Flexischooling Guidebook: England and Wales: England and Wales

This handbook serves as a practical reference for any family considering flexischooling. It also supports schools, local authorities, researchers, media and interested citizens in finding out more about the concept and its potential.Flexischooling has its origins in the 1970s with Independent Study Programmes (ISPs) in the USA and pioneering flexible arrangements in the UK like that brokered by Kate Oliver in Warwickshire. Conversations between Dr Roland Meighan and John Holt developed the concept and in1988 Dr Roland Meighan wrote 'Flexischooling - education for tomorrow starting yesterday'.Philip Toogood co-ordinated the emerging Human Scale Education movement which at that time adopted flexischooling as one of its key interests. Philip and his wife Annabel went onto successfully establish flexischooling in practice at Dame Catherine's School, Ticknall, Derbyshire and the East Midlands Flexicollege in Burton on Trent. Flexischooling enjoyed ad hoc interest largely located under the radar until afterthe millennium when parental demand has grown considerably and more and moreschools are showing interest in the possibilities of flexischooling. Families consider flexischooling for a range of reasons: -Parents wish to spend more quality time with their children. They want an active role in their children's education.-Children can follow their own interests, and different learning styles can be respected and accommodated.-Children can benefit from both approaches to learning; being taught at school and being educated at home.-At school children can work and socialise with their own peer group.-They have access to specialist educators and resources they might not have at home. -They can continue to join in with activities such as school trips and plays.-At home, children can benefit from individual tuition or small, mixed-age groups.-Children can engage in self-directed projects.-Children can experience a wider range of activities, outdoor activities, museum visits etc.-Children with difficulties attending school full-time, for example because of illness, emotional or behavioural needs, have the opportunity to follow a reduced timetable without being removed from the school environment altogether.Flexischooling offers educational journeys and experiences more fitting for the21st Century. There is space to accommodate self-direction and co-creation and an altogether more personalised approach in contrast to the wholly more prescribed, one-size fits all structures and progressions in full-time schooling. For some childrenand families it is literally a life-changing and life-enhancing decision. CONTENTS: IntroductionChapter 1 Flexischooling OverviewChapter 2 Current RealityChapter 3 Legal FrameworkChapter 4 Information and Guidance for ParentsChapter 5 School Information and GuidanceChapter 6 Additional Notes for SchoolsChapter 7 Flexi-learnersChapter 8 Local Authorities and GovernmentChapter 9 History and Potential HistoryChapter 10 CampaignChapter 11 Media and Research