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15
WQ.187/2018
WRITTEN QUESTION TO THE MINISTER FOR EDUCATION BY DEPUTY C.S. ALVES OF ST. HELIER
ANSWER TO BE TABLED ON TUESDAY 9th OCTOBER 2018
Question
What support and resources are provided to students who are home schooled?
Answer
According to Jersey Education Law, education is compulsory, but attendance at a school is not. Parents are allowed to apply to educate a child or young person (CYP) of compulsory school age other than at school. This is referred to as being EOTAS.
There are currently 51 CYP educated other than at school within the compulsory school years.
The Children, Young People, Education and Skills Department (CYPES) have an EOTAS policy (November 2017) which ensures that Education are meeting their responsibilities for this group in line with the Law.
The Director of Inclusion and Intervention, on behalf of the Minister, may approve applications for education other than at school if he is satisfied that the education to be received by the CYP is:
- at least equal to the education that a CYP of the same age would receive in a provided school;
- is efficient and suitable to the CYP's age, ability and aptitude;
- meets any special educational needs the CYP may have.
Once a child embarks on EOTAS it is the parents' responsibility to provide a balanced and broad education. At the outset parents are informed that if they undertake this route support, services and resources normally provided by schools/ education are not accessible to them.
It is recognised that EOTAS requires a significant commitment on behalf of the parents. However, the CYPES Department will offer assistance in a number of ways:
- Safeguarding. If parents choose to have other people educate their child, they should be aware that they remain responsible for the education of their child and for the continued requirement to ensure their child is safe. Should there be any concerns regarding a child's welfare the Advisory Teacher will report to the CYPES Department who may request input from a Designated Officer for Safeguarding.
- Signposting parents to the local Home-schooling Parents Group'.
- Supporting the system and process for application, approval and assessment.
- Signposting parents to suitable services.
- In partnership with health, all families are offered all the routine health services generally provided at schools. This includes all vaccinations.
- Providing evidence that the pupil is in full time education so families can access student benefits, for example, bus passes at Liberation and entitlement to work at Social Security.
- Reviewing plans and arrangements annually.
- Home visiting annually.
- Conducting annual assessments for children in core areas of Literary and Maths in Years 3 -9, as well as standardised assessments required by all Jersey pupils according to the CYPES Department ensuring that children are showing progress in their learning.