PUPILS will be able to take virtual lessons from the country’s best teachers when term starts tomorrow.
A national online classroom has been created to help children with core subjects until schools re-open.
The video lessons have been created by around 40 primary and secondary school specialists and will be available for teachers to distribute via the Oak National Academy.
The hub will provide 180 lessons a week — from early years to age 15 — focusing on the likes of maths, art and languages.
Primary pupils can get three hours a day and older students four hours.
Kids will also be able to attend web assemblies with well-known faces.
Education Secretary Gavin Williamson said: “To see teachers and schools come together to support families is remarkable.”
Meanwhile, free laptops and tablets are to be given to disadvantaged children to help remote learning.
Ministers will also ensure 4G routers are put in homes that do not have access to broadband internet.
My pride in this mighty Oak online
By Gavin Williamson – Education Secretary
Faced with the biggest public health emergency of modern times, our country has come together to fight this virus. An astonishing community spirit is helping us cope with this enormous challenge.
We all feel a sense of national pride when we clap for our carers on a Thursday evening. We’ve used our devices and technology to keep in touch with family and friends.
We’ve found innovative ways to overcome the massive disruption caused by this global pandemic.
That’s why I am delighted to support the launch of the online Oak National Academy, which will open its virtual doors tomorrow – the day term re-starts after the Easter holidays.
Across the country, our dedicated teachers are continuing to work, helping pupils to continue learning from home.
That’s despite schools being closed to all but the most vulnerable children and the children of critical workers.
Now with the click of a mouse, students will be able to join online classes led by some of our finest teachers.
Almost 200 hour-long video lessons will be available every week, covering core subjects from maths to art to languages for pupils from reception to year 10.
We’re also going to reach out to those families who need help getting online by offering them laptops, tablets and internet routers.
We want to make sure the most disadvantaged and vulnerable children get all the possible benefits from the Oak Academy and other educational programming online.
Innovations like this, as well as huge efforts from the BBC and publishers to support teachers, will become the lasting legacy and help support out children after we’ve beaten this pandemic.
It is a product of collaboration, determination, good will and, most of all, public spirit. It makes me incredibly proud to see the virtual Oak Academy coming to life.
