In recent years, the number of families choosing to educate their children at home in the UK has risen noticeably. In the autumn of 2023, local authorities in England recorded approximately 92,000 children in elective home education, a significant increase from 80,900 a year earlier. Over the course of the full 2023–24 academic year, around 126,100 children were estimated to have been home educated at some point.
These figures tell more than a story of numbers; they reflect families grappling with unmet needs, emotional challenges, and a search for better-fitting educational paths. The most reported motivations behind this shift include mental health concerns; dissatisfaction with school environments; limited support for special educational needs; and a longing for more adaptable learning lives.
Mental health, in particular has emerged as a driving factor. In autumn 2023, the number of families citing mental health as the main reason for choosing home education rose dramatically by 64%, from around 7,281 in 2022 to nearly 11,960 in 2023. It’s a stark illustration of parents feeling that the school environment, though traditionally entrenched, may simply not be the right place for their child to find safety and support.
Other deeply personal stories underscore this trend, children whose anxiety, sensory sensitivities, or special needs weren’t met in school, prompting families to seek a more nurturing space at home. For many, homeschooling is not a luxury or a lifestyle preference, it’s a necessity born from compassion and concern.
At Choice Home Tutoring, we don’t shy away from that reality. We know that for families choosing home education, academic support goes hand-in-hand with emotional understanding. That’s why our approach is rooted in empathy, flexibility, and a genuine recognition of each family’s unique journey.
We begin by truly listening. We aim to understand what led you to choose home education, the rhythms that work best for your child, what brings them joy or struggle, and how they learn most comfortably. Based on that understanding, we co-create a learning plan, neither rigid like a school timetable nor nebulous like freeform unschooling but structured, responsive, and empathic.
Whether working with children navigating anxiety, thriving with individualised pacing, or needing enrichment in specific subjects, our experienced tutors bring warmth, sensitivity, and expertise. We have a strong proven reputation in being able to offer one-to-one lessons across the curriculum for all key stages and subjects and we’re particularly mindful of supporting children with additional needs. All our tutors hold an Enhanced DBS and deliver personalised learning in ways that meet academic goals and nurture emotional resilience and confidence. This can make learning feel safe again for your home-schooled child.
Recognising that homeschooling can sometimes feel isolating, we also help bridge social gaps. We have a range of highly successful group workshops which are designed to develop knowledge and build peer connections in safe, positive setting.
Choice Home Tutoring understand that home life often demands flexibility. That’s why our sessions can adapt to your routine whether early mornings, afternoons, or spaced throughout the week to accommodate wellbeing, therapy, or creative pursuits. You choose whether tutoring happens in person or online.
Many families worry about accountability and tracking progress. As such, we provide clear, compassionate communication with regular feedback; adaptable goals; and progress check-ins that support both your peace of mind and any needs to engage with local authorities.
Ultimately, homeschooling is a deeply personal path. It begins with care. Care for a child’s emotional and learning needs when traditional schools simply fall short. At Choice Home Tutoring, we will walk that journey with you by offering expert tutoring wrapped in empathy, one lesson at a time. Together, we can help your child not only learn but flourish at home.
If you would like to learn more about how we can help your child’s home schooling journey, please contact a member of the team at info@choicehometutoring.co.uk or visit www.choicehometutoring.co.uk.
*data has been independently sourced.