Elective Home Education (EHE)
Councils are observing a significant rise in elective home education numbers, prompting discussions on the reasons behind this trend.
Greenwich Council observed a significant rise in elective home education (EHE) numbers, with 882 children registered for home education in the 2024-25 academic year, up from 756 the previous year. This increase reflects a national trend, with reasons such as 'mental health' and 'philosophical or preferential reasons' cited nationally in autumn 2024.
Elective home education is the practice of parents educating their children at home instead of sending them to school. Bromley Council's Children, Education and Families Information Briefing discussed the topic in June 2026. Nationally, over 4 in 10 reasons for EHE were recorded as 'unknown to the LA', 'other', or 'parent did not provide a reason' in autumn 2024. No further council meetings are currently scheduled.
Key facts
- Greenwich Council registered 882 children for elective home education in the 2024-25 academic year. Source
- The number of children in elective home education in Greenwich rose from 756 in the previous year. Source
- Nationally, 'mental health' and 'philosophical or preferential reasons' were the most reported reasons for EHE in autumn 2024. Source
- More than 4 in 10 national EHE reasons were 'unknown to the LA', 'other', or 'parent did not provide a reason' in autumn 2024. 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 1 October 2026. Spotted a mistake? Email community@opencouncil.network.