Responding to Local Authority Enquiries: A Guide for Parents

​

Understanding Informal Enquiries from Local Authorities

When you home educate your child, local authorities may request information to ensure your child's education is suitable. This guide will help you prepare a detailed response to these informal enquiries, demonstrating your child's educational progress and development.

​

Key Points to Remember

• Authorities should not dismiss information provided by parents simply because it is not in a particular form preferred by the authority (e.g., a report by a qualified teacher).

• The information provided by parents should demonstrate that the education being provided is suitable and address issues such as progression expected and achieved.

• The information should not be merely a statement of intent about what will be provided or a description of the pedagogical approach taken (a brief explanation of how you teach your child, such as using hands-on activities, reading, or educational games).. It needs to show that suitable education is actually being provided.

• This is essential for distinguishing between families genuinely providing suitable home education and those who are not, as the latter often cannot demonstrate satisfactory content or measurement of progress.

​

Key Elements of Your Response

Educational Approach:

• Describe your educational philosophy and approach (structured, project-based, child-led, etc.).

• Explain how your approach meets your child's unique needs and interests.

Child’s Progress and Achievements:

• Highlight your child's strengths, areas for improvement, and any special needs.

• Include examples of recent learning activities and achievements.

 

Writing Your Response
Personalised Learning Journey:

Child Information: Full name, date of birth, and date of response creation.
Educational Philosophy: Briefly describe your beliefs about education and preferred teaching style.
 

About Your Child:

Personal Profile: Highlight interests, learning style, aspirations, and any special needs.

 

Learning Areas

Numeracy:

• Explain how your child engages with numbers through play, practical applications (cooking, budgeting), educational games, and real-life experiences.

Literacy:

• Detail their reading and writing development, including pre-reading/writing skills, shared reading, discussions, and the types of books they explore.

Science:

• Describe how your child explores science concepts through activities in areas like chemistry, biology, and physics (experiments, discussions, observations).

Social Studies:

• Geography, Geology, and Paleontology: Explain how your child learns about these areas through travel, map reading, cultural studies, fossil hunting, or museum visits.

• History: Describe how they gain historical knowledge through media, historical sites, or events.

 

Arts & Creativity

Performing Arts & Music:

• Showcase their artistic and musical pursuits, whether through creating art, playing instruments, or exploring music theory.

Foreign Languages:

• Describe the methods and resources used for language learning (formal lessons, software, cultural experiences) and how it fosters cultural appreciation.

 

Life Skills

Physical Education & Health:

• List sports, exercises, and outdoor activities your child engages in, highlighting physical skills and health awareness development.

Practical Skills:

• Document how they learn practical skills like cooking, cleaning, budgeting, and time management.

Emotional Intelligence & Social Skills:

• Highlight experiences that foster empathy, communication skills, and social interactions.

 

Technology & Media Literacy

Using Technology:

• Detail how your child uses technology for learning, creativity, and information gathering.

Critical Media Analysis:

• Encourage critical thinking about media consumption and understanding media influence.

 

Arts & Crafts

Creative Projects:

• Showcase their art projects, craft activities, and any form of creative expression.

Artistic Techniques & History:

• Describe how they learn about various art movements, famous artists, and art history.

 

Socialisation

Social Interaction:

• Briefly describe opportunities for social interaction through home education groups, clubs, or community involvement (avoid naming groups or specific details).

 

Resources Used

Educational Materials:

• Provide details on educational materials (DVDs, websites, books, online platforms), community resources (library, clubs, memberships), and creative resources (art supplies, ICT tools).

​

Formatting Your Response

• Length: 2-3 pages is often sufficient, but more detail may be needed for children with special needs or formal enquiries.

• Separate Responses: Consider individual responses for each child to personalise their learning journey.

• Clarity and Accuracy: Ensure your response is grammatically correct and avoids speculative language.

• Focus on the Present: Highlight current educational activities and achievements.

• Clear Picture: Paint a vivid picture of your child's learning experience without unnecessary personal details.

​

Tip for Demonstrating Comprehension and Progression in Your Response

Incorporating Evidence of Comprehension and Progression

When writing your response to local authority enquiries, you can effectively demonstrate your child's comprehension and progression in various subjects without including additional evidence by:

Providing Detailed Descriptions:

• Narrative Accounts: Include detailed descriptions of your child’s learning activities and achievements. For example, instead of simply stating that your child is studying maths, describe a recent project where they applied maths skills to budget for a family event or calculate ingredients for a recipe.

• Learning Milestones: Outline specific milestones your child has reached in each subject. For instance, mention how they progressed from basic addition to solving more complex multiplication problems over a certain period.

• Examples of Discussions: Describe conversations you’ve had with your child about their learning. For example, explain how your child discussed the themes of a book they read or the scientific principles they observed during an experiment.

​

Downloadable Templates and Support

​

Downloadable Response Template:
Download Template

​

Requesting Assistance: If you need help creating a response, send an email to info@hewm.org with the following information:

• Local Authority (LA) you're registered with

• How long you've been home educating

• When your response is due

• Your child's age

Important: Submit your request at least 7 days before the due date.

Need Help?

​

If you have any questions or need further assistance with preparing your response to local authority enquiries, please contact us:

• Email: support@hewm.org