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.

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.

Supporting schools and early years settings with literacy teaching resources to help enrich your lessons linking to literacy moments and awareness days throughout the academic year.
Learn more about Literacy teaching and school events calendar 2024-2025.
Literacy teaching ideas and activities inspired by new beginnings - ideal for starting the new school year.
Learn more about Hot topic: new beginnings.
A live workshop with Irish-Indian poet and writer Nikita Gill where she explores her poem 'Who You Are' and her inspirations behind it, alongside supporting pupils in...
Learn more about Poems for Remembrance: Live event with Nikita Gill for pupils aged 9 to 11 (years 5 and 6/P6 to P7).

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).

Join Supertato duo, Sue Hendra and Paul Linnet in this free, online #Take10 event celebrating the well-being benefits reading and listening to stories can bring.
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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 that can be completed at home, which will help families have fun, and encourage children to learn to speak and communicate too!
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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.

A live workshop with Irish-Indian poet and writer Nikita Gill where she explores her poem 'Who You Are' and her inspirations behind it, alongside guiding pupils...
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National Poetry Day falls on the first Thursday of October each year, and we produce new resources to help you celebrate and explore the focus theme.
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Teachers and students are warmly invited to join us for this free, online event with author Natalie Denny.
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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.

In celebration of our #Take10ToRead campaign, join us for a free online event with author A.F. Steadman.
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Sign up to our free, live-streamed Remembrance Assembly, bringing pupils together with others from across the UK on Monday 11 November.
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This Autumn, engage your students with the exciting World of Graphic Novels reading challenge and support their book choice, reading for pleasure and literacy skills.
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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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