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.

New for this term

Resources for pupils aged 3 to 14 to support learning and empathy in connection to Refugee Week.
Learn more about Refugee Week 2025.
An EmpathyLab and National Literacy Trust event, part of the Empathy Day Festival 2025.
Learn more about Celebrate Empathy Day with Joseph Coelho & Elle McNicoll.
Join us on Wednesday 25 June for a fascinating author event exploring Matt's newly released verse novel sequel.
Learn more about The First Year with Matt Goodfellow: a transition event for year 6 (ages 10-11 years).

Free literacy resources for 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 the calendar

Image of children enjoying diverse books

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).

Guidance for supporting young children to build joyful experiences of books and stories alongside the skills they will need to develop to prepare them for reading.
Learn more
Nursery rhymes are extremely valuable to support language and communication skills, build confidence and prepare children for reading and writing as they get older.
Learn more
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...
Download

Primary and cross-phase resources

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

Activate the power of book talk in your school community with a new reading challenge that will build confidence, engagement in reading and motivation to read among...
Learn more
Commemorate the impact of The Bard's work on modern literature with fun literacy activities for ages 4 through to 14.
Learn more
Use our drama-based learning sequence, created in partnership with Little Angel Theatre and Macmillan Children's Books, to explore and enjoy Charlie Cook’s Favourite...
Learn more

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 our free online workshop for pupils aged 14+ with Joseph Coelho.
Learn more
A scheme of work to enable teachers to support KS3 students with their understanding of misinformation and disinformation and to hold safe discussions around the events of...
Learn more
Learn more about our reading programme for excluded secondary students with these sample resources.
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.
Learn more
Highly engaging and evaluated programmes to improve reading, writing, speaking and listening skills in the UK's most disadvantaged communities.
Learn more
Evidence-based interventions for reading, writing and language development
Learn more