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).

05 Nov. Explore the magic of poetry and how it can be used in Early Years settings. This webinar will focus on the vital role of poetry in nurturing children’s love of...
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A booklet supporting families to look at books and share stories with their babies and children.
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This booklet is filled with simple activities for families with children aged 0 to 3 that can be completed at home, which will help families have fun, and encourage...
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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.

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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An empowering reading challenge for 5 to 14-year-olds that explores social justice, community and making a difference, in partnership with Amazon.
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Oracy activities for the return to school that will enable all learners to participate and feel heard.
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On Thursday 8 October, the National Literacy Trust and the British Council will aim to set a new GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS™ title for the most people reading online in 12 hours.
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Thu 22 October. Join us for a free interactive, online event where pupils discover that comics are one of the oldest and most powerful ways to tell a story.
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Take part in Remembrance on Wednesday 11 November with our free online Remembrance Assembly, guided by our amazing host, TV and radio presenter Shanequa Paris, as they...
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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.

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.
Learn more about .
Take part in Remembrance on Wednesday 11 November with our free online Remembrance Assembly, guided by our amazing host, TV and radio presenter Shanequa Paris, as they...
Learn more
Join us for a very special online poetry celebration with UK Poet Laureate Simon Armitage, poet Sharena Lee Satti and some of the 2026/27 Young Poet Laureates.
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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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