‘Flexi’ approach has been village school’s saviour
Success story of a rural academy’s unique offering
A FEW years ago, Hollinsclough Academy had only five pupils and was at risk of closing forever.
Situated in a tiny Staffordshire Moorlands village, it faced the same issue that affects many small countryside schools.
An ageing population and high rural property prices making it impossible for young families to get on the property ladder has seen pupil numbers in many isolated settings plummet. But Hollinsclough adopted a flexischooling approach that has proved to be its saviour.
The Church of England Academy is nestled at the bottom of Peak District beauty spot Chrome Hill, on the border of Staffordshire and Derbyshire. The area attracts hikers from far and wide and recently featured in the final ever episode of hit BBC drama Peaky Blinders.
The school currently has 46 pupils, most of whom are flexi-schoolers who can be taught at home by their parents two days a week.
Lynda O’sullivan, pictured above, Acting Head of School, said: “In 2009 the school was at significant risk of closure. Some parents from the home-schooling community contacted the principal to ask if they could use the school facilities, which evolved into a fortnightly hub.
“That then evolved into the flexischooling offering we have now. Children come to school Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday and on Monday and Friday their parents can homeeducate them.
“The majority of our children are registered as flexi, although some do come in on a Monday or a Friday because they like the activities. Although we are a Church of England school we welcome all faiths. “We have schools nearby in Longnor and Earl Sterndale, so we need to have a unique offering.”
The alternative approach means Hollinsclough, which accepts children from pre-school up to Year 6, has a number of success stories involving pupils who have struggled in other schools. In one case, they accepted a brother and sister who suffer from severe anxiety that means they will not go to school. After being nurtured at Hollinsclough, both began to thrive and they went on to be accepted into grammar school.
The school also has links with the nearby chapel and an active PTA who raise funds. Mrs O’sullivan said: “We have an amazing team, a wonderful PTA and a very supportive parent
community. Jo Connolly, who chairs the PTA, also runs The Café at The Green Pavilion in Buxton.
“I’m a massive advocate of flexischooling, it can be really beneficial.
“Whenever we go on trips, people always comment on what enquiring minds the children have.”
Staff make good use of the school’s scenic surroundings. In summer, during the school’s Outdoor Adventure Week, a Peak District National Park ranger accompanies children from Years 4 to 6 up Chrome Hill, while the younger ones go pond-dipping nearby. Pupils also visit other beauty spots including The Roaches and Rudyard Lake.
Pupils obviously feel safe and happy at Hollinsclough. Ten-year-old Lauren said: “All the work is fun and the children are all really nice. There are no bullies.”
Tia, aged 11, added: “I like the playground. It’s nice and big and there’s lots of stuff to play with.”
We have an amazing team, a wonderful PTA and a very supportive parent community Acting Head of School Lynda O’sullivan