By Gavin Mackintosh-
Nearly hundred thousand children were home schooled in the UK in the last academic year, figures show.
Department for Education statistics show that an estimated 97,600 students were home schooled in the country.
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An estimated 740 children were voluntarily taught at home in Bradford in the 2022-2023 summer term.
In Hertfordshire, an estimated 2,210 children were voluntarily taught at home in Hertfordshire in the 2022-23 summer term.
Separate figures from the Office of the Schools Adjudicator suggest there were 60,500 in March 2019.
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The largest reason for children being withdrawn from schools was for philosophical reasons.
Other reasons for parents choosing home schooling according to research include parents taking exception to some of the negative influences in schools, religious objection to teachings of transgender and same sex marriage in schools, and a preference to monitor and direct the standard of education of their children.
Meanwhile, many parents chose to educate their children at home for their mental health – 12,200 across England.
Olly Parker, head of external affairs at children’s charity Young Minds, said schools “can and should be supportive environments for young people”.
However, he warned “anxiety, bullying, academic pressure, difficult relationships and a lack of support” can lead to some children avoiding school.
Mr Parker added: “Young people should be able to access support for their mental health when they need it, including in schools.
“Currently, mental health support in schools is a postcode lottery and the Government must commit to ensuring young people can access support in every school in the country.”
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