More families are asking to teach kids at home

There are lots of reasons why families might want to teach children at home

Almost 50,000 families asked to take their children out of school last year – the most since the pandemic.

Mental health was the biggest reason for the increase.

Children being taught at home by their family instead of going to school is called home education.

The government in England said most families did an excellent job teaching their children.

But they said it was important a child's learning and wellbeing are not put at risk.

'I'm more relaxed at home'

Dakota is primarily taught at home by her dad

Since February, 10-year-old Dakota has been taught at home by her dad.

Dakota has cerebral palsy - a physical disability that affects movement and co-ordination - which means her writing can be slower than other children her age.

"I don't get rushed like I did at school," she said, "I'm more relaxed at home."

Her mum said she was much happier since the change.

Why are more children moving to home education?

People have different reasons for choosing home education

There are lots of reasons why families might choose home education.

The most popular reason is the family's beliefs about how children should learn.

But, more and more families are moving to home education because of mental health.

In 2022, around 7,200 families gave mental health as the reason for home education.

In 2023, this number had grown to around 11,900.

Are more children moving to home education where I live?

Not all parts of the UK have seen the same increase

More families are moving to home education in Wales, Scotland and parts of England, especially the North.

But Northern Ireland saw a 13% drop in new home education notifications.

A spokesperson from its Education Authority said during the pandemic, there was a notable rise in the number of children being electively home educated - but it does not hold information on decisions parents made about this.

The Welsh government said school was usually the best place for children.

In Scotland, the government said it was improving support in schools.

What do people think about home education?

There are lots of different opinions about teaching kids at home.

Education Otherwise is a charity that supports home education.

Its chair, Wendy Charles-Warner, said children were facing a "mental health crisis" and many families were teaching kids at home as a last resort.

Alma Harris, Professor of Education at Cardiff Met University, told the BBC: “I’m positive about home schooling if it’s done well. If home schooling is just the young person being at home, it’s not going to help anyone.

But she said it created a "real danger" of kids becoming "invisible" and missing out on support.

Professor Harris added: “The school environment is so diverse and the potential opportunities, with the best will, can’t be recreated at home. There is no replacement for school.”

We want to hear from you. What do you think about home education? Let us know in the comments below.