‘Horrifying’ rise in number of children being home educated in Northants

Plus primary school pupils are being kicked out of school for physical violence

By Sarah Ward

Photo by Aaron Burden on Unsplash

The numbers of children being taught at home has risen sharply over the last year, with a long standing councillor calling the situation ‘horrifying’.

The issue was discussed by West Northamptonshire Council’s education scrutiny committee recently, with a report revealing the numbers of children who have left mainstream or specialist education and are now being homeschooled.

1200 children (577 boys and 623 girls) were being homeschooled when surveyed in July, a rise of 37 per cent on the numbers being electively home educated across West Northants in July 2023.

452 of the 1200 children being educated at home would have been eligible for free school meals.