Flexi schooling - what does it involve for the school?

[UnSerpentQuiCourt]

Hi. I wonder if anyone can help me. My dd has been backyeared and will be starting reception (possibly) in September this year. However, as she is already 5, I am told that she will legally have to attend full time, rather than part time as will the other reception children, building up to full time in May. I really want her to go part time - how practical is this? I would also like it to last all year, not just 2 terms.

I don't know the answer I am afraid. I can imagine it won't be an easy fight though. When my august born DS went full time in the Jan of reception year, I asked if he could still go part time (which legally I could have done as he was still 4) I got a flat no and no possible further discussion response! I think the School day is far too long for most children and would love to see flexi schooling being more widely used. I do think there's a place for school but it doesn't suit all children. Our councils motto is "every child matters " and the school's is "children are at the centre of all we do " and yet as a parent of a child who struggles with social aspects of school I don't think either statement is true.

I really hope your plans work out. Did you keep her back because she is summer born and too young or was there another reason? I'm just wondering why she doesn't go into yr 1? Good luck. I'll be watching this thread with interest now!

Hi

Are you in England? I've got info about flexischool on my web page about home education law in England here edyourself.org/articles/helaw.php#flexischool

It's entirely up to the school whether or not it agrees to a flexi arrangement.

Threesnocrowd, we kept her back because she was premature, summer born and bilingual. I absolutely don't want her to go straight into year 1; she is very young, very shy and would struggle with the 'social elements of school' as well as learning all the academic stuff.

Fiona, thank you; really useful.

I agree with you completelyUnSerpent. My DS1 is summer born as is my DS3. I wish I had kept him out and I may well keep DS3 back when it's his turn. I can't decide whether to put hi straight into yr1 or into reception. They are not terribly flexible in my experience but I really hope that you get what you want. Pkead your case and see what happens I guess. Good Luck :)

Thank you!