The number of children being educated at home in Greenwich has seen a significant rise, with 882 children registered for elective home education (EHE) during the 2024-25 academic year. This marks an increase from 756 children in the previous year and reflects a national trend.
Nationally, the most reported reasons for children becoming Elective Home Educated (EHE) in autumn 2024 were 'mental health' (14%) and 'philosophical or preferential reasons' (14%), followed by 'lifestyle choice' (9%). However, it also notes that 'more than 4 in 10 continued to be recorded under 'unknown to the LA', 'other', or 'parent did not provide a reason'.
In Greenwich specifically, for new EHE referrals in 2024-25, the reasons provided were: 'Other' (71 referrals), 'Mental health' (60 referrals), and 'Dissatisfaction with the school - general' (49 referrals). The report also noted that 159 referrals had 'Information not yet obtained' regarding ethnicity. Other reasons provided that fall outside of 'mental health' and 'general dissatisfaction' include 'Lifestyle choice' (17 referrals), 'Philosophical or preferential reasons' (16 referrals), 'Dissatisfaction with the school - bullying' (11 referrals), and 'Dissatisfaction with the school - SEND' (6 referrals).
The upward trend in EHE numbers observed in Greenwich has been observed nationally.
According to government census data, local authorities reported 111,700 children in elective home education on census day in autumn 2024. The rate of EHE was 1.4% of the population of comparable ages. In autumn 2024/25, EHE increased by an estimated 19,700 compared to the previous autumn term.
Of the children registered for EHE in Greenwich, 819 were of compulsory school age (Years 1-11). The demographic breakdown for the 2024-25 academic year includes: Pre-School (5), Reception (23), Key Stage 1 (84), Key Stage 2 (20), Key Stage 3 (310), Key Stage 4 (223), and Key Stage 5 (35). The report also noted an increase in EHE for children with SEND, with 37 pupils registered as EHE with an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) and 167 pupils known to have received SEN support at school.
The report provides the following demographic breakdowns for children registered as EHE in Greenwich during the 2024-25 academic year:
- Total Registered: 882 children were registered at some point during the year.
- Compulsory School Age: 819 children were of compulsory school age (Years 1-11).
- Key Stage Breakdown:
- Pre-School: 5
- Reception: 23
- KS1: 84
- KS2: 20
- KS3: 310
- KS4: 223
- KS5: 35
- SEND:
- With an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP): 37 pupils.
- Known to have received SEN support at school: 167 pupils.
- Ethnicity:
- White British: 38.7% (341 pupils)
- White Other: 6.6% (58 pupils)
- Black African: 7% (62 pupils)
- Black Caribbean: 3.3% (29 pupils)
- Black Any other Black background: 2.5% (22 pupils)
- Asian - Any other Asian background: 1.5% (13 pupils)
- Asian - Indian: 0.6% (5 pupils)
- Asian - Pakistani: 0.6% (5 pupils)
- Mixed - White/Black Caribbean: 4% (35 pupils)
- Mixed - White/Black African: 2.4% (21 pupils)
- Mixed - White/Asian: 1.2% (11 pupils)
- Mixed - Any other mixed background: 3.7% (33 pupils)
- White - Irish: 0.2% (2 pupils)
- White - Traveller Irish Heritage: 0.9% (8 pupils)
- Any other ethnic group: 4.2% (37 pupils)
- Asian - Bangladeshi: 0% (0 pupils)
- Information not yet obtained: 18% (159 pupils)
- Refused: 4.6% (41 pupils)
- Gender:
- Male: 437 pupils
- Female: 444 pupils
- Other: 1 pupil
Support and resources are available to parents in Greenwich who choose elective home education, including those with children with SEND. The EHE Officer provides information and guidance, contacts parents to discuss education plans, and offers advice. If EHE is deemed unsuitable, advice is given to improve the quality of education, with further reviews. If education remains unsuitable, a referral to the Fair Access Panel may be made, or a School Attendance Order initiated.
An introduction letter/email and an 'Information for Parents' leaflet are sent to all families. Parents of newly accepted referrals are sent an 'EHE Provision Questionnaire'. The EHE Officer facilitates networking opportunities for parents and children, and a regular bulletin is emailed at least half-termly. The annual EHE picnic in Greenwich Park allows children and young people to socialise and parents to share experiences. The inaugural RBG EHE Network meeting invited guest speakers and provided a Q&A session.
Specialist activities include free boxing training sessions offered by Royal Resistance Boxing for EHE children of all ages, including those with SEND, aimed at improving physical fitness, mental health, focus, confidence, and self-esteem. Shooters Hill College and Lewisham College offer GCSE courses for EHE students, with Shooters Hill College doubling numbers for the academic year 2025-26. All EHE Year 11s are referred to a Careers Practitioner for post-16 advice, and Year 9 students with an EHCP are also contacted.
A pilot project provides a school nurse to work with EHE families and young people not in education, employment, or training post-16 (NEET). The EHE Officer works with the Immunisation Team to send out vaccination information. Multi-agency collaboration is key, with the EHE Officer working closely with various teams to support vulnerable children and young people. Training has been delivered to social care managers on safeguarding risks associated with EHE, and the EHE Officer is routinely invited to Child Protection meetings for EHE children.
The SEND Assessment and Review Service monitors children and young people with an EHCP who are registered as EHE on an annual basis. If a parent requests a school placement for a child with an EHCP, the LA will consult with their preferred schools. Work with Shooters Hill College and Lewisham College continues to develop EHE GCSE courses, and discussions are ongoing with LSEC to expand offers for EHE families.
For more details, refer to the Elective Home Education Annual Report 2024-25: https://greenwich.moderngov.co.uk/documents/s18704/8.0%20-%20Elective%20Home%20Education%20Annual%20Report%202024-25.pdf
