Children who attend unregistered, or illegal, schools remain ‘at risk’ as a result of ‘no formal external oversight’ of safeguarding, health and safety, or the quality of education, says Ofsted in its 2024/25 annual report. The warning comes as the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill, which includes measures to close loopholes used by illegal school proprietors, is currently awaiting a date for its Report Stage in the House of Lords. Humanists UK has campaigned for stronger measures to tackle illegal faith schools for over a decade and supports the measures in the Bill which are essential to protect every child’s right to a safe, broad, and balanced education.
Children in these settings are taught almost exclusively religious instruction, often in poor or unsafe conditions where some have been subject to abuse. The Bill introduces clearer legal definitions that capture these settings, gives Ofsted stronger powers to inspect and shut them down, and establishes a register of home-educated children to prevent misuse of home education as a cover for illegal schooling. Ofsted has welcomed the Bill, which it says would ‘help us to protect children from inadequate education in unsafe, unregulated settings’.
This year the Unregistered Schools Team has opened over 280 investigations into suspected illegal schools. This has resulted in nearly 120 inspections and the issuance of 19 warning notices. Ofsted also reports that in 2024/25 it received nearly 330 referrals, while in 2022/23 and 2023/24, the average number of referrals received each year was 210.
Since 2016 the team, which was established following extensive campaigning by Humanists UK, has carried out 1,680 investigations of nearly 1,500 suspected unregistered schools. This has led to 990 inspections and around 220 warning notices. However, there have been only seven successful prosecutions and 21 convictions. This shows a clear need for stronger regulations.
Humanists UK’s Education Campaigns Manager Lewis Young said:
‘Every year Ofsted continues to sound the alarm against illegal schools. The concerns raised in its annual report are further proof that the measures in the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill are needed to close these settings and protect the education and welfare of every child. We hope that this is the last year that the alarm will be raised in this manner, before the Bill comes into force.’
Notes
For further comment or information, media should contact Humanists UK Director of Public Affairs and Policy Richy Thompson at press@humanists.uk or phone 0203 675 0959.
Read more about our work on illegal faith schools.
Read Ofsted’s 2024/25 Annual Report.
Read how measures in the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill will close illegal schools.
Humanists UK is the national charity working on behalf of non-religious people. Powered by over 150,000 members and supporters, we advance free thinking and promote humanism to create a tolerant society where rational thinking and kindness prevail. We provide ceremonies, pastoral care, education, and support services benefitting over a million people every year and our campaigns advance humanist thinking on ethical issues, human rights, and equal treatment for all.