The Arthur Terry Learning Partnership is supporting a national online classroom and resource hub that that provides daily lessons and resources to assist teachers during coronavirus lockdown restrictions.

Oak National Academy has opened its virtual doors this week, the same week pupils will be returning to online lessons after the Easter holidays.

Created by a group of primary and secondary school teachers – including those from ATLP secondary schools - in under two weeks, Oak National Academy provides  video lessons and curricular resources for teachers to use as they wish, to complement their existing teaching and planning. 

A recent poll by Teacher Tapp ​found that almost two-thirds of teachers want a free online curriculum resource hub to aid them and their pupils. 

A direct response to the coronavirus situation, Oak will provide over 180 lessons a week, the equivalent of three hours a day for primary school students and four hours a day for secondary.

The online classroom has the support of various education organisations including the Sutton Trust, Teach First, the Teaching Schools Council and the Confederation of School Trusts and is being backed by the Department for Education. 

Lessons will be an hour long and include a quiz, a video explanation from the teacher and a worksheet. Teachers can choose to signpost their students to all, any or none of these resources. Every lesson will be free to use for any teacher. 

Richard Gill (pictured), CEO of the ATLP and chair of the National Teaching Schools Council, said: “The Arthur Terry Learning Partnership is delighted to have been chosen to be part of the National Oak Academy initiative. It is a privilege to be able to use our collective knowledge and experience to support other schools during this time of national crisis.

“I am proud of how all education professionals have joined together and I am humbled and inspired by their hard work, dedication and care.

“By joining together and sharing our resources and expertise, we can ensure that all schools will benefit and that children and young people everywhere can access continuous, high quality learning opportunities.”