Oak National Academy to launch new creative and practical subjects from January 2021

Published 2nd November 2020

Working with a diverse set of new partners and subject associations, Oak National Academy, the online classroom set up in response to Covid 19, will expand its subject offering from January.

Oak will introduce lessons in Drama, Design & Technology, Physical Education and expand languages and Art, Craft & Design to primary. It will also introduce Relationship, Health and Sex Education (RHSE).

The new subjects were created in response to, and working with, teachers keen to broaden Oak’s offer. The additions will mean Oak will offer over 10,000 high quality lessons and resources to support remote education and lesson planning.

The announcement comes as the number of pupils using Oak’s online classroom significantly increases in line with pupil covid isolation. The week before half term (19th October) saw nearly 370,000 pupils using the Oak, a 50% increase on two weeks earlier. Use in ‘Tier 3’ areas is also increasing, with a 25% increase in Manchester and 27% increase in Sheffield in the last week alone.

Matt Hood, Principal of Oak National Academy, said:

“Every part of Oak National Academy has been created from a recommendation or  suggestion from a teacher. So I’m delighted we’ve been able to work with a diverse set of subject associations and partners to respond to teachers’ needs.

“Expanding our offer to include more arts, practical and physical subjects is important for children’s development and their access to a broad curriculum.

“We hope these resources will help teachers’ workloads and support school contingencies throughout this challenging year.”

Oak’s expanded subjects and curriculum partners

Design & Technology - Key Stages 1-3, created with The Design and Technology Association

Lessons will cover Key Stages 1-3, with units on Designing, Making, Evaluating, Technical knowledge, including making products work, Cooking and nutrition and Technology in Society

Other subjects now included

• Drama - Key Stages 1-3, created with National Drama
• Physical Education - Key Stages 1 - 2, created with Association for Physical Education
• Physical Education - Key Stage 3, created with  Youth Sport Trust
• French & Spanish - Key Stage 2, created with Research in Primary Languages
• Art, Craft & Design - Key Stages 1 - 2, created with National Society for Education in Art and Design
• RSHE - Key Stages 3-4, created with Bright Futures Educational Trust (BFET)