Appendix 2 - Education at Home
Elective Home Education
Guidance Notes for Parents
Appendix 2
Qualifications Options
The following information sets out some of the options available to home-educating families who wish to provide opportunities for their children to study for recognised qualifications. This is not an exhaustive list, but sets out the main options available and provides contact details for relevant organisations. Please note that the following information is also liable to change from time to time.
Enrolment at a Further Education College
Some colleges may, at the discretion of the Principal, be willing to accept children of school age for full and part-time courses. This approach has the advantage that all the work and entry for qualifications is organised by the college, but it does require at least some attendance at classes which will not appeal to all home-educating families. If a student enrols at a FE college, their parents will normally be liable to pay all of the course fees themselves.
Self-Study
Many home education families prefer not to enrol for attendance at a further education college but choose instead to work independently towards recognised qualifications. Because of compulsory internal assessment components, there are many subjects and qualifications which are not available to external candidates unless an appropriate arrangement can be made with an approved centre which meets with the examining board's requirements. Some centres and examining boards may be willing to accept coursework which has been marked and authenticated by a private tutor. Thus, families who study for qualifications from home will need to:
- Contact the relevant examination board to find out about their requirements;
- Register with an approved centre for their child to be presented for the qualification; and
- Pay a registration fee for each subject their child will take.
It may also be possible for a group of home educators to consider seeking approved status in their own right.
Correspondence Courses
Correspondence courses can be an option for students who prefer to work independently, though they will be required in most cases to follow a structured curriculum and programme of work. Correspondence courses offer a wide range of qualifications at different levels and the organisations offering these courses will advise about arrangements which need to be made for registering with an examination centre and for marking and authenticating coursework. The cost of this option varies depending on the organisation and the qualification chosen, but can prove expensive.
There are an increasing number of organisations offering open and distance learning courses. The following contacts provide a useful start in finding a suitable course and organisation:
- The Open and Distance Learning Quality Council (ODLQC)
is an independent body which accredits open and distance learning courses. The ODLQC produces a free information leaflet which lists all approved organisations and their courses. Contact:
16 Park Crescent, London, W1B 1AH
020 7612 7090 
020 7612 7092 
info@odlqc.org.uk
- The Association of British Correspondence Colleges (ABCC) is a voluntary association of colleges which comply with a code of ethics. Contact:
PO Box 17926, London, SW19 3WB
020 8544 9559 020 8540 7657
- The British Association for Open Learning (BAOL) promotes quality and best practice in open, flexible and distance forms of learning. BAOL members work to a code of practice for open learning and are listed on the BAOL website. Contact:
Suite 12, Pixmore House, Pixmore Avenue, Letchworth, Hertfordshire, SG6 1JG
01462 485 588 01462 485 633
Alternative Qualifications
The internal assessment component of many UK qualification courses such as Standard Grades, National Qualifications, and GCSEs can restrict the choice available to home educated students. The following qualifications have, however, been identified as suited to home study students as they are not dependent on internal assessment and moderation. The LEA, however, has not approved these sites:
National Extension College
The National Extension College provides access to distance learning materials for a range of courses and access to some qualifications including GCSEs.
The Michael Young Centre, Purbeck Road, Cambridge CB2 2HN
01223 400 200 01223 400 399 info@nec.ac.uk
Examining Boards
The Assessment and Qualification Alliance (AQA)
The AQA is one of three unitary examining bodies in England incorporating the now merged Associated Examining Board and the Northern Examinations and Assessment Board. The AQA also has responsibility for the City and Guilds' GNVQ qualification. Contact:
AQA, Devas Street, Manchester , M15 6EX
0161 953 1180 0161 273 7572 mailbox@aqa.org.uk
Oxford Cambridge and RSA (OCR)
OCR is one of three unitary examining bodies in England incorporating the RSA (Royal Society of Arts), UCLES ( University of Cambridge Local Examinations Syndicate ), and MEG (Midland Examining Group). Contact:
OCR Information Bureau, General Qualifications:
1 Hills Road, Cambridge, CB1 2EU
01223 553998 01223 552627 helpdesk@ocr.org.uk
OCR Information bureau, Vocational Qualifications:
Progress House, Westwood Way, Coventry, CV4 8JQ
024 7647 0033 024 7646 8080
Edexcel
Edexcel was formed in 1996 by the merger of BTEC and the University of London Examinations and Assessment Council (ULEAC). Edexcel is one of the main examination boards for England and Wales. Contact:
Edexcel, Stewart House, 32 Russell Square, London, WC1B 5DN
0870 240 9800 020 7758 6920 Contact Edexcel
Useful Contacts:
Education Otherwise Association Limited
Education Otherwise Assocoation Limited is a nationwide charity for home education information and support. Subscription of £20 also entitles members to receive a handbook, UK and overseas contact list and bi-monthly newsletter, access to further resources, special interest and local groups and national gatherings.
PO Box 325, Kings Lynn, PE34 3XW
Helpline: 0870 7300 074 eoemailhelpline@education-otherwise.org
Home Education Advisory Service
HEAS produces a range of publications and leaflets on different aspects of home education. Annual subscription (currently £12) gives access to the Advice-line, quarterly magazine, card for educational discounts, resources for loan and a regional list of other subscribers.
PO Box 98, Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire AL8 6AN
Helpline: 01707 371854 admin@heas.org.uk
Home Education UK
Website: www.home-education.org.uk
Home Education Resources
Website: www.home-education-resources.co.uk
The Home Service - a national Christian home education group
Website: www.home-service.org
Christian Home School
Website: www.homeschool.co.uk
Muddle Puddle - an independent site focusing on learning for 0-8 year olds
Website: www.muddlepuddle.co.uk
DfES related links:
Education of Sick Children
Ethnic Minority Achievement Project
Vulnerable Children Grant
Looked after Children
Connexions Tameside
Connexions Tameside is an information, advice and support service for all young people aged 13-19.
Units 2/4 Clarence Arcade, Stamford Street, Ashton-under-Lyne OL6 7PT
0161 330 1528 info@connexions-tameside.com