Rotherham Council Reports Significant Increase in Home Education

Data from Rotherham Council indicates a surge of over 300% in the number of children receiving home education since 2015. A report reveals that the figure for children educated at home within the borough has climbed from 149 nine years ago to 617. Key factors contributing to students transitioning from traditional schooling to home education include mental health challenges and the pressures associated with examinations. According to a council spokesperson, parents who opt to withdraw their children from school are provided with “support, advice and guidance.” The most substantial increase in students being withdrawn for home education was observed in secondary schools, notably among those in Year 10. The report, which was prepared for a meeting of the council’s Improving Lives Select Commission scheduled for Tuesday, states that parents noted a growing difficulty for children to “cope with the emotional demands placed on them as they progress through school.” Furthermore, the Local Democracy Reporting Service reported that students were encountering difficulties with the “rigour of a Key Stage 4 curriculum and GCSE study,” contributing to the increase in home-schooling. Nevertheless, Rotherham Council also noted a rising number of instances where home-schooling was deemed inappropriate. The report indicated that the council “always seeks to work in collaboration with parents where it is identified that children may not be in receipt of a suitable education.” Through early intervention efforts, the council’s specialist team assisted 248 children in staying within the school system over the last year.