Families Flee Schools in North Northamptonshire, Seek Alternatives

In September 2025, a concerning trend has emerged in North Northamptonshire, where the number of families choosing to home-educate their children has skyrocketed. According to the local council, the number of children taken out of school now stands at 1,238, double what it was just 4 years ago.

The reasons behind this surge are complex, but can be broadly categorized into three main groups. Some families are opting for home education due to philosophical or religious beliefs, while others are simply not satisfied with the quality of local schools. However, a significant portion of parents are choosing to home-educate their children for mental health and wellbeing reasons, with carers seeking to avoid the daily challenges of the traditional school system.

The council's head of inclusion, Annette Perrington, acknowledged that while they cannot intervene unless there are concerns about harm or the provision of a suitable education, they are committed to supporting these families and understanding their needs. This comes as the region also grapples with higher-than-average suspension and exclusion rates, particularly in secondary schools, where the suspension rate stands at 21.42% compared to the national average of 15.26%.

Perrington emphasized the need to address the root causes of disruptive behavior, which may be linked to unmet educational needs. The council is working to address this issue by aiming to create 800 new special educational needs unit places by 2032/33, in an effort to provide more tailored support for students.