Flexi-school FAQs
What is Flexi-schooling?
Flexi-schooling is a blended approach to education in which a child is officially enrolled in a school but attends only on specific, pre-agreed days. The remainder of their learning is carried out at home. This model represents a partnership between school and home, requiring strong commitment, clear communication, and close collaboration from all parties involved.
We know that parents, extended families and carers are all involved in their child’s education in many ways. Flexi-schooling is used to describe a situation where a child’s parents or carers opt to educate their children for part of the time, during the school week.
Who can request Flexi-schooling?
Parents or guardians can request Flexi-schooling for their child. The decision to approve the request lies with the Headteacher.
Is Flexi-schooling a legal option?
Yes, Flexi-schooling is legal in the UK. Parents have the right to request Flexi-schooling, but the school has no legal obligation to offer or provide it. It requires the agreement of the school and is not an automatic right.
What is the application process for Flexi-schooling?
The school should be contacted directly to discuss a request. A formal application and agreement will be required if approved by the Headteacher.
Parents and carers who are considering Flexi-school will have an initial meeting with the Headteacher. They will discuss their reasons for requesting flexi school, sharing their ideas about how they will provide an education for their child and what this may look like. Following this, a decision will be made. If Flexi-schooling is agreed, then the parents /carers will be asked to read and sign the Flexi-school Memorandum of Understanding and Agreement.
As Flexi-schooling is at the Headteacher’s discretion, the Flexi-schooling agreement can be withdrawn at any time especially if there are concerns about the safeguarding of the child, if there is persistent or recurring absence or if the child is not making good progress over time.
Will Flexi-schooled pupils be counted on the school register?
Yes, the child remains on the school roll and is considered a registered pupil.
How is attendance recorded?
Attendance is recorded based on the agreed Flexi-schooling schedule. Absences outside the agreed times may be unauthorised.
There is no absence code, that fully reflects Flexi-schooling. Code C: Leave of absence authorised by the school will be used. This is usually only given in exceptional circumstances, however, the current DFE Guidance requires schools to mark a child as Code C in the attendance register for any sessions when educated at home. Parents will not receive a penalty for authorised absence due to Flexi-school timetable. Illness is recorded using the code I. Absences on non-flexi days will be marked as unauthorised if it is not due to illness, medical appointments or exceptional circumstances.
Code L will be used to record Late attendance.
See the Attendance policy for further information.
Who is responsible for the home education part?
The Department for Education (DfE) (2019) makes clear that “Where parents choose not to have their child educated at school, they must be prepared to assume full responsibility, including financial responsibility, for their child’s education.”
Children who are being educated at home sometimes attend other settings to supplement that home education, this can be a state or independent school. If a child does undertake this form of Flexi-schooling, parents must still ensure that the child receives a suitable full-time education, but the element received at school must be taken into account in considering whether that duty is met. Parents are therefore responsible for the education provided at home and must ensure it is suitable and effective.
Regular termly reviews seek to ensure that the arrangement is working and that children are making good progress over time. Parents will provide evidence of their child’s learning journey and progress over time. Our memorandum of understanding (MoU) seeks to ensure that there is an understanding/partnership with parents so that everybody knows what is expected of them. For example, parents need to know that their child is their responsibility on the days when they are being educated at home.
What does Flexi-schooling look like?
There are two options, the minimum being three core days a week and the second option being four core days a week.
Option 1 – 3 days: Monday, Wednesday and Thursday
Option 2 – 4 days: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday
Part Time Timetable – how is this different from Flexi-schooling?
Some children need the flexibility of a bespoke part-time timetable. This is not the same as Flexi-schooling. This is usually arranged to support an education need or disability, recovery from illness or a particular family circumstance.
Can a Flexi school place be applied for during the school year and in any year group?
Yes. Parents can request a school place for their child on a Flexi-schooling agreement at any point in the school year and in any year group from Reception to year 4. However, it is at the discretion of the Headteacher whether a Flexi-schooling agreement is agreed.
What are some of the advantages?
Strategically offering Flexi-schooling could bring growth and stability to our small village school. It could be appealing for families from a variety of locations, which brings even more diversity into a small village school.
It is an offer that could work well for electively home-educated children whose parents feel that their child would benefit from being educated at home and in a school setting. This may be for social and emotional reasons as well as academic reasons.
What funding does the school receive?
The school receives full funding for all children, and top up funding for those children who qualify for the additional pupil premium funding. This means that the school receives the same amount of money coming into school per child for Flexi-schooled children, just like full-time children.
Will Flexi-schooled pupils still be assessed like other pupils?
Teachers will assess the progress and attainment of all pupils in the same way, and they will be included in statutory assessments.
Can Flexi-school be opted for on a week-by-week basis?
No, Flexi-schooling is not a temporary agreement. It must be a planned, consistent, and agreed-upon schedule, not an ad hoc or reactive one. As a school we recognise that consistency in attendance is needed to support curriculum planning, assessment, and social development.
Can a parent try Flexi-schooling to see if it would work for them?
The application process and Memorandum of Understanding agreement would still need to be completed.
If a pupil is withdrawn from Flexi-schooling, a new request for Flexi-schooling cannot be made within the same academic year, except in exceptional circumstances and with the agreement of the Headteacher.
What happens if there is a Bank holiday or staff training day?
When there is a Bank Holiday or staff training day, the school is closed to all pupils. This is referred to as a planned whole or partial school closure. All pupils will be registered as not required to attend and it is not counted in the attendance register and does not affect a pupil’s attendance percentage.
If a child is Flexi-schooled, will they miss out on key learning?
No, the full school curriculum will be delivered. The school will share an overview of the planned curriculum, and it is the parent’s responsibility to ensure that Flexi-schooled pupils continue to receive a suitable and effective education during this time. However, the school requires regular updates on the education provided at home to ensure continuity and accountability.
Will Flexi-schooling affect the learning of full-time pupils?
If your child attends school full time, they will not notice any difference to the school week.
How is Flexi-schooling explained to pupils who attend school full time?
The school will ensure that pupils understand that pupils who are Flexi-schooled are continuing their learning while not in school and are not having days off. We remain committed to delivering a creative, engaging, and stimulating curriculum that fosters a love of learning for all. We will help pupils to understand that learning may take different forms for different pupils.
Will the expectations of the school’s Christian Vision and Values change?
No, the same expectations of behaviour and conduct will be expected from all pupils.
If a Flexi-schooling agreement is in place, is wearing a school uniform still a requirement?
Yes, unless school communicates that it is a non-uniform day or if it’s a Forest School or PE day.
Can Flexi-schooled children have a school meal whilst in school?
Yes, the lunch menu is available on the school website or pupils can bring a packed lunch.
Can Flexi-schooled children attend wraparound care, school trips, sporting events or special assemblies in school?
Yes, all activities are available for all pupils.