We want the Department for Education to introduce a new attendance code for flexischooling (Code F). We want this code to act in a similar way to code B (educated off site) in that it would not negatively impact attendance data, recognising that the child is receiving a full time education.

Flexischooling is a legal arrangement where a child receives a full time education, partly in school and partly as home education. Current DfE guidance states that FS should be marked as Code C, authorised absence. As this code is used for multiple purposes, it is impossible to obtain accurate data on the number of flexischooling pupils - a point Sir Martyn Oliver recently made. Some schools are hesitant to agree to FS if they feel it will negatively impact their attendance data.