Home Learning 2020 - 2021
English
This list of English resources has been collected and assured with support from English Hub schools and trusted teachers and recommended for use by the DfE. Please refer to and use the resources below during home learning.
Reading is a daily activity that your child should be encouraged to do. Reading, for primary age children, is critical to educational development and something that families can do together.
Phonics
Evidence shows that learning phonics is most effective when children are taught by following a single programme exclusively, rather than mixing them up. At Lowerhouse Junior School, we follow the Read Write Inc Phonics and Spelling program. Some children access daily phonics and reading lessons in school following this model. Please use the links below to continue with phonics at home.
Read Write Inc.
Websites: www.ruthmiskin.com - filmed phonics lessons
Oxford Owl Phonics - e-books and activities (please see your class page or ask/email the class teacher for login details)
Key stages: Key stage 2 children learning to read
Description: phonics, word reading and spelling video lessons on YouTube. Phonics e-books, activities and advice from Oxford Owl
English resources for all age groups
Audible
Website: https://stories.audible.com/start-listen
Key stages: Key stage 2
Description: all children’s audiobooks are available for free while schools are closed.
BookTrust
Website: https://www.booktrust.org.uk/books-and-reading/bookfinder/
Key stages: Key stage1 and 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.
Classroom Secrets
Website: https://classroomsecrets.co.uk/free-home-learning-packs/
Key stages: Key stage 1 and key stage 2
Description: downloadable resource packs which cover a range of subjects, including reading and writing.
Literacy Counts
Website: https://literacycounts.co.uk/
Key stages: Key stage 1 and key stage 2
Description: free home learning packs for parents covering reading and writing. A school offer is also available.
Registration: is required
Love Reading 4 Kids
Website: https://www.lovereading4kids.co.uk/
Key stages: Key stage 1 and key stage 2
Description: a site with recommended booklists, categorised by age range and topic, covering fiction and non-fiction.
Love Reading 4 Schools
Website: https://www.lovereading4schools.co.uk
Key stages: Key stage 1 and key stage 2
Description: a site with recommended booklists, categorised by age range and topic, covering fiction and non-fiction.
National Literacy Trust
Website: https://literacytrust.org.uk/family-zone/
Key stages: Key stage 1 and key stage 2
Description: a range of family activities to support English.
Storytime with Nick
Website: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLDe74j1F52zQ51fqNpKV07E71knNl8HFn
Key stages: Key stage 1 and transition into Key Stage 2
Description: films of well-loved stories read by Nick Cannon, a trained actor, teacher and trainer available Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 2pm.
The Children’s Poetry Archive
Website: https://childrens.poetryarchive.org/
Key stages: Key stage 1 and key stage 2
Description: an archive of spoken poetry recordings. Children can listen to poems read out loud.
The Reading Agency
Website: https://summerreadingchallenge.org.uk/
Key stages: Key stage 1 and key stage 2
Description: the Summer Reading Challenge takes place during the summer holidays. This year, our challenge features extra special characters designed by the award-winning author and illustrator Laura Ellen Anderson.
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.
JMB Education
Website: https://www.jmbeducation.com/
Key stages: key stage 1 and key stage 2
Description: 3 months free access available to game-based resources covering reading, writing and grammar
Literacy Shed
Website: https://www.literacyshedplus.com/en-gb/browse/free-resources
Key stages: key stage 1 and key stage 2
Description: downloadable resource packs with tasks based on video clips on YouTube.
Natural curriculum
Website: https://www.naturalcurriculum.co.uk/
Key stages: key stage 1 and key stage 2
Description: grammar lessons based on the BBC’s natural history archives.
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.
Royal Opera House
Website: https://learning-platform.roh.org.uk/create-and-learn
Key stages: key stage 1 and key stage 2
Description: a range of resources which allow you to explore theatre from home.
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.
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.
The Week Junior
Website: https://www.theweekjuniorparentsclub.co.uk/
Key stages: key stage 2
Description: downloadable articles and activities adapted for parents and guardians for home learning.
Registration: is required
Maths
Below is a list of useful resources to use during home learning to support the teaching of mathematics. These have been quality assured and recommended by the DfE.
Mathematics Mastery
Website: https://www.mathematicsmastery.org/free-resources
Key stages: Key stage 1 and key stage 2
Description: downloadable guidance and resource packs for parents and pupils.
Nrich
Website: https://nrich.maths.org/
Key stages: Key stage 1 and key stage 2
Description: a range of activities and articles aimed at students, parents and guardians, and teachers, categorised into age groups.
