More families finding 'flexible' home education

There has been an increase in children being home schooled in Guernsey, according to data from the government.

A Freedom of Information request revealed that at the end of the 2024-25 academic year there were 125 children known to be home educated - with this number falling slightly to 118 by 16 January 2026.

This compares to 70 at the end of 2022-23 and 98 at the end of 2023-24.

Dave Stumpf, head of inclusion and education services, said the Covid lockdowns had been a "catalyst" for a number of families to home educate and that there had been "an increase over the past five years".

"In regards to Guernsey with other jurisdictions like England, it's a very similar trend" he added.

In 2024, a BBC investigation found the number of children moving to home education in the UK was at its highest level since the pandemic.

Victoria home educates her three daughters at primary school age and said schooling was "a lot more flexible now than what it's ever been" particularly following the lockdowns.

"People are kind of more aware of their own diverse needs or their children's needs and also I think workplaces are very aware of family needs," she added.

Victoria is a part of a network of parents who come together to teach their children for certain classes.

She said she did not think most people realised how big the home schooling community was.

"It's very good that I've got people to fall back... the community itself is really strong and supportive and if we don't have that I'm not sure our journey would be quite so easy," Victoria added.

In Guernsey, it is the parents' legal duty to make sure their children are educated, in school, or otherwise.

If a child is already enrolled in a school, parents must notify Education Services with their intention to withdraw and home educate.

If the child has not yet been enrolled, Education still advises parents to do so.

Stumpf said parents do not have to follow the national or local curriculum: "They can decide to deliver education whatever way they want as long as that education decision is suitable and efficient to ensure that a child learns, makes progress for their age, aptitude and ability."

He added the government's responsibility was to balance the rights of the children with the rights of parents.

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