Also known as flexible school attendance, flexi-schooling is a way in which children can attend school part-time – legally.
It will usually mean that a child attends his/her school as usual for some days and be educated at home for the other day(s) of the week.
Any agreement about flexi-schooling is at the discretion of the Head Teacher and schools can agree or refuse any application on an individual basis.
It will usually mean that a child attends his/her school as usual for some days and be educated at home for the other day(s) of the week.
Any agreement about flexi-schooling is at the discretion of the Head Teacher and schools can agree or refuse any application on an individual basis.
- Provides parents with the opportunity to spend more time with their children.
- Children get the chance to participate in more in-depth learning, through more out-of-school trips and individual adult attention.
- Provides more time for less mature or younger children to adjust to school life. Some children are not ready to start school full-time, so their parents believe that attending part-time will give them the opportunity to catch up with their peers.
- Children who are recovering from a protracted illness are given the freedom to start school again on a gradual basis.
- Home-schooled children that aim to eventually return to full-time education will be able to slowly make the transition.
Disadvantages of Flexi-Schooling
- Flexi-schooling maybe classed as unfair on other children who are in full-time education. Children may begin to resent the fact that some of their peers do not have to attend five days a week.
- Children may find it more difficult to adjust to school, if they are allowed to spend several days a week at home with their parents.
- If children are not taught in the same way that the school teaches in preparation for exams/tests, it could affect the children’s standardised test scores.
- By children not attending school full-time it can make it difficult for children to forge strong friendships at school as they may be absent when the friendships are forged.
Is flexi-schooling a suitable option for you?
Flexi-schooling can work well for some children, if the parents have the time, energy and resources to devote to schooling their children part-time outside of a traditional school environment.
However, flexi-schooling is not for everybody, and not every parent is suitable to teach children at home. Think long and hard if you are considering this option, and discuss it with other parents who have made the leap.
Either party can terminate a flexi-schooling arrangement at any time, leaving parents with the option of either returning the child to full-time attendance, seeking a flexi-schooling arrangement with another school or wholly withdrawing the child effectively homeome educate.
When considering a flexi school request, schools should bear in mind the implications for registration coding, health and safety and safeguarding responsibilities.
Guidance is currently being revised, so for further information, please contact a[email protected]
However, flexi-schooling is not for everybody, and not every parent is suitable to teach children at home. Think long and hard if you are considering this option, and discuss it with other parents who have made the leap.
Either party can terminate a flexi-schooling arrangement at any time, leaving parents with the option of either returning the child to full-time attendance, seeking a flexi-schooling arrangement with another school or wholly withdrawing the child effectively homeome educate.
When considering a flexi school request, schools should bear in mind the implications for registration coding, health and safety and safeguarding responsibilities.
Guidance is currently being revised, so for further information, please contact a[email protected]