OPINION - Rise in school withdrawals for home education
Home education is rising in Gosport and Fareham as more parents turn away from mainstream schools, reflecting a trend growing rapidly both locally and nationwide.
More than 126,000 children in England were being taught at home in the autumn term of 2025, according to Department for Education figures — an increase of over 14,000 in just one year.
Hampshire has mirrored this national climb, with Gosport consistently recording some of the highest rates of elective home education (EHE) in the county, while Fareham has also seen steady growth in recent years.
The sharpest growth has come since the pandemic, as families reassess whether mainstream schools are meeting their children’s needs. While some parents are drawn to the flexibility of home learning, councils say the rise also reflects ongoing concerns around attendance, special educational needs provision, and pupil wellbeing.
Educational experts warn that while home education can offer tailored learning experiences, it requires significant parental time, financial commitment, and access to resources. They also emphasise the importance of ensuring children maintain social connections and experience a broad curriculum.
Officers in local districts have reported an increase in requests for guidance, workshops, and support for home educators, reflecting a growing recognition of the long-term commitment involved.
It’s not just Fareham and Gosport seeing a rise in children withdrawn from school. Across Hampshire, elective home education (EHE) has grown sharply over the past decade, accelerating in recent years. County figures show 623 children were home educated in 2013, rising to 1,355 by 2020/21 and 3,593 in 2023 — an increase of nearly 3,000 in ten years and over five times the 2013 figure.
Official figures obtained from Hampshire County Council under the Freedom of Information Act show that the number of children registered as EHE has increased steadily since 2020. In Fareham, the total grew from 140 in 2020 to 236 by March 2026, while Gosport saw a jump from 120 to 264 over the same period.
The growth has been particularly pronounced among secondary school pupils. In Gosport, secondary-age home education nearly doubled from 84 in 2020 to 181 in March 2026, with Fareham showing a similar rise from 99 to 173.
Socioeconomic factors are also evident, with children eligible for free school meals now increasingly represented in the home-educated population. In Gosport, numbers rose from 24 in 2020 to 121 in 2026; in Fareham, the increase was from 14 to 76.
A community poll conducted on Facebook in March 2026 highlights the shift at a local level. While not a formal survey, it offers a snapshot of parents’ experiences and the reasons behind their move away from traditional schooling. Many respondents cited concerns about their children’s wellbeing, unmet needs, and a desire for more personalised learning.
Parents described navigating the often complex process of withdrawing their children from school and creating a tailored home curriculum, drawing on online resources, local support networks, and creative methods like project-based learning.
Several parents also noted the sense of community found among local home educators, who share resources, extracurricular activities, and social opportunities for their children.
Behind the statistics are families making complex, deeply personal decisions. One Gosport mother, who participated in the poll, described why she chose home education:
“I’ve been homeschooling since 2024. My child’s safety, mental wellbeing, and needs were not being met,” she said. “She’s autistic and struggling in mainstream school, but too academic for special needs provision. I was a teaching assistant in the same school and had to give up my job to homeschool. The things happening in schools — you wouldn’t believe them.”
Other parents cited a range of concerns, including bullying, inconsistent teaching standards, and pressures on children’s mental health. Many also pointed to unmet special educational needs, dissatisfaction with school standards, and, in some cases, religious or philosophical beliefs, as well as a desire for greater flexibility to suit family life.
In Gosport and Fareham, the rise in home education reflects a broader shift across Hampshire, changing how families approach schooling. Local councils must now balance parental choice with their legal duty to ensure every child receives a suitable education, as growing numbers prompt questions not just about why families are opting out of mainstream schools, but how far this trend will continue and how communities can adapt.