Flexi Schooling

[tessakm]

I'm home schooling my 13 year old son atm as he refused to return to school after the holidays due to bullying and other issues. He has a diagnosis of dyslexia and visual stress and struggles with large class sizes. He would be happy to continue with home schooling but I am worried he is missing out on mixing with children of his own age. We have looked at some independent schools within a 20 mile radius of Wombourne where we live with smaller class sizes. A good compromise would be flexi schooling as I think he will struggle initially with a full week at a new school until he settles in. I'm struggling to find any schools that agree to flexi schooling though - so any help/info would be appreciated.

Perhaps don't ask for 'flexi schooling'?
But ask instead for a staged return to full time school?

Or ask for him to be allowed to go to pastoral office for non core subjects initially (ie present full time but only attend English Maths and Science, and then build up subjects dependent on how he is coping?)

I'll try that approach - thank you!

Hi @tessakm how are you getting on? I think the pp's idea is good, schools don't like flexi schooling unfortunately.

I was in a similar situation with my ds 13, he has only just returned to school after nearly 2 yrs of home schooling. We were lucky to find a small independent school nearby who are very adapting and relaxed with the children. Ds is so happy at school now, constantly chatting about it which is amazing!

So if you can I would hold out until you find a school you think is right, and don't rush anything. I know how hard it is!

Hi strongswans

I did take my Son for 2 trial days at a small independent school with small class sizes which he actually liked but was worried about coping with the full week straight off. It was a 30 mile drive away (although they did have a coach that would pick him up 30 minutes away from where we live and we were happy to travel if it was the right school). However, when I spoke to the school about the possibility of flexi schooling or even a staged re-introduction to school they refused point blank and said that they were worried he would become a "school refuser" if they did that and would want him to go straight in to a full time situation but would "support him". Needless to say we have drawn a line through that school! Still looking for a suitable school and flexi schooling (with the help of a private tutor for maths and English) in the meantime. It's encouraging to hear that your ds has returned to school now and is so happy. I have stopped panicking now and will make sure we find the right fit for our Son. Just out of interest - what area do you live in as I wondered whether we were close to the school you had found?