The number of children being home-schooled in Blackpool has sharply increased, with reports indicating that approximately 2.6% of the local pupil population has withdrawn from mainstream education. This trend reflects broader national statistics revealing a 38% rise in home education across England over the past two years.
According to official data, in the 2024-25 academic year, 111,700 children in England were officially home-schooled, compared to 80,900 in 2022-23. Blackpool is now facing significant concerns as it registers one of the highest rates of home schooling in the United Kingdom. The increase has been linked to various factors, including anxiety and bullying, particularly affecting children in deprived areas.
Concerns Over Inequality and Child Welfare
Victoria Gent, the Director of Children’s Services at Blackpool Council, expressed alarm over the concentration of children opting for home education. She stated, “While many families who choose elective home education do so thoughtfully and provide a positive learning environment, the overall scale and concentration of children out of school in Blackpool remains a significant concern.” Gent highlighted that this trend risks exacerbating existing inequalities, particularly affecting disadvantaged children who may fall further behind without adequate educational resources.
The socioeconomic landscape of Blackpool contributes to these challenges. The town is among the most deprived in England, with 38% of its population living in low-income households. Employment rates in the area stand at 69.7%, which is below national and regional averages.
A survey conducted by Ofsted in 2019 revealed that a majority of teachers believe children at risk of being withdrawn from school often face behavioral issues, low prior attainment, or come from economically disadvantaged backgrounds. Some educators noted that 87% of pupils most likely to be taken out of school fit these categories.
Challenges in Monitoring Home Education
In England, parents must officially inform schools when withdrawing a child from mainstream education. Schools then notify local authorities, but councils lack the authority to inspect homes or enforce regular checks. Instead, they are expected to contact families at least once per year to ensure that core subjects are being adequately taught.
Charlotte O’Regan from the Sutton Trust charity emphasized the importance of high-quality teaching. She noted, “Children from low-income households gain the most from being taught by the best teachers. Teaching is a highly skilled profession, and we can’t expect everyone else to be able to deliver the same level of education.”
The case of ten-year-old Sara Sharif, who tragically lost her life in 2023 after being withdrawn from school, has intensified calls for stricter regulations. The proposed Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill is currently at the report stage in the House of Lords and aims to establish a register for home-schooled children. Under this bill, parents involved in child protection inquiries would require local authority permission to withdraw their children from school.
As the landscape of education continues to evolve, the situation in Blackpool highlights the urgent need for addressing the complexities surrounding home education and safeguarding vulnerable children.
