Please tell me if this type of school exists?

[Sugarc0atedalm0nd]

Hello,

Posting for traffic here rather than in the home school section, although am clueless about homeschooling so would appreciate any insight.

I'd like to know if this type of school exists and if it does, what are people's views on it. If it doesn't, why do you think that is and if it did would you consider it?

Reception to year 6 age students do 2/3 days a week (ideally 3)following a traditional model of school (ie uniform, sitting at a table learning with a teacher, break and lunch time at set times etc) the other days they are homeschooled with parents following guidance from the school designed to support or develop what they've done at school that week. So for example the school could say that children should spend one of the homeschool days looking at nature and then a range of suggested activities could be going to a farm park, or garden centre and collecting 5 different example of something that could be considered 'nature'. There would be books and worksheets to do too to support these activities.

In my head this would be ideal, and I know there are schools in the USA that are like this. I think they're called hybrid schools? I am a secondary teacher and would love to homeschool my daughter when she's older (She's under 1 at the moment so lots of time yet!) but lack the confidence to feel I was teaching her enough/correct maths, English and science. So the 3 days at school with a qualified primary teacher studying these subjects would put my mind at ease. Then the more arty, humanities based subjects I could tackle at home (Not because they're easier, I'm a history teacher before anyone shouts at me!) But because the methods of learning those subjects, in my mind (and non existent homeschooling experience) lend themselves more easily to home schooling.

What do people think? Totally ridiculous, a nice but implausible idea or something worth looking into or even possibly setting up if there's enough interest? Any suggestions or comments would be gratefully received, thank you.

[MaisyPops]

I dont think they exist but it's the sort of school I would love to be able to send my kids to when the time comes.

[FeedMeBooks]

If you are Catholic
fssp.co.uk/rc-academies-combining-the-advantages-of-home-education-with-schools/

[queenrollo]

read up on flexi-schooling. It is possible in the UK.

[WinterHeatWave]

Different parents have different strengths.
I'd love to teach the maths and science bit at home, and have English and humanities covered, please!

I'd think the biggest hurdle would be finding enough people who could either afford to have a SAHP, or have a job where 3 days a week would be accepted (and everyone would want the same 2 days off!).

I am in total awe of people who have the skills and dedication to home school, but it's a very low percentage who homeschool. The music and art school get out of my unartistic, unmusical child is amazing. Teachers are true miracle workers, and I'm not sure what percentage of parents could replicate the other 2/5ths of their job to that standard.

[Lara53]

You may find a small private school would be amenable. My friends son had issues at school and was taught at home for 18m. He then integrated back slowly over the course of a year starting with 1/2 day and building up. While part time he was also working with mum at home

[SuziQ10]

Sounds like a good idea. I'd jump at the chance to educate my child at home 1 or 2 days a week (but no more than that).

[AGnu]

There are some schools around who are set up for flexi-schooling but not many. I think the government changed something about the way absences are recorded a few years ago which makes schools less willing to do it because it affects their stats.

I'd love a school like that or maybe something like a college system for younger children - specific subjects covered in specific slots that you could sign up for. That would be amazing!

[ShakespearesSisters]

They do exist. One local to me does it (English side of the Welsh boarder) Small village school, uses the flexi kids to keep the numbers up. It was catchment for my friends little girl but they put her in an alternative school as felt she would wonder why her friends only go part time and she's there every day.

[Sugarc0atedalm0nd]

Thanks everyone for your comments.

@winterheatwave I absolutely understand your point about different parents having different strengths. I hope my post wasn't coming across as undermining teachers either. As I said, I am one myself and before having children was a bit questioning of homeschooling as I thought it was people who thought they could do my job better than me with no training. Having had my daughter I now completely understand it's not about being better than teachers, but is just a different way for those who feel able/are fortunate enough to be flexible in their work to spend time with their children whilst also ensuring they get a good education. Your point about finding enough parents able to work part time on set days to make it viable is also one I'm struggling to find a solution for if it was something worth setting up. I live in an affluent area where a lot of people either work part time or rely on one wage, but getting them to all have the same days off would be a problem, I see.

Unfortunately (in this case) @feedmebooks I'm not Catholic! But thank you for the link.

@Lara53 that's a very good idea about local private schools. However I'd worry about my daughter being 'different' and, as the school wouldn't be set up for home schooling, missing out on things. In this ideal school of mine everyone does at least one day at home.

[CruCru]

Friends homeschool their children and send the older ones to Forest School. However they don’t have the sort of formal schooling that you are looking for.

[YeOldeTrout]

Usually schools do daily reading & math. You're looking for a school that timetables all the English & math on 2-3 days just so you can have the other days for the arty farty stuff as HE. Totally unrealistic.

Besides, if you're gonna HE then usually you quickly find school a nuisance. At best only wanted for social life. Y tie self to school when you could have full freedom.

Friends HE'd PT at tiny schools, < 30 pupils size schools. Usually for the social or sports. I know A Lot of ppl who HE. The more they say Y they like it, the more convinced I became NEVER for me.

[RomanyQueen1]

We used to h.ed but didn't follow the nc, as the nc was one of the reasons why we H.ed in the first place.
You can teach them what you want, which is ideal because as they get older they can choose to study the subjects and topics they like, and with the extra time at home go as in depth as they like. Some topics at school just scratch the surface.
I am PgCE qualified but it makes no difference to H.ed, I never used anything learned from ITT. In addition, it bears no resemblance to teaching a class, it's more akin to the role of TA if anything.