Here’s a startling fact: mental health issues are now the leading reason parents choose to homeschool their children. Yes, you read that right. According to the latest data from the Department for Education (DfE), more families than ever are opting for home education, and mental health concerns are at the heart of this trend. But here’s where it gets even more eye-opening: the numbers are climbing steadily. In the 2024-25 school year, a staggering 175,900 children were homeschooled at some point, up from 153,300 the previous year. By autumn 2025, that number had risen to 126,000, with one in six children (16%) citing mental health as the primary reason for leaving traditional schooling behind. To put it in perspective, that’s more than the 12% who chose homeschooling for 'philosophical or preferential' reasons.
And this is the part most people miss: it’s not just about mental health. Special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) also play a significant role. In autumn 2025, 16% of homeschooled children required SEND support, and 7% had an Education, Health, and Care Plan (EHCP). These figures raise important questions about whether the mainstream education system is adequately meeting the needs of vulnerable students. The rise in homeschooling isn’t just a trend—it’s a reflection of deeper systemic challenges.
But let’s dig deeper. The DfE notes that the number of homeschooled pupils fluctuates throughout the year. For instance, it rose from 111,700 in autumn 2024 to 126,000 in autumn 2025 but dipped to 137,200 by summer 2025. Why? Because some families return to traditional schooling once their children secure a spot in their preferred school. Yet, this doesn’t diminish the urgency of the issue.
Here’s the controversial part: While homeschooling offers a lifeline for many, it also highlights a troubling reality—the 'scandal' of children missing out on education entirely. In 2024-25, an estimated 143,500 children were absent from any form of education, a slight decrease from 149,900 in 2023-24. Sir Martyn Oliver, Ofsted’s chief inspector, didn’t mince words when he called this a 'scandal.' By autumn 2025, 34,700 children were missing education, down from 39,200 the previous year, but the question remains: are we doing enough to address this crisis?
The Children’s Commissioner revealed in 2024 that a quarter of children leaving school for homeschooling had SEND. This raises a critical point: are we failing to identify and support these children early enough? Both Ofsted and the Care Quality Commission have warned of missed opportunities to intervene before families feel forced to opt out of traditional schooling. Is homeschooling a solution, or is it a symptom of a larger problem?
The Government’s Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill aims to tackle this by introducing stricter regulations on homeschooling. Parents may soon need local authority consent in certain circumstances. But will this fix the root cause, or simply add another layer of bureaucracy? What do you think? Is homeschooling a necessary escape for families let down by the system, or is it a band-aid solution that avoids addressing deeper issues in education? Let’s start the conversation—share your thoughts in the comments below.
