Hi there, sorry to burst your bubble but Government don't like to give us full control. There have always been safeguards that we must comply with.
When i started homeschooling i did not have to stick to the curriculum, however if they come and pay you a visit and you haven't followed the curriculum for their age group, such as Key Stage 3 or whatever they can suggest that you are not delivering an efficient standard of education.
I find that the council will send you a letter saying they intend to make a visit on a certain date to evaluate their progress which is fine, although if you have no evidence of learning then again they can suggest your failing their education.

By law you do not have to accept a visit from the council, but denying them leads to the question why and then you will find yourself having to answer to social services as the council will pass on the suspicion that there is some kind of issue.
If i was naive and believed that my local council would like to help and support my child get the best from their home education then i would be truly foolish.
I am meeting and hearing about an increasing amount of pressure from the government on homeschoolers, the latest last week where they want to pass a law to make all homeschoolers jump through the same hoops as a funded public school.

This was propaganised by the papers and news hyping up more fear that fundamental religious schools were illegally radicalising the children. Now extremist religious views is anyone who actually follows the bible, and to a certain extent the muslims too, they are being used to clamp down on free thinking homeschoolers and finding any excuse to intervene more in your life.

Another friend missed an appointment at the doctors for her son (there is more about his health and attending public school previously) and the doctor sent a letter of concern to social services and now she is being investigated for endangering her child and being unfit for homeschooling and possibly as a parent.

To teach your children is one of the most rewarding experiences i could have and the benefits will last yours and your childrens lives. However like all freedoms these days the ever increasing encroachment of big brother and the lunatic left will find a way eventually to take that right away in my opinion.

I promise i have not written all this to dissuade you from doing home schooling in any way, but as an ex teacher and assessor of both the councils, HMRC, DWP in my previous profession i can see what they are up to.
I always get at least a page of handwritten work a day and put comments, encouragement and a date on it. I also add many dates to anything i do and make notes of whatever type of learning they have undertaken. This is not my need but for the government need.

It would be wise to ensure you have some proof regularly as a buffer against any suggestions that you haven't been doing enough or the right curriculum. Cover yourself, my last visit made me nervous and i had everything they wanted and more.

I am still waiting for the letter for last year to visit, although i have some disturbing gossip that they have been dropping in unannounced to catch homeschoolers out and it has been working apparently.