organisations have the word "school" in their name but would not be classed as a school by the government: "Tiny Tots School of Dance" for example. I can't help you there, but perhaps someone will come along soon who can point you to the regulations. If not here, try posting on the Education board. I should imagine that this will depend on such matters as how many hours per day/week/year it is open, whether parents accompany their children, and how many children attend in total - do you have a rough vision about that? Would it be private or are you hoping to get funding to run it as a state free school?

If the forest school counts as a school and your child is a pupil there, then your child will be flexischooled rather than home educated. It might look and feel like "part-time home education" but legally it is different.

In fact, I find it totally bizarre legally, though it does make a strange sort of sense. In common with all other parents in the country, you are responsible for your child's education in the first instance. If you choose to use school (state or private), you are delegating the responsibility for his education to the school. If you enter into a flexischooling arrangement with the school, then the school delegates part of the responsibility for his education back to you. You become answerable to them and they can theoretically dictate to you about the details of how he is educated during the times he is not at school.

Ah ok, I will ask the forest school what their status is.
At the moment you have to pay for your child's attendance which is 2 days per week. But this may change in September as I think they are working on securing funding other than the collected fees.
The days may also increase to 3 in September although I think you can choose for your child to attend for anything between 1 and 3 but I also need to check this.
Thanks for responding.

Oh, it's an existing forest school is it? I misunderstood your post - I thought you were going to set it up yourself. I should think that the people who run it will be able to give you all the details you need.

Hope it works out for you!

Thanks Saracen.
I gave him the day off today as he was so resistant to going and we've had an awesome day, so if that's any measure then it's looking good.
Yes, the Forest School is not run by us! Although its a good idea and a lovely thing to do.
We've been looking at frog spawn today and searching for otter tracks.
Fab.

oolaroola

I can't help but wanted to say how fun your day sounds.
I bet your ds really enjoyed himself
Good luck yo you.

Thanks very much more than