What records do UK home educators actually need to keep?
This causes more anxiety than almost anything else in UK home education, largely because what people are told they must do and what the law requires are not the same thing.
This is general information for England, not legal advice. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland differ, and if you are in dispute with a local authority, get advice from a specialist organisation.
What the law actually says in England
Parents must ensure their child receives an efficient, suitable full-time education, by regular attendance at school or otherwise. That phrase, from section 7 of the Education Act 1996, is the whole legal requirement.
It does not require you to follow the national curriculum, keep records in any particular format, sit tests, work school hours, or have qualifications. There is no legal duty in England to keep records at all.
Why you should keep them anyway
The absence of a duty to keep records is not the same as records being useless. If a local authority has reason to believe a suitable education is not happening, they can make informal enquiries. Being able to answer clearly and quickly turns a stressful process into a short one.
Records are also for you. They show progress over a period long enough to see it, which is difficult from inside a difficult week.
What to keep
- A rough log of what you did. A line a day is plenty. Subjects, topics, activities, trips.
- Samples of work across the year, not everything. A few pieces per subject per term shows progression.
- Photographs of things that leave no paper: models, experiments, cooking, building, performances.
- A reading list. Books read to them and by them.
- Trips, clubs, groups and lessons, with dates.
- A short termly summary. What was covered, what progressed, what comes next.
What an educational philosophy statement is for
If you are asked for information, a short written statement of your approach plus examples of provision is usually what satisfies the enquiry. It explains why what you do constitutes a suitable education, which matters especially if your approach is autonomous and does not look like school from the outside.
You are not obliged to accept a home visit in England, and you can respond in writing. Many families do exactly that, without difficulty.
How Different Drums helps here
The learning log is designed for this. Tutor sessions, worksheets and curriculum progress are recorded automatically, and you can add everyday learning, trips, books and clubs by hand in a line or two.
When you need to show somebody, the reports pull it together into something readable, covering the period you choose. The aim is that answering an enquiry takes an evening rather than a fortnight of reconstruction.
Common questions
Do I have to let the local authority into my home?
In England, no. There is no automatic right of entry, and you may respond to enquiries in writing instead. Many families do. Being cooperative in writing generally keeps things straightforward.
Do I have to register as a home educator?
Rules are changing and vary by nation, and a register has been legislated for in England. Check the current position for your area rather than relying on older guidance, including this page.
What if my child has an EHCP or is on a school roll?
This is genuinely different. If your child attends a special school, or is subject to a school attendance order, you may need consent to deregister. Get specialist advice before withdrawing.
Learning that flexes around your child
Different Drums builds curricula, worksheets, tests and learning records around almost any topic, shaped to your child's pace, interests and your family's values. Core practice in maths and science comes from 200,000+ hand-verified questions. Ages 2-16+, used by families worldwide.
No credit card required. There is also a free guest mode with no sign-up.