Justin Welby will be delivering a message of hope at the first assembly of a new virtual school created to help primary and secondary children being educated at home during the lockdown. 

Oak National Academy offers free lessons pre-recorded by school teachers from Reception to Year 10, and covers a wide range of subjects, like maths, science and PE.

The Government-backed programme is a partnership between a number of education organisations, including the Sutton Trust, Teach First, the Teaching Schools Council and the Confederation of School Trusts. 

As part of its #FaithatHome programme launching this week, the Church of England will be partnering with Oak National Academy to provide weekly collective worship sessions that are accessible to all faiths and none. 

Nigel Genders, Chief Education of Officer for the Church of England said: "The Church of England is well used to leading collective worship in community schools as well as Church of England schools across the country and we are delighted to be able to continue to offer that through the Oak National Academy at this time.

"Our #faithathome programme for schools will offer a chance to pause, think and reflect and will be open to people of all faiths and none."

The Archbishop of Canterbury will speak to pupils in a pre-recorded message at Thursday's assembly. 

It is expected to be the biggest school assembly ever held in the UK and will also be joined by the Secretary of State for Education, Gavin Williamson. 

In his message, the Archbishop will reflect on the words of Nelson Mandela and a visit to Sudan where he met and prayed with a young Christian refugee.

He will say: "It's wonderful that this academy is growing and exists in these dark times, it's a place of light and of commitment to the future.

"I suspect this year 2020 will stick in the mind for many reasons and there are lots of things that you will be going through.

"What do we do with that?

"For Christians, it's all summed up in a word 'hope'... hope means the certain expectation of something you don't have yet but you will have in the future because it's been promised by God.

"Hope is hope of Life, hope of purpose, hope of peace, hope of justice, equality and a good future."

Matt Hood, Principal of Oak National Academy, said: "The wellbeing of our children and young people is so important at this uncertain time. It's important that we do all we can to reassure them, and to offer advice and practical support. Our assemblies are our contribution to this mission.

"They will provide a focal point for pupils across the country, allowing them to hear inspiring messages from well-known faces.

"I'm delighted that our inaugural assembly will be given by the Archbishop of Canterbury. His message of hope is an important one for young people of all ages, of all faiths and none."

The Archbishop's assembly will be streamed through the teaching support website TES on Thursday at 10am.

Ann Mroz, Editor and Digital Publishing Director TES said: "We are delighted to be using the TES platform to host these assemblies. We know that both teachers and students are missing the social and communal aspects of school right now, so hope that this helps in some way."