'There are lots of misconceptions about home education'

A woman who home educates her son has said a new education bill could create "a lot of problems" for some families.

One aspect of the Children's Wellbeing and Schools Bill would introduce stricter controls on home education, including requiring local authorities to keep a register of children not in schools.

It is currently being considered by Parliament - but if it is passed, the rules would come into effect from 1 September 2026.

A spokesperson for the Department for Education said they "recognise that home education can be the right choice for some families," and that the government is "laying the groundwork for an inclusive education system."

Glyn Ridgeway has been home educating her son since he was six years old.

"I wanted Kymani to have a real breadth of experience of the world, and there's things about the mainstream school system that I think aren't suitable," she said.

But she is concerned that the Children's Wellbeing and Schools Bill could have an impact on home educating families.

"I think there are a lot of problems," she said, adding that the government is "not considering what home education is really like."

Ridgeway said she believed the government is "not trusting parents", and is viewing home education as "a safeguarding risk."

"They are approaching it as a risk factor, instead of approaching it from the point of view of home educators who want to provide a different education for their children," she added.

"There are a lot of misconceptions about home education. The biggest one is socialisation," Ridgeway said.

In remarks delivered on 5 February, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer stated that the government would seek "tougher regulation of home schooling" because "schools are so important for integration."

Starmer added that "we need a higher bar for people who want to opt out of that responsibility."

In response, Ridgeway said this narrative is "promoting a discriminatory point of view, which is completely incorrect."

"It's completely wrong - home education is providing a full relevant education to your child, at home."

Ridgeway wants more people to know that "home education is integrated into the community, probably even more so than [mainstream] schooling."

"We go to museums, we visit local businesses and we're constantly in the library," she said.

"Also, in itself, home education is a beautiful community," Ridgeway added.

"The parents support each other with it and the children are exposed to a vast array of opportunities."

Ridgeway's son Kymani said that at home, he does "pretty much most of the things that you would do at school."

"I enjoy being home educated," he said, adding that "it feels like you've got more freedom."

The 12-year-old said he "really likes to do chemistry", his favourite subject, adding that he would like to study it in college.

A spokesperson for the Department for Education said that "in the vast majority of cases, children achieve and thrive best in schools."

"But we recognise that home education can be the right choice for some families," they added.

The statement said that as part of the Bill, the government is "introducing compulsory 'Children Not In School' registers to help local authorities."

"We are also laying the groundwork for an inclusive education system where children are supported at the earliest stage and can thrive in a school that meets their needs, close to home."

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