THE number of home-schooled pupils in Barnsley has more than doubled in the last two years and more than trebled in the last three, figures obtained by the Chronicle this week reveal.
According to the council the dramatic rise is believed to be in part due to the breakdown of relationships between some parents and schools rather than strong belief that the child will receive a better education outside of mainstream schooling.
The number of home-schooled pupils has risen from:
69 in 2010
64 in 2011
58 in 2012
64 in 2013
95 in 2014
191 in 2015
204 in 2016
Councils are duty-bound to make sure all children get a suitable education but their powers to check this is happening with home educated kids are limited - officials can only enter premises if they have specific concerns about a child’s safety.
