School’s out and the kitchen table is in!

Big rise in number of home-educated children

HOME schooling has seen a huge surge in three of five west London boroughs over the last five years.

Ealing , Hillingdon and Brent are among the top five boroughs across the capital where more children are receiving home education since 2011.

Figures obtained from a Freedom of Information (FOI) request, by Oxford Home Schooling, revealed the number of children registered as home educated increased by 102%, compared to a 11% increase in the number of school pupils between 2011 and 2016.

The third largest uptake was in Hillingdon with 145% while the second

biggest uptake was in Ealing with a whopping 233% compared to 12% rise in school pupils.

The borough of Brent was in fifth place with a rise of 128%.

In other west London boroughs Hounslow saw a 126% surge in home schooling between 2011 and 2016 compared to just a 12% increase in the number of school pupils in the same period.

Meanwhile in TJG1ST % increase in children at state-funded schools 3 12 13 21 9

Hammersmith and Fulham there was a 91% increase in home education over the last five years in comparison to a 12% rise in school pupils.

In the last 10 years the data showed a 528% increase in the number of children being taught at home in London, from 559 in 2006 children to 3,815 in 2016.

Dr Nick Smith, principal at Oxford Home

Schooling, a company providing tuition and materials to parents teaching children at home, said: “The growth of home education in London reflects London’s changing diversity and needs.

“One school structure doesn’t fit all and online home education providers like Oxford Home Schooling enable people to access alternatives much more easily.”