A clearer interpretation of some terminology used in the 1944 Education Act (replaced by the 1996 Act), was gained in the case of Harrison & Harrison v Stephenson (appeal to Worcester Crown Court 1981). The term 'suitable education' was defined as one which enabled the children 'to achieve their full potential', and was such as 'to prepare the children for life in modern civilised society'. The term 'efficient' was defined as achieving 'that which it sets out to achieve'.

Clearly this definition covers a great variety of educational approaches.

There is no one 'correct' educational system. All children learn in different ways and at varying rates, and chronological age has little bearing on the process. It would be wholly inappropriate for example to seek to impose 'reading and numeracy age' scales on home educated children, not subject to the specific educational methods in state schools. Individual children come to literacy and numeracy over a huge age range, which has no subsequent bearing on their competence in these areas as adults. It is vital that parents and children choose a type of education which is right for them, and it is important that LEA officials understand that there are many differing approaches or "ways of educating" which are all feasible and legally valid.

Education Act 1996, Part V (incorporating Education Reform Act 1988)

This introduces the National Curriculum, stating in Ss 351 to 353 (replacing ss1 & 2) that it only applies to children who are registered pupils of maintained (i.e. State or State-supported) schools.

Home educators may choose whether to base their studies around these guidelines fully, partially, or not at all.