§ Mr. ClaphamTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will provide a breakdown by local education authority of the number of children who are taught at home by their parents; and what plans he has to institute a national register and to make it a requirement that parents who plan to teach their children at home inform the local education authority. [103571]
§ Jacqui Smith[holding answer 21 November 1999]: Information on the number of children educated at home by their parents is not held centrally. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has no current plans to introduce a national register of home-educated children. Home educated pupils can be removed from a school roll only where the school has received written notification from the parent that the pupil is receiving education otherwise than at school. The relevant local education authority is under a duty to monitor the education provided to home-educated children and to enforce school attendance where it is inadequate.
§ Mr. ClaphamTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what mechanisms exist for ensuring that the educational attainment and progress of children who are taught at home by their parents are adequately monitored to ensure that children are not educationally disadvantaged. [103572]
§ Jacqui Smith[holding answer 20 December 1999]: Under the 1996 Education Act, parents can opt to educate their children otherwise than at school. In such circumstances, local education authorities have a duty to ensure that the education provided is suitable to age, aptitude and ability and any special educational needs the child may have. It is for education authorities to decide how to monitor these arrangements. In cases where the education being provided is deemed not suitable, LEAs can apply to the courts for an Education Supervision Order, which could allow home education to continue with supervision, or they can try to obtain a School Attendance Order.