The Independent Grammar School: Durham

 FLEXI-SCHOOLING POLICY

 Background

 What is flexi-schooling?

 Flexi-schooling is a more or less formal arrangement whereby a child is educated partly at home or off-site (by parents or others) and partly at school (by teachers).  During the duration of a flexi-schooling arrangement, the child remains on the school register and remains the school’s legal responsibility.

 Is it a legal right?

Parents have the legal right to home-school, but do not have the same rights in respect of flexi-schooling.  They may request to enter into a flexi-school arrangement, but the decision to allow flexi-schooling rests with the school (specifically, in our case, the Principal).  Only those with parental responsibility may request flexi-schooling; the school may not insist upon it.

 In reaching a decision, the Principal will consider:

 ·       The safeguarding and welfare of the child

·       The educational interests of the child

·       The reasons for the request being made

 The school’s decision is final and there is no right of appeal.

 Why flexi-schooling?

 There are a number of factors which have combined to raise the profile of flexi-schooling and, it seems, increase the demand for it.

 ·       Many parents choose to home-school, and home-schooling has been a popular choice for many years for some. The number of children being home-schooled still remains under 1% of all children of school age in the UK.  Recent suggestions that Ofsted will become more interested in home-schooling in the future are leading many parents to seek support from established schools rather than risk failing what they fear might be quite an intrusive inspection.

·       Covid led many parents to believe that home-schooling was a more realistic option than they had imagined.

·       Many parents fear the effects the national curriculum might have on their children, suspecting it of being over-politicised, and wish to balance its content

·       Many parents believe it to be their prime responsibility to educate their children, with or without the help of established schools, and wish to take that responsibility very seriously.

·       Many wish to take that responsibility seriously but also to give their children good access to team working, socialisation, competition, friendship groups etc.(in whatever combination is important to them)

·       As children become older, parents might feel less confident in teaching specialist subjects

·       There are now more schools beginning to consider the possibility of offering flexi-schooling.

The reasons IGS: Durham wishes to become involved in flexi-schooling, and actively offer it to a small number of families include:

 ·       We believe that it is for parents to educate their children in the way they choose

·       We wish to help parents who cannot find what they want elsewhere

·       It makes business sense to offer people what they want if we can

·       We believe the active involvement of parents in a child’s education is hugely important.  It may not always be feasible, but when it is, and the willingness and capability are there, the result is potentially very powerful and excellent for children.

·       We wish wherever possible to be ahead of the curve – and we believe this is a curve.

What we will offer

·       An open-minded approach to flexi-schooling – i.e., we want this to happen, we will say “yes” whenever we can, and we will commit to learn lessons as we go along

·       Up to 5 flexi-school places across the school (currently ages 4-14) with immediate effect.

·       A range of options for parents (e.g., a 50% timetable, 5 mornings a week, two and a half days a week etc.).  The maximum absence from school will be 50% of the weekly timetable.

·       Regular contact between teacher and parents. 

·       We will enable a support group to be established

·       We will allocate to a member of staff specific responsibility for flexi-schooling.  That is likely to be the Principal in the first instance.

·       As much Maths and English as we can teach a flexi-school child (mornings).  Clear home-school communication regarding work completed, work done, expectations from the school and vice versa.

·       The flexibility to allow families to organise trips, projects etc. which are not directly linked to the school schemes of work (but which not conflict with them), subject to risk assessment  

·       Regular progress testing (including NFER and reading age tests) to ensure pupils’ progress is understood and actions can be taken.  These tests will be administered in school.

·       Guidance and support for parents in organising home-based schooling.  Schools have a legal requirement to ensure that the standard of provision outside school is of an acceptable level.  We will not do this intrusively but will maintain contact and regularly discuss what is happening at home.

What we expect

  • A positive, constructive approach from parents

  • A structured, planned approach to home schooling which (usually) complements and never contradicts what is being taught in school

  • Attendance at all arranged meetings in school with teachers (not less frequently than half termly)

What we will not offer/accept

 ·       Any fee reduction. We are an affordable private school, currently charging £300 a month, and we cannot reduce that for a flexi-school place.

·       Unreasonable demands being placed on teachers

·       The agreed timetable being regularly changed by parents (leading to unpredictability, inefficiency and unreasonable workload for teachers)

·       Flexi-schooling parents who do not support the school’s stance on behaviour, manners, uniform etc.

·       Any activities planned by parents which in the school’s view are discriminatory in nature, or which jeopardise the child’s safety and welfare (or anyone else’s).

 A flexi-school arrangement can be terminated without notice by either party.

Flexi-School Contract

 Before embarking upon flexi-schooling, a contract or agreement should be drawn up and signed by both parties.  This will include (inter alia):

 ·       The days and times when the child will attend school and the times when flexi-schooling will apply

·       The requirement for parents to attend one meeting per half term in school

·       Full risk assessments carried out, signed and recorded to ensure that the school’s liability is protected and that good practices are followed (e.g., trips, outings, visits etc.)  These remain the school’s responsibility under a flexi-school arrangement. 

·       How communication will take place between school and parents

·       The requirement for parents to ensure that the child attends school for scheduled testing (e.g., termly NFER tests, regular reading age assessments etc)

·       Agreement that when short (weekly) tests are administered at home, they are done fairly and are a true test.

·       The access parents will have to school resources

·       Parents will allow the school reasonable access to home provision

·       The duration of the flexi-school arrangement and a review date.

 

The Independent Grammar School: Durham

Date:               June 2022; July 2024

Review date:   June 2026 or earlier if necessary