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BBC Bags David Attenborough And Danny Dyer For New Coronavirus Homeschooling Videos

Joanna Freedman

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| Last updated 

BBC Bags David Attenborough And Danny Dyer For New Coronavirus Homeschooling Videos

Featured Image Credit: BBC

Sir David Attenborough and Danny Dyer are among celebs being recruited to teach kids in the BBC's brand new home schooling learning programme, starting today.

As a result of coronavirus, kids across the country are being forced to stay home rather than go to school, to ensure social distancing rules are adhered to effectively.

So, in a bid to keep kids engaged and make learning fun, the national broadcaster has called on some of its most well-known faces to help.

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The celebs will assist in running six 20-minute BBC Bitesize Daily lessons on BBC iPlayer and the Red Button each day, alongside daily online English and Maths lessons, and printable facilities for science, history, geography and art.

Stars getting in on the action include Manchester City player Sergio Aguero, who will be the BBC's resident Spanish teacher, and Professor Brian Cox, who is due to teach various science topics including as the solar system gravity and force.

Footie star Sergio Aguero is on hand to teach kids Spanish (Credit: PA)
Footie star Sergio Aguero is on hand to teach kids Spanish (Credit: PA)

Former shadow chancellor (and Strictly Come Dancing legend) Ed Balls will teach 11-14 year olds maths, while Sir David Attenborough himself will take the reins when it comes to geography lessons, teaching topics such as oceans, mapping the world and why animals look the way they do.

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The big names don't stop there, as EastEnders icon Danny Dyer will be teaching history to pupils aged five to seven - quite apt, really, seeing as he's related to King Edward III.

Plus, Liam Payne and Mabel will be fronting music lessons, Doctor Who star Jodie Whittaker will be "dropping in" on BBC Bitesize Daily and TV presenter Anita Rani and Strictly's Oti Mabuse will also make appearances.

Jealous!

Danny Dyer is among stars teaching lessons (Credit: PA)
Danny Dyer is among stars teaching lessons (Credit: PA)
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The initiative has more than 200 teachers and experts on board in order to provide the best service possible to children, and parents attempting to homeschool.

The lessons are all tailored to different age groups, from age five to 14, using their national curriculum to inform what they teach. Plus, the BBC is also offering exclusive year 10 content on Instagram.

Older children currently studying for their GCSEs and A-Levels will have daily education podcasts at their disposal, too, as well as programmes on BBC Four on weekday evenings.

Alice Webb, director of BBC Children's & Education said: "We're proud that the BBC can bring together so many people to offer such a wide-ranging package of support to help children and parents right across the UK at such a challenging time.

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"We said the BBC would be there for people through this crisis, and we meant it. It's vital that every child is able to continue learning - and the lessons we're putting on will make sure they have fun at the same time."

Liam Payne will be teaching music (Credit: Instagram/Liam Payne)
Liam Payne will be teaching music (Credit: Instagram/Liam Payne)

This isn't the only facility on offer for kids now the Easter holidays are ending.

Education secretary Gavin Williamson said at the weekend he wanted "nothing more" than to see children back in schools, but that sadly, we were unable to relax measures yet.

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However, Oak Academy, which offers pupils 180 online lessons a week, is now up and running too, offering lessons curated by 40 teachers from some of the leading schools in England.

"This is a totally new initiative led by 40 brilliant teachers who have assembled video lessons and resources for any teacher in the country to make use of if they wish to do so," Williamson said yesterday.

Gavin Williamson said he wants 'nothing more' than for kids to be back in school (Credit: PA)
Gavin Williamson said he wants 'nothing more' than for kids to be back in school (Credit: PA)

"180 video lessons will be provided each week across a broad range of subjects for every year group from reception through to year 10."

Williamson added that 4G routers would be sent out to ensure all secondary school pupils were able to access online learning.

"We're also working with major telecommunications providers to exempt certain educational resources from data charges, so that this does not add to household expenses that might be very stretched at this moment," he said.

Here's hoping homeschooling just got a *little* bit easier for families all around the country...

Topics: Children, BBC, david attenborough, Coronavirus, Danny Dyer

Joanna Freedman
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