@mincepieeater
"Some people make a huge song and dance with the home ed officers. There is no need to at all."
Apologies that this is going off topic. However, I don't feel I can let this go without comment.
Some LAs are very heavy handed. Their policies do not comply with the law and the effect on home educators in their area can amount to harassment. For example, a number of LAs have been known to send officers knocking on people's doors demanding access to the family home and wanting to speak with children directly. Unfortunately, when complaints are brought to the Dept for Education, they decline to involve themselves in local matters. Likewise, the Local Government Ombudsman is pretty ineffective. The upshot is that LAs carry on behaving however they like.
The good news is that so long as parents actually are educating their children in a suitable way, there is nothing the LA can do. Parents can decline home visits and other intrusive demands, and simply supply a report instead. This would stand up in a court of law, should the LA choose to take the parents to court.
However, ultimately this relies on parents knowing the law or being connected with others who can point them toward the relevant legislation, helping them draft letters etc. The bad behaviour of some LAs is such an issue that a dedicated Facebook group has been set up to provide support to people who are having issues. It has 11,000 members. That says something about how widespread these issues are.
You've had a positive experience with your LA, for which I am glad, but please don't generalise. Many LAs are okay, and many are not.
Forewarned is forearmed.
@Jigglypuff2, perhaps you'd like to start a separate thread asking about the procedure after deregistration, so people can keep this one for reviews of online schools? I'm happy to answer your questions.