Home education on the rise in North Northamptonshire
Around six families a week are choosing to home educate their children.
Around six families a week are choosing to home educate their children in North Northamptonshire, with council data showing no signs of the trend slowing.
As of June 2025, 1,238 children were in elective home education (EHE) in the area, double the number recorded four years earlier. The rise mirrors a national post-pandemic trend, but North Northamptonshire’s rates remain consistently higher than regional and national averages.
Annette Perrington, Head of Inclusion at North Northamptonshire Council, said parents cited a mix of reasons, including dissatisfaction with schools, religious or philosophical beliefs, and concerns over their child’s mental health or wellbeing.
The council also highlighted increasing suspensions and exclusions, with a local secondary suspension rate of 21.42 compared to 15.26 nationally. Many of these cases are linked to unmet special educational needs.
A lack of specialist school places and limited early intervention were noted as ongoing challenges. The council aims to create up to 800 new SEND unit places by 2032 and is developing a wider attendance improvement plan.
New legislation could soon introduce a mandatory register for home-educated children, giving councils more oversight and support options.
More details are available on the North Northamptonshire Council website.