(Includes free legal starter pack with editable letter + full guide)
“But what about the kids?”
That’s the first thing people ask when we say we’re going travelling. Not “Where are you off to first?” Always: “What about school?”
Actually, here’s the truth:
Yes, you can legally take your children out of school to homeschool them – even while travelling the world. And no, you don’t need teaching qualifications or permission from the school to do it.
We’ve done it and to save you the stress, we’ve created a step-by-step pack to help you do it too including a fully editable deregistration letter and a legal guide for parents in England.
The Problem with the School System in England
The school system is broken. We’ve normalised locking kids in classrooms for seven hours a day, following rigid curriculums with little room for creativity, personal interests, or real-world learning and don’t even get me started on the fines.
How dare you take your children out of school to explore the world?
Even if it’s more educational than anything they’d get from a worksheet or beneficial for the family relationship.
A study by the US Travel Association found that 49% of adults say their happiest memories are family holidays.
So why are we punishing parents for giving their kids these experiences…
We’ve become desensitised to:
- 1 in 5 children reporting mental health struggles
- Chronic underfunding and oversized classrooms
- Record SEND waiting lists
- Absurd pressure around exams and qualifications that often mean little in the real world.
If your gut says that the system isn’t serving your child or that they could benefit from a year under your direct care. You are not wrong!
Is It Legal to Take Your Child Out of School in the UK?
Yes, 100%.
In England, education is compulsory – but school is not.
You are legally allowed to educate your child at home (or while travelling), without the ridged curriculum.
Why not focus on:
- Money basics, how to save.
- Where food comes from, how to grow it.
- What empathy, kindness and boundaries mean.
- How to look after your mental health.
- Spotting mis-information online.
- Nutrition, what to eat and to avoid.
Isn’t that better than memorising the stages of photosynthesis?
All you have to do is notifiy the school in writing, they are legally required to remove your child from the register.
You:
- Don’t need formal teaching qualifications
- Don’t need to follow the national curriculum
- Do need to provide a full-time education suitable for your child’s age, ability, and needs
Your local authority may check in to ensure everything looks okay, but as long as your child is learning and progressing, you’re doing everything right.
Still unsure or want further confirmation? Click here to find the government website stating the facts.
Children may not remember the things you buy them over the years but they’ll always remember where you took them.
England vs. Finland: Who’s Really Putting Children First?
Still unsure about taking your child out of school?
Let’s compare England, where kids start formal education at 4 with Finland, one of the world’s most respected education systems:
Feature | England | Finland |
|---|---|---|
Starting Age for School | 4–5 years old | 7 years old |
First Formal Testing | Age 6–7 (Key Stage 1 SATs) | Age 16 (National Matriculation Exam) |
Class Size (Primary) | Average 27–30 students | Average 19–21 students |
Curriculum Structure | National Curriculum (prescriptive) | National Core Curriculum (flexible) |
Homework Expectations (Primary) | Frequent, even at early age | Minimal to none in early years |
Standardised Testing | Frequent (SATs, GCSEs, A-levels) | Rare, focus on continuous assessment |
School Hours | 6–6.5 hours/day | 4-5 Hours/day |
Outdoor Play & Recess | 1–2 short breaks per day | 15 mins every hour; daily outdoor time |
Focus in Early Years | Literacy & numeracy skills | Social skills, emotional wellbeing, play |
Inspection System | OFSTED inspections, league tables | No league tables; school autonomy |
Parental Role | Limited say in curriculum | Parents seen as equal partners |
Homeschooling Popularity | Growing, but often questioned socially | Less common, but alternative approaches respected |
World Happiness Rank (2025) | 23rd | 1st |
Now, I’m not saying school is the only factor in Finland’s world happiness ranking…
But when you look at this table, it’s hard to ignore which country creates a better environment for children to thrive in.
If you’re a fellow traveller ready to take the plunge, or a parent fed up with a failing school system and ready to take your child’s education into your own hands — you’re not alone.
We’re not saying school is the enemy, teachers work very hard in an underfunded sector but we are saying: you have options.
Final Thoughts: You’re Allowed to Do This
Whether you’re preparing to travel the world or just seeking a better fit for your family, homeschooling can offer your child a more meaningful, personalised, and enriching education.
You’re not breaking the law. You’re not being reckless. You’re choosing what’s best for your child.
And if that includes learning about history while walking through the grounds of Osaka Castle in Japan, or learning fractions at a night market in Vietnam it all counts.
If you’re considering long-term travel with kids, check out our post on travel hacks.
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