Councillors in Powys have expressed 'real concern' over the rising number of children being educated at home, with registrations now reaching 473 – equivalent to a small secondary school. The figures were discussed at a meeting of Powys County Council's learning and skills committee on June 5.
Sharp increase since pandemic
Before the Covid-19 pandemic began in March 2022, there were 154 electively home-educated (EHE) pupils in the county. The numbers have steadily grown due to various factors. Councillor Angela Davies (Liberal Democrat – Rhayader) said: 'I'm really concerned. What are we doing about prevention? As well as their educational attainment there is all the social side and other things children get from schools.'
Reasons for home schooling
Councillor Davies asked whether parents were opting to remove their children from school because they feel 'what is on offer' does not meet their child's requirements. Service manager for education support services Sarah Quibell outlined that families can engage with family liaison officers and pastoral staff, and that a 'range of support' is implemented to retain them in school or encourage them back.
Legal requirements
Councillor Davies also asked whether registering pupils as EHE is a legal obligation. Ms Quibell said: 'Not currently. There is a new act that has come out in UK legislation which will require EHE learners to be on a register but that has to have secondary legislation laid before the Senedd for that to come into force in Wales.' The UK Government's Children's Wellbeing and Schools Act 2026 received Royal Assent at the end of April.
Preventative measures
Education other than at school (EOTAS) coordinator Aysha Waghorn said they were asking families what had gone wrong for the child in school at the point where they were 'unable to cope in school'. She explained: 'If we understand that it will help us with putting in preventative measures and working with schools to support young people so that we don't get to that stage.'
A working group is being established, drawing on commitments from the Youth Intervention Service, Welfare Service, EOTAS, CAHMS, schools, parents, and children to investigate the underlying issues. This would allow the council to 'really start' uncovering the reasons why children and families were turning away from school, Mrs Waghorn explained.
Funding concerns
Education portfolio holder councillor James Gibson-Watt (Liberal Democrat – Glasbury) said: 'The numbers of children being EHE is shocking and we have to ask ourselves why is that happening. We have to make our schools more attractive and a better environment for young people and their families.' He suggested this 'harks' back to the way funding is distributed to schools from the council's total budget, and stressed that councillors from all parties need to consider this matter when discussing future funding allocations to schools and the education department.
'There is an issue around the capacity of secondary schools to deliver particular to children who find the school environment difficult and that is a resource issue,' stressed Councillor Gibson-Watt.
