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The National Education Union in the United Kingdom has launched a website specifically addressing issues linked to the COVID-19 pandemic that parents and guardians of students may have.

On 6 April, the National Education Union (NEU) launched its coronavirus microsite to provide advice and resources to parents to support home learning.

The website also answers many of the pressing questions being asked by families and advises on exams and assessment, learning outside of school, child wellbeing and mental health, support for students with special educational needs and/or disability, and communication with schools.

Continued engagement

Among the resources to support home learning are tips from NEU members – teachers and teaching assistants – on how parents can support their children to continue to engage in learning during this period.

“In these difficult times, many parents and carers are struggling to make sense of what home learning should look like,” stressed Kevin Courtney, Joint General Secretary of the NEU.

Wellbeing support

Many parents also have concerns about their children and young people’s wellbeing and what can be expected from this year’s exams and assessment. The NEU’s new microsite aims to give families some clarity on what they and their children could be doing and to alleviate some concerns.

“This is not education as we know it, but headteachers and teachers, working alongside Government, are doing all they can to ensure children and their families are not unnecessarily stressed or anxious,” said Courtney.

The site will be updated regularly as more information from Government and exam bodies is received.

Educators turning to their union for support during the crisis

The NEU has reported a significant increase in the number of new members, requests for advice from existing members and a surge in website and social media traffic. The union is working around the clock, mobilising regional and local structures to consult and support its members during the crisis.