As we all find ourselves in uncharted territory, with school closures now confirmed and many weeks at home with the kids ahead of us, we know these will be challenging times.
Schools are working incredibly hard to keep children safe and families informed , as they prepare to support home learning and arrange provision for the children of keyworkers as well as vulnerable children.
If your child is at secondary school, they may be asked to follow their usual timetable from home. This won’t always be possible for families sharing a computer or tablet, so discuss what access they’ll need, and make a plan that will work for your family. If you don’t have internet access at home, speak to the school and see how they can help you.
For families with younger children, where there isn’t a timetable to follow, it’s still a good idea to have a plan and structure your day.
There are lots of fantastic learning resources available online that will help you support your children with their continued learning (including some that are normally paid for, currently being made available free of charge). Here are some that we like, please do let us know about any others you use and we’ll add them to the list.
Pre-school and Primary
Cbeebies including Radio
Games, puzzles and radio
https://www.bbc.co.uk/cbeebies
PhonicsPlay
Lots of information for parents about phonics including: what exactly phonics is, how it is taught in UK schools and suggestions for helping pre-schoolers prepare for learning phonics. The subscription service is currently free.
https://new.phonicsplay.co.uk/
Boromi
While schools are closed, parents can sign up for free #dailyplay emails and receive a home based play activity each morning, using just bits and bobs from around the house.
http://eepurl.com/gWfuJz
Oxford Owl for Home
Lots of free resources and games for Primary age children
https://www.oxfordowl.co.uk/for-home
Book of Beasties
You can now download phase 1 of Book of Beasties FREE Home Learning Kit for teachers and parents stuck at home! Developed by fully qualified U.K teachers. This pack covers a range of curriculum based lessons including mental wellness based PSHE, English Literacy, Mathematics, Practical Science, Art and Physical Education. Sign up for free and download everything you need.
www.bookofbeasties.com/home-learning-kit
BBC Primary live lessons
The BBC has put together a fantastic selection of programmes and videos to support your children, covering everything from literacy to fitness.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/…/live-l…/primary-live-lessons/zmc9jhv
The School Run
Information and worksheets and an email with daily tips. Free 14 day trial available.
https://www.theschoolrun.com/
P J Masks
PJ Masks have upload extra activity sheets and their apps are now free to access including Hero Academy which is a coding app for pre-schoolers.
https://www.pjmasks.co.uk/activities/
https://www.pjmasks.co.uk/apps/
DK Find Out
Fun activities, quizzes and interactive information across lots of topics
https://www.dkfindout.com/uk
National Geographic Kids
Fun free downloadable activities and online games and quizzes for kids.
https://www.natgeokids.com/uk/
Primary and Secondary
Oak National Academy
This is a brand-new enterprise created by 40 teachers from some of the leading schools across England and backed by government grant funding. It will provide 180 video lessons each week, created by teachers, across a broad range of subjects from maths to art to languages, for every year group from Reception through to Year 10.
https://www.thenational.academy/
Daily lessons from BBC Bitesize
Working closely with teachers, well trusted education providers, the Department of Education in England, the Welsh Government, Scottish Government and Northern Ireland Executive, the BBC will provide nation specific, curriculum led activities and programming.
Whether complementing what schools are providing remotely, or as a standalone resource, BBC Bitesize daily will bring 14 weeks of educational programmes and lessons to every household in the country – whatever your child’s age.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/articles/zn9447h?fbclid=IwAR344nAqE42_0a8o4by72zwBE2zvMxf4LLc1wKiXYLrXIHf2jFFms94P6cA
BBC Teach
The BBC Teach website is home to thousands of free curriculum-mapped videos, arranged by age-group and subject.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/teach
Twinkl
Usually a paid-for resource, and one commonly used by teachers, Twinkl is offering every parent access to all Twinkl downloadable resources with a One Month Ultimate Membership, totally free of charge.
It’s really easy to set up - go to http://www.twinkl.co.uk/offer and enter the code PARENTSTWINKLHELPS
BBC Bitesize
Online resources sorted by Key Stage specific to each nation, with free videos, step-by-step guides, activities and quizzes by level and subject. for children and parents.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize
Seneca
Free online resources for students at all levels, with some emphasis on GCSEs and S Levels, with opportunity to pay to access more.
https://www.senecalearning.com/parents
Parentkind Parents’ Hub
Information to help parents support learning at home with tips for reading with children, games that support maths, supporting homework and more.
https://www.parentkind.org.uk/For-Parents/Parent-Hub/Supporting-Learning
Secondary
Ted Ed
Take a look at a wide selection of educational videos on lots of topics.
https://ed.ted.com/
Economist Foundation
Sign up for a free weekly bulletin and receive critical thinking resources perfect for children to enjoy alone, with siblings or with parents.
https://economistfoundation.org/resources/
Computer Programming
Maths
Literacy and English
Ark Curriculum Plus – English Mastery
A selection of free resources and guidance that can be used at home to provide daily sessions for learners from Reception to Year 9.
