MADE FOR FAMILIES IN SCOTLAND
Home education in Scotland, planned for you
Tell Kuraplan your children's ages and what Scotland expects. It writes lessons, worksheets and the records you need, in the language of the Curriculum for Excellence.
Home education in Scotland: the rules, the registration and a plan that works
Home education in Scotland sits under different law from England. The right to educate at home is the same, but if your child has ever attended a local-authority school you need the council's consent to withdraw them, and the council can ask for evidence that the education you provide is efficient and suitable. Children who have never been enrolled, or who are leaving an independent school, do not need consent.
In practice, Scottish councils vary from hands-off to fairly involved, and the Scottish Government's statutory guidance sets the tone: councils should not treat home education as a welfare concern, should not require a curriculum, and should deal with families in a spirit of partnership. This guide walks through the process and what a good withdrawal request looks like.
Last reviewed 2026-09-07. Informational, not legal advice. Verify with Scottish Government home education guidance before acting.
Step by step
How to start home education in Scotland
- 1
Check whether you need consent
Consent is required to withdraw a child who is currently on a Scottish local-authority school roll. It is not required if the child has never attended a council school, has finished primary and not yet started secondary, or is leaving an independent school.
- 2
Write to the council
Request consent in writing with an outline of the education you will provide: your approach, subjects, resources, how you will monitor progress, and any special needs. The guidance says councils should reply within six weeks; the child stays on the school roll until consent is given, so keep attending or agree a plan.
- 3
Provide the education
There is no required curriculum, hours or exams. Curriculum for Excellence is a useful reference. Councils may ask for an annual update; a short written report and examples of work is the standard response.
- 4
Plan qualifications
National 5s and Highers can be sat as a private candidate at a school or college that agrees to host you, or via distance-learning providers; many families use English IGCSEs instead because private-candidate access is easier.
Scotland requirements at a glance
Legal basis: Education (Scotland) Act 1980 s.30 and s.35; Scottish Government statutory guidance on home education (2007, under review).
- Consent
- Required to withdraw a child from a council school. Not required for children never enrolled or leaving independent schools.
- Curriculum
- None prescribed. Education must be efficient and suitable to age, ability and aptitude.
- Hours
- No minimum.
- Assessment
- None compulsory. Councils may request an annual update; you can decline a home visit and provide written information instead.
- Records
- Not legally required but strongly advised for the annual contact.
Dates to put on your calendar
- Council consent decisions: guidance says within six weeks of a complete request.
- SQA private candidate entries: typically by late autumn for the following spring diet.
Curriculum
Curriculum for Excellence (Early, First, Second, Third and Fourth levels) is optional but useful as a checklist, especially for numeracy and literacy.
Assessment
No compulsory assessment. Qualifications via National 5s and Highers as a private candidate, or IGCSEs and A-levels through English exam boards.
Funding
None. Some councils offer access to school resources or exam entry for home-educated pupils; ask your council.
Plan it with Kuraplan
Turn the rules into a week that works
Kuraplan knows the Curriculum for Excellence. Tell it your children's ages and it builds lessons, worksheets and the plan or report your Scottish Government home education guidance paperwork asks for.
Plans in Curriculum for Excellence terms
Learning plans, program summaries and progress reports written in the vocabulary your regulator expects, ready to edit and submit.
Lessons for every child at once
One family topic, output at each child's level: a drawing task, a paragraph, an essay. Printables included.
Records without the scramble
Keep completed work together so the annual review, report or portfolio is a summary, not a reconstruction.
One lesson. All your kids.
$49/yr flat, no per-child fees
Write one family lesson, then adjust the reading level, the practice and the response format for each child without rebuilding the day.
Scotland home education FAQ
Do I need permission to home educate in Scotland?
Only to withdraw a child who is currently attending a council school. Children who have never been enrolled, are between primary and secondary, or attend independent schools can be home educated without consent. The council must not unreasonably withhold consent.
What does a council look for when giving consent?
An outline showing the education will be efficient and suitable: your approach, subjects and resources, how you will check progress, and any special needs support. The Scottish Government guidance says councils should be supportive and should not demand a set curriculum.
Can the council visit my home?
They can ask, but you can decline and offer written information or a meeting elsewhere. The guidance is clear that home education is not in itself a welfare issue.
How do home-educated children in Scotland get qualifications?
By arranging to sit National 5s and Highers as a private candidate at a willing school or college, through distance-learning colleges, or by taking IGCSEs and A-levels from English boards, which are often easier to access privately.
Is the English register coming to Scotland?
No. The Children's Wellbeing and Schools Act 2026 register applies to England. Scotland's home education framework is separate and remains consent-based for withdrawals.
Informational, not legal advice. Rules and forms change; verify with Scottish Government home education guidance before acting. Reviewed 2026-09-07.
Other United Kingdom guides
Homeschool guides for other countries
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