Colleges across England are set to benefit from 80 grants of £1,000 to support those teaching remotely. 

In a package of support for remote education announced today, the Department for Education said that the grants would provide “additional training and support for mentors and coaches specialising in assisting teachers with remote education”.

Education secretary Gavin Williamson said: “The best place for children and young people to learn is in the classroom, which is why we made it a national priority to get all pupils back into schools and colleges full time, and why I have been so pleased to see millions of them returning over the past few weeks.

Opinion: Post-Covid - What further education needs in 2020-21

Survey: How much online learning FE is delivering

Background: Ofsted publishes findings of online learning review

Increased funding for colleges

“We have also, as we would expect, seen small numbers of students self-isolating in line with public health advice. It’s vital these students have access to high-quality and consistent remote education.

“I know that through the incredible hard work of our teachers and staff, pupils will continue to receive the education they deserve through this academic year, whatever the circumstances, and I will do everything I can to support our schools, colleges and young people in making sure that’s the case.”

The package also highlighted the EdTech Demonstrator programme, which allows colleges to collaborate to offer support on teaching and learning remotely.