Part-Time Employment
Quick Summary:
Once exempt, the student’s ongoing learning programme is the responsibility of the parent/caregiver
The parent/caregiver can arrange their schedule in whatever way best suits their education goals
Employment can be part of their child’s learning program, as long as it doesn’t interfere with their ability to be taught “as regularly and as well as in a registered school”
Hours of potential employment are not defined and are up to the individuals involved to consider and work out
This restriction on students under 16yrs being employed during school hours does not apply to homeschooled students
Home educated students often desire to engage in part-time employment to gain work and life experience. This can be an excellent opportunity to extend their learning, try out a job of interest, and gain various skills.
Students under 16yrs who are in school can not be employed during school hours, however this restriction does not apply to homeschooled students. Once you receive a Certificate of Exemption for your child, the responsibility for their education programme rests on you. Homeschooled students cannot be employed to the extent that it interferes with their ability to be taught effectively, but hours are not defined and are up to the individuals involved to consider and work out.
No matter which approach/philosophy you use, there is no obligation to homeschool during certain hours such as the 9am-3pm school hours.
As long as you ensure your child continues to be taught “as regularly and as well as in a registered school,” you can conduct your learning programme whenever it suits, make changes at will, and incorporate new elements as you see fit. You can arrange your child’s schedule in whatever way best suits your family, and if you deem suitable part-time employment to be integral to your child’s education goals, that is up to you.
Section 30 of the Education Act 1989 (Employment of school-age children) states:
No person shall employ any person who has not turned 16 at any time … when the employment interferes with the person’s ability to be taught as well and regularly as in a registered school … unless there has been produced to the employer a certificate of exemption, or other satisfactory evidence that the person is exempted from enrolment at any school.
On employment websites it may say that students under 16yrs not permitted to be employed during school hours. This applies to students who go to school, it does not apply to home educated students. The only restriction is as quoted above, that it does not interfere with “the person’s ability to be taught as well and regularly as.” Potential employers may wish to see the Certificate of Exemption to confirm they can legally employ your child. Part-time employment can be a valuable part of your child’s learning journey - good luck!
