New Hertfordshire Flexi Schooling guidance
We are pleased to share the updated Hertfordshire Flexi‑Schooling Guidance, which has been developed to support schools in responding to flexi‑schooling requests and to ensure that decision‑making is consistent, well‑informed, and firmly centred on the best interests of the child or young person.
The guidance has been developed with the support of schools, parent carer representatives, and Local Authority professionals, reflecting shared learning and practice across Hertfordshire.
It provides clarity on:
- What flexi schooling is, and how it differs from elective home education and reduced timetables
- The legal context, including responsibilities under Section 7 of the Education Act 1996
- The respective roles and responsibilities of schools and parents where a flexi‑schooling arrangement is agreed, including expectations around:
- Monitoring progress
- Safeguarding considerations
- Home‑based learning
What the guidance includes
To support informed and confident decision‑making, the guidance sets out:
- Key factors for schools to consider when assessing flexi‑schooling requests
- Additional considerations for pupils with Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs) and those known to a Social Worker
- Information relating to attendance coding, Ofsted expectations, and funding implications
- Guidance on the use of a Memorandum of Understanding to support clarity and shared expectations between schools and parents
- Practical checklist templates for schools and parent carers to support planning, agreement, and ongoing review of flexi‑schooling arrangements
Flexi schooling remains a voluntary arrangement, requiring agreement from both the school and the parent. Headteachers retain full discretion to agree or decline requests, and any arrangement should be time‑limited, subject to regular review, and clearly focused on meeting the child’s needs.
The guidance is also published on the Local Offer, ensuring that parents and schools have access to the same information. This supports constructive discussion, shared understanding, and consistent messaging across the system.