The BBC will broadcast school lessons on TV during lockdown - here’s when and what to expect

The BBC has announced that it will support school pupils with keeping up with their studies, as the latest round of Covid-19 restrictions around the UK has closed schools to the majority of students.

Televised lessons will be broadcast on BBC Two and CBBC, as well as streamed online.

What will the BBC broadcast - and when?

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From Monday 11 January, CBBC will offer three hours of primary school programming from 9am, and BBC Two will air content to support pupils studying for their GCSEs, with at least two hours of programming each week day.

Educational programmes on CBBC will include shows like BBC Live Lessons, BBC Bitesize Daily, Our School, Celebrity Supply Teacher, Horrible Histories, Art Ninja and Operation Ouch.

BBC Two will broadcast content such as adaptations of Shakespeare plays, as well as shows focusing on science, history and more, as it is aimed at older students.

During the first lockdown, the BBC offered similar educational programming. However, lessons were only available via iPlayer, red button and online, not on standard TV channels. The new initiative means that children of families with limited or no internet access will still be able to access the learning resources.

‘A lifeline for parents’

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Prime Minister Boris Johnson said that it is a “fantastic initiative from the BBC”.

BBC director-general, Tim Davie said: “Ensuring children across the UK have the opportunity to continue to follow the appropriate core parts of their nation’s school curriculum has been a key priority for the BBC throughout this past year.

“Education is absolutely vital - the BBC is here to play its part and I’m delighted that we have been able to bring this to audiences so swiftly.”

Culture secretary Oliver Dowden added: “The BBC has helped the nation through some of the toughest moments of the last century, and for the next few weeks it will help our children learn whilst we stay home, protect the NHS and save lives.

“This will be a lifeline to parents and I welcome the BBC playing its part.”