When does deregistration take effect?

From the date your written request is received by the school, not from when they acknowledge it. Once you send your letter, your child is no longer counted as absent from school. You can begin home educating immediately. Ask the school for written confirmation.

What if my child has an EHCP or attends a special school?

It depends on the school type. **EHCP at a mainstream school:** No — you can deregister directly; the LA's agreement is not needed. **Special school or EHCP naming a special school:** Yes — you need your local authority's written agreement first. Contact your LA's SEND team and explain your intention to home educate. They will assess whether suitable provision can be made at home. Do not send a deregistration letter to the school without LA agreement in this case.

What if my child is at a private or independent school?

Different rules apply. Private schools often have notice periods or contractual terms in their admissions contract. Check your school's policy or contact them directly. You may also need to notify your local authority, though the Regulations 2006 apply mainly to state schools. Ask your school about their process.

Do I have to tell the local authority myself?

No. The school is legally obliged to notify your local authority when your child is removed from roll for home education (usually within 10 school days). Your LA will record your child on the Children Not in School register. You do not need to contact them unless they contact you.

What happens after the school notifies the LA?

Your local authority will record your child as part of the children not in school provisions (being introduced by the Children's Wellbeing and Schools Act 2026). The LA may make an enquiry to check your child is receiving suitable education, but they have no power to inspect without permission. It is important to respond promptly if they contact you — failure to respond can be treated as evidence education is not suitable. Simply keep records of your child's learning.

Can I use Education Otherwise's template letter instead of writing my own?

Yes. Education Otherwise, the UK's national home education charity, provides standard deregistration letter templates. These are tried and tested, and schools recognise them. You can find them on their website (educationotherwise.org/resources) or write your own using the template in this guide.

What if I change my mind after deregistering?

You can re-enrol your child in school at any time. Contact the school and ask about availability. Spaces are usually available during the school year, though some schools may have waiting lists. You don't need permission — just contact the school directly.

The law5 min read

How to deregister your child from school for home education

Q: Can the school refuse my deregistration request?

At a mainstream school, no. Schools must remove your child from the admission register when you formally request home education under Regulation 8(1)(d) of the Education (Pupil Registration) (England) Regulations 2006. They cannot refuse. At a special school or if your child has an EHCP, the rules differ — check with your local authority first.

By the Home Ed Stars team · Last reviewed 13 June 2026

This guide is general information for home educators in England, not legal advice. Home education law can change and your circumstances may differ — always check the current rules on gov.uk and contact your local authority for advice on your situation.

Check your situation

Check your situation before you act.

Deregistration is straightforward at a mainstream state school. But if any of these apply, contact your LA first — do not send the deregistration letter without agreement:

Your child attends a special school or has an EHCP naming a special school
Your child is under a School Attendance Order
Your child is subject to a child-protection investigation or plan (or was within ~5 years)
Your child attends a private school (check the admissions contract)

Exception: EHCP at a mainstream school — you do NOT need LA agreement. Use the normal process.

The legal right to deregister

In England, you have the legal right to educate your child at home. Under Regulation 8(1)(d) of the Education (Pupil Registration) (England) Regulations 2006, schools must remove your child from the admission register when you write saying your child is receiving education elsewhere.

At a mainstream school, it's a duty schools can't refuse. Deregistration takes effect from the date they receive your letter — not when they reply. Your child's then no longer on roll and home education can start.

The three-step deregistration process

Step 1: Write to the head teacher
Write a letter requesting removal from the admission register. Include your child's full name, date of birth, year group, and a clear statement like: "I request that [child's name] be removed from the admission register, effective from the date of this letter." You can reference Regulation 8(1)(d). Send by email (timestamped) or registered post. See the template below.
Deregistration takes effect from the date they receive it — you can start home education straight away (unless you need LA agreement first; see edge cases).
Step 2: The school notifies the local authority
The school must remove your child from the register (from the date received), notify the LA (usually within 10 school days), and give you written confirmation. You can start home education immediately.
Step 3: The local authority records your child
Your LA will record your child in the children not in school register and may enquire whether your child is receiving suitable education. The LA can't inspect without permission, but you must reply promptly if they contact you — not replying can be treated as evidence education is not suitable. Keep simple records: work samples, learning notes, photos. "Suitable education" means it fits your child's age, ability, and needs — it doesn't have to follow the National Curriculum.

