Online Learning Resources
English
This initial list of English resources is based on recommendations from English Hub schools and trusted teachers.
Reading, especially for primary age children, is critical to their educational development and something that families can do together.
Some publishers are making their catalogues available for free. Schools should check what is available for the books used in their schools.
Phonic resources
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/letters-and-sounds
https://new.phonicsplay.co.uk/
Audible
Website: https://stories.audible.com/start-listen
Key stages: early years foundation stage to key stage 2
Description: all children’s audiobooks are available for free while schools are closed.
Registration: not required
Authorfy
Website: https://authorfy.com
Key stages: early years foundation stage to key stage 2
Description: access to masterclasses on texts from a range of authors, including videos from the authors and activities linked to novels.
Registration: is required
Book Trust
Website: https://www.booktrust.org.uk/books-and-reading/bookfinder/
Key stages: early years foundation stage to key stage 2
Description: a site with recommended booklists, categorised by age range and topic, including fiction and non-fiction. Family activities are included in the ‘Home Time’ section.
Registration: not required
Elevenses with the World of David Walliams
Website: https://www.worldofdavidwalliams.com/elevenses/
Key stages: key stage 2
Description: one free audio book reading is available to listen to every day.
Registration: not required
English Mastery
Website: https://www.englishmastery.org/
Key stages: key stage 1 and key stage 2
Description: downloadable resource books providing 8 weeks of activities.
Registration: not required
Literacy Shed
Website: https://www.literacyshedplus.com/en-gb/browse/free-resources/key-stage-2-activity-packs
Key stages: key stage 1 and key stage 2
Description: downloadable resource packs with tasks based on video clips on YouTube.
Registration: not required
Love Reading 4 Kids
Website: https://www.lovereading4kids.co.uk/
Key stages: early years foundation stage to key stage 2
Description: a site with recommended booklists, categorised by age range and topic, covering fiction and non-fiction.
Registration: not required
World of David Walliams:
Quizzes and activities as well as resource packs that can be used with the David Walliams books. Activities range from word searches and finding items in a picture to writing letters and creating characters. ‘The slightly annoying elephant’ and ‘The first hippo on the moon’ may be more appropriate to start with. There is also a free audio story to listen to every day at 11am.
https://www.worldofdavidwalliams.com/activities/ (activities and tasks related to the books)
https://www.worldofdavidwalliams.com/elevenses/ (free audio story)
Pobble 365
Website: https://www.pobble365.com/
Key stages: key stage 1 and key stage 2
Description: a new image is published each day as a basis for creative writing. Story starters, questions and drawing ideas are provided.
Registration: not required
Purple Mash
Website: https://2simple.com/purple-mash/
Key stages: early years foundation stage to key stage 2
Description: School subscribes to this and work has been set – this is also free during the school closure period. Each week, a selection of daily activities is produced on different subjects, including comprehension and grammar.
Registration: is required
Storytime with Nick
Website: https://www.ruthmiskin.com/en/find-out-more/help-during-school-closure/
Key stages: early years foundation stage to key stage 2
Description: available from Monday 20 April. Films of well-loved stories read by Nick Cannon, a trained actor, teacher and trainer.
Registration: not required
The Children’s Poetry Archive
Website: https://childrens.poetryarchive.org/
Key stages: early years foundation stage to key stage 2
Description: an archive of spoken poetry recordings. Children can listen to poems read out loud.
Registration: not required
The Day newsletter
Website: https://theday.co.uk/subscriptions/the-day-home
Key stages: key stage 1 and key stage 2
Description: a daily newsletter for parents and carers at home with children, helping to enrich learning with real-world knowledge and skills.
Registration: is required
Maths
This initial list of maths resources is based on recommendations from the National Centre of Excellence in the Teaching for Mathematics (NCETM) and maths teachers.
Some maths publishers are now making their offers to schools free or providing free trials. Schools already using a trusted or familiar maths package should continue to do so.
