From Crisis to Innovation: The Case for Hybrid Learning in Schools

The Department for Education’s recent investment of £15 million to expand attendance mentoring signals a clear commitment to tackling the nationwide absenteeism crisis. With one in five pupils missing 10% or more of school, the government’s move to scale this programme across areas with the worst attendance rates is essential (read article). However, while this initiative addresses immediate concerns, it prompts a larger question—can funding alone resolve the underlying issues?

The pandemic has already shown us that flexibility can transform how we approach work, so why shouldn’t education adapt too? Are schools clinging to outdated models while much of the world has shifted?

The solution may not lie solely in traditional methods but in embracing a hybrid learning approach—one that blends online education with the benefits of in-person interaction.

In Norfolk, we’ve trialed this model with remarkable results. One cohort of students saw their attendance rise from 20% to 54% after switching to a hybrid system. This wasn’t just about ensuring they logged on or showed up in class. The model allowed students to learn in ways that met their individual needs, combining academic rigour with emotional and social development. By offering smaller, focused online sessions alongside in-person vocational and enrichment activities, students not only caught up academically but found school more engaging.

The government’s focus on attendance is crucial, but we should be thinking bigger. A hybrid approach isn’t just a reaction to the pandemic; it’s a long-term strategy to create a more flexible, inclusive, and adaptable education system. Flexibility, far from being a compromise, could be the key to ensuring students stay engaged, succeed academically, and are prepared for the future.

As the attendance mentoring programme expands, there’s an opportunity for education to evolve alongside it. More options lead to more success—because education, like the world around it, must continue to adapt and innovate.

The hybrid model presents a way forward that is sustainable, student-centered, and forward-looking, offering hope that we can tackle absenteeism not just through mentoring, but by reimagining how learning itself takes place.