What is flexi-schooling?
Flexi-schooling is an arrangement where a child attends school for part of the week and is educated at home for the rest. It bridges the gap between full-time school attendance and home education, giving families a middle ground that can work well in certain circumstances.
The child remains on the school roll throughout. On the days they are not in school, parents take responsibility for their education at home. This differs from standard home education, where the child is removed from the school register entirely.
Interest in flexi-schooling has grown steadily over the years. Families choose it for various reasons: some children have health conditions that make full-time attendance difficult, others have particular talents or interests that benefit from dedicated time outside the classroom, and some families simply feel their child thrives with a mix of school and home learning.
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Flexi-schooling is permitted under UK law, though it depends entirely on agreement from the school. This is not something parents can demand as a right. The decision rests with the headteacher.
Many schools choose not to offer flexi-schooling. Headteachers have discretion over whether to approve such requests, and they will typically consider several factors before agreeing:
- Whether the arrangement will benefit the child's overall education
- How it might affect the child's progress and attainment
- The impact on the child's relationships with classmates and staff
- Whether the parents can demonstrate they will provide suitable education at home
- How the school will manage attendance records and reporting
- Any effect on school funding, which is often linked to pupil numbers
If a headteacher agrees to flexi-schooling, the days spent learning at home are recorded using specific attendance codes to reflect the arrangement. Schools often use code 'C' to indicate that the child is receiving education off site under an authorised agreement. This means the child's recorded attendance percentage will appear lower than that of full-time pupils, though this should not count against the family as long as the arrangement is properly documented and the school understands the context.
Local authorities do not have formal approval power over flexi-schooling arrangements. However, they can require evidence that suitable education is being provided at home and may intervene if there are concerns about the quality of that provision. Parents should be prepared to explain how they plan to educate their child during home days if asked.
Your situation may be slightly different. ask a question below ↓ and our editorial team will reply with our advice.
How flexi-schooling works in practice
The details of a flexi-schooling arrangement vary from one family to another. Some children attend school for three days and learn at home for two. Others might come in for mornings only, or attend on specific days that align with particular lessons or activities.
Arrangements are flexible by nature. The schedule is agreed between the parents and the school, and it can be reviewed and adjusted over time if circumstances change or if the current approach is not working as hoped.
Parents who flexi-school are responsible for educating their child during home days. The school does not provide work or lesson plans for those periods, though some teachers may informally share what topics the class will cover. Parents can choose their own approach, whether that means following a structured curriculum, focusing on a particular subject in depth, or taking a more informal route.
Many families find that flexi-schooling allows them to tailor learning to their child's pace and interests. A child who struggles with a busy classroom environment might benefit from quieter time at home. A child with a strong passion for music, sport, or another pursuit might use home days to develop that skill more fully than the school timetable allows.
That said, flexi-schooling is not without challenges. Children may miss out on social time with friends, group activities, or lessons that are hard to replicate at home. Parents need to be confident in their ability to provide meaningful education and must be available during school hours, which is not always practical for working families.
Points to consider before requesting flexi-schooling
If you are thinking about flexi-schooling, it helps to approach the conversation with your child's school carefully. Headteachers are more likely to consider a request positively if you can explain clearly why the arrangement would benefit your child and how you intend to manage the home education side.
Be realistic about what flexi-schooling involves. You will need time, energy, and at least some confidence in supporting your child's learning. You should also think about how your child will stay connected with school life and friendships during days away.
Consider timing carefully. Schools may be reluctant to agree to flexi-schooling during key assessment periods, such as when SATs are approaching. Most families who flexi-school ensure their child attends during these times to avoid any disruption.
If your school declines the request, they are within their rights to do so. You could ask whether a trial period might be possible, or whether there are alternative ways to address your concerns. If you feel strongly that flexi-schooling is the right choice and your school will not agree, you may need to consider other options, including full home education or looking at other schools that might be more open to the idea.
For more information on school attendance, home education, and your rights as a parent, visit the GOV.UK website, which provides official guidance on education in England. If you are seriously considering flexi-schooling, reading the Department for Education's guidance on elective home education can help you understand your responsibilities and what local authorities may expect.
