§ Mr. CoakerTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what grants are available to parents for educating their children at home. [130975]
§ Jacqui SmithSection 7 of the Education Act 1996 places a duty on parents to ensure that their children receive suitable full-time education, either by regular attendance at school or otherwise. Some parents opt to educate their children at home. Although local education authorities are not required to provide financial help to home educating parents, some do provide support and assistance, including free National Curriculum material. Education authorities are also under a duty to monitor home education to ensure that the education a child receives is suitable to their age, ability, aptitude and any special educational need they may have.