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Home Resources

At Home Resources 

We have put together loads of useful resources, including advice, support, information and activities which you can use while spending time at home.

Further home resources listed below:

Animals, Zoos and Farms 
Virtual Travel

Don’t let travel restrictions prevent you visiting some of the planet’s most famous family attractions. In response to the pandemic, many attractions have enhanced their virtual experiences so that they are now even more engaging for families. 

Something for Youth
Reading, Writing and Talking

  • Story Time Online with Idea Stores - new videos are uploaded at 10:30 a.m. Monday - Saturday
  • Key Stage 2 Poem Finale
  • Take on a Comedy Challenge - The National Trust have partnered with comedians from The Stand Comedy Club to challenge you to put on a performance for Family, Friends, Classmates or Colleagues!  Whether you want to put on a play, write a joke or perform a chapter from your favourite book, they've got some tricks up their sleeves to help
  • Borrow virtual books from the Idea Stores
  • Make your own miniature book - The British Library has a fascinating page dedicated to miniature books which were created more than 200 years ago, forming part of The Infants Library. The series of books were designed to help children learn by reading to their dolls.  Here you can find detailed instructions on how to make your own miniature book using very few resources
  • The sound of laughter - Check out the BBC's comedy podcast library.  Sit back, relax and enjoy some time to yourself
  • With COVID-19 throwing up all sorts of big qestions for us and our children and at HEC we are talking about the pandemic in a different way, and we are inviting children and their families, learners and their teachers to join the conversation.  We will be releasing new story content evert Tuesday and Thursday morning. You can follow the story on by going to Sankofa storyteling youtube.
  • Joseph Coelho reads his poems and stories
  • Weekly Wins Diary - It can be really helpful to focus on what you have achieved and using this diary template can be great way of doing this. Each week think of three weekly wins, or use it to record when somthing nice happens. You can write down what happened; when it happend; who did you help and how did you feel afterwards. 
  • Book Trust home time - Looking for something fun as a family? Enjoy Storytime with your free online books and videos, play games, win prizes, test your knowledge in your book-themed quizzes, or even learn how to draw some of your favourite characters
  • The British Library has teamed up with Zanib Mian, author of the Planet Omar series to help children or young adults to create an illustrated story. The guide will support you in coming up with ideas, making a plan, illustrating and finalising your story. All you will need are pens, pencils, paper and your imagination!

  • Kids Poems and Stories with Michael Rosen Author of “We are going on a Bear hunt”

Education and Learning
  • Free foreign language worksheets – Language worksheets to help you and your family to learn how to say a few words in the local language when you’re traveling
  • OpenLearn – The Open University, a world leader in open and distance learning, all Open Learn courses are free to study. We offer nearly 1000 free courses across 8 different subject areas
  • Open Culture – Learn 48 languages online for free
  • Educational videos and resources for free- you now have access to visually stunning, curriculum-aligned video content and teaching resources. Each video aligns with the curriculum and is designed with a specific year group and subject in mind. Choose from hundreds of educational titles in our exclusive collection for all subjects, including English, Science, Maths, History, Geography and Technologies, as well as student wellbeing titles
  • BBC Languages – Learn languages online free
  • Creative online course – 10 free online course that aim to boost cognitive functions and hone problem - solving and thinking skills
  • Tutorful – Top Geography websites, YouTube videos and resources
  • Digital Design Museum is a new series of online content bringing the world of design into your home
  • e-Bug from Public Health England is an international health education resources that teachers’ children and young people about hygiene, the spread of infections, and antibiotics
  • The Royal Museums Greenwich have teamed up with their Astronomy Education Team to produce online activities and videos. There is plenty to keep budding space enthusiast entertained at home with resources designed by real astronomers, who are also professional science communicators. Activities cater for early years to key stage 5, whilst their school holidays link provides activities for the whole family
  • Bitesize – Daily content from the BBC to support learning at home from primary to secondary and post 16

  • Introduction to Engineering – The Smallpeice Trust has given young people everything they need to explore their passion for engineering, making big ideas a reality

Resources for children with special educational needs
  • Mousetrap theatre project – We run a range of creative learning projects and theatre – going experiences which support, educate and empower young people with additional needs
  • Stephen Hawking Primary School has some useful resources for parents
  • The Sensory Project has lots of accessible activities, including cause and effect activities
  • The Lord's Taverners have launched a free online hub aimed at disadvantaged and disabled young people.  It is designed to increase physical activity and help with mental wellbeing amid the coronavirus pandemic
  • Speech and Language Kids - An extensive range of education and therapy resources for parents and teachers of children with speech and language problems
  • Bring the Noise - For Young Disabled Learners - BBC bring the noise has music, dance and sign for primary school aged children
  • Chatter Pack – Free speech and language, OT and many other SEND resources for families
Something for the Adults
  • The 'Zetangle' method - Rick Roberts is a former Buddhist Monk who jointly developed the 'Zetangle' method of drawing patterns, which she says offered her 'freedom and well-being and complete focus'.  Sound good to you?  Take a look at the eight-step Zetangle Method
  • Showstopper! The Improvised Musical - ADULTS ONLY. After more than 1,000 productions, the Showstoppers improvisation crew are some of the quickest wits in the business. So it's no surprise that when they were faced with a West End closure they live-streamed a performance. Watch their custome-made, never-to-be-repeated improvised musical
  • Online Festive Tea Dance - The Sunshine Kings jazz and swing band will play a selection of old favourities. Popular dance leader Tony Lane will demonstrate some steps for a range of dancing styles. It's a wonderful opportunity to dress up for the occasion and quick step into the spirit of the season. Tune in to view on our YouTube channel from 2-4pm on 17 December or any time over the festive period