It’s a well known fact at the school that she has been abusive to every class for several years but they have no interest in dealing with her. Several parents are discussing removing their children from school but with SATS coming up, Prom, school trips and treats, the children are reluctant to leave and tbh, they deserve a great time in their last year.
Any ideas what we can do to get the school to either flexi educate or change the teacher?
My next move is to talk to the Governers as my daughter has had to have therapy and the report blames the teacher for all of her anxiety issues.
I am now thinking of home school her to save her sanity but as working parents I don’t know how this would work .
I have my four yr old little girl who i wouldnlove her to thrive and experience school life and make friends and learn in a way that theres not the negative impact of school life. So i haven't got long to consider and apply for part time school and part time home schooling . But what about the first key stage exam in june 2022, will i have to pay for her to sit exams
If my little girl is only part time say three days at school.
And how do i know what contents and curriculum she should be taught at home and how do i assess she is achieving
Aswell as getting the correct contents taught. And whats the realistic annual cost i would expect to face? I would so love to hear from someone that has knowlegde
On this to help me make the correct decison for my little girl.
And since when is being fair to other kids a criteria for choosing my child’s education? That’s like refusing to buy your kid a bike because the next door neighbour kid might be jealous! We have to make decisions based on what our child needs. Plus, if the other children see being home educated as better and desirable, doesn’t that say a lot about how awful school is for them?
Life is not about be fair to everyone. Life is about determining what’s right for each child . We are become a police society here in the U.K. just look at the LGBT influence in the department of education . From balanced view to extremist LGBT agenda .
The headteacher recently suddenly 'withdrew' permission because the local authority ppl responsible for tracking a schools 'performance' are pressurizing and penalizing the school due to the impact on 'attendance' figures. The withdrawal has nothing to do with what is best for the child.. it is out of self preservation. This is because there is no FLEXISCHOOLING absence code. There is only B or C.
And so we are left with a fight.
There is a huge gap in the published official government policy on Flexischooling (updated July 2019) and attendance policy. The *only* way to resolve this and to get more schools to embrace flexischooling, is to create a flexischooling absence code. To get the government to take notice, we may need to create a petition. Otherwise please contact Gavin Williamson and the ed stat policy head, Nick (who is also an MP).
Our experience is this: Our child goes to school after math class, and he does math at home. He has had no problems integrating. Every other child understands 'why' he is coming in late.And at home he has been able to pursue the subject almost at A level, with parental support, something the school could never offer. His progress is tracked as the course is online and so we are able to show progress reports whenever requested. Except for the schools unnecessary roadblocks, it has been a perfect situation.
Some schools may offer to 'flexischool' by allowing the child to leave early, but this always impacts club provision and the ability to arrange after school playdates etc. so is not as feasible.
Good luck on your journeys. The first thing to do is to print off the government guidelines and support of flexischooling and email it to the headteacher. But be prepared for a no, whatever valid circumstance, due to the absence coding issue.
Has anyone had a similar situation? I would love any advice please as I am at a loss what else we can do. Any points I should put to the teacher to convince it’s the right thing to do?
Thank you,
Dean
Does anyone know a way we can confront the teachers about this issue and possibly have any ideas in which I can improve on when talking about me doing flexi-schooling
Should we apply the same logic to those children that attend public school over those that attend private school.
The unfair mentality is what is teaching our kids an over bearing sense of self entitlement. Creating the illusion that everything should be fair and just and no effort is required.
Is it fair that we live somewhere where our children are able to attend school over countries where children can’t have an education! That’s unfair!
Bofore a school gives our child a place or after?
Thank you
Manda
We are in same predicament. We need to work in Europe from May to August and need to take ur 8year old with us. We are directors of our own performance company and need to work the job together. We have the capability to employ a registered tutor to provide tuition but we are also very active parents in our sons learning. Can anyone offer any help regarding this situation? Thanks in advance. Wendy
Is there any likely restrictions on such an arrangement?
I know the head would have to agree, but would this be easier than trying to get him in another school? I am in limbo at the moment as the LEA person I need to talk to is off, noone knows when she will be back & theres noone to fill in.
thanks for the info.
we are in Whetstone in Barnet, London. Is there a list, or people we could ask which schools participate and which don't? thanks
Paul
I'd like to research this further.
If possible please provide sources for the legislation or other relevant documents on flex-schooling.
thanks in anticipation...
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