More than 1,000 children are being pulled out of primary and secondary schools in Kent each year to be home-schooled, figures reveal.

But there is currently no mechanism in place to ensure they are receiving a rounded education - or, for that matter, any at all.

And that has prompted one education expert in the county to express fears that some could be falling between the cracks and end up in a vulnerable situation where their safety could be at risk.

According to a Freedom of Information request, shared with KentOnline, 810 children in Kent’s primary schools were taken out to be home-educated in 2023/24 - up a staggering 91% on the year before.

Meanwhile, those being taken out of secondary schools rose by 41% to 1,842.

In Medway, the figures for all schools were 548 in 2022/23 and 452 in 2023/24.

Nationwide, the number has doubled over the last five years.

Currently, parents can pull their child out of classes by simply informing schools they are exercising their rights to an elective home education (EHE).

But, says former head teacher and education consultant Peter Read, the checks and balances on the education they receive - and their safety - end there.

He explains: “At present, there is no check on children whose families elect to remove them from school recording that they will be providing home education.

“Whilst many will do so for sound reasons, such as an unacceptable experience at school, and are able to provide for their children a valuable alternative form of education, perhaps employing one or more of the reputable home education tutors or online support, many other children simply become invisible and potentially at risk.

“Local authorities only have the power to ask families how they are providing for such children but none to visit them, see how or if they are being educated, or take action if not satisfied with this superficial check. There is a highly voluble home education lobby that wants to protect its right to EHE without monitoring, with no regard for those children at risk.

“It is an utter scandalous failure of governments having no idea what happens to thousands of children whose parents or carers have simply informed schools that they wish to home educate them and then removed them from those schools.”

Home-schooled youngsters do not have to take exams like SATs or GCSEs. Parents have to pay for their children to sit the tests either at a school or a special exam centre.

If there are concerns over welfare, then social services - with additional powers - can be called in. But there are fears some may be missed and find themselves not only not receiving an education, but in danger.

Adds Peter Read: “Let's take 2024 - 810 primary school children were taken out of school and we have no idea what's happening to them. They could be part of county lines, part of grooming gangs, they could be abused - anything could be happening to them.

“The Sara Sharif case is one extreme example.

“What worries me is we just don't know what is happening with these children.

“It would only take one tragedy.”

Sara Sharif was the 10-year-old beaten to death in August 2023 by her father and step-mother after being taken out of school under the pretence of being home-educated.

Currently, local authorities can intervene if it appears parents are not providing a suitable education and serve a notice in writing to the parent asking the parent to demonstrate that the child is receiving a suitable education.

But there is no obligation to see or speak to the child.

Currently, there is new legislation making its way through parliament aimed at tightening up the issue.

The Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill had its second reading in the House of Commons in January and is currently in the report stage.

It will put further emphasis on parents providing proof of education, but still no requirement to speak to the child themselves.

It is a situation the Local Government Association has also expressed concerns over. It said: “We recognise that the vast majority of those who home-school their children are doing an excellent job. However, we also know that home-schooling has been a factor in a number of cases where children have come to serious harm.

“We continue to call for powers and resources for councils to speak to children directly, to check that they are safe and being taught a suitable education.”

Additionally, a Home School Education Registration and Support Bill is currently at the committee stage in the House of Lords. This seeks to introduce a register for all those being home-educated and a requirement for progress reports.

Covid has affected everything in education. One of the things it has done, which has been widely accepted, is that going to school, which was the norm, is no longer normal

But, again, there are concerns it does not go far enough.

Added the Local Government Association: “We have long raised with government that there are significant omissions in the current powers local authorities have to exercise their statutory duties, which means that it is possible for children who are missing school to slip through the net.”

And it is that which most concerns Peter Read - a former head of Gravesend Grammar - who fears there has been a shift in attitudes to full-time education since the pandemic.

He explains: “Covid has affected everything in education. One of the things it has done, which has been widely accepted, is that going to school, which was the norm, is no longer normal.

“Attendance at school is no longer seen, by many families, as an obligation.

“It’s not the county council’s fault - they don’t have any powers to take action. But there were 810 primary school children being taken out of schools last year, and we can expect another 810 this year and so on. It’s worrying that no-one knows what all of these children are actually doing.”

A spokesperson for Kent County Council said: “We await more detail from the government about their proposals and would expect new funding to enable the council to deliver any new requirements.

“We have no legal power or duty to monitor home education on a routine basis. However, we will make enquiries if it is not clear that a child is receiving suitable education, the details of which are set out in our Elective Home Education policy.

“Our role in relation to home education is part of our wider responsibilities, including safeguarding, to all the children in Kent.”