Home education

Every child has a right to an education, and it is the duty of the parent of every school age child to provide that education, either by sending the child to school, or by other means. Home education is a key aspect of parental choice, and is an equally valid choice alongside the option to send a child to school.

Each individual enquiry about home education, request to withdraw a child from school, or contact between a local authority and a home educating family will be dealt with fairly, consistently, timeously and accurately as possible.

The Scottish Government has further information available on its website which you can find at https://www.mygov.scot/home-education

http://www.homeeducationscotland.org.uk/

Home Education Scotland offers information and support to all families in Scotland who have chosen, or are contemplating, home education. Home Education Scotland also works to ensure that professionals working with children and families have access to information, training and research regarding home education.

The Scottish Home Education Forum was first established as an online peer support network in 1999 in recognition of the fact that Scots education legislation differs from the law that applies in the other constituent nations of the UK. In recent years it has expanded its scope to provide advocacy, training and consultancy services, as well as researching issues that affect the elective home educating community. The Forum is coordinated by its original co-founder Alison Preuss, who home educated her own three children, and is managed by a steering group of experienced volunteers. Although our focus is firmly on Scotland, we still retain strong links with home education networks across the UK and internationally.

ABCeducationgroup@hotmail.com

Ayrshire's Beyond the Classroom Education Group is a local organisation for children and families who home educate. They organise regular get-togethers, outings and events and provide their children with educational experiences and also support.

https://www.parentclub.scot/articles/home-education

Some young people aged 16 and over are eligible for the Education Maintenance Allowance. You can find out more about eligibility and how to apply here: Education maintenance allowance

We're supporting the Scottish Government's commitment to increasing the number and range of places where free sanitary products are available. You can find out more on wee-white-bag.

Should you wish to discuss or request withdrawing your child from a South Ayrshire school, please contact:

Laurence Brown, Ian Leishman or Julieann Millar,

Email: homeeducation@south-ayrshire.gov.uk,

View the national guidance for parents and local authorities.