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 2023-2024 teaching events calendar for more inspiration.

Celebrate the festive period with fun literacy activities
Learn more about Hot topic: winter wonderland.
Calling all Key Stage Two teachers and pupils! We are hosting a magazine writing workshop with BBC Match of the Day magazine journalist Jake Wilson, author Matt Oldfield and...
Learn more about Premier League Magazine Team, live!.
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 2023-2024.

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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The set of cards are designed to support parents and carers of 0 to 5-year-olds to talk and play more with their children while they are out and about.
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This easy-to-read guide now comes in 22 languages and is full of suggestions for how parents can support their young child's learning at home.
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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 with a space-travel theme.
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We have partnered with the acclaimed stage musical Wicked to create a schools' writing competition about the environment.
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Start the new school year with a reading for pleasure picturebook challenge!
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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.

We have partnered with the acclaimed stage musical Wicked to create a schools' writing competition about the environment.
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A free 60-minute webinar for all teachers who wish to develop their understanding and confidence to discuss financial topics in the class room through the power of literacy.
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Classroom poetry writing activities inspired by The Boy Lost In The Maze by Waterstone's Children’s Laureate Joseph Coelho for students aged 14-18 (KS4 - KS5)
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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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