Elective Home Education
Islington Council reports a 10% rise in elective home education, with parents citing school issues, while Lambeth prepares for new legislation and seeks funding.
In November 2026, Islington Council reported a 10% increase in children being electively home-educated, rising to 377. Councillor Sheila Chapman, Executive Member for Children, Young People & Families, noted that while some families choose home education for philosophical reasons, problems at school are a significant driver for this trend. This figure represents 1.5% of Islington’s school-age children.
In July 2025, Lambeth Council sought additional funding from the Department for Education to support its work with electively home-educated children. This is in preparation for the Children's Wellbeing and School Bill, which will introduce compulsory Children Not in School registers. The Children's Services Scrutiny Sub-Committee discussed the balance between parental rights, safeguarding, and educational quality.
Key facts
- The number of children being electively home-educated in Islington rose by 10% in a year, as reported in November 2026. Source
- In November 2026, 377 children were being electively home-educated in Islington. Source
- Islington's rate of 1.5% of school-age children being home-educated is above the national average of 1.4%. Source
- Lambeth Council sought additional funding from the Department for Education in July 2025 for its work with electively home-educated children. Source
- Lambeth Council is preparing for the Children's Wellbeing and School Bill, which will introduce compulsory Children Not in School registers. Source
About this summary
This summary was written automatically from our published stories and the council meeting records they draw on, with background from Wikipedia. It describes what councils have discussed and decided; it does not take a view on any decision. Each key fact links to the story it comes from. Updated 9 November 2026. Spotted a mistake? Email community@opencouncil.network.