DfE Stakeholder Update | Major Package to Support Online Learning

This article has been brought to you by Slough Borough Council's Service Lead for Schools, Johnny Kyriacou for the attention of the all Headteachers.

On the 19th April 2020, the Education Secretary has announced a major new package of measures to support online learning. These measures will ensure vulnerable children and disadvantaged young people at vital stages of their education have access to essential resources at home. We have also announced an additional £1.6 million for the NSPCC’s national helpline for adults, helping people to report concerns about child safety.

I want to thank all the teachers and staff who are working so hard to ensure vulnerable children and those of critical workers are supported at this time.  Schools will remain closed until the scientific advice changes, which is why we need to support the incredible work teachers are already doing to ensure children continue to receive the education they deserve and need.

 

By providing young people with these laptops and tablets and enabling schools to access high quality support, we will enable all children to continue learning now and in the years to come. We hope this support will take some of the pressure off both parents and schools by providing more materials for them to use.

- Gavin Williamson, Education Secretary

Read the full news story here: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/new-major-package-to-support-online-learning

More information on these announcements will be available throughout the day on GOV.UK and on DfE’s Twitter and Facebook.

  • Disadvantaged children across England are set to receive laptops and tablets to make remote education accessible. Devices will be ordered for children in the most vital stages of their education, those who receive support from a social worker and care leavers.
  • To support the hard work of schools in delivering remote education, the Oak National Academy is due to launch on Monday 20 April. This brand-new enterprise has been created by 40 teachers from some of the leading schools in England, backed by government grant funding. It will provide 180 video lessons each week, across a broad range of subjects from maths to art to languages, for every year group from Reception through to Year 10.
  • New guidance has also been published today for parents on how best to support their child’s education and development.
  • On Monday 20 April the BBC is launching its own education package across TV and online.
  • The Government will make funding worth £1.6 million available immediately for the NSPCC to expand and promote its national helpline for adults. Expanding the NSPCC Helpline will mean many more adults know how and where to raise concerns and seek advice or support about the safety and wellbeing of any children they are worried about.

Schools, trusts and local authorities will be able to place online orders for devices for eligible pupils from Wednesday 22 April. More information will be available here.

New Information, Guidance and Support for Parents and Carers of Children who are Learning at Home

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/supporting-your-childrens-education-during-coronavirus-covid-19

New Guidance for Schools and Teachers on Safeguarding and Remote Education During Coronavirus (COVID-19)

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/safeguarding-and-remote-education-during-coronavirus-covid-19

You can also continue to access online educational resources for schools and parents to help children to learn at home 

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-online-education-resources