This page was updated in August 2023 and will be updated again in Autumn 2023 or when there is an update from the DfE, whichever is sooner.
1.0 Do you know a parent/carer who is considering EHE?
If you are aware that a parent/carer is considering EHE it is important that you let the school know so that they can arrange a pre-decision meeting with the parent and any involved professionals.
This meeting is chaired by the school and is attended by parents/carers and any relevant professionals who are also working with the child or family such as SEN Caseworkers, Social Workers, Early Help Workers and Health Specialists. The purpose of the meeting is to:
- discuss why EHE is being considered
- explore all options available to parents/carers
- help overcome any issues which may have arisen in relation to school
- ensure parents/carers have all the information available to them regarding home schooling
- introduce parents/carers to a named contact who they can get in touch with regarding any queries
Please direct parents/carers who are considering EHE to the Local Offer Page which has a specific section for parents/carers who are considering it. It can be found here: (Elective Home Education (EHE) Local Offer | North Yorkshire Council)
We aim to work with families who choose to electively home educate to ensure we are able to provide families with continuing support. Parents/Carers can find out more information regarding how we work with families in North Yorkshire by reading NYC’s EHE Guidance for parents/carers.
Please recommend to parents/carers that they read the ‘What you need to know’ document which has been published by the Department for Education (DfE) & can be found here: https://dfemedia.blog.gov.uk/2020/10/20/all-you-need-to-know-about-home-schooling-and-elective-home-education-ehe/
The Government has produced guidance to help parents/carers understand their obligations and rights in relation to EHE. Before they make your final decision around EHE their child we advise they read the guidance which can be found at: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/791528/EHE_guidance_for_parentsafterconsultationv2.2.pdf
If you are a professional who would like to find out more information regarding EHE in North Yorkshire please read our EHE Policy & Procedures which can be found (here)
In North Yorkshire there are 4 EHE Advisers. For more information on EHE please contact electivehomeeducation@northyorks.gov.uk
Where Children are Registered with a School
Parents of a child who is registered at a maintained or independent school must inform the school formally by writing to the Headteacher stating their intention to de-register their child from the school and to instead home educate. If a parent does not inform the Headteacher in writing, a child may remain on roll and the parent may be liable to prosecution for non-attendance.
The school cannot remove a child from roll without receiving written notification about the parents’ decision to provide education otherwise than at school (Pupil Registration Regulations 2006). The school must inform us of the Parents/carers decision as soon as possible and should aim to do so on the same day.
The school must attach the parents written notification to the new EHE form which can be found at https://fisportal.northyorks.gov.uk/. For instructions on how to complete the form please see 'Instructions - EHE Notification form'.
Schools' Responsibilities
Appendix A of NYC’s EHE Policy & Procedures sets out in detail the responsibilities a school has in respect of where a parent/carer decides to remove a child from a school and move to education at home.
This sets out what is required in respect of schools responsibilities to and contact with:
- the parents/carers
- the Local Authority
- The Notification to EHE form: To be completed in all cases by all sectors of schools when they become aware of a child moving to EHE - e.g. maintained, independent, academy, special
- Guidance on completing the CommonTransfer File (CTF)
- Documentation that should accompany the notification.
2.0 Do you know a parent/carer who is currently Electively Home Educating their child?
If you know a parent/carer who is Electively Home Educating (EHE) their child we recommend they read the ‘What you need to know’ document which has been published by the Department for Education (DfE) & can be found here: https://dfemedia.blog.gov.uk/2020/10/20/all-you-need-to-know-about-home-schooling-and-elective-home-education-ehe/
The Government has produced guidance to help parents understand their obligations and rights in relation to EHE which can be found here: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/791528/EHE_guidance_for_parentsafterconsultationv2.2.pdf
Guidance for schools:
Guidance for Local Authorities and schools about children educated at home can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/elective-home-education
NYC’S Policy & Procedures for EHE can be found (here):
NYC’s EHE Guidance for parents/carers can be found here (Elective Home Education - Guidance for Parents and Carers | North Yorkshire Council):
3.0 Do you know a parent/carer who is EHE but would like their child to attend school?
Applying for an in-year place
Children who are Electively Home Educated (EHE) who need to return to school should complete an in-year application form. An in-year application can be made at any time of the year. Parents/carers can only apply up to a term in advance of the date they want the school place. The online form will allow parents/carers to apply for the year group their child should be in according to their child's date of birth.
We will start working on applications around six weeks prior to their requested start date and our aim to process applications within 20 school days after that. However, if they apply very early, this may not apply as we can only start processing applications towards the end of term, as follows:
Date child will join the school
Earliest application should be submitted
Applications will be processed from
January to March
1 September onwards
1 November onwards
April to July
1 January onwards
1 March onwards
September to December
1 June onwards
1 June onwards
Parents/carers can use the normal school application form for in-year applications.
How does the in-year admissions process work?
- It is parents/carers responsibility to read all the guidance before filling in their form. You can find general information about filling in the form and making your list of preferences here.
- We receive the in-year application form requesting a school. The application will be processed no more than half a term (six weeks) in advance of when a place is required.
- We will contact parents/carers first preference school to determine if there are places available in the appropriate year group.
- If there are no places available at their first preference school, we will approach each school on their list in turn, in order of preference, to identify whether a place is available there. If there is not a place available at that school, we will look at their next highest preference and continue down the list until we can offer their child a place.
- Once we have allocated the child a place, we will confirm the allocation with parents/carers in writing or via email. Both the school the child was attending and the newly allocated school will be notified.
- If we have been unable to offer the first preference, parents/carers have the right to an admissions appeal. You can find out more about appeals here.
In-year fair access
All North Yorkshire schools operate collaborative arrangements for the admission of pupils under an in-year fair access protocol, as required in the admissions code. In-year fair access makes sure that unplaced children, especially the most vulnerable, and pupils who have been out of education for more than 2 months, are offered a place at a suitable school as quickly as possible. This includes admitting children to schools that are already oversubscribed. All schools contribute to this arrangement and will both lose and gain pupils under the protocol.
Key Links:
- “Information for Parents” in the North Yorkshire Council Website – This will explain the current admissions process and how to complete the application process: School admissions | North Yorkshire Council
- All parents should complete the appropriate admissions application form and place their preferences accordingly: Guiding you through the admissions process | North Yorkshire Council All parent should be aware that any application for a Faith School could require a Supplementary Information Form (SIF) to be completed by the school. These forms can be requested from the school.
- If your application is turned down you will have the statutory right to of an admission appeal: Appeal for a school place | North Yorkshire Council
Useful Downloads
Notification to EHE Form: https://fisportal.northyorks.gov.uk/. 'Instructions - EHE Notification form' N.B This form is for schools only to complete and not parents/carers.
For a One Minute Guide on the EHE Team please see attached.
EHE Newsletter Spring Term 2022
NYC Flexi Schooling Guidance & Template - December 2022
Guidance for Chairing EHE Pre-Decision Meeting
