* The only exception is where a child is being removed from a Special School.

The section of legislation that allows for home education as a legal an equal option to school is:

Education and Libraries Northern Ireland Order 1986 SI 1986/594

Section 45

1. The parent of every child of compulsory school age shall cause him to receive efficient full-time education suitable to his age, ability and aptitude and to any special educational needs he may have, either by regular attendance at school or otherwise.

This duty of parents to educate their children according to their age, ability and aptitude, and any special educational needs they may have, is enforced by means of the following piece of legislation:

Schedule 13 Enforcement of duty imposed by article 45

Part 1

1(1) Where it appears to a board that a parent of a child of compulsory school age in its area is failing to perform the duty imposed on him by article 45(1), the board shall serve on the parent a notice requiring him, within such period not being less than fourteen days from the service of the notice, to satisfy the board that the child is, by regular attendance or otherwise, receiving efficient full-time education suitable ....

2(1) Where, at any time whilst a school attendance order is in force with respect to a child, the parent of the child makes an application to the board by whom the order was made requesting ... that the order be revoked on the ground that arrangements have been made for the child to receive otherwise than at school education suitable to his age, ability and aptitude and to any special educational needs he may have, the board shall amend or revoke the order in compliance with the request unless it is of the opinion that -

(d) no satisfactory arrangements have been made for the education of the child otherwise than at school.

For further information, please contact jackie.turner@firenet.uk.net