Covid-hit children now offered flexi-schooling
ARURAL West primary school is offering “part-time” classes for home-schooled children after some have struggled to come back following Covid.
Colwall CofE Primary School is launching flexi-schooling in a bid to get more “bums on seats” in the classroom.
Children who are either homeschooled or are in mainstream education but are struggling to attend full-time will be eligible for the scheme.
The school says its tailored approach to education “seeks to support pupils and encourage them to thrive and learn in whichever way works best for them”.
Parents at the Herefordshirebased school have shown support for the scheme.
Mum-of-two Ella Boyle, 36, who has one son at the school, says low birth rates have impacted pupil numbers.
She said: “I’m a teacher myself and I think flexi-schooling can be beneficial to so many children; those experiencing SEN issues to those who find school a challenging environment.
“It gives them that flexibility in a more personalised way.
It could be because they have special needs or anxiety caused by Covid lockdowns BRIAN BALLARD
“It will benefit both parties, more children having access to the school and more children being comfortable.
“It’s a big worry with homeschoolers not getting the social experiences. If they can find some time at school it will be really positive for them.
“There’s been a low birth rate locally, and a lot of primary schools are struggling to get bums on seats. Schools are struggling with funding thanks to fewer children.
“This would be a way of keeping schools open, keeping schools having enough access to funding. I think it’s essential.”
School governor Brian Ballard, 46, said: “My youngest struggled coming back from the pandemic and he was initially a school refuser.
“He wouldn’t go in at all. His school worked really well and had a bespoke programme to get him back into school.
“He went in for ten minutes and worked him up and now he goes in every day 9am to 3pm.
“If they could offer that to more kids I don’t see any downside; if they can bring in more children then that’s fine.
“There’s quite a large homeschooling community around here.
Then there’s also some who are stuck there but would like their kids to go to school but can’t get them in.
“It’s not anticipated that everyone will rush to do this.
“The potential catchment is quite large, from people who are homeschooled to people who want to be in school that can’t be.
“It could be because they have special needs or anxiety caused by Covid lockdowns.”
Flexible schooling was discussed in the 1980s, while Hollinsclough CofE Academy in Buxton, Derbyshire, was the first school in England to introduce it in 2009.
Colwall School secretary and mum-of-four Wendy Cotton, 40, said: “It’s very structured, in an agreement with the parents and the school.
“It’s not something that will be done lightly. It’s not something that will be done with just ringing up.
“Children are all different. I have four and they’re all very different. Across the board, school isn’t going to be for anyone.
“It’s given them opportunities to participate. It’s given them the whole picture.
“A lot of children have struggled returning to school since Covid.”
Mum-of-two Naomi Beard, 36, who has one child at the school, said: “Bringing in kids who have not spent any time in the school environment is beneficial.
“It gives kids who are homeschooled full-time exposure to all sorts of kids.
“I think most people can appreciate Covid changed schooling and our kids.
“I would be surprised if there were objections.”
The school, which was rated ‘good’ by Ofsted inspectors last February, currently caters for 175 pupils aged 4-11.
A spokesperson said: “We have developed a policy which seeks to support pupils and encourage them to thrive and learn in whichever way works best for them.
“The idea of flexi-schooling has been around for some time. It is not widely known.
“The model is still full-time education, but the place of learning is divided between school and another location, usually the child’s home.
“At Colwall we know that happy, thriving pupils, learn best.
“For some, a full week in school is a barrier to learning and can eventually lead to them disconnecting with education.
“Our school philosophy is to support every child and encourage them to develop a joy for lifelong learning.”