A TEACHER has organised online classes to ensure his pupils keep on track with their studies during Covid-19.

Tom Biggins, a year six teacher at St Benet’s RCVA Primary School in Sunderland, has been hard at work setting up live lessons for his pupils, even arranging a stay at home end of the week disco for the youngsters.

He said: “Since we have had to close the school, we have all been working hard in order to work on how we can keep the children up to date with their learning.

“Sending work is great but it is the support of teachers that is key to what we do.”

The teacher set up his YouTube channel a couple of years ago to help his class with homework.

He added: “I knew I would be able to help out the children more if we could interact, and as well as that they could interact with each other in the chat, as the social aspect is as - if not more - important as well.

“I do a lesson every day from Monday to Friday, including English, maths, science, geography, history, and English writing, as well as a creative lesson on a Thursday afternoon at 2pm."

Teachers at the school have access to work through Padlet, a website that provides links to lessons, giving pupils a weekly structure.

All lessons on the site are free and accessible to all.

The year six teacher said: "Helping as many people as possible is all I’m looking to do.

“The response has been amazing. My last video is currently on 2300 views and has only been up a couple of hours.

“The lessons stay up as well so children who miss them or are doing something else can access them later.”

The Northern Echo: Tom Biggins, a year six teacher at St Benet’s RCVA Primary School in Sunderland, has been hard at work setting up live lessons for his pupilsTom Biggins, a year six teacher at St Benet’s RCVA Primary School in Sunderland, has been hard at work setting up live lessons for his pupils

At the end of each week, Mr Biggins holds online school discos for his pupils, and even provides the music.

He said: “When I was younger, I used to DJ, so I have all the stuff I need, and as I mentioned before, the social aspect is just as important for these children as the work.

“On Friday, I will stream a live mix for the kids with them able to talk in the chat window.

“We will also encourage the children to send us photos and videos of them getting involved to keep the community spirit up!”

He added: “I think it’s important that we all pull together now to make sure there is some light in the darkness.

“I’m not doing anything amazing - I’m just doing my usual job but adapting it to work the best it can.

“Compared to our amazing healthcare workers I’m a drop in the ocean; always remember it was normal people doing what they always do that kept the country going and saved us.”

Pupils can follow the teacher’s page mrbiggins123 on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.

To access the live streams or previous lessons, visit youtube.com/mrbiggins