EO Press Release

Press Release Tuesday November 6th 2007

HOME EDUCATION OTHERWISE LEGAL TO 18

Education Otherwise yesterday welcomed a personal assurance from the Secretary of
State, Ed Balls, that home education would continue to be a legal option for young
people between the ages of 16 and 18.
Annette Taberner, of Education Otherwise, told a meeting at the Institute of Education
in London that there was a poor level of understanding about home education and
many barriers and difficulties are faced by parents.
Education Otherwise took an active part in the recent Government consultation on
raising the education and training age to 18 and Mrs Taberner said “We are pleased
that on this occasion we were able to have an input at an early enough stage to ensure
that home education for young people in this age group remaining a legal option.”

Reference for editors
Raising Expectations: Staying In Education and Training Post-16 From Policy To
Legislation - P. 8 (Document reference: DCSF 00896-2007BKT- EN)
(http://www.dfes.gov.uk/14-19/documents/Raising%20Expectations.pdf)
“3.2 Our aim is that from 2013, all young people will continue to participate in
education or training post-16. They will be able to do so in a number of ways,
including:
• full-time education, including school, college and home education
• work-based learning, such as an apprenticeship, including traditional contracts
of apprenticeship; or
• part time education or training, if they are employed, self-employed or
volunteering more than 20 hours a week”.