HC Deb 20 December 1999 vol 341 cc399-400W
Mr. Cohen

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many children are claimed to be being educated at home, or elsewhere outside school, on the basis of their parent signing a form presented to them by an education official; and if he will make a statement. [102970]

Jacqui Smith

Data on the number of children educated otherwise than at school are not collected centrally. Under the Education Act 1996, parents can opt to educate their children otherwise than at school. In such circumstances, pupils can only be removed from a school roll where the school has received written notification from the parent that the pupil is receiving education otherwise than at school. Local Education Authorities have a duty to ensure that the education provided is suitable to the age, aptitude and ability and any special

LEA Primary Secondary
Middlesbrough 65 per cent. good or very good 33 per cent. good or very good
26 primary inspections 8 per cent. serious weaknesses 17 per cent. serious weaknesses
6 secondary inspections 4 per cent. requiring special measures 0 per cent. requiring special measures
Stockton 76 per cent. good or very good 67 per cent. good or very good
34 primary inspections 0 per cent. serious weaknesses 0 per cent. serious weaknesses
3 secondary inspections 3 per cent. requiring special measures 0 per cent. requiring special measures

educational needs the child may have. It is Local Education Authorities to decide how to monitor these arrangements.

Mr. Cohen

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what action he proposes to take to ensure that claims that children are receiving home education are not used to disguise truancy; and if he will make a statement. [102971]

Jacqui Smith

Local Education Authorities have a duty to monitor the quality of home education being provided and we expect them to carry out this duty. If home education is not being provided or is not of a satisfactory standard, Local Education Authorities can apply to the courts of an Educational Supervision Order. Alternatively they should pursue a School Attendance Order.

Where we receive specific complaints that schools may be using home education as a method to disguise truancy, we will investigate.