The number of Oldham children being home-schooled has risen in the last year, new data has shown.

Figures have been obtained by the PA news agency from Freedom of Information requests sent to councils across England, which show how many children in Oldham are being taught from home.

The data shows that 2023 saw in increase in the number of children being taught at home and dozens more children are being home-schooled now as compared to before the pandemic.

PA obtained the number of children being home-schooled in Oldham for each year between 2019 and 2023.

The figures are as follows:

  • 2019 - 174
  • 2020 - 163
  • 2021 - 227
  • 2022 - 227
  • 2023 - 250

Parents have a right to home educate their children and not enrol them at a school and they do not need to be qualified teachers to home educate, nor is there a requirement to teach the National Curriculum.

However, parents must ensure that their child receives suitable full-time education, although they do not need to have a fixed timetable or have formal lessons.

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Some may feel though that home-schooling children can put them at risk of developing academically and socially and missing out on certain milestones.

Sarah Newton, headteacher at Diggle School, a primary school based in Saddleworth, said: "At Diggle School we grow the whole child, both socially and academically. Teaching children how to build friendships and interact socially enables them to thrive later in life, for example when they enter the workplace.

"This is something we believe in strongly at Diggle School, and is potentially not something that could be achieved as effectively through home-schooling.

"I do respect the rights of our parents however, so would always listen to their wishes should they decide home-schooling may be the best way forward for them."

Cllr Mohon Ali, Cabinet Member for Education, and Skills at Oldham Council, said: “We respect the rights parents and carers have in choosing to home educate their children.

"All our schools work hard to ensure that parents feel confident for their children to attend school, so they can get the rich education experience Oldham’s schools provide.

“The council continues to provide parents and carers in Oldham with access to a wide range of home education resources, to ensure their children receive the best possible education.”