As education evolves, more families feel that a flexible learning option will allow them to tailor their child’s schooling experience to make it a more personalised learning journey. One such approach gaining popularity is flexi-schooling. But what exactly is it, and could it be the right fit for your family?
What Is Flexi-Schooling?
Flexi-schooling is a unique arrangement where a child is registered as home schooled at the same time as attending a mainstream school. They attend school part of the week with the remainder of their education delivered at home. It blends the structure and social benefits of school with the flexibility and personalisation of home education.
This approach can look different from child to child. Some may attend school for three days a week and learn at home for two; others might follow a different pattern that suits their family’s rhythm. What remains consistent is the shared responsibility between parents and the school to provide a well-rounded education.
Why Choose Flexi-Schooling?
Parents choose flexi-schooling for a variety of reasons, including:
- More tailored learning: At home, children can explore topics that interest them, move at their own pace, and receive one-to-one attention.
- Time for specialism: Allow time to dedicate to sport or music pursuits to a more advanced level, requiring more time for practice.
- Emotional wellbeing: Some children may thrive in a less pressured or overstimulating environment, finding a balance between school and home helps reduce stress.
- Family values or lifestyle: Flexi-schooling can support travel, family commitments, or alternative approaches to education like Montessori or forest schooling.
- Health and medical reasons: Children with specific health needs or neurodiversities may benefit from a more flexible setup.
How Does It Work?
Flexi-schooling arrangements are made on a case-by-case basis. While the child remains on the school roll, parents take full responsibility for the part of the education delivered at home. This requires a collaborative relationship between the family and the school.
It’s important to note that flexi-schooling is not a legal entitlement. Parents must request it, and the school must agree. The school has the right to decline the request if it is not in the best interest of the child or school community.
Is Flexi-Schooling the Same as Home Education?
No. With home education (also known as elective home education), the child is fully withdrawn from school and educated entirely at home. Flexi-schooling, by contrast, involves partial attendance at a registered school and partial education at home, with both elements forming part of the child’s overall education.
Could Flexi-Schooling Work for Your Child?
Flexi-schooling can offer a powerful balance between structure and freedom, especially for families seeking a more personalised learning journey. However, it requires commitment, organisation, and a strong partnership between home and school.
If you’re interested in exploring flexi-schooling, speak to your child’s school to understand their approach, and whether they are open to flexible arrangements.
Why Choose Dallington as a Flexi-School?
At Dallington School, we believe that learning should be as individual as the child. Our progressive, nurturing approach and small class sizes make us a natural home for families seeking a flexible education model.
Here’s what makes Dallington a supportive environment for flexi-schooling:
- A non-binary, inclusive approach: We respect and celebrate different learning paths. Flexi-schooling aligns with our belief in valuing every child’s unique journey.
- Strong partnerships with parents: Our open-door policy and collaborative culture make it easy to build trust and transparency around a child’s learning needs.
- Focus on wellbeing and individuality: Our ethos, The Dallington Difference, puts creativity, empathy, and joy at the heart of education. Flexi-schooling enhances that by letting children flourish both in and outside the classroom.
- Creative, broad curriculum: Whether attending part of the week or full-time, our curriculum encourages curiosity, exploration, and play — all vital elements in a balanced education.
- Experienced, flexible educators: Our teachers understand how to support diverse learners and are skilled at ensuring continuity between school-based and home-based learning.
If you are considering flexi-schooling and looking for a school that sees your child as a whole person — not just a pupil — Dallington could be the perfect fit.
Interested in flexi-schooling at Dallington? We’d love to talk with you. Contact us to find out how we can support your child’s unique learning journey.
