How to access BBC Bitesize daily online lessons for children

‘We are proud to be there when the nation needs us,’ BBC Bitesize says

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In March it was announced that schools across the UK were to be closed amid the coronavirus pandemic.

All children — other than those of key workers — are no longer able to attend school, having to remain home instead.

Children have been given access to online learning portals via their school in order to access lessons and resources.

But many are supplementing this learning with other resources, such as daily PE YouTube lessons by fitness instructor Joe Wicks.

And from 20 April David Attenborough will be offering lessons to children, which will be available on BBC Bitesize Daily on BBC iPlayer and BBC Red Button.

How will the new BBC Bitesize daily online lessons work?

From Monday 20 April, young people will be able to access lessons in several core subjects, including English and Maths, on a daily basis.

The BBC Bitesize website will be expanded to cater for the new offerings, while special programmes will also be broadcast on BBC iPlayer and BBC Red Button.

Students aged between 14 and 16 will be provided with daily lessons catered for their age group on the dedicated app.

Furthermore, the BBC Bitesize resource will give guidance for parents on homeschooling, in addition to providing guides for students with special educational needs.

“This is the biggest education effort the BBC has ever undertaken,” said General Lord Hall, director of the BBC, stating that “this comprehensive package” is something only the broadcaster “would be able to provide”.

“We are proud to be there when the nation needs us, working with teachers, schools and parents to ensure children have access and support to keep their learning going — come what may.”

On the BBC Bitesize website, it states that the platform has been expanded as the result of a collaboration between other colleagues at the BBC “and education experts from around the UK to make sure everyone who needs it can access learning resources during this uncertain time”.

The organisation added that some education resources may be “delivered by well-known faces”, teasing that there may be some celebrity appearances on the way.

What will the lessons entail?

The daily lessons, BBC Bitesize says, will be “backed up by new videos, practice tests, educational games and articles”.

Furthermore, the resource’s social media channels on Facebook and Twitter will be updated to “focus on parents, where information including study schedules will be shared”.

“Teenage students can still enjoy our Instagram platform, where flashcards, subject guides, memes and some lighter relief in the form of advice and encouragement from well-known faces will be readily available,” it added.

Former Countdown star Carol Vorderman recently announced she was offering free maths lessons to children while schools are closed.

For more information about BBC Bitesize, visit the website here.