Numberblocks
Website: https://www.bbc.co.uk/cbeebies/grownups/help-your-child-with-maths
Key stages: Key stage 1 and transition into Key Stage 2
Description: videos for numeracy development, with 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
Description: a range of interactive maths games categorised by age group, suitable for parents and students to work through.
White Rose Maths (home learning)
Website: https://whiterosemaths.com/homelearning/
Key stages: Key stage 1 and key stage 2
Description: presentations and downloadable workbooks which are easy to use for parents. New material is being released each week.
Big Maths
Website: https://www.BigMaths.com
Key stages: key stage 1 and key stage 2
Description: maths resources to support teachers and parents with interactive challenges and games aimed at making maths fun.
Effective Maths
Website: https://www.effectivemaths.com/
Key stages: key stage 1 and key stage 2
Description: teacher professional development resources as well as some quizzes for children to complete at home.
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: downloadable resource packs with teacher guidance. A week’s worth of resources is provided for each year group.
NCETM (National Centre for Excellence in the Teaching of Mathematics)
Website: http://www.ncetm.org.uk/primaryvideolessons
Key stages: key stage 1 and key stage 2
Description: video lessons for primary age children.
Pearson – The Maths Factor
Website: https://www.themathsfactor.com/
Key stages: key stage 1 and key stage 2
Description: games and daily sessions for parents and students to work through at home.
Big Maths
Website: https://www.BigMaths.com
Key stages: key stage 1 and key stage 2
Description: maths resources to support teachers and parents with interactive challenges and games aimed at making maths fun.
CENTURY Tech
Website: https://www.century.tech/
Key stages: key stage 2
Description: courses and micro-lessons covering a range of topics. Sections for schools, parents and carers and pupils.
Registration: is required
Click View
Website: http://www.clickview.co.uk/free
Key stages: key stage 1 to key stage 2
Description: videos for students, with accompanying resources including teacher packs and activities.
Mathematics in Education and Industry
Website: https://mei.org.uk/closure-support
Key stages: key stage 2
Description: teaching and learning materials for level 3 core maths.
Maths Genie
Website: https://www.mathsgenie.co.uk/
Key stages: key stage 2
Description: past papers and mark schemes for a range of key stages.
Science
Below is a list of resources that are useful to use during home learning to support the teaching of Science. This list of has been collected and quality assured with support from learned societies and subject organisations, including:
- the Association for Science Education (ASE)
- the Institute of Physics (IOP)
- the Royal Society
- the Royal Society of Biology (RSB)
- the Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC)
- STEM Learning
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.
Care should be taken that all activities, especially practical activities, are undertaken safely and with supervision of an adult.
Parents should check that activities are age appropriate and that they can be carried out safely in the home environment.
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. Suitable for pupil/parent use.
CENTURY Tech
Website: https://www.century.tech/
Key stages: key stage 2
Description: Courses and micro-lessons covering a range of topics. Sections for schools, parents and carers and pupils.
CLEAPSS
Key stages: key stage 1 to key stage 2
Description: practical science activities for children and their families to complete at home with guidance on safely conducting practical activities in the home environment. Suitable for teacher and parent use.
STEM Learning
Website: https://www.stem.org.uk/primary-science
Key stages: key stage 1 and key stage 2
Description: an online resource bank listing quality-assured resources on external websites. The site features a live chat function offering support from subject experts. New ‘home learning support for families’ section suitable for parent use.
Registration: is required for some resources
Mental Health and Wellbeing
Below is a list of resources to support your child's mental health and wellbeing whilst home learning.
This list of mental wellbeing resources has been quality assured with support from the Anna Freud National Centre for Children and Families.
It is designed to provide guidance on how to support the wellbeing of children and young people being educated remotely.
Anna Freud National Centre for Children and Families
Website: https://www.annafreud.org/coronavirus-support/support-for-early-years/
Key stages: Key stage 1 and key stage 2
Description: wellbeing advice for all those supporting children and young people.
British Psychological Society (BPS)
Key stages: Key stage 1 and key stage 2
Description: advice on dealing with school closures and talking to children about COVID-19.
Charles Dickens Primary School
Website: http://www.charlesdickens.southwark.sch.uk/
Key stages: Key stage 1 and key stage 2
Description: weekly wellbeing video lessons.
Children’s Commissioner
Website: https://www.childrenscommissioner.gov.uk/publication/childrens-guide-to-coronavirus/
Key stages: Key stage 1 and key stage 2
Description: a downloadable guide for children about coronavirus (COVID-19).
