Free home-learning platforms

The majority of teachers and pupils are now required to teach and learn virtually due to the coronavirus pandemic. Although it is undeniably a challenge to shift to a new form of schooling, many education technology providers are working to support the school community during this unprecedented and difficult period. Here is a roundup of some free resources available

BBC

The BBC is unveiling its "biggest push on education in its history" so that children have the opportunity to follow the appropriate core parts of the school curriculum, during the coronavirus school shutdown.

Whether complementing what schools are providing remotely, or as a standalone resource, the BBC’s newly expanded education offer will bring 14 weeks of educational programmes and lessons for all ages.

Commencing on 20th April, the start of the summer term for most children, BBC Bitesize Daily will deliver a tailored day of learning across BBC iPlayer, Red Button, BBC Bitesize website and app, BBC Four and BBC Sounds, with curriculum relevant offers across the UK. 

Firefly Learning

Simon Hay, Founder and CEO of Firefly Learning – whose learning platform is used in 40 countries worldwide – has announced that his company is offering free access to its learning platform and services until the end of next term to help schools respond to the impact of COVID-19 and the challenges it presents and move to a new way of teaching. 

This distance learning platform will allow all schools to deliver engaging lessons remotely and manage parent communication effectively. Students can access resources virtually, collaborate on learning remotely and receive feedback online. Meanwhile teachers are able to connect with other members of staff, track and share their students’ progress, as well as stay in touch with parents. Senior leaders can use Firefly to provide continuity of learning and manage communications effectively across the whole school community. 

HomelearningUK 

A curated resource for schools, students and parents, ‘HomelearningUK’ is being led by educators who have come together to share ideas, plans and solutions during the COVID-19 pandemic. This resource offers expertise to support colleagues, parents and students in the UK and beyond. 

TES teaching resources

To help children remain engaged and challenged throughout this period of social distancing and isolation, national education newspaper and website TES has made many of its home learning packs free to download and use. Available resources include lessons, worksheets, workbooks and activities across many subjects and age ranges, from Early Years Foundation Stage to key stage 4 (GCSE level). 

Pobble 365

Education platform Pobble, designed to help improve children’s writing ability, has launched Pobble 365, which every day offers one free thought-provoking image and linked activities, resources and discussion topics. The image and tasks help teachers to develop children’s creative writing and grammar skills.
 
Fossils and Dinosaurs

Aimed at primary pupils and featuring expert video, augmented and virtual reality, Fossils and Dinosaurs features the development of life on our planet over billions of years; from the very first signs of life through to the emergence and subsequent demise of the dinosaurs and finally to the evolution of Homo Sapiens. 

Audible Stories: Free Audiobooks for Kids 

Audible – the world’s largest producer of digital audiobooks – is offering free audiobooks for children while schools are closed. Students across the world can stream a collection of stories across six different languages. All books are free to stream on desktops, laptops, phones and tablets. Stories include tales suitable for all ages and literary classics such as Jane Eyre and Frankenstein, narrated by acting stars Thandie Newton and Dan Stevens respectively. 

3P Learning’s Digital Accelerator Support Package

Maths and literacy are set to stay firmly on the agenda worldwide for 3P Learning’s 17,000 schools and 5 million pupils working from home thanks to the launch of its Digital Accelerator Support Package designed to help schools keep pupils engaged, on track with the curriculum and communicating well with parents and students. 

Global leader in online education 3P Learning is offering its multi-award award-winning suite of online education resources to educators and schools including its much-loved Mathletics challenge and reward maths resource and Reading Eggs, its comprehensive range of online reading lessons, activities and ebooks that teach children aged 2–13 the core literacy skills needed for reading success. The increased support is open to both new and existing customers. Any new customers can use 3P Learning’s resources for free for 30 days and use any of the webinars and increased support to get up and running as quickly as possible.

The Key: Coronavirus (COVID-19) – what you need to know 

The Key – leading provider of expert knowledge and smart solutions for schools – has formed a coronavirus hub of practical advice and resources for school leaders on managing partial closures and running a skeleton school for vulnerable pupils and the children of key worker. Resources include articles on how to plan a skeleton staffing structure, FAQs on school closures and how to check health and safety on site. 

LEAF Education's Countryside Classroom

LEAF Education is giving free access to Countryside Classroom which helps children learn about food, farming and the natural environment.

The online portal brings together a consortium of 31 industry organisations offering a vital source of information for home-schooling.

LEAF Education works to inspire and educate future generations about farming, food and the countryside.  Its education booklets, which are available from Countryside Classroom, include topics such as STEM, maths in the garden, storytelling and other indoor and outdoor home education activities.