https://www.englishmastery.org/our-response-to-coronavirus-covid-19/
National Literacy Trust
NLT has created a web portal with ideas and guidance for simple activities that will engage your children at home, while also benefiting their reading, writing and language development. You'll be able to access free reading and writing resources, audiobooks, videos, competitions and reading challenges.
https://literacytrust.org.uk/family-zone/
Pobble365
A picture a day to inspire you children to write creatively.
http://www.pobble365.com/
PhonicsPlay
PhonicsPlay comics are decodable comics featuring their characters along with some new friends. They aim to provide opportunities for children to rehearse the precise knowledge and skills that they learn in school each week.
http://phonicsplaycomics.co.uk/
Staying active
Art and creativity
Simple sketch with Jo Ryan
Jo says "I'm a mam, a children’s book designer and member of the PTA at my daughter’s school. I have recently started a YouTube channel for kids to use during the lockdown. My aim is to get kids drawing and have fun, by teaching how to draw simple, colourful animals."
Simple sketch on YouTube
Draw with Rob
Rob Biddulph posts draw-along videos that parents can watch with their kids and, hopefully, make some nice pictures.
www.robbiddulph.com/draw-with-rob
Red Ted Art
Fun and easy art and craft activities to keep kids busy
https://www.redtedart.com/
Nature Detectives
Some fun activities, some of which can be done from your garden.
https://naturedetectives.woodlandtrust.org.uk/naturedetectives
News, audio books and other great stuff!
Storytelling online
While the Once Upon A Bus storytellers (a Parentkind approved PTA supplier) are unable to visit children in schools, they're recording a series of 'Stories in Isolation' including favourites like The Gruffalo.
https://www.onceuponabus.com/
Chatham Historic Dockyard - museum from home
You can explore the intriguing objects in their collection online and enjoy virtual visits via video and photographs, there are lots of activities to do at home including science from Doc.Yard!
https://thedockyard.co.uk/the-collections/museum-from-home/
Harry Potter at Home
Magical treats to keep children occupied - including special contributions from Bloomsbury and Scholastic, nifty magical craft videos (teach your friends how to draw a Niffler!), fun articles, quizzes, puzzles and plenty more for first-time readers, as well as those already familiar with the wizarding world.
https://www.wizardingworld.com/collections/harry-potter-at-home
First News – weekly newspaper for 7 to 14-year-olds
Free access for a limited period of time, to help parents, children and schools during school closures.
https://subscribe.firstnews.co.uk/free-downloadable-issue/
Audible – audio books
While schools are closed kids can instantly stream, including titles across six different languages, that will help them continue dreaming, learning, and just being kids. All stories are free to stream on your desktop, laptop, phone or tablet.
https://stories.audible.com/start-listen
David Walliams Elevenses
Every day at eleven, David Walliams is releasing a new short story from his 'World's Worst Children' books online.
https://www.worldofdavidwalliams.com/elevenses/
Blue Peter Badges
https://www.bbc.co.uk/cbbc/joinin/about-blue-peter-badges
Animals - live webcams
A list of zoos with live webcams
https://www.holidaypirates.com/travel-magazine/13-zoos-that-offer-live-streams-see-giraffes-koalas-pandas-tigers-penguins-more_35765
Virtual museum tours
Travel and Leisure have published a list with links to famous museums around the world that have virtual tours on their websites.
https://www.travelandleisure.com/attractions/museums-galleries/museums-with-virtual-tours
NORTHERN IRELAND
WALES
Stay Safe. Stay Learning
Welsh Government continuity of learning policy statement - aims to support learners, leaders, governors, practitioners, parents and carers in dealing with the impact of coronavirus.
https://gov.wales/stay-safe-stay-learning
Hwb
Distance learning tools, support and resources.
https://hwb.gov.wales/distance-learning/support-for-parents-and-carers/
WJEC
These free digital resources support the teaching and learning of subjects offered by WJEC.
https://resources.wjec.co.uk/
Twinkl Cymru
Resources for primary school teachers, parents can currently sign up for free access using the code – UKTWINKLHELPS
https://www.twinkl.co.uk/resources/adnoddau-cymraeg-welsh-resources
Sport Wales
Specialist resources aimed at improving children’s physical and sport skills are being made available for free for use during the Coronavirus lockdown.
https://www.sport.wales/
Welsh language TV programmes and resources
Cyw and s4c have brought together welsh language programmes for younger children, and links to educational games, stories, etc.
https://cyw.cymru/en/
http://www.s4c.cymru/en/cyw/grown-ups/#
Bilingual activites for 3 to 11 year olds
Working in partnership with the local council, schools, heads and teachers, Dysguarlein have delivered over 120 online bilingual activities for 3 to 11 year olds weekly into Pembrokeshire homes. Take a look at their free resources including daily Welsh/English activities that can be delivered on any device, including SMART TVs, old tablets and Games Consoles.
www.dysguarlein.com