The BBC is planning to provide more educational TV programmes to cater for pupils who are at home during the coronavirus pandemic.

The broadcaster announced today it was in discussions with the Department for Education and schools to support the GCSE and A-level curriculums with extra programmes on weekday evenings on BBC Four and BBC Red Button.

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The plans include:

• Expanding BBC Bitesize content, with social media running daily troubleshooting Q&A sessions focusing on a different subject each day.
• Increasing educational programming on BBC iPlayer, bringing together the best from BBC Bitesize, BBC Teach and the wider BBC portfolio where educationally appropriate.
• Creating two new daily educational podcasts for BBC Sounds, one for primary and one for secondary.
• A daily educational programme for different key stages or year groups, with a complementary self-learning programme for students to follow, broadcast on BBC Red Button and made available on-demand on BBC iPlayer.

A BBC spokesperson said: “Today, the BBC is setting out how it will ensure it keeps the nation informed, educated and entertained in unprecedented times.

“The extra programmes could come into effect in the event that schools are shut down, and subject to further work and discussions with the Department for Education, devolved administrations and schools.”