Free literacy teaching resources

Browse reading activities and lesson ideas for a range of topics that will make teaching literacy and English more accessible and engaging for your students. See below for a selection of resources you can access for free.

Our resources are perfect for teachers and literacy practitioners in primary and secondary schools, and early years settings.

Discover highlights in the list below, or explore our full selection of resources.
To support families we also have a comprehensive web portal, grouped by age, with links to lots of free home-learning activities on Words for Life.

Free literacy resources for cultural events and UK awareness days

Literacy teaching ideas, resources and reading activities spanning different ages and phases that align with key awareness and celebration dates in the planning calendar for schools and settings.

Explore our 2024-2025 teaching events calendar for more inspiration.

Free resources to commemorate Holocaust Memorial Day on Monday 27 January 2025.
Learn more about Holocaust Memorial Day 2025.
Discover our schedule of resources and events to mark this year's National Storytelling Week...
Learn more about National Storytelling Week 2025.
Could your students write persuasively about a positive change they would like to see in their local community? The Wicked Writers: Be the Change competition is back for 2025!
Learn more about Wicked Writers: Be the Change.

Annual Literacy Survey

Would you like to know what your pupils think about reading, writing, speaking and listening? Take part in our survey that explores children and young people’s literacy behaviours, attitudes and enjoyment. Participating schools receive a personalised school report outlining their findings.

Be part of the Annual Literacy Survey: sign up now

Secondary school pupils take part in a workshop with the National Literacy Trust

Early years

Our early years resources and literacy activities will help schools, settings and parents support children’s development from birth to age 5 (EYFS).

Nursery rhymes are extremely valuable to support language and communication skills, build confidence and prepare children for reading and writing as they get older!
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Play is crucial for developing children’s communication skills. Here are 10 reasons why it is so important.
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This booklet is filled with simple activities for ages 0 to 3 that can be completed at home, which will help families have fun, and encourage children to learn to speak and...
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Primary and cross-phase resources

We have a wealth of free resources and lesson plans available to support literacy teaching in primary schools.

Enrich your students’ learning with this fantastic STEM reading challenge as our We Wonder series returns.
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Explore creative storytelling with Tọlá Okogwu in this workshop designed to inspire imaginative story writing for ages 7 to 11 (KS2).
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Celebrate storytelling with poet, author and former Children’s Laureate Joseph Coelho who will lead an inspiring, interactive storytelling workshop.
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Secondary and cross-phase resources

Inspire and motivate pupils to support and improve literacy provision with English teachers resources and our secondary lesson ideas.

Join author Tom Palmer, in conversation with Holocaust survivor Alfred Garwood and child survivor, Antoinette Mutabazi online as they discuss events from conflict, life...
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Could your students write persuasively about a positive change they would like to see in their local community? The Wicked Writers: Be the Change competition is back for 2025!
Learn more
Join poet and novelist Steven Camden for an inspiring, interactive storytelling workshop celebrating National Storytelling Week 2025.
Learn more

Key Stage literacy and reading resources

See filtered lists of:

Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) literacy resources (Early level/Progression Step 1)
Key Stage 1 (KS1) literacy resources (First level/Progression Step 2)
Key Stage 2 (KS2) literacy resources (Second level/Progression Step 2-3)
Key Stage 3 (KS3) literacy resources (Third/fourth level/Progression Step 4)
Key Stage 4 (KS4) literacy resources (Senior phase/Progression Step 5)

More support for improving literacy in schools and settings

We provide a range of evidence-based training, interventions, programmes and resources to support teachers and practitioners to enable children to move forward and develop their skills.

Evidence-based CPD and inspiring conferences to help you evaluate, plan and take action to improve literacy outcomes in your setting.
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Highly engaging and evaluated programmes to improve reading, writing, speaking and listening skills in the UK's most disadvantaged communities.
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Evidence-based interventions for reading, writing and language development
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