The headmaster of Eton College has written to heads of all UK state secondary schools offering online courses to pupils free of charge.

On Thursday, Eton’s headmaster Simon Henderson wrote to state school heads to offer year 11 and 13 pupils free access to Eton’s online learning platform, which is called EtonX.

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In addition, self-study programmes from its Future Skills programme will be free to access.

A statement on EtonX’s website said: “Eton College is making several online self-study courses from the EtonX Future Skills Programme available free of charge to state school pupils in Year 11 and Year 13 in the UK.

“These courses are particularly appropriate for Year 11 and Year 13 pupils and offer training in skills important to life and to the workplace.”

Courses on CV writing, creative problem solving, interview skills, resilience, research skills, making an impact and writing skills are available on the site. 

A spokesperson for Eton College said: “At a time when schools across the UK are closed and adapting to digital learning, it is more important than ever that all in education work in partnership for the benefit of young people.

“EtonX self-study courses are specifically designed to be delivered 100 per cent online and include a full range of engaging learning materials, with a personal action plan and end of course assessment for each learner.

“The courses are being made available to all UK state secondary schools, free of charge, for use where individual schools feel that EtonX can complement the great work that their staff are already doing, in challenging circumstances.”