Hamilton Trust (home learning section)
Website: https://www.hamilton-trust.org.uk/blog/learning-home-packs/
Key stages: key stage 1 and key stage 2
Description: This has been made available on the website but can also has downloadable resource packs with teacher guidance. A week’s worth of resources is provided for each year group.
Registration: not required
Mathematics Mastery
Website: https://www.mathematicsmastery.org/free-resources
Key stages: early years foundation stage, key stage 1 and key stage 2
Description: downloadable guidance and resource packs for parents and pupils.
Registration: not required
The Maths Factor:
created by Carol Vorderman contains teaching videos, practice activities and games for various maths topics at all levels.
https://www.themathsfactor.com/
Nrich
Website: https://nrich.maths.org/
Key stages: early years foundation stage to key stage 2
Description: a range of activities. Some are interactive and some are to be completed offline. Activities are categorised by age range.
Registration: not required
Numberblocks
Website: https://www.bbc.co.uk/cbeebies/grownups/help-your-child-with-maths
Key stages: early years foundation stage to key stage 2
Description: videos for numeracy development designed for children aged 0 to 6. There are fun activities that can be applied to everyday life and play.
Registration: not required
Top Marks
Website: https://www.topmarks.co.uk/maths-games
Key stages: key stage 1 and key stage 2
Description: a range of interactive maths games categorised by age group.
Registration: not required
White Rose Maths (home learning)
Website: https://whiterosemaths.com/homelearning/
Key stages: early years foundation stage to key stage 2
Description: presentations and downloadable workbooks which are easy to use for parents. New material is being released each week.
Registration: not required
Science
This initial list of science resources is based on recommendations from learned societies, including:
- the Association for Science Education (ASE)
- the Royal Society of Biology (RSB)
- the Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC)
- the Institute of Physics (IOP)
These resources link closely to the national curriculum, however there are many other resources supporting enrichment and practical activities available on the societies’ websites and elsewhere.
BBC Bitesize
Website: https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/primary
Key stages: key stage 1 and key stage 2
Description: interactive resources covering the primary science curriculum.
Registration: not required
STEM Learning (Home learning)
Website: https://www.stem.org.uk/primary-science
Key stages: key stage 1 and key stage 2
Description: an online resource bank, which links to resources on external websites. The site features a live chat function offering support from subject experts. New home learning resources are being developed.
Registration: not required
Physical education (PE) and physical activity
This initial list of physical education (PE) and physical activity resources is based on recommendations from:
- the Association for Physical Education (afPE)
- Public Health England (PHE)
- Sport England
- the Yorkshire Sport Foundation (YSF)
These resources will help young people to get the daily 60 minutes of activity recommended by the UK Chief Medical Officer (CMO) in fun ways.
All the resources listed here are for activities designed to be carried out indoors or, if available, a garden.
Children and young people can go outside for one form of exercise a day, such as:
- a walk with members of their household
- a run with members of their household
- a cycle with members of their household
Outdoor exercise should be carried out locally.
Children and young people should always follow the latest official advice on social distancing, which means making sure that they and their parent or carer stay more than 2 metres from others (including friends and other family members).
Boogie Beebies
Website: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b006mvsc
Key stages: early years foundation stage
Description: videos that get younger children up and dancing with CBeebies presenters.
Registration: not required
Disney 10 Minute Shakeups
Website: https://www.nhs.uk/10-minute-shake-up/shake-ups
Key stages: early years foundation stage to key stage 2
Description: 10-minute videos based on Disney films that count towards a child’s 60 active minutes per day.
Registration: not required
Super Movers
Website: https://www.bbc.co.uk/teach/supermovers
Key stages: key stage 1 and key stage 2
Description: videos which help children move while they learn. They support curriculum subjects, including maths and English.
Registration: not required
#ThisIsPE
Website: https://www.afpe.org.uk/physical-education/thisispe-supporting-parents-to-teach-pe-at-home/
Key stages: key stage 1 and key stage 2
Description: videos delivered by teachers focussing on the PE curriculum which are accessible on YouTube.
