Deregistration Procedure

Deregistering a child from school in the UK is a relatively straightforward process, but the exact steps depend on whether your child is attending a mainstream school, a special school, or if they have an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP). Here's a general outline of the procedure for England (similar processes apply in Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland, with slight variations):

1. Determine Your Legal Position

In England, parents have the legal right to educate their children at home.
You do not need permission to deregister if your child is:
- Attending a mainstream school, and
- You intend to home educate them.
You do need permission from the local authority if your child:
- Attends a special school, or
- Is under a school attendance order.

2. Write to the School (Mainstream School)

If your child is in a mainstream school and you are home educating, write a formal letter or email to the headteacher. Here is an example:

Subject: Deregistration of [Child’s Full Name], [Year/Class]

Dear [Headteacher's Name],

I am writing to inform you that I have decided to withdraw my child, [Child’s Full Name], from [School Name] as of [Date], in order to educate them at home, as is my legal right under Section 7 of the Education Act 1996.

Please remove [Child’s Name] from the school roll with immediate effect and confirm this in writing.

Yours sincerely,
[Your Full Name]
[Your Address]

3. What Happens Next?

The school must remove the child from their roll and inform the local authority (LA).
The LA may contact you to ask about your home education plans. You're not legally required to provide detailed plans, but it helps to have something prepared to show your intent to provide a suitable education.

4. If Your Child Is in a Special School

You must get permission from the local authority before removing your child.
Write to the LA requesting deregistration and outlining your intention to home educate.
The school cannot remove your child from the register without LA approval.

5. Consider Keeping Records

Once deregistered, you are responsible for providing a suitable education. It’s recommended to:

Keep a record of your educational approach.
Maintain samples of work and a basic log of activities.
Be prepared for informal monitoring by the local authority (they may check in occasionally).

If you're in Scotland, Wales, or Northern Ireland, the principles are similar, but differ slightly in law and procedure.