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 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).

Practitioner guidance and a parent booklet to help make the most of everyday moments for giving children the literacy skills they need to thrive at school.
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A dynamic early years writing resource for practitioners, supporting you to enhance your provision.
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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.
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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.

Literacy teaching ideas and activities inspired by new beginnings - ideal for starting the new school year.
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For primary and secondary schools (KS2 and KS3) in England. Sign up to our free online information session to hear more about our brand-new Young Poet Laureate Programme.
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Encourage and diversify reading for pleasure in your school with The Verse Novel 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.

For primary and secondary schools (KS2 and KS3) in England. Sign up to our free online information session to hear more about our brand-new Young Poet Laureate Programme.
Learn more
Encourage and diversify reading for pleasure in your school with The Verse Novel Challenge
Learn more
Classroom poetry writing activities inspired by Yoto Carnegie Medal winning title, The Boy Lost In The Maze by Joseph Coelho, for students aged 14 to 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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