Registration: not required
Cosmic kids yoga:
yoga set to stories and imaginative journeys.
https://www.youtube.com/user/CosmicKidsYoga Child line calm zone:
Breathing exercises, yoga videos, games and videos on coping strategies. https://www.childline.org.uk/toolbox/calm-zone/
Mental wellbeing
This initial list of mental wellbeing resources is based on the recommendations of trusted partners. It is designed to provide guidance on how to support the wellbeing of children and young people being educated remotely.
Many organisations already working with schools will be able to provide remote support, and schools are encouraged to discuss what ongoing support might be available during this time.
Anna Freud National Centre for Children and Families
Website: https://www.annafreud.org/what-we-do/anna-freud-learning-network/coronavirus/
Key stages: early years foundation stage to key stage 2
Description: wellbeing advice for all those supporting children and young people.
Registration: not required
BPS
Website: https://www.bps.org.uk/news-and-blogs
Key stages: early years foundation stage to key stage 2
Description: advice on dealing with school closures and talking to children about COVID-19.
Registration: not required
Children’s Commissioner
Website: https://www.childrenscommissioner.gov.uk/publication/childrens-guide-to-coronavirus/
Key stages: early years foundation stage to key stage 2
Description: a downloadable guide for children about coronavirus.
Registration: not required
MindEd
Website: https://www.minded.org.uk/
Key stages: early years foundation stage to key stage 2
Description: an educational resource for all adults on children and young people’s mental health.
Registration: is required
The Child Bereavement Network
Website: http://www.childhoodbereavementnetwork.org.uk/covid-19.aspx
Key stages: early years foundation stage to key stage 2
Description: advice on supporting grieving children during the coronavirus outbreak.
Registration: not required
Special educational needs and disabilities (SEND)
This initial list of SEND resources has been developed with a focus on accessibility and inclusivity and is based on the recommendations of:
- trusted organisations
- charities
- multi-academy trusts
- special education headteachers
We encourage parents, teachers and schools to explore beyond this list to identify what support is best for their children and pupils with SEND.
SEND: apps and games
(Apps must be downloaded onto a compatible device)
Brain Parade
Website: http://www.brainparade.com/products/see-touch-learn-free/
Description: a visual instruction app, including flash cards and picture-choosing games, for children with autism and special needs.
HelpKidzLearn
Website: https://www.helpkidzlearn.com/
Description: a collection of games and resources designed for a range of educational needs and stages. It includes provision for school closure.
Sensory App House Ltd
Website: https://www.sensoryapphouse.com/
Description: a range of apps are available for pupils with Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulties (PMLD) or Severe Learning Difficulties (SLD). All are interactive and many do not require significant coordination abilities.
Visuals2Go
Website: https://www.visuals2go.com/
Description: an all-in-one app created to support people with communication and learning difficulties. For verbal and non-verbal learners.
Communication Speech Link:
Parent support site for children with speech, language and communication needs. Activities and games to help children hear the difference between speech sounds and identify different sounds. New games and activities added regularly along with speech and language therapy podcasts.
https://speechandlanguage.info/parents
Nessy:
Nessy and GoHairy YouTube channels with songs and videos to support reading and spelling strategies.
https://www.youtube.com/user/greenandfriendly/videos?disable_polymer=1
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBKY9k6NkPEOHFO2f6-y2Mw
General resources:
National marine aquarium:
Live feeds and clips of the aquarium in addition to live feeding sessions and talks.
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCezJorsyMOcWVeK2N2FAaRg
Newsround:
news updates and stories aimed at school aged viewers, includes information on Coronavirus. https://www.bbc.co.uk/newsround
STAYING SAFE ONLINE
Remote Learning - Keeping Children Safe Online –
Information for children
.png?width=1920&height=1080&scale=LIMIT_MAXSIZE "Online Safety (2)")