"Large numbers" of pupils in Basildon are being taken out of mainstream education for home schooling, which is "alarming" – a council meeting has been told.

A leading officer told Basildon Council's cabinet meeting on December 9, headteachers are raising the matter with him.

The statement comes as Government data for the years 2021/22 and 2022/23 show students who are in home schooling as well as those who leave mainstream schools.

In 2021/22 the number of children in home education at any point during the year was 3,640 and it went up to 3,940 in 2022/23. In 2021/22, the number of children who started home education during the year was 1,560 but a year later it went up to 1,730.

Gavin Callaghan, leader of Basildon Council, said: "I've made it my priority to try and speak to as many headteachers as possible, I've visited a few schools in the borough already, I am due to visit a few more in the coming weeks and months.

"One of the things that they have raised, which I do find alarming is that we are seeing a large number of students who are claiming they are going to be home educated and not returning to school.

"The county council is then duty bound to come in and do checks on whether or not that is happening, and the suitability and all the rest of it.

"I don't know at this point whether or not that is happening, I am due in January to meet with Tony Ball, who is the cabinet member responsible for this at the county council to discuss this exact point.

"I did receive a letter from councillor Ball and I've got to say it read as if there wasn't really any understanding of what was going on in Basildon.

"Now I am hoping that was written by an officer and not by Cllr Ball and that we will have a more productive conversation. But I think that is a major issue and I think the work that's being done on economic development is really important and this will link into the local plan."

Cllr Tony Ball, leader for education excellence, life long learning and employability at Essex County Council said: "We always keep children and young people's wellbeing and future success as a focus of our work. We work with all schools in Essex to ensure that every pupil is given the opportunity to access education in a way that ensures they get the most out of it.

"Nationally there has been a rise in the number of children and young people being electively home educated. This can be down to a number of reasons, including families' particular lifestyle choices or the individual needs of a child.

"The number of electively home educated children and young people in Basildon has risen consistently over the last five years but this remains at the level of 15-16% of those electively home educated across the county since 2019.

"The decision to home educate a child lies with their parents. If they decide to, we have a dedicated team of officers to support them. This makes sure they get the appropriate levels of education within the home environment.

"Of course we are committed to ensuring that all children and young people receive the best possible education whether that be in a school or at home.

"As a former leader and long-time resident of the borough of Basildon, I will not take any lessons from Councillor Callaghan on understanding Basildon."