When you’re new to home education, one of the first questions you’ll find yourself Googling at 11pm is some version of: “Do I need a curriculum? What curriculum do home educators use? How do I even start?”
It’s a completely natural place to land – because for most of us, education and curriculum feel like the same thing. You can’t have one without the other, right?
Actually, in the UK, that’s not the case at all.
The Legal Position in the UK
Let’s start with the facts, because they’re reassuring.
In England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland, parents who home educate are not required to follow the National Curriculum. There is no legal obligation to use any particular scheme, programme, or set of resources.
The law simply states that education must be:
- Full-time (though this doesn’t mean school hours)
- Suitable to your child’s age, ability, and aptitude
- Appropriate for any special educational needs they have
That’s it. How you deliver that is up to you.
So Why Do People Use Curricula?
Despite not being required, many home-educating families do choose to use a structured curriculum – and for good reason.
A curriculum can:
- Provide a clear framework so you’re not starting from scratch every day
- Help ensure broad coverage of subjects over time
- Reduce the mental load of planning
- Be reassuring if you’re new and not yet confident in what “enough” looks like
There’s no shame in wanting structure. Plenty of experienced home educators use curricula and love them. It’s about finding what works for your family.
The Main Approaches to Home Ed in the UK
Rather than thinking of it as “curriculum or no curriculum,” it helps to understand the spectrum of approaches home educators tend to use:
1. Structured / School-at-Home
This approach mirrors traditional schooling most closely. You follow a set curriculum (often bought as a package), work through subjects systematically, and keep a schedule.
Good for families who: value clear progression, want external accountability, or have children preparing for qualifications.
2. Child-Led Learning (Unschooling)
At the other end of the spectrum, unschooling trusts the child to direct their own learning based on interest and curiosity. The parent facilitates rather than teaches.
Good for families who: want to move away from traditional schooling entirely, have children with strong intrinsic motivation, or prioritise real-world learning.
3. Eclectic / Relaxed Home Education
Most UK families sit somewhere in the middle. They mix structured resources with child-led exploration, use different methods for different subjects, and adapt as they go.
This is probably the most common approach = and the most sustainable for many families over the long term.
UK Curriculum Options Worth Knowing About
If you do want a structured programme, here are some options popular with UK home educators:
Oak National Academy (free)
A government-backed resource with full lesson plans across subjects and key stages. Entirely free and well-structured.
Twinkl (subscription)
A widely used teaching resource platform with printable worksheets, planning guides, and interactive content.
Wolsey Hall Oxford (paid)
A distance learning provider offering IGCSE and A-Level programmes – useful for older children heading towards formal qualifications.
Khan Academy (free)
Particularly strong for maths and sciences. Self-paced, video-led, and completely free.
Local authority resources
Worth checking what your local authority offers – ome provide access to resources and even exams for home-educated children.
What About GCSEs?
This is a question that often comes up when families are thinking longer term.
Home-educated children can sit GCSEs, IGCSEs, and A-Levels – they’re simply entered as private candidates. Some exam centres accept private candidates; others don’t, so it takes a bit of research to find one in your area.
If formal qualifications are part of your plan, it’s worth thinking about this a few years ahead, as some subjects benefit from structured preparation over time.
Starting Out: A Practical Note
If you’re just beginning and feeling overwhelmed by the curriculum question, here’s the most useful advice:
Don’t buy everything at once.
It’s very tempting to fill a basket with resources, workbooks, and subscriptions when you first start. Most experienced home educators will tell you: start with less. Observe your child. See what engages them. Build from there.
Give yourself a term – or even a few months – to find your rhythm before committing to any particular approach. What works beautifully for one family can feel completely wrong for another, even if they’re on paper very similar.
You Don’t Have to Have It All Figured Out
There is no perfect curriculum. There is no single right way to home educate.
What matters is that your child is learning, growing, and engaged – and that you have the support and resources to make that happen sustainably.
That’s what the Home Ed Circle community is here for.
Exploring home education and not sure where to start? Take a look at the Home Ed Circle Directory for local groups, classes, and online resources near you.
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