Remote education provision in primary and secondary schools

Where a class, group or a small number of pupils need to self-isolate, or local restrictions require pupils to remain at home, we expect schools to have the capacity to offer immediate remote education. Schools should ensure remote education, where needed, is high-quality and aligns as closely as possible with in-school provision.

The Secretary of State for Education has issued a continuity direction that requires schools to provide remote education for state-funded, school-age children unable to attend school due to coronavirus (COVID-19). We have published guidance that explains the purpose of the various provisions within the Coronavirus Act 2020 Provision of Remote Education (England) Temporary Continuity Direction.

Schools are expected to consider how to continue to improve the quality of their existing curriculum, for example through technology, and have a strong contingency plan in place for remote education.

We have published guidance on remote education good practice which should be used by staff who are responsible for the curriculum and its delivery in schools. It offers suggestions to help schools meet the expectations for remote education set out in the actions for schools during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.

Remote education webinars for primary and secondary teachers

We are offering two school-led webinars on remote education to help share good practice with teachers in primary and secondary schools. During these webinars teachers will be sharing what has worked for them when teaching remotely. They will last for 45 minutes and presenters will also answer questions from the audience.

You can attend the webinars using the Microsoft Teams links below:

Remote teaching for primary school teachers – 6 October at 4pm Remote teaching for secondary school teachers – 8 October at 4pm

Each webinar is limited to a capacity of 10,000 viewers, however if you are unable to attend, recordings of each webinar will be available to watch after the live events through the Department for Education YouTube channel.

Get laptops and tablets for children who cannot attend school or college due to coronavirus (COVID-19)

We are providing laptops and tablets to schools and colleges to help children and families access remote education during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. Schools and colleges will receive an allocation of devices to be used to support disadvantaged children who are otherwise unable to access remote education. The number of devices available to order through the get help with technology service reflects the number of laptops and tablets we estimate are needed by each school or college. This calculation is based on:

the number of children in years 3 to 11 free school meals data an estimate of the number of devices a school or college already has

Devices can be ordered for disadvantaged children in years 3 to 11 who are unable to attend school when:

a primary school is only open to vulnerable children and the children of critical workers a secondary school or college is only open to vulnerable children and the children of critical workers a school has 15 or more children in years 3 to 11 who are self-isolating, having each been exposed to a confirmed case outside the school community a local health protection team has advised a group of children in years 3 to 11 (such as a ‘bubble’ or year group) not to attend school a school or college is fully open but supporting a disadvantaged child living in another area who is unable to attend due to local travel restrictions

Full details on how and when schools and colleges can access digital devices can be found in get laptops and tablets for children who cannot attend school or college due to coronavirus (COVID-19).