St Thomas More Catholic Primary School
Inspiration, Celebration and Education
This list of English resources has been collected and assured with support from English Hub schools and trusted teachers.
Reading is another activity that your child should be encouraged to do. Reading, especially for primary age children, is critical to educational development and something that families can do together.
Some publishers are making their catalogues available for free. Schools should check what is available for the books used in their schools.
DfE’s validated phonics programmes, and their resources, are listed below.
Website: www.pearsonprimary.co.uk/BCPhonics
Access through ActiveLearn Primary to Bug Club Phonics e-books, activities, shared read aloud videos and resources.
Key stages: early years foundation stage to key stage 2
Description: following the Letters and Sounds programme, Bug Club Phonics has e-books, teaching material and practice games.
Registration: required for free access to Bug Club Phonics. Form available for parents to register
Websites: www.oxfordprimary.co.uk/floppysphonicstp
https://home.oxfordowl.co.uk/reading/ for phonic guidance and practise
Key stages: early years foundation stage to key stage 2
Description: online subscription enables schools to give pupils access to materials to practise GPCs at home. Activities and advice for parents and selected e-books available.
Registration: required for Oxford Owl for Home
Websites: www.gov.uk/government/publications/letters-and-sounds - for the handbook
Letters and Sounds for home and school - filmed phonics lessons
Key stages: early years foundation stage to key stage 1. Key stage 2 children learning to read.
Description: filmed phonics lessons that follow phases 2 to 5 of the Letters and Sounds programme for reception, year 1 and learning to blend. Parent guidance videos.
Registration: not required
Website: https://phonicsinternational.com - for home-learning resources and recorded webinar for teachers
Key stages: early years foundation stage to key stage 1. Key stage 2 to adults learning to read.
Description: home learning resources include ‘Alphabetic Code and Phonics Skills’ and materials for reading, spelling and handwriting. The free series of 8 e-books include 200+ cumulative, decodable sentences and texts.
Registration: not required for all open access material. Required to download e-books ‘Alphabetic Code and Phonics Skills’.
Websites: www.ruthmiskin.com - filmed phonics lessons
Oxford Owl Phonics - e-books and activities
Key stages: early years foundation stage to key stage 1. Key stage 2 children learning to read
Description: phonics, word reading and spelling video lessons on YouTube. Phonics e-books, activities and advice from Oxford Owl
Registration: not required for filmed phonics lessons. Required for Oxford Owl for Home to access e-books
Websites: www.syntheticphonics.net
Rapid reading e-books and resources
Key stages: nursery to key stage 1. Key stage 2 and key stage 3 pupils learning to read.
Description: advice, activities, videos, lesson plans and sample pages for reading, spelling and handwriting. Access to Rapid Phonics e-books and resources.
Registration: not required for Sound Discovery® videos and sample pages. Required for Pearson via school to access Rapid Phonics e-books.
Website: www.sounds-write.co.uk/
Key stages: early years foundation stage to key stage 1. Key stage 2 and key stage 3 pupils learning to read.
Description: online courses and videos for parents, IWB resources, activity workbooks and games.
Registration: not required
Website: https://stories.audible.com/start-listen
Key stages: early years foundation stage to key stage 2
Description: all children’s audiobooks are available for free while schools are closed.
Registration: not required
Website: https://authorfy.com
Key stages: early years foundation stage to key stage 2
Description: access to masterclasses on texts from a range of authors, including videos from the authors and activities linked to novels.
Registration: is required
Website: https://www.booktrust.org.uk/books-and-reading/bookfinder/
Key stages: early years foundation stage to key stage 2
Description: a site with recommended booklists, categorised by age range and topic, including fiction and non-fiction. Family activities are included in the ‘Home Time’ section.
Registration: not required
Website: https://classroomsecrets.co.uk/free-home-learning-packs/
Key stages: early years foundation stage to key stage 2
Description: downloadable resource packs which cover a range of subjects, including reading and writing.
Registration: not required
Website: https://literacycounts.co.uk/
Key stages: early years foundation stage, key stage 1 and key stage 2
Description: free home learning packs for parents covering reading and writing. A school offer is also available.
Registration: is required
Website: https://www.lovereading4kids.co.uk/
Key stages: early years foundation stage to key stage 2
Description: a site with recommended booklists, categorised by age range and topic, covering fiction and non-fiction.
Registration: not required
Website: https://www.lovereading4schools.co.uk
Key stages: early years foundation stage to key stage 5
Description: a site with recommended booklists, categorised by age range and topic, covering fiction and non-fiction.
Registration: not required
Website: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCnEaSVZf7cZR1kNQkuIRoUg/playlists
Key stages: early years foundation stage, key stage 1 and key stage 2
Description: YouTube videos covering phonics and reading.
Registration: not required
Website: https://literacytrust.org.uk/family-zone/
Key stages: early years foundation stage to key stage 3
Description: a range of family activities to support literacy.
