The Educatus guide to online education resources for lockdown families.

26 Jan

The pandemic has posed a massive challenge to everyone, no matter their age.

For families with school aged children and for those who might previously have sent their kids to early years/nursery settings, the pandemic has been especially difficult.

For relocating families coming into a locked down education system and understanding the options ahead of school places becoming available can be a nightmare, which is why the Advisers at Educatus have put together this list of helpful links. It signposts a wide range of online resources to help kids learn, whatever their age and level of attainment.

The list below breaks down the available resources by age and interest. Bookmark this page so that you can come back to it whenever you need. We will update the list whenever we come across additional sites with worthwhile content but by all means let us know if you have found one which we have missed!

Some services require a subscription whilst some are free. * denotes a website with some or all paid-for content. Some websites are making more of their content free-to-access during periods of school closure.

EARLY YEARS (2½ TO 4 YEARS)

BBC Teach has Early Years Resources in addition to programmes, online games and activities for younger children at CBeebies. Try Alphablocks and Numberblocks for literacy and numeracy, and Get Well Soon and Nina and the Neurons for Science. Children can also listen to CBeebies Radio

NRICH Maths for Nursery and Reception Maths activities

Oxford Owl has activities and free eBooks. Many schools use these reading schemes in school

Phonics Play* Great phonics games for younger children

PRIMARY (4 TO 11 YEARS)

@school.co.uk* online tests, interactive exercises, worksheets, pictures and more based on curriculum subjects including Maths, Numeracy, English and Science.

BBC Bitesize has online lessons full of videos, quizzes and practice activities as well as practical advice for parents and teachers. The CBBC channel also has its own website with activities and programme information. We recommend Horrible Histories, Operation Ouch, Art Ninja and Top Class.

Publisher Dorling Kindersley’s DKfindout! hub covers 14 subjects, best suited for primary age children who are confident readers. Home learning digital resources are also available for parents and teachers.

Ed Place* Home education and revision app for Years 1-11, with specific support for SATs, 11+ and GCSEs

IXL* Personalised learning in English and Maths from Reception to Year 13

Let's Go Live with Maddie and Greg A live family science show on YouTube hosted by Maddie Moate & Greg Foot and demonstrating daily science experiments to try at home.

Little House of Science* Live online video classes and holiday camps for ages 3 to 12

Mathletics* online mathematics program with interactive games and challenges for ages 4 to 14

NCETM (National Centre for Excellence in the Teaching of Mathematics) Primary Maths videos online

Night Zookeeper at home* Creative writing skills

NRICH Maths for primary maths games and interactive resources

Oak National Academy* Created by teachers using the National Curriculum, in response to school closures. A library of video lessons available online. Early years to age 16.

Oxford Owl has activities and free eBooks. Many schools use these reading schemes in school

Scribeasy* Story-writing platform to boost literacy and creativity.

Smartick* 15 minutes per day online maths program for ages 4-14.

Sumdog* Maths and literacy games online, often used in primary schools.

The Maths Factor* Created by mathematician Carol Vorderman in line with the National Curriculum. Making maths fun for ages 4-12.

Twinkl Free educational resources with lesson ideas, activities and live videos for children aged 3 to 16. Originally created for teachers but has adapted itself for home schooling.

White Rose Maths* Daily home learning videos for children (and parents) from years 1 to 9. Experts on-hand daily to answer questions.

SECONDARY (11 TO 18 YEARS)

BBC Bitesize Online lessons and revision guides for secondary schoolers as well as Careers advice and some post-16 support.

Ed Place* Home education and revision app for Years 1-11, with specific support for SATs, 11+ and GCSEs

Funtech.co.uk* – Online courses and virtual lessons in technology and coding. More suited to secondary school age but children can join from 7 years and up.

Internet Geography* GCSE-level resource covering the AQA and iGCSE syllabus. Resources, mock exams, and homework tasks for subscribers.

IXL* Personalised learning in English and Maths from Reception to Year 13

NRICH Maths for secondary school maths activities

NCETM (National Centre for Excellence in the Teaching of Mathematics) Secondary school guidance and resources

Oak National Academy* Created by teachers using the National Curriculum, in response to school closures. A library of video lessons available online. Early years to age 16.

Tassomai* Science-focussed programmes for GCSE, iGCSE or AS level Science and a programme for younger learners working towards 11+ and 13+

Twinkl Free educational resources with lesson ideas, activities and live videos for children aged 3 to 16. Originally created for teachers but has adapted itself for home schooling.

White Rose Maths* Daily home learning videos for children (and parents) from years 1 to 9. Experts on-hand daily to answer questions

Your Favourite Teacher* Online platform for Key Stage 4 offering GCSE maths and English lessons, assessment and revision

READING & BOOKS

Book Trust Literacy charity with good reading recommendations and online activities

Reading Eggs* online reading programme for ages 2-13. Ideal for children who are preparing for school or those who find reading a challenge.

LEARNING A LANGUAGE

Memrise* Online learning platform and App for over 200 languages. Learning through audio and visual resources.

Duolingo* Language learning App geared to adults and older students.

British Council Free online games, songs, stories, and activities for children learning English.

