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Original poster

Hybrid school starting in London

58 replies

jebthesheep · 05/03/2021 16:09

Portland Place online
I know there will be many who will be priced out or just horrified at the thought of having children at home for some of the week.
But as a concept, I think this is interesting as part of the mix of options for some families.
If it were to catch on and spread - including maybe to the state system - as an additional option ( personally don’t think that it would be a good idea ever as the only choice for a child)- what do ppl think ?
Is it the only one of its kind in the UK?

OP posts:
1984Yes · 17/09/2022 21:17

Is that what you've definitely heard @hockeygrass ?

DS has a diagnosis of Aspergers and been bullied badly over the years. I thought this might be a good option.

Some socialising but not enough to put him in danger again wtih 2 days a week looked reasonable.

But by your message, it looks like this wouldn't be the right option.

Home-schooling is hard work and difficult to get right. Full-time school is mentally damaging for him.

There are no half-way houses it seems. Damned if you do, damned if you don't.

hockeygrass · 17/09/2022 20:20

@1984Yes , this is a schooling option for the jet set crowd who spending their weekends skiing, south of France etc or in showbiz and constantly on the move.

1984Yes · 17/09/2022 20:08

There's an implicit assumption there that a) school is the best place to learn social skills... and b) it's the only place to learn social skills.

Yes you are missing the point. Not every school provides the best social environment for children. I wish that were untrue.

What about people who work from home 3 days a week. Do they suddenly unlearn everything they ever knew and fail to interact with society correctly?

Youwontbreakmysoul · 17/09/2022 15:50

I might be missing the point here but do they not need to be socializing/mixing with others more than just 1 or 2 days a week

1984Yes · 17/09/2022 15:41

Has anyone got any views or information on this school for the hybrid section?

DS May thrive on going into school just once or twice a week but I see the days in school will cost even more than the £4K per term online fee.

Feels steep. Would the drama, PE, music, sport etc really be that amazing for all the extra money?

BendingSpoons · 06/03/2021 14:50

I wonder if there is any flexibility in the timetable? My children are primary age and I find the concept of flexi schooling interesting. But if you are still logging on to lessons 9-3 there isn't much flex. But that is always going to be trickier at secondary.

You are right though that it will suit some families. I can also see it working well for those moving between two homes (divorced parents etc) who only need to be close by one day at week. Also children who struggle emotionally with traditional schooling and feel less pressure or are less distracted. They also seem to have very small class sizes. I would expect it would remain very niche though, as most children will prefer the real life contacts with friends.

Original poster
jebthesheep · 06/03/2021 14:25

well, yes that is all true - I think it is a niche offering, no point in pretending otherwise. My point is that there are presumably those who fit the niche - children with Arts or sports commitments, those who have been bullied over long periods, SEN etc or just families who would now struggle with the full fees from a private background now having to cut back or not previously in the running but could now aspire to a more intense academic offering. With all them together, wondering if it would add up to enough for a class or two in more populous areas.
With State, Private (if lucky) or HE (if possible) the only things to consider for so many years, New is interesting. I have often wondered why with so much in the world changing and taking advantage of new technologies, opportunities and ways of thinking- education has been stuck in the same place for so long.

OP posts:
BendingSpoons · 05/03/2021 22:20

I'm not sure 1 day in school is enough. Will people still want this after the pandemic? What are the advantages? Less travel time and lower costs? So presumably more people can access the school who live further away or would struggle with the fees. I can see the advantages to a child unhappy at school, who could switch to here. They are still following a formal lesson timetable but presumably with no PE 4 days per week.