Agenda item

To report on the current position regarding elective home schooling and unregistered schools.

Eveleen Riordan, Assistant Director for Schools and Learning, reported that there had been an increase in the number of children who were being home schooled.   There had been just under 350 in 2018 but this had dropped down slightly last year to 184.  Of these, 68 were girls and 116 were boys.  None of these were currently subject to a child protection plan.  There were a number of reasons why parents might choose to home educate and these might include religious or philosophical considerations, bullying, medical issues and to avoid exclusion.  Children with an Education and Health Care (EHC) plan were also able to be home schooled.  There was flexibility regarding what could be taught although there was an expectation that English and Maths would be included.   The Council provided an advisory teacher who provided advice and guidance to parents.  Visits were also undertaken to monitor the progress of children.  However, parents were not obliged to provide access.  Action could nevertheless be taken where it was determined that children were not being educated adequately.  In respect of unregistered schools, there had been one in the east of the borough but there were currently none. 

In answer to a question, Ms Riordan reported that numbers fluctuated but tended to increase towards the end of the school year.   It was acknowledged that the role that local authorities had could be challenging.  However, home schooling could deliver some good results.   One option that could be used was flexi-schooling, where children attended school for part of the week and were home schooled for the remainder.  This was subject to the discretion of head teachers.   Ms Graham reported that whilst home schooling could be rich and nurturing, there were also risks and there had been some cases where it had gone badly wrong.

Panel Members stated that there were unregistered schools in neighbouring boroughs and these could be accessed by Haringey children.  In particular, a recent report had shown there to be significant numbers of unregistered schools in Hackney.  Ms. Riordan reported that the Council was in contact with neighbouring boroughs and able to raise concerns with them.

In answer to a question, Ms Riordan reported that there were not the resources to support the development of networks amongst home schooling parents to share good practice.  However, they were aware of some networks that already existed and could signpost parents.  There had been an increase nationally in the number of home schooled children and she would investigate whether there was any further information or research to explain why this was happening and, in particular, whether there were any particular religious groups who were over represented.  However, the proportion within Haringey was broadly similar to other boroughs.  There was no evidence that schools were pressurising some children and young people to be home educated in order to remove them from schools rolls.  Such actions would be viewed seriously were they found to be occurring.

AGREED:

That the Assistant Director for Schools and Learning be requested to provide further information for the Panel on the reasons for home schooling and, in particular, if there were any particular patterns within the borough or religious groups that are over represented.