Click View
Website: www.clickview.co.uk/free
Key stages: key stage 1 and key stage 2
Description: activities to support areas of wellbeing including resilience, mental health and emotions, for primary-aged students.
JMB Education
Website: https://www.jmbeducation.com/
Key stages: key stage 1 and key stage 2
Description: mindfulness activities, soundscapes and musicscapes to help children focus on their feelings, thoughts and environment.
MindEd
Website: https://www.minded.org.uk/
Key stages: Key stage 1 and key stage 2
Description: an educational resource for all adults on children and young people’s mental health.
Muddy Faces
Website: https://muddyfaces.co.uk/outdoor-hub/
Key stages: Key stage 1 and key stage 2
Description: a range of health and wellbeing activities and resources that can be completed outdoors.
The Child Bereavement Network
Website: http://www.childhoodbereavementnetwork.org.uk/schools.aspx
Key stages: Key stage 1 and key stage 2
Description: advice on supporting grieving children during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.
Unicef UK
Key stages: key stage 2
Description: advice on supporting grieving children during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.
Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (S.E.N.D)
This list of SEND resources has been developed with a focus on accessibility and inclusivity and has been collected and assured with support from:
- trusted SEND organisations
- SEND charities
- multi-academy trusts
- special education headteachers
This includes:
- SEN World
- The New Bridge Group
- Snowflake School
- Coop Academy Southfield
- Chailey Heritage Schools
- The Eden Academy Trust
The vast majority of the resources on this list are suitable for both parents and teachers to use in supporting the home learning of children and young people with SEND.
To support parents in using these resources, the DfE have also published information for parents and carers in supporting the home education of children and young people, which includes specific guidance for children and young people with SEND.
The tips for supporting home learning are particularly relevant for children with SEND, especially:
- reading together
- engaging in talk and encouragement
- structuring the day
- finding routines
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.
SEND: online, downloadable and printable resources
Anna Freud National Centre for Children and Families
Website: https://www.annafreud.org/media/11160/supporting-schools-and-colleges.pdf
Description: a downloadable guide to supporting the mental health and wellbeing of pupils and students during periods of disruption. Designed for teachers, but suitable for parents too.
Charles Dickens Primary
Website: http://www.charlesdickens.southwark.sch.uk/
Description: the Jenny Wren Virtual School SEN Hub offers daily lessons for pupils with moderate learning difficulties, focusing on Makaton and a daily activity to complete with a parent or teacher.
ClickView
Website: https://www.clickview.co.uk/free/
Description: videos and education resources, with some SEND specific resources listed.
Driver Trust
Website: https://www.driveryouthtrust.com/resources/
Description: online resource designed to address common literacy difficulties
Inclusive Teach
Website: https://inclusiveteach.com/free-printable-sen-teaching-resources/
Description: downloadable and printable accessible teaching resources for parents and teachers to support pupils with a range of SEND needs, including autism, PMLD, SLCN, MLD, SLD
Pearson – Rapid Reading and Rapid Phonics
Website: http://www.pearsonprimary.co.uk/freerapid
Description: the Rapid Reading and Rapid Phonics programmes focus on accelerating progress in reading skills for pupils with dyslexia and with low levels of literacy. Designed for teachers, but suitable for parents too.
Priory Woods School
Website: http://www.priorywoods.middlesbrough.sch.uk/page/?title=Resources&pid=3
Description: resources from an award-winning, innovative school, rated by Ofsted as outstanding and put together by SEND teachers for parents and teachers. The resources include apps and programmes.
School Cloud
Website: https://www.parentseveningsystem.co.uk/features-video-meetings.asp
Description: a secure online video call service to connect pupils, parents and teachers. Potential use might include pupils with SEND and/or their parents having a weekly video call with a SENCo to monitor their progress with home learning.
SEND Gateway
Website: https://www.sendgateway.org.uk/whole-school-send/find-wss-resources/nqt-videos.html
Description: guidance videos created in collaboration with the Centre for Education and Youth (CfEY) to increase the knowledge and awareness of a range of SEND conditions. Aimed at newly qualified teachers but also provides helpful resources and tips that will be useful for parents.
SENict Activities
Website: https://www.ianbean.co.uk/senict-members-resource-portal
Description: downloadable activities aimed particularly at learners with PMLD, SLD and those who are learning to use assistive technology to access the curriculum. Suitable for parents and teachers.
SEN Teacher
Website: https://www.senteacher.org/
Description: downloadable and printable resources that can be adapted to suit the needs of pupils. Resources are aimed at a range of abilities. Website has over 300,000 regular users and is suitable for both parents and teachers.
SEN World
Website: https://www.specialeducationalneedsworld.com/home-schooling
Description: online resources for SEN teaching at home
Speech and Language Kids
Website: https://www.speechandlanguagekids.com/free-speech-language-resources/
Description: an extensive range of education and therapy resources for parents and teachers of children with speech and language needs. A podcast is also available on iTunes for verbal and non-verbal children.
Speech Link Multimedia Ltd
Website: https://speechandlanguage.info/parents
Description: a parent portal with links to downloadable resources, activities and games developed by a team of speech and language therapists and software engineers who work with over 4,000 schools in the UK.
The Autism Page
Website: https://www.theautismpage.com/
Description: online support and information aimed at supporting parents with young children with autism. Information and ideas to support the implementation of helpful teaching methods.
UCL Centre for Inclusive Education
Description: a guide to help parents adjust to remote learning by providing advice and links to resources.
Physical Education (PE) and Physical Activity
Below is a list of resources to support the teaching of PE whilst home learning. This updated list of physical education (PE) and physical activity resources has been collected and assured with support from organisations including:
- the Association for Physical Education
- Public Health England
- Sport England
- the Yorkshire Sport Foundation
- David Ross Education Trust
- Cheltenham Ladies’ College
- United Learning
These resources will help young people to get the daily 60 minutes of activity recommended by the UK Chief Medical Officer in fun ways.
Children and young people should always follow the latest official advice on social distancing.
The activities can be adapted to suit the abilities and physical, emotional and learning needs of individual children and young people. Always make sure that the space and any equipment children and young people will use for these activities are safe.
Disney 10 Minute Shakeups
Website: https://www.nhs.uk/10-minute-shake-up/shake-ups
Key stages: early years foundation stage, key stage 1 and key stage 2
Description: 10-minute activities based on Disney films that count towards a child’s 60 active minutes per day.
Lawn Tennis Association
Website: https://www.lta.org.uk/tennis-at-home
Key stages: key stage 1 and key stage 2
Description: videos, activity cards and resources giving children the chance to explore key character qualities demonstrated by tennis players.
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.
#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.
UK Active
Website: https://ukactivekids.com/movecrew/
Key stages: key stage 2
Description: resources and videos produced to help pupils perform 60 minutes of daily recommended activity.
Registration: not required
Youth Sport Trust – Complete PE
Website: https://www.youthsporttrust.org/free-home-learning-resources-primary
Key stages: early years foundation stage, key stage 1 and key stage 2
Description: online planning and assessment resources, providing teachers with lesson plans and resources to support the delivery of physical education.
Virtual Days out
UK attractions and landmarks
Stone Henge – The English Heritage site boasts an official virtual tour that offers 360 degree views, as if you were standing in the middle of the mysterious stone circle.
It’s an interactive offering, so you can click on specific points and learn more about the history, without missing out on highlights that a guided tour would have pointed out.
Buckingham Palace – The Queen’s residence. Explore the magnificent building via virtual tours. The first tour will take you to the Grand Staircase with further tours of the White Drawing Room, the Throne Room and the Blue Drawing Room.
The Roman Baths – Bath’s most famous attraction offers a virtual ‘walkthrough’ of the iconic Roman baths and architecture. Explore the Great Bath, heated rooms and plunge pools and the terrace, or learn more about the fascinating history with a virtual tour of some of the museum exhibitions.
Giant’s Causeway – The National Trust offers a 360 degree panoramic virtual tour of the spectacular landmark in Northern Ireland.
London Zoo – bringing the zoo to you. Regularly updated so there’s always something new to enjoy. Discover London’s virtual zoo today!
- Webcams and live streams
- Animal antics
- Zookeeper videos
- Behind-the-scenes updates
Museums & Galleries
The National Gallery in London – Tour the rooms and wings, and zoom in on the artwork to see some of the highlights (and no need to face the crowds of visitors which usually flock here).
The British Museum – The museum teamed up with Google Earth for the tour. It’s worth noting that it doesn’t offer a walkthrough experience, but it’s a great way of getting a taste of what will be on offer the day you can go and check it out in real life.
The Postal Museum London – explore the Mail Rail tunnels that run deep beneath the streets of London
To view Google Arts & Culture’s collection of museums, visit the collection’s website. There are thousands of museum Street Views on Google as well.