What is Flexi-Schooling?

Flexi-schooling is an arrangement where a child attends school on a part-time basis and is educated at home for the remainder of the time. The child remains on the school roll at all times.

Flexi-schooling is not an entitlement. Each request is considered individually and agreed at the discretion of the Headteacher, in line with statutory guidance and the best interests of the child.

Why do some children flexi-school?

There are many reasons why parents may choose flexi-schooling for their child. Often it is to get a mixture of home-education, whereby parents can choose the environment for a range of often interest-based learning experiences, alongside the more formal aspects of school.  

What makes flexi-schooling successful? 

Strong partnerships between home and school are essential for flexi-schooling to be successful. At Helpringham Primary Academy we take a holistic view of a child's development and greatly value the strong influence family has on a child's outcomes. For all of our children, whether they are flexi-schoolers or not, we pride ourselves in being approachable and strive to know all our learners really well. 

The school is responsible for the outcomes of flexi-schoolers. This means that they are not exempt from statutory testing and, as a result, it is important to us that the partnership with flexi-school families is strong and supportive. We have a compulsory 3 days model, whereby flexi-schoolers must be in school for those days. For children on a 3 day model, we will share the learning objectives of core subjects for the 2 days they are not at school. For flexi-schoolers on a 4 day model, we will share the learning objectives of core subjects for the 1 day they are not at school. The principal behind this is to ensure that full learning opportunities are shared with parents. In flexi-schooling, the school and the parents take on responsibility for educating the child. Parents are not obliged to teach the concepts in any particular way, but it is advised by the school that they are covered so that their child is not disadvantaged. Whole foundation subjects will be given to parents to ensure that children aren't missing parts of their school-based foundation learning. For example, History may be given over entirely to families. We share our learning each week with all families via the online learning journal Tapestry. We encourage all our families to upload learning, achievements and exciting adventures they have outside of school for us to share and celebrate. 

How does the flexi-school arrangement work?

There is no legal entitlement to flexi-schooling. The decision to accommodate a flexi-schooling request is entirely down to the Headteacher and there is no appeal process for this. At Helpringham Primary Academy we look at requests on an individual basis, we discuss the arrangement with parents and regularly review the partnership. At any stage the agreement to flexi-school can terminate. Reasons for this may include, but not be limited to, insufficient progress in a core subject, poor attendance on compulsory days, insufficient communication between home and school. 

What to do if you are interested in enrolling your child at our school on a flexi basis

We love showing off our school, where our ethos is that everyone is welcome and everyone belongs. It is important that we get to know you and your child and that you feel we are the right setting for them. We love getting to know new people and warmly invite you to contact the school to arrange a visit to our school. Our headteacher, Mrs Kay, will personally show you around, and spend time finding out about your child, what they enjoy and how flexi-schooling could benefit them. If you feel we are the right match, you can email the school to request a flexi-school consideration before applying for a place formally through Lincolnshire County Council admissions team. The school will follow the process outlined above.  

If you have any further questions about flex-schooling, please don't hesitate to contact us.