Ready to write the letter? We've got a template below. But first, check the edge cases — especially if your child has an EHCP or is under a child-protection plan.

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Deregistration letter template

STOP — Read this first. This template is for mainstream state schools in England only. Do NOT use this letter if:

Your child attends a special school or has an EHCP naming a special school — you must obtain LA agreement in writing first
Your child is under a School Attendance Order
Your child is subject to a child-protection investigation or plan (or was within the last ~5 years) — contact your LA first
Your child attends a private school — check the admissions contract first

If any of these apply, see the relevant edge case section below before sending any letter.

Use this template to write a clear letter to your school. You can adapt it to your situation.

Deregistration letter template

[Your name]
[Your address]
[Email address]
[Phone number]
[Date]

[Head Teacher's name]
[School name]
[School address]

Request for Removal from the School Admission Register

Dear [Head Teacher's name],

I am writing to formally request that [child's full name], date of birth [DD/MM/YYYY], currently in [year group], be removed from the school admission register, effective from the date of this letter.

As from [date, or 'immediately'], I shall be taking responsibility for [child's name]'s education and providing full-time education otherwise than at school, in accordance with Regulation 8(1)(d) of the Education (Pupil Registration) (England) Regulations 2006.

I request written confirmation of the removal date. Please confirm that this removal has been notified to [Local Authority name].

Thank you for your attention to this matter.

Yours sincerely,

[Your signature]
[Your typed name]

Good to know: you don't have to give a reason for home educating — the school can't require one — so it's deliberately left out of the letter. Once you've sent it, keep a copy of your letter and the school's written confirmation for your records.

Alternative: Education Otherwise has standard deregistration letter templates on their website.

Timeline: Send the letter (your date) → Deregistration takes effect (date received) → School notifies LA (within ~10 school days) → LA records your child (within weeks). Deregistration is immediate — only send when you're ready to provide full-time education.

Edge cases: special situations

Check your situation

My child has an EHCP (Education, Health and Care Plan).

EHCP at a mainstream school: You do NOT need LA agreement. Use the normal process.

EHCP naming a special school (or child attends a special school): You DO need LA's written agreement first. Contact your LA's SEND team, explain your intention to home educate, and obtain written agreement before sending the deregistration letter. Many LAs agree if provision is suitable. Do not send the letter without agreement.

Check your situation

My child is under a School Attendance Order or a child-protection plan.

School Attendance Order: A legal direction from the LA requiring your child to attend a specific school. You cannot deregister without LA permission. Contact your LA and ask — it's rare but worth pursuing.

Child-protection investigation or plan (or within ~5 years): Contact your LA's children's services or safeguarding team immediately before sending any deregistration letter. Explain your intention and obtain written agreement. Most LAs will agree if you can meet your child's needs.

Check your situation

My child is at a private or independent school.

Different rules apply. Private schools often require notice periods and may charge fees mid-term. Check your admissions contract and ask the school about withdrawal and LA notification.

After deregistration

Keep simple records of your child's learning — work samples, notes, activity photos — and reply promptly if your local authority contacts you about your provision. The LA may ask questions to check your child is receiving suitable education (age-appropriate, adapted to their needs). You don't need to follow the National Curriculum or provide a written lesson plan, but showing your records and explaining your approach will satisfy their enquiry.

Connect with other home educators through local groups or Education Otherwise for practical support, advice, and social opportunities.

The legal right to deregister

The three-step deregistration process

Step 1: Write to the head teacher

Step 2: The school notifies the local authority

Step 3: The local authority records your child

Deregistration letter template

Edge cases: special situations

After deregistration

Sources