Educational resources for children looked after (CLA), previously looked after children (PLA) and children with a social worker (CWSW)

Here are a range of fantastic resources to support with children and young people's education.

Many of these are suitable to be used in educational settings and also within the home.

We are always grateful for recommendations of resources that you have used. If you know of any other effective resources that we could share, please email us at virtualschool@lancashire.gov.uk

Lancashire Virtual School has subscribed to Britannica Encyclopaedia online for the use of their children looked after (CLA) pupils.

Email us at virtualschool@lancashire.gov.uk for the login details.

All children under 5 with a Lancashire County Council Social Worker (child looked after, children with a Child Protection Plan or Child in Need plan) can get a free reading book every month until their 5th birthday.

The Dolly Parton Imagination Library is a scheme to help children to develop a love of books, sharing stories and reading as there are so many benefits including:

Creating strong, loving relationships and secure attachment at home
Develops listening, language and communication skills
Aids cognitive development
Helps build confidence, self esteem and the development of good mental health
Fantastic preparation for school.

Every book is personally addressed to the child. All titles in the Imagination Library are published by Penguin Random House and carefully selected by a panel of experts in early childhood literacy and reading.

The Dollywood Foundation UK works with national and local funders and other charities to fund this programme. Dolly, through her foundation, contributes as well. Here in Lancashire, this is supported by the charity Make My Day Better, plus other donors.

Dolly set up the first Imagination Library in 1995 in her hometown in Tennessee, USA. Since then, the Imagination Library has come to the UK with more than 50,000 children receiving a book every month.

We really hope this scheme helps to encourage all children in care to have a love of books and reading as early as possible, and that you will enjoy reading them with the children in your care.

If you have any questions or comments about this scheme email us at: imaginationlibrary@lancashire.gov.uk.

Ideas sheets

A partnership of councils has produced a series of ideas sheets to accompany the Imagination Library books.

You can download these ideas and activities from the North Lincolnshire Council website.

The digital library has lots of resources to help with school, homework and study. There's also the Learning place which is full of websites chosen and validated by library staff to fit in with the National Curriculum.

These websites have a range of resources for a variety of subjects and ages:

Oak National Academy – A huge range of pre-recorded lessons and information for ages 4 to 16
BBC Bitesize – A huge range of information covering different areas of the curriculum and all ages.
TEDEd – hundreds of videos on a wide range of topics.

Teach your Monster to Read – games to help with phonics and early reading.
Oxford Owl – access free e-books to encourage and support reading.
Read Theory is a free educational tool that offers online reading activities for all ages and ability levels. Many schools use this website to support with the development of children's comprehension in particular. If you are a parent or carer, please ask your child's school for advice about using this at home.
Read Write - a primary school resource that covers needs stemming from English as an additional language (EAL), writing formation, speech, and phonics.
Reading Eggs – Funded by the Virtual School
Reading Eggs is a trusted reading program for children aged 2–13
Learning to read is one of the most important skills children can learn. Reading Eggs makes the learning to read journey fun, interactive, and highly rewarding for ages 2-13 – and it’s based on solid scientific research.
Please contact Rachel.holden@lancashire.gov.uk for more information

You may find these websites useful to encourage children in maths:

Cool Math for Kids – maths lessons and games.
Top Marks – maths and English based games such as learning times tables, number bonds and the alphabet.

National Geographic - geography based information and resources.
National History Museum – historical resources for ages 5 to 14
Tate Kids – games, quizzes and other activities and resources based around art.

LearnEnglish Kids – A British Council website with games and resources for children and parents.

Starting school is a big moment for children (and you) - and it can be both an exciting and nervous time. There is so much information to absorb and lots of things to remember.

It will help your child if they can do things on their own, like putting on their coat, and can explain what they need to a grown up.

Here are some tips for parents and carers to help you help your child get ready to start school.

These tips include ideas to encourage your child to learn the skills that will help them when they start school. There's also some information about where to get help if you need it.