When a child finds full-time mainstream school in the UK challenging, whether academically, emotionally or socially, parents may look for flexible alternatives. One increasingly popular option is flexischooling.
In this guide, TLC LIVE explains what flexischooling in the UK is, how hybrid schooling works, and what both parents and students should consider.
What is flexischooling?
Flexischooling is a flexible education arrangement in which a child attends their usual school part-time and learns at home or elsewhere for the remainder of the week. The balance between school-based and home-based learning is agreed between parents and the school, giving families and students more choice in how, when, and where learning happens.
What’s the difference between flexischooling and hybrid schooling?
You may also hear the term ‘hybrid schooling’. In this guide, we use flexischooling and hybrid schooling to mean a mix of part-time school attendance and learning offsite, often with parents arranging the home or online elements. In other places though, hybrid schooling can also refer to pupils being at school full time but taking some lessons online while on school grounds. If you see the terms used differently, it’s always worth checking what’s involved.
How does flexischooling work?
Flexischooling blends the benefits of classroom learning, such as in-person teaching, peer socialisation, and access to school resources, with the personalisation and flexibility of home education. A hybrid school can be especially helpful for children who find full-time school overwhelming, have special educational needs or disabilities (SEND), or need more tailored teaching in certain subjects.
While flexischooling is legal in the UK, it is not a parental right. Schools must approve any hybrid schooling or flexischooling arrangement, and they have the discretion to refuse or end an agreement at any time.
How is flexischooling different from homeschooling?
The main difference between flexischooling and homeschooling is where the responsibility for education lies:
- Homeschooling (Elective Home Education): Parents take full responsibility for their child’s education, with no requirement for the child to attend any school. Parents can withdraw children freely, without needing school approval.
- Flexischooling / hybrid schooling: The child remains on the school’s roll, splitting time between school and home education, with the arrangement formally agreed by the school. Both the school and the parent share responsibility for the child’s education, working together to ensure the child’s needs are met.
Flexischooling gives families the structure of regular school alongside the flexibility of home learning. This is helpful for those seeking a more adaptable approach without leaving the school system entirely.
Benefits and challenges of flexischooling/hybrid schooling
As with any method of education, hybrid schooling will come with its own pros and cons. Some of these are:
Benefits
- Personalised learning: Flexischooling allows for a more tailored education, matching the child’s interests and needs.
- More one-to-one attention: Children benefit from focused teaching and smaller groups during home-based days.
- Reduced stress: Hybrid schooling is often less overwhelming for students who struggle with standard routines, or experience anxiety or emotionally-based school avoidance (EBSA).
- More family time: Flexischooling can help families achieve a better work-life balance, especially for children with additional needs or unique circumstances.
- Access to specialist resources: With hybrid schooling, students may take part in specialist subjects or activities not available at school, using community or online providers (like TLC LIVE’s online school).
While these may work for your family, it is also important to consider some of the challenges too:
Challenges
- No automatic right: Schools can decline or revoke flexischooling at any time.
- Parental responsibility: Parents are legally and practically responsible for a child’s education when not in school, which is a significant commitment.
- Routine and consistency: Organising two learning environments can be complex for both families and teachers.
- Limited access to school activities: Children may have less access to after-school clubs and full-time peer socialisation.
- Finding a supportive school: Not all schools are familiar with or supportive of flexischooling, making it important to research local policies.
Flexischooling FAQs and important considerations
When considering hybrid schooling, it’s important to be fully informed. Here are some common questions and answers:
1. Do I need the school’s agreement to start hybrid schooling?
Yes. There is no automatic legal right to flexischooling in the UK. You must get the agreement of your child’s school before starting any kind of part-time or hybrid schooling arrangement. Each school makes its own decision, and they can approve or reject requests based on their discretion and school policies.
2. Can the school end a flexischooling agreement once it’s in place?
Yes. Even after a flexischooling arrangement has started, the school can withdraw its approval at any point. If the school feels the arrangement is no longer working in the child’s best interests or is causing issues for the school, they may withdraw their consent.
