Coronavirus: primary teaching resources

  • Contents

    • The majority of Covid restrictions have been removed in English schools. Rules have also been eased elsewhere in the UK, but some measures are being retained for the moment.

    Staff and students without symptoms in England are no longer asked to test for Covid twice-weekly. Secondary school pupils also don’t need to wear masks. The legal requirement to self-isolate after a positive test is also being removed, although it is still recommended.

    The information in the support article below was current at the time it was published. You may still find it useful for reference purposes.

    Overview

    We know that this will be a worrying time and you will be concerned about your role, income as well as supporting your pupils and wider school community. If you are an Edapt subscriber will we be able to support you throughout this crisis as well as when you eventually return to school.

    We’re working round the clock to bring you the latest information and keeping you informed.

    If you are feeling overwhelmed, stressed and anxious and need to talk to someone you can contact Education Support for 1-1 support and advice.

    Support from the DfE

    The Department of Education (DfE) explains it has brought together a list of online educational resources to help children to learn at home.

    These websites have been identified by some of the country’s educational experts and offer a wide range of support and resources for pupils. They are currently being offered for free.

    The DfE explains that individual resources cannot replace a school’s properly planned curriculum, and the resources in this list are not intended to do so.

    They may be useful for parents in considering how they could support their children’s education, but they should not be used in place of existing resources which schools may be using as part of their continued provision for pupils’ education at this time.

    Before using these resources, you should refer to the guidance ‘Coronavirus (COVID-19): safeguarding in schools, colleges and other providers’, which has further information on how to keep children safe online.

    English 

    Phonics

    Schools should seek advice from their phonics programme provider about resources that are available to support remote phonics learning at home. For example, Read Write Inc. (RWI) has made video content freely available online.

    DfE’s validated phonics programmes are:

    However, some schools will use programmes not on this list.

    English Hub schools are developing resources for schools that use Letters and Sounds.

    Audible

    Website: https://stories.audible.com/start-listen

    Key stages: early years foundation stage to key stage 2

    All children’s audiobooks are available for free while schools are closed.

    Authorfy

    Website: https://authorfy.com

    Key stages: early years foundation stage to key stage 2

    Access to masterclasses on texts from a range of authors, including videos from the authors and activities linked to novels.

    Book Trust

    Website: https://www.booktrust.org.uk/books-and-reading/bookfinder/

    Key stages: early years foundation stage to key stage 2

    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.

    Classroom Secrets

    Website: https://classroomsecrets.co.uk/free-home-learning-packs/

    Key stages: early years foundation stage to key stage 2

    Downloadable resource packs which cover a range of subjects, including reading and writing.

    Elevenses with the World of David Walliams

    Website: https://www.worldofdavidwalliams.com/elevenses/

    Key stages: key stage 2

    One free audio book reading is available to listen to every day.

    English Mastery

    Website: https://www.englishmastery.org/

    Key stages: key stage 1 and key stage 2

    Downloadable resource books providing 8 weeks of activities.

    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

    Downloadable resource packs with tasks based on video clips on YouTube.

    Love Reading 4 Kids

    Website: https://www.lovereading4kids.co.uk/

    Key stages: early years foundation stage to key stage 2

    A site with recommended booklists, categorised by age range and topic, covering fiction and non-fiction.

    Pobble 365

    Website: https://www.pobble365.com/

    Key stages: key stage 1 and key stage 2

    A new image is published each day as a basis for creative writing. Story starters, questions and drawing ideas are provided.

    Poetry by Heart

    Website: https://www.poetrybyheart.org.uk/

    Key stages: key stage 2

    A wide selection of poetry covering different topics.

    Purple Mash

    Website: https://2simple.com/purple-mash/

    Key stages: early years foundation stage to key stage 2

    Free during the school closure period. Each week, a selection of daily activities is produced on different subjects, including comprehension and grammar.

    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

     available from Monday 20 April. Films of well-loved stories read by Nick Cannon, a trained actor, teacher and trainer.

    The Children’s Poetry Archive

    Website: https://childrens.poetryarchive.org/

    Key stages: early years foundation stage to key stage 2

     an archive of spoken poetry recordings. Children can listen to poems read out loud.

