How to Deregister Your Child from School (England & Wales) — Step-by-Step

ByKitchen Table School

To deregister a child from school in England or Wales, parents write a letter to the headteacher stating they are withdrawing their child to provide education otherwise than at school. No permission is required, no reasons need to be given, and the school cannot refuse. Once the letter is received, the school must remove the child from roll and notify the local authority.

In April 2026 The Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Act became law (although the details are not yet finalised). The law now requires that parents whose children are subject to child protection enquiry, section 47 action, or currently attend a Special Education School obtain permission from the relevant local authority before deregistering their child. Read more about The Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Act here.

In this post

Reflects the law in England and Wales as of June 2026. What the 2026 Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Act changes →

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, and the definition does not change with The Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Act. The definition of education, according to law, is: an education suitable to their age, ability, and aptitude.

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

Nb. It is important to note that the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Act introduces a mandatory register for Children Not in School (CNIS). The practical application of this register has not yet been finalised, howver once statutory regulations are defined, parents will be required to register within 15 days. You can read more about the legal changes to home education from the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Act here.

One exception to be aware of. The Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Act 2026 introduces a new requirement for a small group of families — those whose children are classified as “relevant children” — to obtain local authority consent before deregistering, rather than simply notifying. If your child has been subject to a child protection enquiry or section 47 action, see the section on complex situations below before sending your letter. For most families this exception does not apply, and the process described here is unchanged.

Do I need permission from the school?

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 so you can move forward calmly and confidently.

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. There’s a free template here, with a completed example to work from.

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 I write in the letter?

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 (includes additional letter template for children with EHCP)

What happens after I send it?

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 me?

Will the local authority contact you?

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.

Under the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Act 2026, a compulsory registration scheme for home-educated children is being introduced. This is expected to come into force in late 2026 or early 2027, once secondary legislation has been published. At that point, local authority contact becomes a routine part of home educating rather than something that may or may not happen. [More on what the Act does and doesn’t change here.]

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. Nb. It’s unclear yet what reports will be required following the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Act,

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.

Relevant children — what the new law adds.

The Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Act 2026 introduces a consent requirement for one specific group: children classified as “relevant children.” This applies to children who have been subject to a child protection enquiry or a section 47 action. If this applies to your family, you will need local authority consent before deregistering, rather than simply notifying the school.

The mechanics — how you ask, how long the LA has to respond, the grounds they can refuse on — will be set out in secondary legislation, which is not yet finalised. The earliest any of this comes into force is late 2026. Until then, the existing notification process continues to apply.
If you think your family falls into this category, check the current guidance at edyourself.org before sending any letter, and consider seeking advice.

How the law is changing

The Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Act 2026 received Royal Assent in April 2026 and introduces compulsory registration of home-educated children. The earliest any of this comes into force is late 2026. The legal right to home educate remains in place, and the standard for a suitable education has not changed. [For the full picture, see Changes to UK Home Education Law: What the 2026 Act Actually Means.]

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 you 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.

Last updated: July 2026

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