Huxley C.E. Primary School to become Cheshire’s first Flexi-school

Huxley C.E. Primary School, in West Cheshire, is set to offer a new type of schooling where children can work part of the week at school and part at home.

It will become Cheshire’s first “Flexi-school” part of a network across England. The school will continue to provide a complete curriculum for fulltime pupils but will be offering families the possibility of flexible schooling for their children.

What is Flexi-schooling?

Flexi schooling started in 2009 and is a new and innovative approach to education. It’s an arrangement between parents and the school where the child is registered at the school and follows the National Curriculum in the normal way but attends the school only part time; the rest of the time being home educated under the supervision of parents.

The Headteacher’s approval is required who will firstly assess the conditions and practicalities of the arrangement. Once agreed, flex-schooling can offer a highly flexible education responsive to a child’s need and interests. Importantly it is not a part-time education. It is recognised as full-time education but delivered in a hybrid format of both school attendance and elective Home Education.

Who will benefit from Flexi-schooling?

First and foremost, the child- Flexi-schooling can be a perfect home-school compromise. At school, children have access to specialist educators. They also will have the resources and opportunities to work, socialise and join in school activities with their own peer group. At the same time, they can benefit from a creative home-based curriculum.

Secondly the family - Flexi-schooling necessarily requires parents to work closely with the school which can only enrich the educational experience for pupils. Parents are able to improve their work life balance too. The COVID pandemic and new working arrangements for parents in Cheshire has increased the demand for this form of education. This provides solutions for families in response to various opportunities as they arise.

Why Huxley C.E. Primary School?

Flexi-schooling is particularly well-adapted to small rural schools like Huxley. Because of its size, the school can develop a very close personal relationship with both children and parents which is essential in flexible education.

Cathy Davies Headteacher at Huxley says: “As educators, we need to look at the larger picture, in the development of our society. Due to the Covid situation our lives are changing radically; we are beginning to rethink commuting v. working at home; family time; questioning our lifestyles and where we live; working and studying remotely. Re-thinking educative models should begin from early schooling. Schools should now prepare for change and greater flexibility in learning. In the past learning was a place and now we are realising learning is activity, and the activity may extend from the school to the home”.