    The Day newsletter

    Website: https://theday.co.uk/subscriptions/the-day-home

    Key stages: key stage 1 and key stage 2

    A daily newsletter for parents and carers at home with children, helping to enrich learning with real-world knowledge and skills.

    Maths

    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

    Downloadable resource packs with teacher guidance. A week’s worth of resources is provided for each year group.

    Mathematics Mastery

    Website: https://www.mathematicsmastery.org/free-resources

    Key stages: early years foundation stage, key stage 1 and key stage 2

    Downloadable guidance and resource packs for parents and pupils.

    Nrich

    Website: https://nrich.maths.org/

    Key stages: early years foundation stage to key stage 2

    A range of activities. Some are interactive and some are to be completed offline. Activities are categorised by age range.

    Numberblocks

    Website: https://www.bbc.co.uk/cbeebies/grownups/help-your-child-with-maths

    Key stages: early years foundation stage to key stage 2

    Videos for numeracy development designed for children aged 0 to 6. There are fun activities that can be applied to everyday life and play.

    Top Marks

    Website: https://www.topmarks.co.uk/maths-games

    Key stages: key stage 1 and key stage 2

    A range of interactive maths games categorised by age group.

    White Rose Maths (home learning)

    Website: https://whiterosemaths.com/homelearning/

    Key stages: early years foundation stage to key stage 2

    Presentations and downloadable workbooks which are easy to use for parents. New material is being released each week.

    Science

    BBC Bitesize

    Website: https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/primary

    Key stages: key stage 1 and key stage 2

    Interactive resources covering the primary science curriculum.

    STEM Learning (Home learning)

    Website: https://www.stem.org.uk/primary-science

    Key stages: key stage 1 and key stage 2

    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.

    Physical education

    Boogie Beebies

    Website: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b006mvsc

    Key stages: early years foundation stage

    Videos that get younger children up and dancing with CBeebies presenters.

    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

    10-minute videos based on Disney films that count towards a child’s 60 active minutes per day.

    Super Movers

    Website: https://www.bbc.co.uk/teach/supermovers

    Key stages: key stage 1 and key stage 2

    Videos which help children move while they learn. They support curriculum subjects, including maths and English.

    #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

    Videos delivered by teachers focussing on the PE curriculum which are accessible on YouTube.

    Mental wellbeing

    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

    Wellbeing advice for all those supporting children and young people.

    BPS

    Website: https://www.bps.org.uk/news-and-blogs

    Key stages: early years foundation stage to key stage 2

    Advice on dealing with school closures and talking to children about COVID-19.

    Children’s Commissioner

    Website: https://www.childrenscommissioner.gov.uk/publication/childrens-guide-to-coronavirus/

    Key stages: early years foundation stage to key stage 2

    A downloadable guide for children about coronavirus.

    MindEd

    Website: https://www.minded.org.uk/

    Key stages: early years foundation stage to key stage 2

    An educational resource for all adults on children and young people’s mental health.

    The Child Bereavement Network

    Website: http://www.childhoodbereavementnetwork.org.uk/covid-19.aspx

    Key stages: early years foundation stage to key stage 2

    Advice on supporting grieving children during the coronavirus outbreak.

    SEND: apps and games

    Brain Parade

    Website: http://www.brainparade.com/products/see-touch-learn-free/

    A visual instruction app, including flash cards and picture-choosing games, for children with autism and special needs.

    HelpKidzLearn

    Website: https://www.helpkidzlearn.com/

    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/

    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/

    An all-in-one app created to support people with communication and learning difficulties. For verbal and non-verbal learners.

    Was this article helpful?

    Yes No

    The information contained within this article is not a complete or final statement of the law.
    While Edapt has sought to ensure that the information is accurate and up-to-date, it is not responsible and will not be held liable for any inaccuracies and their consequences, including any loss arising from relying on this information. This article may contain information sourced from public sector bodies and licensed under the Open Government Licence. If you are an Edapt subscriber with an employment-related issue, please contact us and we will be able to refer you to one of our caseworkers.