we're officially starting in Sept

[Thinking2014]

After giving this some thought, we've decided it will be best to give the dereg letter in in September just because we don't want to have to deal with LAs or EWOs over the summer holidays and when we go away we would worry they'll write to us and take our silence as a refusal to acknowledge them! Don't want to come home to find an SAO on our doorstep!

It'll give us more time to de school too

Good plan :)

Thanks ommmward I know its kind of "...and then?" But I just wanted to share :)

We're listening

Why do you think you will have a lot of contact with the LA and EWO ,when we de registered I had one phone call from the LAs home ed chap ,agreed a date to meet him and haven't heard from them since the meeting . Good luck with it anyway.

Congratulations on making the decision! Must be a relief not to have to consider it anymore!

Floralnomad well I don't know what to expect tbh, apparently each council varies and mine has hardly any info & from what I've read its not advised to call them and tell them your intentions either!

Saracen thanks, we actually need to get a 7 seater today...if we have no luck we have to accept the holiday is on hold for a bit longer...so once again my plans may change!! But one thing is for sure, we are HEdding!

Thank you for being so supportive everyone, its really nice knowing I can come here for help :)

I'm doing the same, HE from September. Would really love my DD to join us but she's worried about missing her friends (have explained they can still come over -they only live down the road literally!) My DS can't wait so I'm hoping she'll want to join us as we start 'practising' during the Summer Holidays lol Just having the when to send the letter in debate with myself too and figured the first term of date should be good enough?

Have fun! x

I need some advice if possible:
We plan to return from holiday around 14th of September so if I send the de reg into school in August (before we leave for hols) and state in the letter I'm unable to respond to any queries until 14th (upon my return) will this be ok or will the school not inform the LA of that info?

I just don't want LA thinking I'm ignoring them in case the write or turn up/call within the first 2 weeks of September...

The school may or may not pass on that info. If you are really concerned about it, you could simply cc the dereg letter to the LA so they know you will be away.

Saracen good idea...although I was trying to avoid telling them myself, because this way they'll be aware of my plans from August rather than September....could I request the school pass it on in the de reg letter?

Depends how efficient you think the school's administration is!!

I see! I guess I'll just request it and maybe say I'm keeping a copy of the letter for my records... If I sent it now no one is in the school to receive it are they? So I couldn't send the letter "signed for"?

Actually I've got an idea, I think I can give one of the mums at the school the letter to hand in when they go back on Sep. 2nd. I'll ask her later if she doesn't mind (and won't lose it before then!) Because this would sort out a lot, then the authorities will just have to wait for our return because I've stated I'm away in the letter so already covered myself as far as I'm concerned. I hope...!? :)

Hmm, can you not post it yourself from wherever you'll be?

Because if she forgets to hand it in, you'll technically be in breach of the law and could get a truancy fine for two weeks of unauthorised absence.

Definitely agree with Saracen, don't give it to anyone else to hand in.
I don't understand why it matters that the school/LA will know before september. I know you will be on holiday but you can put that in the letter and inform/check LA have been informed when you return.
It is unlikely they will be in touch straight away and all dc are on holiday now anyway. So all you need t do start of September is begin to deschool which could take you to half term easily.

Thanks, you're right, best to just post it before we leave saying we won't be back until x date. How does the postman deliver letters to the school if its shut though? They have a gate & buzzer system that (last time I looked) didn't work! And there's only builders there (works on new buildings)...

not your problem as long as you send it "signed for" :-)

But if there's no one to sign for it after a few attempts doesn't it come back to the sender? That would be disastrous for me tbh lol

It's really not a major big deal. I'd take the letter in now, and stop worrying about it. It really will take the LA a few weeks to get in touch (it could easily take the school 2 weeks to inform the LA, for starters), and when they do it should be in writing. If you happen to be away when their letter arrives, then you just get in touch when you are back and say "sorry for the delayed response; we've been away". If they write to say "we are coming to visit tomorrow" and you're away, it's no problem. When you get back you write to them and say "sorry for the delayed response; we've been away. In accordance with the EHE 2007 guidelines for LAs, we prefer to keep all contact in writing. We'll be settling in to home education over the next few months; please do feel free to contact us in writing after October half term to make enquiries about the style of education we are offering little Timmy".

We were going to drop the letter in on the first day of term, then we just decided to do it on the last day of term but we didn't even make it that far and handed it in a few weeks short, in our second week of home ed now. We just got an information pack from the council.

I guess you're right, I'm worrying for nothing, I'll just post it 2nd class and deal with any response when I get back!

Sorry should have said ommward that the school closed a week ago otherwise I would have handed it in.