Concern over record home schooling rate

Redcar and Cleveland Council said a growing number of SEND children were being home schooled

Concerns have been raised over a record number of children, including many with special needs, being educated at home.

Redcar and Cleveland Council has recorded its highest numbers, with 430 pupils learning at home in 2024/25 - a 22% rise on the previous year.

An annual report by the Labour-led authority said there had been a "significant increase" in children with special educational needs (SEND) who were being schooled at home, suggesting this was a major factor in the rising trend.

"This implies that families do not feel schools are meeting their children's SEND needs," the report said.

It added: "We are working with schools and parents to ensure that our educational provision across the borough is inclusive."

The report described how the trend was proving a "challenge" to council officers, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said.

Officers were having to respond promptly to home education queries while attempting to provide oversight of the whole group at the same time.

Feedback from parents also revealed that mental health was the most common reason for home education choices among secondary school-aged children, together with general dissatisfaction with mainstream schools.

The report said: "Families have every right to electively home educate their children, and many of these families meet children's educational needs well.

"However, we also know most children thrive in a school environment and we continue to work with schools and parents to ensure these children can attend a school."