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

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).

Tuesday 20 May. Join us for a free, interactive online event for children in Early Years and KS1/ P1-P3 pupils.
Learn more
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

Primary and cross-phase resources

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

A reading challenge to nurture both a love of reading and support emotional literacy.
Learn more
Celebrate Earth Day on Wednesday 22 April 2026 with classroom resources that develop key literacy skills for pupils aged 4 to 14.
Learn more
Commemorate the impact of Shakespeare's work on modern literature with fun literacy activities for ages 4 through to 14.
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.

Celebrate Earth Day on Wednesday 22 April 2026 with classroom resources that develop key literacy skills for pupils aged 4 to 14.
Learn more
A practical guide packed with activity ideas and advice to help schools set up and sustain an engaging manga club that brings young people together through reading and...
Learn more about .
A resource designed to help educators promote reading for pleasure by linking it to children’s personal interests
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