Huge rise in Borders home educated children

EXCLUSIVE by OUR LOCAL GOVERNMENT EDITOR

The number of school age children in the Scottish Borders being educated at home has increased by a remarkable 770 per cent in seven years, according to new figures obtained by an organisation which supports parents who decide to eschew the state system.

Educational Freedom's joint founder Cheryl Moy submitted Freedom of Information requests to scores of educational authorities throughout England, Scotland and Wales, asking for data and other information relating to home education.

She was told in a response from Scottish Borders Council that as of August 2024 148 children from 120 households were being home taught. 

Figures provided by the local authority in a separate FOI request lodged in 2022 showed that just 17 pupils were receiving their education at home in 2017. The statistics for subsequent years were: 2018 - 67; 2019 - 53; 2020 - 41; 2021 - 73; and 2022 - 110. The 2024 figure for neighbouring Dumfries & Galloway is 185 children from 153 households.

Data from Scotland's education authorities suggests over 2,200 children are currently being schooled at home, up 40% in two years.

Earlier this year the NISAI Educational Institution declared: "This increase is due to lower educational standards and more classroom violence. Scotland’s decrease in international league tables for Reading, Maths and Science among 15-year-olds, along with stories of growing violence in schools, has resulted in a loss of trust in state education." 

Educational Freedom told us their survey work showed more and more people were choosing to self educate their children.

They said: "We really don’t think there’s any one reason, but awareness of home education being an option is probably the most important factor. Years ago parents forced unhappy children into school, kept trying to fight for Sen [Special Education Needs] to be met, but now there’s so much more knowledge about the choice, and people are starting to home educate."

This week the group published a major report based on the findings from their research. 

The report says: "Research and evidence regarding home education remain limited, with the perspectives of home educating parents and children frequently absent from official discourse. Drawing on statistical data from surveys, anecdotal insights from casework and discussions, and information obtained through Freedom of Information (FOI) requests, this report seeks to inform discussions and decision-making around home education."

Educational Freedom has supported tens of thousands of home educators, engaged with the majority of Local Authorities, participated in government consultations, and provided information to the Department for Education.

The report explains that many home educators expressed reluctance to participate in the survey, citing a lack of confidence that their voices would be heard and respected by either their council or the government. 

"This sentiment should be considered by the authorities when formulating policies and legislation, as meaningful consultation with home educators is essential. Home educators take their responsibility to provide a suitable education very seriously, and overwhelmingly oppose further restrictions, registers, or increased involvement from local authorities."

KEY FINDINGS - Researchers were told home education is often not a choice, but a last resort for many families. Those contacted cited a variety of complex reasons for choosing home education.

But even when initiated due to negative circumstances, many families reported wishing they had started home education earlier and intend to continue it. Home education is generally viewed as a positive experience by families. Unmet Special Educational Needs (SEN) were a significant factor for many families, with some feeling that schools and councils did not adequately support their children.

The 2024 survey results includes data from 178 local authorities although some were slow to respond to FOI requests from Educational Freedom.

Information collected shows that across the UK 100,340 children were known to be home educated, with 92,424 being reported as resident in England.

A search for home education guidance and policy on Scottish Borders Council's website produced a set of guidance produced by the Scottish Government in 2007. The authority's Education & Lifelong Learning Home Education policy document is dated 2008.