Prince Charles thanks teachers for their efforts during COVID-19

Prince Charles has released a message thanking teachers, parents and schools for their efforts to continue children's education during the coronavirus crisis.

Charles, 71, recorded the message from his home at Birkhall in Scotland and released it on the royal family's YouTube channel.

He said: "Parents have done an astonishing job in such trying circumstances and to see teachers and schools going above and beyond for their pupils in response to this pandemic has been, in many instances, quite remarkable.

"While recent times have been incredibly difficult for us all, I can only begin to imagine how challenging it has been for young people and families to adapt. In particular, I am thinking of those families who simply do not have the resources, such as online devices – or even the internet – that are needed for effective home-schooling."

Prince Charles made the comments as part of his work for the organisation Teach First, an organisation that helps offer equitable education to children in the UK.

"For many years now, I have been extremely proud to be the Patron of the education charity Teach First, which recruits and trains some of the brightest graduates as energetic and committed teachers and leaders to work in the country's poorest areas. Their work to support schools to build a fair education for all, which also produces enhanced results, is more important now than ever. It will be all the more vital in the recovery ahead.

"As our schools begin to open again and the first students return to the classroom, their job will present further challenges – helping children to get back on track with learning and supporting them to come to terms with all they have been through."

At the end of the video, Prince Charles expressed his "heartfelt gratitude to everyone in Teach First for all they are doing to support the schools, teachers and pupils most affected by this pandemic".

Schools in the UK have reopened, with state primary school beginning to reopen from June 1 and and private schools being left to make their own decisions about students returning, with many choosing to wait longer.