Do I still need to deregister if at private school?

[charly2830]

Hi

DD goes to private school. Looking to send her to state school but may need to home ed until she gets a place. Do I still need to ‘deregister’ if she’s not in state school or is she technically classed as being out of the school system already?

Thanks!

Good question…

I think you’d have to check the individual school’s enrolment policies (they should publish all their policy on their website) and check if there is a notice period or something like that.

Once you’ve done that I imagine you’d have to send a standard letter stating you’ll be removing your child and educating elsewhere/otherwise. But I don’t know there are specific guidelines like there are for mainstream schools.
good luck!

This link looks helpful

https://www.theneuron.ai/write/communication/letter-withdrawal-private-school

It makes sense to notify the school because they are also legally bound to report her leaving to the local authority as part of safeguarding procedures. Otherwise, she's a child missing from education/absent from education.

It also means that the local authority clock starts ticking earlier/it becomes more pressing for them to find her a place, rather than you saying she's EHE, which means the LA could (and they are almost all hugely understaffed) make finding her a place a lower priority compared to children who are out of education - a poor LA could say you're EHE, there's no need to hurry.

And in reality, you're not EHE, you're removing her from one school system and want to place her into another - state.

I have given the school notice that we wish to remove her in September as we have to give a term’s notice. But I don’t think they know that I could be home schooling her if we don’t get offered a place.

LOL. No it does not!

Yes, you do, but only if you are actually going to home educate rather than just transferring to state school.

Tell the LA that you want a place for your child. While you are waiting for a place, you are not classed as home educating. Your child is having a temporary break from education while awaiting a placement.

This changes if the LA offers a place at a school which you are unwilling to take up. Then you can certainly turn it down while waiting in hopes that your child will get a place at your preferred school(s) instead. However, the LA is not obliged to offer anything else, and you will have to home educate your child from this point on.

In practice, it will probably feel the same to you. A responsible parent will provide their child with an education whether or not it is technically their legal obligation to do so. But when you aren't electively home educating, you don't have to provide any info to the LA or face the prospect of prosecution if they think you aren't getting it right.

Thank you, that is all really helpful.