3. Who is responsible for monitoring my child’s progress in a hybrid schooling arrangement?
Both parents and the school share responsibility for your child’s education. The school is expected to keep records and report on your child’s progress across both the days spent at school and the learning done at home. As a parent, you should be prepared to provide regular updates and evidence of home-based learning as requested by the school.
4. Does my child remain on the school roll if we do flexischooling?
Yes. Your child will remain on the school register and will be officially counted as a pupil of the school. This affects attendance reporting and means that school attendance rules still apply on the days your child is expected to be in school.
5. Can flexischooling affect my child’s eligibility for benefits, funding, or support?
It may. Because your child is still on the school roll, many benefits and funding streams that are linked to school attendance or registration should still apply. However, some kinds of funding or support – especially those linked to full-time attendance – might be impacted. It’s a good idea to check with the school and relevant authorities before making a final decision.
6. What do I need to prepare before asking the school for a flexischooling arrangement?
Preparation is key. You should research hybrid schooling thoroughly and put together a clear written plan that explains why you’re requesting this arrangement, how you will support your child’s education at home, and what resources you’ll use. Being able to show how you’ll meet their learning needs outside of school can help your case.
7. Are there legal requirements or specific policies I need to follow for flexischooling?
There isn’t a specific legal framework for flexischooling; guidelines can vary by local authority and school. You’ll need to comply with any requirements set out by your school and local authority, so it’s important to ask about their policies, procedures, and expectations in advance.
8. What are the main challenges or drawbacks of hybrid schooling I should be aware of?
Hybrid schooling can be rewarding but also comes with challenges, as already highlighted. Flexischooling depends on good communication and cooperation with the school. Arrangements can sometimes be inconsistent, and you may have less access to some school resources or activities, which may prove costly for parents and carers. If the agreement breaks down, your child may need to return to full-time school attendance. It’s important to go in with clear expectations and ongoing dialogue with your school.
9. How does flexischooling work with exams and national assessments?
Children who are flexischooled are generally expected to take part in all statutory assessments, such as Key Stage SATs or GCSEs, alongside their peers. For these exams, your child will usually need to be in school on the relevant days and follow the same rules as full-time pupils.
The school remains responsible for entering your child for any required assessments and providing the necessary support. It’s important to discuss how exam preparation will be managed and make sure your home-based learning supports the work being done in school.
10. Will my child still be able to join in with school trips, clubs, and other activities?
In many cases, flexischooled pupils can take part in school trips, extracurricular clubs, and special events, but this will depend on arrangements agreed with the school.
Participation in these activities often supports your child’s social development, so it’s a good idea to talk with the school about what is possible. Be aware that attending trips or clubs may require your child to be in school on certain days or to make additional arrangements at home.
How to get started with flexischooling
If you think flexischooling could help your child, here are some practical next steps:
- Research locally: Look into policies, what hybrid schooling is, and which schools may support it.
- Assess your child’s needs: Identify specific reasons why hybrid schooling might be a good fit such as SEND requirements, medical needs, or extracurricular commitments.
- Create a home learning plan: Set out how homeschooling will work, including plans for curriculum, progress tracking, and communication with the school.
- Coordinate with the school: Discuss how transitions will be managed, what support is available, and how updates about home learning will be shared.
- Connect with support networks: Join online flexischooling or home education groups for advice and shared strategies.
- Check legal and financial implications: Investigate any impact on admissions, transport, exams, or benefits.
- Stay adaptable: Regularly review and adjust the arrangement as your child’s needs change.
Considering hybrid or flexischooling?
If you’re exploring flexischooling, TLC LIVE’s Online School for KS3 and GCSE students can support families with a flexible, expert-led hybrid learning approach.
Contact us today to learn how we can help your child thrive inside and outside the classroom.
By Ryan Lockett, Headteacher, TLC LIVE Online School
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