Flexischooling in the UK: A Balanced Approach to Learning at Home and School
In This Article
- ARTICLE
- November 19, 2025
- 8:14 am
Flexischooling: A Modern Approach to Blended Learning
Flexischooling is becoming a practical choice for many families across the UK who want a balance between school structure and home flexibility. It allows children to stay enrolled in a school while attending only part of the week, spending the remaining days learning at home. This balance appeals to parents who want a more adaptable approach to education, especially for children with special educational needs or learning differences.
What Flexischooling Means?
In the UK, flexischooling refers to an arrangement where a child of compulsory school age receives part of their education at school and part at home or elsewhere under the supervision of their parents or carers. It is fully legal, but not an automatic right. Schools decide individually whether to approve a flexischooling request, and the final decision rests with the headteacher.
Once approved, parents and schools create a written agreement outlining attendance days, responsibilities, and curriculum coverage. The arrangement must still count as a full-time education suitable for the child’s age, aptitude, and ability. The child remains on the school’s roll, meaning the school receives full funding and includes the child in its census data.
For children with an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP), any flexischooling arrangement should appear in the EHCP and be monitored during annual reviews.
Flexischooling differs from full homeschooling because the child stays registered at a school. The school retains shared responsibility for the child’s learning, and parents and teachers work together to make sure the home component supports academic progress.
What the Research Shows
Recent research published in the European Journal of Special Needs Education (2025) explores how flexischooling supports children with special educational needs (SEN). The study, led by James Griffin and colleagues, surveys parents and carers across England, Scotland, and Wales. The findings reveal why so many families are choosing this hybrid model.
Most children in the study have diagnosed or suspected conditions such as autism, ADHD, or dyslexia. Parents describe the traditional five-day school week as overwhelming, with reports of anxiety, stress, and difficulty coping. A typical arrangement involves three days at school and two at home, giving children space to rest, recover, and learn at their own pace.
The results show clear benefits. Around 85% of parents notice improvements in their children’s happiness and reduced anxiety, while 80% observe stronger learning engagement. Families link these improvements to lighter workloads, reduced sensory stress, and the ability to pursue interests at home.
Key Questions for Parents
Does Flexischooling Affect Academic Progress?
Progress depends on communication and consistency. When schools and parents share information, lesson topics, and goals, learning stays continuous. When coordination is weak, children may struggle to keep up.
Practical solution: A written agreement should include clear expectations for how home-based days contribute to full-time education. Schools can provide topic outlines or digital resources, and parents can use structured learning materials or online lessons to maintain momentum.
How Does It Affect Social Skills?
Some parents report that children who spend fewer days at school have fewer social interactions. This is particularly common when children attend school for only half the week.
Practical solution: Balance home-based learning with opportunities for social development. Clubs, community classes, and online group lessons all help children stay socially connected while learning flexibly.
Can It Support Children with Special Educational Needs?
Yes. The research shows that flexischooling can reduce stress and improve school attendance for children with additional needs. By adjusting the number of school days, schools can support pupils who struggle with anxiety, sensory overload, or fatigue.
Practical solution: For children with an EHCP, ensure the flexischooling plan is recorded and reviewed regularly. Collaboration between teachers, SEN coordinators, and parents keeps support consistent across home and school settings.
How to Request Flexischooling
Parents who want to explore flexischooling should contact the school headteacher to discuss options. If the school agrees, the next step is a written agreement that outlines:
- On which days does the child attend school, and on which days does the child study at home?
- How the curriculum will be covered.
- The responsibilities of both school and parents.
Local authorities may be involved if the child has additional learning needs. It’s also important to remember that schools can decline or withdraw an arrangement if it stops working effectively.
Flexischooling and Online Schooling
Online learning strengthens the home-based side of flexischooling. It offers structure, professional teaching, and access to qualified educators even when children are learning remotely. This approach helps maintain continuity while giving families flexibility.
Online schools can:
- Deliver live or recorded lessons that align with the national curriculum.
- Track attendance and progress through digital platforms.
- Support children with special needs through small class sizes and tailored pacing.
- Provide community through clubs and collaborative projects.
By integrating online schooling into a flexischooling plan, families can create a seamless hybrid model that combines stability with flexibility.
Why Families Choose Flexischooling?
- Flexischooling appeals to a wide range of families:
- Those whose children experience anxiety or burnout from full-time school.
- Those seeking more time for creative or practical learning.
- Families who value closer parental involvement without giving up access to professional teachers.
It can also serve as a bridge back to full-time schooling. Many parents use it temporarily to help children rebuild confidence or manage transitions, such as moving from primary to secondary school.
Looking Forward
Flexischooling continues to grow in the UK as schools and families recognise that education does not need to fit a single model. It reflects a wider shift toward personalisation and inclusion, particularly for children who find full-time attendance difficult.
When done in partnership with schools and supported by online learning, flexischooling offers both structure and freedom. It gives children space to learn at their own pace, pursue their interests, and develop confidence without sacrificing academic progress.
How Asra Hub Supports Flexischooling Families
At Asra Hub, we understand that every child learns differently. Our flexible online school supports families who combine part-time schooling with home education. We provide live lessons with UK-qualified teachers, guided study plans, and resources that align with the national curriculum.
Whether your child attends school three days a week or studies fully online, our system helps maintain continuity and motivation. We work with parents to design a balanced routine that fits each child’s learning style while ensuring consistent academic progress.
Families interested in flexischooling can contact our admissions team to explore tailored learning options that bring together the best of home and school education.