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.

Refugee Week: 15 to 21 June

Access free resources, events and videos for age groups from 4 to 14 exploring the theme of Courage, helping learners consider how they can use the power of words to celebrate the courage that lives within us all.

Courage illustration for Refugee Week 2026

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

Teacher and pupil enjoy a picture book together in the classroom

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).

A booklet supporting families to look at books and share stories with their babies and children.
Download
A dynamic early years writing resource for practitioners, supporting you to enhance your provision.
Learn more
Celebrate your Early Years reading for pleasure culture and explore how to build your vision and practices with these professional development resources.
Learn more

Primary and cross-phase resources

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

09 June. Go All In Together! event for KS2/P4-P7 pupils. Join the National Literacy Trust and Premier League Primary Stars in building your vocabulary dream team.
Learn more
Join our free event to mark Refugee Week 2026 with writer and cartoonist RAMZEE. Through writing and discussion, RAMZEE will explore the theme of courage, highlighting the...
Learn more
Free videos and activity ideas to mark Refugee Week 2026 with author Nadine Kadaan for ages 4 to 7.
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.

11 June. Go All In Together! event for KS3/S1-S3 students. Join the National Literacy Trust and our special guests in the studio to discover how professionals get the edge...
Learn more
Mark Refugee Week 2026 with our free event for ages 11 to 14 featuring award-winning author and poet Sita Brahmachari and poet Hamida Khoder.
Learn more about .
Sign up to have access to an exciting, pre-recorded event exploring Lord of the Flies with the team behind the BBC TV show. For students in KS4/ S4-S6 (ages 14 to 16).
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