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De-registration process

To ensure that de-registration from school roll is lawful, please follow the guidance given below:

Obtain Written Confirmation

  • Ensure you receive a clear written statement from the parent confirming their decision to home educate. It cannot simply say that they wish to de-register as there are specific grounds in which remove a child from roll. These are outlined in Regulation 9 of the School Attendance (Pupil Registration) (England) Regulations 2024.
  • If the notification from parents is not clear then the child will be not become home educated as far as the LA are concerned and the school will be asked to put the child back on roll.

Safeguarding Checks

  • If there are safeguarding concerns, submit a MARF to the MASH team. Even if you are told or think it will not “meet threshold” it can be used to support the EHE to provide appropriate support to the family.
  • Attach any safeguarding files to the deregistration form—this is mandatory if concerns are flagged. Please do not send these in separately because it impacts the allocation of the EHE Officer to the family.

Special School Protocol

  • If the child attends a special school, do not remove them from roll until the LA has approved the de-registration.

School Attendance Orders

  • If the child is subject to a School Attendance Order, parents must apply to the LA to revoke it before de-registration.

Be Professionally Curious

  • Meet with parents to understand their reasons and offer support. GCC encourages schools to involve the EHE team in these discussions.

Final Step: Remove from Roll

  • Once the form is submitted and all documentation is complete, remove the child from the admissions register. In order to complete this form you will need:
    • a copy of the written notification from parents of their intentions to withdraw and home educate their child;
    • any safeguarding files before being able to submit this form;
    • any EHE transition discussion notes.

The GCC form should be completed within 3 days of receiving confirmation from parents and should only be completed by schools.

The following End of Phase form should be completed by schools only if you receive notification from a parent that their child will be leaving for home education at the end of Year 2 or 6: