Covid-19 Support Update: Digital subject courses, lessons and resources

April 2020

AccessEd has been working with partners and colleagues to make sure we mobilise and provide resources and information to the young people in education who are most at-risk to have their future pathways impacted by Covid-19. This includes learners from more disadvantaged backgrounds and areas who without extra support might not progress to higher education or fantastic destinations.

Supporting Young People

AccessEd is a part of the UK Youth Employment Group which is a working group of organisations from business, charity and civil society orchestrating cross-sector to ensure that at-risk young people (16-24) aren't left behind now or in the coming years due to the impact of Covid-19. We will be working to ensure young people in state schools and colleges, soon leaving education to find their first jobs or hoping to progress on to higher education, are properly supported as they navigate a new world of destinations.

As the picture becomes clearer we aim to help our schools and partners stay informed and support like-minded organisations in rolling out support. As a global initiative, we also will ensure we share resources and insights with our global programmes that are useful in their Covid-19 response.

Available Resources

As a part of this support, AccessEd is making sure that schools are aware of our online subject resources that provide self-guided subject study opportunities, support to teachers and Key Stage 4 and 5 students (or 15-18 yrs old) with distance learning, and information on university applications and preparation. 

While teachers work to reach students who are not able to get online, these below resources are largely designed to be self-guided for the student and a chance to develop their independent learning in the meantime. 

We are also collating other useful learning resources (mostly self-guided) to bridge the gap at this critical time for all students.

All free and open to use in the UK and globally. 

Academic self-guided learning resources (15 - 18 years old)

• Subject Reading & Watching Library
  Great for: Keeping students engaged in a subject through interesting content, or encouraging them to explore their interests ahead of next academic year. From TED talks to podcasts on curriculum-linked topics. 
  • Hundreds of stimulating videos and reading lists, to support subject stretch or online assignments.
    
  • Easy-to-access content for a variety of ages that doesn't require teacher support
  • Includes podcasts, videos and readings arranged by subject
  • Includes a teacher reading list PDF 
  • Click here to see our Subject Library

• Research-Based Curricula (RBC) Tutorials
  Great for: Teachers assigning challenging short projects for students (6 modules), or for more confident students interested in reading beyond the curriculum.
  
  
  • Key stage 4 and 5 tutorial course books in over 45 subjects
  • Each course has six 1-hr modules, with activities and a final research assignment
  • Builds researcher skills like critical thinking, data analysis, independent study, building an argument
  • Can be completed as independent study or use activities in your digital classroom
  • Click here to access the RBC Library

University preparation and guidance (13 - 18 years old)

• ReachUni Online University Prep programme
  Great for: Teachers looking a way to support Year 11-13 students in getting university-ready, finding what courses might be right for them, reading advice and getting subject experience.
  
  ReachUni is an online programme that directs students through a 3-step university exploration, subject experience and application process. 
  (1) Explore our free library of course and subject materials, reading lists, and our ‘ThinkUni’ an interactive university choice app
  (2) Stretch that allows students to gain subject expertise and experience beyond the curriculum (including RBCs above)
  (3) Apply to university with guidance on writing a Personal Statement and UCAS applications.
  • Click here to see more about ReachUni

• The Brilliant Club university videos -updated weekly!
  Great for: Teachers looking for easy to understand short videos for students to understand how to get ready for university, along with taster sessions and masterclasses.
  • The Brilliant Club have a range of sessions available to view on university information, advice and guidance, which are suitable for pupils from age 10-18 interested in learning more about university and the application process.
  • You can access The Brilliant Club’s YouTube channel here, or work your way through the videos here.

Online Lessons (5 - 15 years old)

• Oak National Academy
  Great for:  Supplementary online lessons ready-made for Reception to Year 10. Newly launched, this is a hub of lessons brought together by teaching leaders across the UK being backed by the government. Visit their site here.
  
  
• BBC BiteSize - 
  Great for: Supplementary video content from a range of BBC stars like Sir David Attenborough and Professor Brian Cox to Jodie Whittaker and Danny Dyer, from history to maths lessons. Visit the site here.

Further Activities and Resources

• Live inspirational talks: Free virtual inspiring talks for UK state school students via Speakers for Schools charity. From the boss of Spotify to Penguin books, see the calendar and library here.
  
  
• Virtual Work Experience: Speakers for Schools has taken it's work experience (14-18 years) with UK top employers and created an online option to reach more young people in more locations. Find out more on their site here.
  
  
• Fair Education Alliance Resource Directory: A list compiled by the Fair Education Alliance of free online and distance learning resources can be found in this Excel list.
  
  
• List of Creative Learning Resources for Parents: of Creative Learning Resources: For a list of resources and activities to do with children or actual courses, see this list compiled by parents and an NHS team. See the PDF here.
  
  

AccessEd is working with and following other great organisations like the Fair Education Alliance, Teach First, PiXL, Whole Education, the OECD and more to share great remote learning content as it becomes available-- be sure to follow us on Twitter to stay up to date!

Have a great subject resource that could be shared with teachers, or a university interested in developing your own subject content? Contact us at [email protected]