Twinkl Free educational resources with lesson ideas, activities and live videos for children aged 3 to 16. Originally created for teachers but has adapted itself for home schooling. A dedicated EAL (English as an Additional Language) section

NEWS AND CURRENT AFFAIRS

BBC Newsround Daily news and current affairs for older children

The Week Junior* Weekly, award-winning current affairs magazine for 8- to 14-year-olds

FITNESS & WELLBEING

The UK’s online PE Teacher Joe Wicks on YouTube Live streams and past classes providing daily workouts for children at home

Cosmic Kids* Yoga and mindfulness classes for children 3 and up

MUSEUMS, ART & EXPLORING

The British Museum Interactive learning tool using the museum’s artefacts to explore history. Suitable for Key Stage 2 and above.

Tate Kids Art games and quizzes

Great how-to videos from children’s book illustrator Rob Biddulph

Natural History Museum Virtual tour of the museum, downloadable activities and lesson plans.

National Geographic Kids has classroom resources online and a magazine subscription is also available

CHARITIES AND SUPPORT

Education Otherwise Charity supporting and advising families who are home educating

Home Schooling Association Networking and support for home schooling families

Schoolhouse Scotland’s national home education charity

ADDITIONAL NEEDS

@school.co.uk* online tests, interactive exercises, worksheets, pictures and more based on curriculum subjects including Maths, Numeracy, English and Science. A dedicated section to special needs.

Academy 21* Alternative provision online learning from Key Stage 2 and up.

Jessica Kingsley Publishers wellbeing and special education activity sheets/resources for students with additional educational needs

Oak National Academy* Created by teachers using the National Curriculum, in response to school closures. A library of video lessons available online. A dedicated Specialist section

ONLINE TUTORS

Affordable Academic Success* Assessment, video lessons, marking and online support for online Maths and English home tuition. Hourly rates from about £25.

Explore Learning* Maths and English tuition for children aged 4-14 available both online and in learning centres across the UK.

ONLINE SCHOOLS

Cambridge Home School Online* A selective online independent school for ages 8 to 18, offering iGCSEs and A Levels to students around the world via daily timetabled live lessons. Annual tuition fees from £9000 for senior school-age children.

Harrow Online* Online global sixth form offering A Levels for 16- to 18-year-olds with links to Harrow School. Tuition fees from £5250 per term.

ICSlearn* Online GCSE, A-level and professional development courses

Interhigh* An online school for age 8 and up, offfering iGCSEs & A Levels. Runs live lessons to UK school hours beterrn 08:30 and 17:15 UK time. Annual tuition fees from £3650 for senior school-age children.

Learnnow* Distance learning college offering A Levels, iGCSEs and vocational courses

My online schooling* British curriculum delivered worldwide for years 3 and above via live lessons, preparing students for GCSE and A-level exams. Also offering Learning & Wellbeing programmes for pupils who need additional support. Fees charged per subjects chosen.

Open Study College* Online GCSE, A-level, vocational and professional development courses

Oxbridge Online School* Online secondary school for ages 11 and above. Live lessons following UK school hours and offering a lower secondary through to pre-university curriculum. Fees from £2600 per term.

Sophia High School* Full time online schooling for 5 to 15 years (Year 1 through to year 9) for UK and global students. Live lessons in the morning (UK time) and independent work thereafter. Fees from £2204 per term.

Wolsey Hall Oxford* Home schooling college offering iGCSE & A Level. Some programmes for younger home schoolers

Disclaimer:

Educatus Limited does not control or contribute to the content of the websites which this page links to nor does it receive any referral fees. You must satisfy yourself that the content offered is suitable for your child and that the charges (if any) are acceptable to you.

Sarah Teasdale

SARAH TEASDALE - LEAD CONSULTANT & MANAGING DIRECTOR

Introducing Sarah Teasdale, Lead Consultant, Managing Director and the powerhouse behind Educatus. Sarah started the company back in 2013 after going through the whirlwind of relocating across the globe with her three young daughters and facing the daunting task of finding the right schools for them abroad. Having personally experienced the ups and downs that can come with moving frequently - living in places like Ireland, Kenya, Abu Dhabi, Bahrain, and eventually returning to the UK, Sarah knows firsthand the mix of emotions that come with moving to a new country and helping children settle into a new school. At Educatus, she's all about ensuring a smoother and less daunting process for corporate clients, parents, and importantly their little ones.

Sarah's journey into education began as a trained teacher in England, where she gained experience in both state and independent schools. Her teaching adventures extended then to Ireland and Bahrain, before her next move to Kenya where she established her own supply-teaching agency, catering to international schools in Nairobi. Her passion for education led her to work with the UK Foreign & Commonwealth Office and the United Nation's Kenyan Office, providing guidance to families seeking quality schools in Kenya and East Africa. Afterwards, Sarah returned to the Middle East, where she contributed significantly to a project in the UAE focused on developing and implementing a new school curriculum in government schools.

Upon returning to England, Sarah became part of a prominent relocation company, where she played a crucial role in establishing their in-house education consultancy. This role centered around assisting clients who were relocating families in and out of the UK.

Given all her own experience, Sarah wanted to take the leap and in 2013 established her own education consulting company, Educatus. With her leadership, she handpicked an exceptional team of consultants based in the UK who share her dedication. Together, they are committed to providing outstanding support and guidance, making the transition smoother for families embarking on similar relocation journeys.