To ask you to sign this petition to keep BBC Bitesize online activities available until September

[Worriedmum999]

The Bitesize daily online lessons which have been a lifeline to many parents and children during the pandemic are being removed on 27th July due to pressure from BESA. This will be a travesty and will make children suffer even more than they already have. We are not asking for more lessons to be produced over the summer, only for access to all the ones already there until September so that children who haven’t yet managed to cover them all have the opportunity to if they wish.

Please consider signing and sharing.

I just signed the petition "Parents: Stop BBC Bitesize Daily Lessons Being Removed On 27th July" and wanted to see if you could help by adding your name.

Our goal is to reach 100 signatures and we need more support. You can read more and sign the petition here:

chng.it/QKGJRmHcSX

What's BESA?

Done though I need to verify

British Educational Suppliers Association, I think

Hi OP, just FYI petitions aren't allowed on the main board - there's a dedicated board for them.

Yes BESA are British Educational Suppliers Association. They represent companies who provide online educational resources. Obviously we understand that they have to protect their clients incomes but, in this difficult time, we do not think that it is too much to ask to allow access to the BBC lessons until September.

Oh ok sorry, I’ll find the dedicated board.

Done. Why on Earth they think that parents won’t be looking to help their children catch up over the summer, when it’s been recognised children will need to, is beyond me.

OP, I would report your last post and ask for this thread to be moved to the right board, then you don't have to start another.

@Worriedmum999

Oh ok sorry, I’ll find the dedicated board.

We're moving this thread over to our Petitions topic now, OP.

Hi there, I'm the Operations Director for BESA and I just wanted to correct a few items and put your minds at ease.

Firstly the BBC are not removing their home learning resources from BBC Bitesize on 27 July. In fact they have committed to extending their availability beyond September, in order to offer more support to schools and parents throughout next term.

Secondly BESA is supportive of any initiative, including the BBC’s Covid-19 Bitesize offer, that flags high-quality guidance and helpful resources to schools, parents and learners during the current coronavirus school closure period.

A large number of BESA’s trusted curriculum publishers are working with the BBC during this period to help provide additional quality content to the BBC’s platform offer to parents and teachers.

This story was mis-reported in the press which probably accounts for the confusion. I hope this helps reassure you.

Thank you for responding but I am extremely confused then by the response I have had from the BBC. They state that they are in fact removing the daily Bitesize lessons on 27th July and all that will remain on the site is the old Bitesize resources that have always been there. Indeed, if you check the comments from BBC Bitesize on the Bitesize Facebook page it clearly states that the daily lessons will be being removed.

I am dubious about the story being mis-reported but, if this has indeed happened, then I suggest you contact the BBC and the relevant newspaper so that they can issue a retraction.

Signed