You don’t need permission to deregister your child from school but knowing exactly what to say can feel much less clear.
If you’ve found yourself hesitating over wording, second-guessing the process, or wondering if you’re about to do something incorrectly, you’re not alone.
This guide walks you through the process step by step, in plain English, so you can move forward calmly and confidently.
Can you legally deregister your child?
In England and Wales, parents have a legal duty to ensure their child receives a suitable education.
This is set out in Section 7 of the Education Act 1996.
That education does not have to take place at school.
If your child is on roll at a school, you can withdraw them in order to provide education otherwise than at school (home education).
In most cases, this is done by writing to the school to notify them.
It’s important to understand:
- This is a notification, not a request
- You do not need permission
- You are not required to give reasons
How to deregister your child (step-by-step)
1. Write your deregistration letter
You’ll need to inform the school in writing that you are withdrawing your child from roll in order to home educate.
The wording matters less than people often think—but clarity and tone do matter.
2. Send it to the school
You can send your letter:
- By email (request a read receipt if possible), or
- By post (recorded delivery is best)
Keep a copy of what you send.
3. Keep records
Save:
- Your letter
- Any replies
- Confirmation of removal from roll
This is mostly for your own peace of mind, but it can be useful later.
4. Wait for confirmation
Most schools will confirm in writing that your child has been removed from roll.
This usually happens within a few days, though it can take up to a couple of weeks.
If you don’t hear anything, it’s reasonable to follow up.
What should you actually write?
This is where many parents get stuck.
There are free templates online, but they often leave you wondering:
- Am I saying too much?
- Am I saying something I shouldn’t?
- Is this actually correct?
In reality, a deregistration letter can be very simple. It needs to:
- Clearly state that you are withdrawing your child
- Reference your intention to provide education otherwise than at school
- Include key details (child’s name, date, school)
If you’d rather not piece this together yourself, I’ve put together a ready-to-use version here:
What happens after you send the letter?
In most cases, the process is straightforward.
The school will:
- Acknowledge your letter
- Remove your child from roll
- Confirm this in writing
Some schools may:
- Offer a meeting
- Ask for reasons
- Suggest you reconsider
You are not required to:
- Attend a meeting
- Provide reasons
- Justify your decision
A simple, polite repetition of your position is enough.
Will the local authority contact you?
Not always, however, the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill may change this — please see note on the changing law below.
After deregistration, your local authority may get in touch to:
- Ask about your educational provision
- Offer support
- Request information
This is a normal part of their role.
It doesn’t mean you’ve done anything wrong.
Do you have to respond?
You are required to provide a suitable education.
You are not required to:
- Follow the national curriculum
- Replicate school at home
- Provide detailed reports on demand
Many parents choose to respond in a simple, cooperative way — but the level of detail is up to you.
Do you need to provide proof of education?
Not automatically.
There is no requirement to produce ongoing reports unless concerns arise.
That said, many families find it helpful to have something prepared — so that if they are asked, they can respond clearly and confidently.
This doesn’t need to be complicated.
A short written overview of:
- your approach
- what your child is learning
- how learning happens
is usually enough.
If you want a clear structure (and an example of what this can look like in practice), you can download our template here.
A note on more complex situations
If your child:
- Has an EHCP
- Attends a special school
- Is subject to safeguarding involvement
the process can be different.
In these cases, it’s sensible to seek specific legal advice before proceeding.
An important note on the changing law
The Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill has now completed its passage through both Houses of Parliament and is in the final back-and-forth stage between Commons and Lords as of April 2026, with Royal Assent expected shortly. When passed, it will introduce compulsory registration of home-educated children with local authorities, and some families — those classed as “relevant children” — will need local authority consent before deregistering from school. However, the practical details (what information you’ll need to provide, how visits will work, timelines) won’t be confirmed until secondary legislation and statutory guidance are consulted on and published after Royal Assent. The earliest these measures are likely to come into force is late 2026. Check current guidance at edyourself.org for the most up-to-date picture.
Final thoughts
You don’t need to have everything figured out before you begin.
You don’t need a perfect plan.
You just need to take the first step clearly.
For most families, that step is simply sending the letter.
Ps. Deregistering is a huge step; it’s also the first step on your family’s home-ed journey. Kitchen Table School is here to help figure out the day-to-day practicalities, how to balance the feeling of home and school, and share experience-based ideas for actually teaching your child without feeling like a classroom teacher. Click through to the homepage to start.
