Elective or forced?
A five-day week of support and debate about Elective Home Education — with families, young people, schools and the wider system all given their own day.
We are not setting out to prove that home education is good or bad. We are asking a harder question: when a child leaves school because a family believes every other option has been exhausted, does the word “elective” always tell the whole story?
Support. Debate. Reflection. Practical next steps.
Choose any day below, or work through the week in order. No one stakeholder sees the entire picture.
When “elective” doesn’t feel elective.
Start with lived experience, difficult mornings and the journey before a family reaches EHE.
TUESDAY · THE CHILDCan’t attend or won’t attend?
Pupil voice, belonging, anxiety, friction and what adults may miss.
WEDNESDAY · THE SCHOOLWhat if our response is part of the problem?
High expectations, inclusion, casework and knowing when a response needs to change.
THURSDAY · THE SYSTEMWho owns the next step when school stops working?
One child across school, local authority, SEND, health, safeguarding and wider services.
FRIDAY · WHERE NEXT?What could we have done earlier?
Turn five days of debate into practical changes before relationships reach breaking point.
Agree, disagree, challenge us or add something we have missed.
Feedback is welcome from families, young people, home educators, schools, trusts, SEND professionals, local authorities, health, wider services, researchers and policymakers.