School say they can't remove DD from register

[sonatensatz]

We are moving house. I have decided to remove DD from school now and will put her in a new school in September or when a space becomes available. I have applied for a new school but want to home school as a temporary measure (I think I would be moving her school or homeschooling even if we weren't moving).
I wrote to the head at her current school explaining that we are moving and asking her to remove her from the register. She has informed me that she cannot be removed until she has a place at a new school and will just be marked as absent until the LEA inform them that DD has taken up a place at a new school (apparently in order that she doesn't disappear from the system).
I understand from the legislation that if I ask the school to remove her from the register they have to do so.
I am concerned about the implications of her being marked absent for at least 3 1/2 weeks more if the school we like does not have a space for her. Also her brothers will be continuing in the linked junior school until the end of term (our move is likely to happen the last week of term) and they are likely to get places at the school in the new area.

Can anyone advise me whether or not the head is correct and what I can do please

[ImTooHecsyForYourParty]

No, the head is not correct.

You just write to the head and give the date. You don't need to do anything else and you don't need their agreement. You just tell them you will be home schooling from X date. Although some links say you don't even need to give a reason.

If you feel you want reassurance on that, then contact the LEA.

Or read the links below

here

here

here

here

[FionaJNicholson]

Hi

I am assuming you are in England?

There are strict grounds on which a school is authorised to delete a child's name from the school roll. One of these is where the parent has made arrangements to educate the child otherwise than at school.

You can check the grounds for deletion via the Pupil Registration Regulations 2006.

I'm not sure what you said to the headteacher but if you want to start home educating tomorrow, it would be better to send the standard deregistration letter for home education which you can find on various home education websites, and leave out any potentially confusing references to maybe home educating, maybe moving, maybe starting new school etc.

[sonatensatz]

Thank you,

It seems that perhaps I need to send a reworded letter so that they are aware that I plan to home educate her even if its only until September.

[Saracen]

Yes, that's right. You need to tell them that you are home educating your daughter.

Don't say "plan to"; use the present tense. In the case of home education, they can only remove her name from the register if she IS being educated otherwise than at school.

[sonatensatz]

Thanks for the advice. I gave a revised letter to the head this morning explaining that I had reworded it so she could remove dd from the register. She sent a very nice reply this afternoon confirming that dd would finish on Friday and be removed from the register. So dd and I are both very happy that we are going to get to do lots of lovely things at home together

[Saracen]

Terrific! That's great news. I'm glad you are looking forward to our time together.