A home–school agreement is a document that sets out what a school, its parents and carers, and its pupils commit to in order to support the pupil's education and wellbeing. All maintained schools in England are legally required to have one, though it is not a legally binding contract.
Why do home–school agreements exist?
Home–school agreements were introduced by the School Standards and Framework Act 1998. The intention was to formalise the partnership between schools and families and to give parents a clearer picture of what they could expect from the school and what the school would expect in return. The requirement applies to all maintained schools in England — including academies, which are required by their funding agreements to have an equivalent document.
The agreements acknowledge that a child's education is a shared responsibility: even the best school cannot compensate entirely for a home environment in which attendance, punctuality, and support for homework are not prioritised.
What does a home–school agreement typically include?
Most home–school agreements have three distinct sections addressing each party:
| Section | Typical commitments |
|---|---|
| School's responsibilities | Provide a safe, ordered learning environment; communicate regularly with parents; set and mark homework; report on progress; address bullying or safeguarding concerns promptly |
| Parent/carer responsibilities | Ensure regular attendance; inform the school of absences; support the school's behaviour and uniform policies; attend parents' evenings; support homework completion at home |
| Pupil responsibilities | Attend lessons punctually; treat staff and peers with respect; complete homework; follow the behaviour policy; take care of school property |
The specific language and level of detail varies widely between schools. Some agreements are one page long; others run to several pages covering uniform expectations, mobile phone policies, and acceptable use of technology.
Do parents have to sign a home–school agreement?
Legally, no. Schools must ask parents to sign the agreement, but a school cannot refuse to provide education to a child simply because their parent or carer declines to sign. The law makes this explicit: the duty to educate pupils is unconditional. Schools may record whether parents have signed, but refusal to sign carries no formal sanction.
In practice, most families sign home–school agreements without concern because the commitments they contain — supporting attendance, attending parents' evenings, treating staff respectfully — are things they would do regardless. Disputes about agreements are relatively rare. If a parent has a specific objection to a clause (for example, a commitment about extracurricular participation that feels unrealistic for their family circumstances), it is worth raising this directly with the school rather than refusing to sign entirely.
Can the school enforce a home–school agreement?
Because the agreement is not a legally binding contract, it cannot be enforced through the courts. However, its contents do reflect policies that schools can enforce through their own procedures:
- Attendance: if a pupil's attendance falls below the statutory threshold, the school can refer the matter to the local authority, which may issue a penalty notice or take legal action — this happens under attendance law, not the agreement
- Uniform and behaviour: the school's behaviour policy and uniform policy are separate enforceable documents; the home–school agreement references them but is not itself the source of enforcement powers
- Homework: schools may sanction pupils who repeatedly fail to complete homework under their behaviour policy
The agreement is better understood as a statement of shared values and expectations rather than as a contract. Its main practical function is to make those expectations explicit at the point a pupil joins the school.
When and how is the home–school agreement presented?
New pupils and their families are usually asked to read and sign the home–school agreement as part of the admissions or induction process — often during the welcome letter, new parent evening, or at the start of Year 7. Some schools ask pupils to sign a separate version designed for their age, or to read it together with parents as a starting conversation about what secondary school involves.
If the school revises the agreement significantly — for example, adding a new mobile phone policy — parents should in principle be consulted before the change is made, in line with the requirement that schools consult parents when drawing up or revising the document.
Frequently asked questions
Does the home–school agreement apply to pupils who transfer mid-year?
Yes. Any pupil joining the school, whether at the start of Year 7 or via an in-year transfer, would normally be asked to sign the home–school agreement as part of the admissions process. The same legal position applies: signing is requested but the school cannot withhold a place if the parent declines.
Is a home–school agreement the same as a contract with the school?
No. A binding contract requires mutual consideration (something of value exchanged on both sides) and agreed terms that courts will enforce. A home–school agreement lacks the enforceability of a formal contract — the school cannot sue a parent who fails to attend parents' evening, and a parent cannot sue the school simply because a commitment in the agreement was not fulfilled. Specific legal rights — such as the duty to provide suitable education or to follow SEND law — exist independently of the agreement.
What should I do if I disagree with something in the home–school agreement?
Raise it with the school before signing. The admissions or pastoral team should be able to explain why a particular commitment is included and what the practical expectation is. If a specific clause feels onerous or inapplicable to your family circumstances, it is entirely reasonable to discuss this. Most schools would prefer a constructive conversation to a refused signature, which achieves nothing for either side.
Do independent schools have home–school agreements?
Independent schools are not required by law to have a home–school agreement in the way maintained schools are. However, many independent schools have their own equivalent document — often called a school contract or parent compact — which typically does have contractual force because parents enter into a formal agreement when accepting a place. The distinction is important: the independent school version may be legally enforceable in ways that the state school version is not. Always read an independent school's terms and conditions carefully before accepting a place.
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