ALMOST 700 children didn't go back to school this month - and they won't get a detention.

That's because their parents quite legally educate them at home.

Children and parents from Taunton Home Education group celebrated NOT going back to school with a tree party and picnic at Fyne Court last week.

One of the organisers, Caroline Ellis, said: “We thought a Woodland Trust inspired tree party would be a fabulous way to celebrate not going back to school, especially as so many of us are passionate about protecting woodlands and spend a lot of time playing, learning and being creative outdoors.

"Fyne Court was the perfect setting – up in the beautiful Quantock Hills with fantastic woodlands and natural play areas.”

Children from more than 30 families enjoyed sharing food, exploring, building dens for themselves and mini dens for woodland cuddlies, crafting woodland creatures from pine cones and hunting for honey pots behind handmade fairy doors crafted by local home educator Emma Webber of Emma’s Fairy Boutique.

The Woodland Trust had produced a kit with stickers, woodland face masks, games, nature trail sheets and recipes that provided additional fun.

The group collected donations on the day to support the trust’s work in protecting and restoring native woodlands.

According to the figures from Somerset County Council, there are 667 home-educated children in Somerset.

Ms Ellis said: "The number of children is increasing all the time as more and more families are opting for a freer and more personalised, child-centred approach to learning.

"Several support groups have formed around the county offering kids the chance to learn and play together and enabling parents to exchange ideas and resources and arrange classes and get-togethers."