Home educating in Plaistow, Upton Park, Stratford and Forest Gate

If you live in Plaistow, Upton Park, Stratford or Forest Gate and you are thinking about home education, you are in good company — this corner of Newham has a growing home-ed community. Here is what applies locally, in plain English.

The legal position

Home education is legal everywhere in England. You must make sure your child gets a suitable full-time education, but it does not have to be at school, follow the National Curriculum or keep school hours. You do not need Newham Council's permission to start, and there is no register you have to join.

Taking your child out of a local school

If your child attends a state school in the borough, write to the headteacher asking for them to be removed from the admissions register. The school must accept and will inform the council itself. You do not need the school's agreement, and there is no interview or approval process.

Free learning on your doorstep

This part of East London is rich in free learning. The Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in Stratford is good for geography fieldwork, science and PE. West Ham Park has been a free green classroom since 1874. Newham's libraries — including Stratford and Plaistow — run free children's sessions, and the museums of central London are a short ride on the District, Hammersmith & City or Elizabeth lines.

Meeting other home-educating families

There is no central list of local home educators, so the quickest routes are Newham Council's elective home education team, East London home-ed groups on social media, and noticeboards at libraries and children's centres. Park days and shared trips are how most local families find each other.

Planning ahead for GCSEs

Home-educated students sit GCSEs as private candidates at an exam centre. Places in London fill quickly, so start looking 12–18 months ahead, and check which boards and subjects each centre offers before you choose what to study. Our private-candidate GCSE guide for London families walks through each step.

Next step

Growing Roots Academy's office is on Plashet Road in E13 — right in the middle of these neighbourhoods — and every lesson is taught live online in small groups, from Year 1 to GCSE. Local families join the same classes as families across the UK. Browse our courses and fees, or register your interest and we will talk through your child's situation personally.