Oak National Academy is pushing a major mobile network provider to restore a “zero rating” on its content so that families can access remote education without facing extra data charges, Tes can reveal.
The move comes amid uncertainty over how schools will operate in January, with rising cases of the Omicron variant and warnings that Covid staff absences could lead to de facto closures and more pupils learning remotely.
Tes can reveal that the online learning provider has written to BT urging it to restore a zero rating for its website to ensure pupils are not using up their data if they use Oak lessons on BT and EE, which is part of the BT group.
The letter warns that there are growing concerns that disadvantaged children could be denied access to remote education over Winter because they face being charged for data.
BT has now said it is urgently reviewing how it can reintroduce a “zero rate solution”.
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The letter was sent last week and has been signed by leaders of the main school staff unions and other education sector organisations.
Oak is concerned about data charges as more than one in six pupils have accessed its lessons on a mobile phone and they are more likely to be disadvantaged.
Earlier this year during the second national lockdown, Oak had announced that it was data-free on all major mobile networks - meaning pupils could access lessons without using up data or facing additional charges.
Tes understands that BT and EE are the only main networks to have since removed the data free status for Oak’s lessons.
Now Oak is said to be pushing for them to reinstate it so it can assure parents that lessons will be free to access ahead of the new year.
A copy of the letter, seen by Tes says: “We are growing increasingly concerned about disadvantaged children and families being denied access to remote education over the winter months if they contract Covid or are self-isolating at home.
“This follows EE/BT’s decision to reinstate data charges for families accessing Oak National Academy’s online lessons.
“While we should be doing everything to keep children in schools, the risk of many missing days is growing. More than 200,000 pupils are currently off school for Covid-related reasons, a number that is likely to grow over the winter, and we do not yet know the impact the new Omicron variant will have.
“Oak National Academy secured the zero-rating of its content from all the major mobile network operators last January, meaning families didn’t face data charges for remote education during the pandemic. Of all providers, only EE/BT has recently decided to turn it o and reinstate data charges. We would urge you to reconsider this decision urgently. It is clear the pandemic is not over.”
The intervention comes as the Department for Education launched a push to get ex-teachers to come back into the classroom to help keep schools open next term.
Education secretary Nadhim Zahawi said former teachers who are available to return should apply on the Get Into Teaching website and ideally start the process before Christmas Eve to be ready to join the workforce in January.
The plea came amid reports that some schools have experienced very low attendance among teachers and pupils ahead of the Christmas break.
The highly transmissible Omicron variant is expected to cause even higher staff absence levels in the spring term, and headteachers’ unions have warned of possible disruption to in-person lessons.
Robert Halfon, chair of the Commons Education Select Committee, has said that there could be “de facto school closures” as a result of Covid staff absences.
Approached about the letter, Matt Hood, principal of Oak National Academy, told Tes: “Over one in six children using Oak National Academy does so on a mobile device. The most disadvantaged children are likely to be in this group, so it is really important that our content is zero-rated and carries no data charges to avoid their parents having to pay for expensive add-ons.
“I hope that BT/EE moves back in line with the other mobile operators and reverts to its previous policy of not charging families for using Oak National Academy.
He added: “We have urged them to do this before the start of the new term and until the pandemic is behind us.”
“The scientists have warned there may be many more infections over the Christmas holidays so we are making sure Oak is ready to support schools, teachers and pupils in the new term, including making sure our content is zero-rated.”
A BT spokesperson said: “Connectivity has been a lifeline during the pandemic, for work, entertainment and education. We’re committed to supporting those who need extra help to stay connected. We are urgently reviewing how we reintroduce a zero rate solution.
“Over the coming weeks, we will continue to follow the current situation with potential school closures alongside our low cost plan Home Essentials for customers receiving means tested benefits.”
