Help with school please!

[CMP98]

I’m hoping for some advice from anyone who’s been through this, as I’m really not good with confrontation.
I’ve made the difficult decision that I’m going to home educate both of my boys, but I have no idea how to approach the meeting with the school or what I should say.
My youngest is 6 and has really struggled in school. For around five months he was only attending from 9am until 10am because the school said they couldn’t safely manage him due to him trying to leave the school grounds. His hours have gradually increased to 11:30am, but he’s still only on a part-time timetable. Both of my boys have ADHD and autism and both struggle with school.
I’ve been asking for EHCP assessments for years, but nothing seems to happen. Now I’m being told they’ll start the process in September, but after waiting so long I just feel like I’ve lost confidence that things are ever going to improve. The situation has also affected me, as I’ve had to change my university plans because I need to collect my youngest so early every day.
I genuinely feel that home education is the best option for our family, but I’m really anxious about telling the school. I’m not a naturally confident person, and I hate confrontation. My mum will be coming with me for support, but I’m worried I’ll freeze and won’t know what to say.
For anyone who’s been through this, how did you tell the school? What should I expect them to ask, and is there anything I should or shouldn’t say? Any advice or experiences would be really appreciated.
School

You don’t need to attend a meeting, just send an email- look up HEFA on FB for a template. Send it after you collect the children for the last time and then you don’t have to deal with them at all.

Yeah don’t bother with the meeting. If they haven’t met his needs by now, there’s no point in meeting?
Send in the de-reg letter and breathe a massive sigh of relief. I guarantee you’ll feel a stone lighter once it’s sent!

Thankyou so much, it’s caused so much stress on me, I’m so worried about what they’re going to say as every time I fetch him they’re on about what they’re putting in place in September and it makes me so nervous to even say anything.

I third just sending a letter rather than having a meeting.

Just so you are aware, you can request an EHCNA yourself now. You don’t need the school to do it. On their website, IPSEA has a model letter you can use.

The school is currently unlawfully, informally suspending DS. If you change your mind about EHE, DS can attend full-time if you want him to unless the school formally suspends.

And if you didn’t want to EHE, if DS cannot attend school, the LA has a duty to ensure he still receives a suitable full-time education.

Late to this thread - have they / will they finish the school year before you start home ed? If so, you might prefer to delay sending the deregistration letter until the first day of school in the autumn.

That buys you a little more time to settle in to home education before the Local Authority gets in touch wanting some information about the home education you are providing. Most LAs are quite quick off the mark these days.

Once you have sent the deregistration letter to the school and you are sure they've received it, you don't have to have ANYTHING more to do with the school. They will tell the LA that you have deregistered. When it comes to the LA, it is advisable to respond to their enquiries (they may eventually take legal action against you if you ignore them altogether) but you can keep them at arm's length.

It is perfectly fine - and indeed recommended for legal reasons - to tell the LA that you wish to keep everything in writing. Education Otherwise and HEFA both have information on their websites about how to write a report for the LA when information is requested. Once you have satisfied them, you'll only need to provide an update annually.

A new law has been passed recently which will change how you interact with the LA, but details will take some time to iron out. If you come here or to another national home ed forum you will be able to learn about the new rules once they have been decided. I believe the earliest we can expect anything new to come into force would be summer 2027. Home educators will then be discussing the best way for individual families to proceed.

Thankyou all so much for your help, he’s my boys will be finishing the school year off and then I will be pulling them. They will not return to school after summer which is the 3rd of September.