Boris Johnson: Grant all children access to high-quality education during this lockdown

Achieve this by:

1) Ensuring that all children, who cannot access online learning due to personal circumstances or lack of access to sufficient technology, attend school in person where possible.

2) Ensuring that all children without access to sufficient technology, who are unable to attend school in person (as they have been told to self-isolate, or because they are at particular risk if they contract Covid-19), are provided with a laptop and an internet connection by the government.

3) Issuing clear guidance strongly advising all schools to provide face-to-face, interactive, video-call, online lessons to all children during this lockdown.

4) Starting optional in person outdoor sports lessons at schools for all children (including non-vulnerable ones) before other subjects start being taught to everyone in person.

The first aim of the petition stems from the fact that according to the BBC, many children are not attending school in person despite having insufficient technology at home to access online learning. This petition urges the government actively to encourage such children to attend school through getting schools to contact them individually. In cases where certain schools are at risk of becoming overcrowded, this petition asks the government to organise that less crowded schools offer classrooms for overcrowded schools to use.

The second aim stems from the fact that the government has only a limited supply of laptops (with access to free digital education platforms) that it is giving to schools to help vulnerable children access online learning. It is also offering 4G wireless routers and free data allowance increases to those in need. This petition calls for this help to be prioritised for pupils who are unable to attend school in person (those who need to self-isolate for a period of time and those who are at particular risk if they contract Covid-19).

The third aim relates to finding the best format for children receiving education. This petition argues the best format would be for lessons to be taught live from a classroom with some pupils attending online through interactive video-chat software and other pupils attending in person. Online, interactive, video-call lessons simulate a classroom environment most closely and therefore provide the best continuity from the classroom.

The fourth aim is based on the fact that Covid-19 transmission rates outdoors are relatively low and the benefits of doing sport are innumerable for physical and mental health. Furthermore, outdoor sport would provide children with the social interaction they are craving during lockdown.