DG Home Education

Parents/carers can make a request to home educate their child rather than have them taught at school. They must however provide an efficient education that is suitable for their age and abilities.

Withdrawing your child from school

If a parent/carer wants to withdraw their child from school in order to home educate them, they must inform the local authority and request their consent. 

Firstly parents/carers should a letter or email Dumfries and Galloway Council. This correspondence should include the child’s:

• full name
• date of birth
• current school

Email: supportinglearners@dumgal.gov.uk
Post: Supporting Learners, Militia House, 109/111 English Street, Dumfries DG1 2HR  

What happens next

Dumfries and Galloway will then contact the parent/carer directly to progress their request to withdraw their child Dumfries and Galloway Education.

Parents/Carers will then be asked to inform Dumfries and Galloway how they intend to provide an efficient and suitable education for their child.   They will then receive a letter informing them whether their request has been granted or whether further information is required.

If consent is granted, the child’s name will be removed from the school roll. 

If consent is not granted

If consent is not granted, we will be clear about why the request has been refused. Parents/carers will be given the opportunity to address why it has been refused. They can also resubmit their request.

Situations where you do not need to request consent

Consent is not needed if a child:

• has never attended a public school
• has never attended a public school in that authority’s area
• is being withdrawn from an independent school
• has finished primary education in one school but has not started secondary education in another
• has been attending a school that has closed

Formal qualifications

There is no legal requirement for children to sit a particular set of examinations. If a parent/carer wants their child to take a particular qualification, they should investigate thoroughly whether, and how easily, their child is able to access examination and assessment arrangements. 

They can make arrangements for their child to sit formal exams, for example, through their local college. Parents/carers are responsible for any costs associated with this.

Children with additional support needs

A parent/carers right to home educate their child is not changed if they have additional support needs. However, it is reasonable for us to ask how they plan to cater for their needs at home.

We are not obligated to provide financial or other support for children with additional support needs who are home educated.

Contact us

For further information, email: supportinglearners@dumgal.gov.uk