Registration: not required
Website: https://2simple.com/purple-mash/
Key stages: early years foundation stage to key stage 2
Description: free during the school closure period. Each week, a selection of daily activities is produced on different subjects, including comprehension and grammar.
Registration: is required
Website: https://my.risingstars-uk.com/
Key stages: early years foundation stage to key stage 2
Description: books and reading resources available online.
Registration: is required
Website: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCM5pEwawjlZt69qmczAiQvg/playlists
Key stages: early years foundation stage, key stage 1 and key stage 2
Description: YouTube videos covering phonics, reading, spelling, punctuation and grammar
Registration: not required
Website: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLDe74j1F52zQ51fqNpKV07E71knNl8HFn
Key stages: early years foundation stage and key stage 1
Description: films of well-loved stories read by Nick Cannon, a trained actor, teacher and trainer available Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 2pm.
Registration: not required
Website: https://childrens.poetryarchive.org/
Key stages: early years foundation stage to key stage 2
Description: an archive of spoken poetry recordings. Children can listen to poems read out loud.
Registration: not required
Website: https://summerreadingchallenge.org.uk/
Key stages: early years foundation stage to key stage 2
Description: the Summer Reading Challenge takes place during the summer holidays. This year, our challenge features extra special characters designed by the award-winning author and illustrator Laura Ellen Anderson.
Registration: is required
DfE’s validated phonics programmes, and their resources, are listed below.
Bug Club Phonics
Website: www.pearsonprimary.co.uk/BCPhonics
Access through ActiveLearn Primary to Bug Club Phonics e-books, activities, shared read aloud videos and resources.
Key stages: early years foundation stage to key stage 2
Description: following the Letters and Sounds programme, Bug Club Phonics has e-books, teaching material and practice games
Registration: required for free access to Bug Club Phonics. Form available for parents to register
Websites: www.oxfordprimary.co.uk/floppysphonicstp
https://home.oxfordowl.co.uk/reading/ for phonic guidance and practise
Key stages: early years foundation stage to key stage 2
Description: online subscription enables schools to give pupils access to materials to practise GPCs at home. Activities and advice for parents and selected e-books available.
Registration: required for Oxford Owl for Home
Letters and Sounds
Websites: www.gov.uk/government/publications/letters-and-sounds - for the handbook
Letters and Sounds for home and school - filmed phonics lessons
Key stages: early years foundation stage to key stage 1. Key stage 2 children learning to read.
Description: filmed phonics lessons that follow phases 2 to 5 of the Letters and Sounds programme for reception, year 1 and learning to blend. Parent guidance videos.
Registration: not required
Website: https://phonicsinternational.com - for home-learning resources and recorded webinar for teachers
Key stages: early years foundation stage to key stage 1. Key stage 2 to adults learning to read.
Description: home learning resources include ‘Alphabetic Code and Phonics Skills’ and materials for reading, spelling and handwriting. The free series of 8 e-books include 200+ cumulative, decodable sentences and texts.
Registration: not required for all open access material. Required to download e-books ‘Alphabetic Code and Phonics Skills’.
Websites: www.ruthmiskin.com - filmed phonics lessons
Oxford Owl Phonics - e-books and activities
Key stages: early years foundation stage to key stage 1. Key stage 2 children learning to read
Description: phonics, word reading and spelling video lessons on YouTube. Phonics e-books, activities and advice from Oxford Owl
Registration: not required for filmed phonics lessons. Required for Oxford Owl for Home to access e-books
Websites: www.syntheticphonics.net
Rapid reading e-books and resources
Key stages: nursery to key stage 1. Key stage 2 and key stage 3 pupils learning to read.
Description: advice, activities, videos, lesson plans and sample pages for reading, spelling and handwriting. Access to Rapid Phonics e-books and resources.
Registration: not required for Sound Discovery® videos and sample pages. Required for Pearson via school to access Rapid Phonics e-books.
Website: www.sounds-write.co.uk/
Key stages: early years foundation stage to key stage 1. Key stage 2 and key stage 3 pupils learning to read.
Description: online courses and videos for parents, IWB resources, activity workbooks and games.
Registration: not required
Website: https://stories.audible.com/start-listen
Key stages: early years foundation stage to key stage 2
Description: all children’s audiobooks are available for free while schools are closed.
Registration: not required
Website: https://authorfy.com
Key stages: early years foundation stage to key stage 2
Description: access to masterclasses on texts from a range of authors, including videos from the authors and activities linked to novels.
Registration: is required
Website: https://www.booktrust.org.uk/books-and-reading/bookfinder/
Key stages: early years foundation stage to key stage 2
Description: a site with recommended booklists, categorised by age range and topic, including fiction and non-fiction. Family activities are included in the ‘Home Time’ section.
Registration: not required
Websites: Bug Club Phonics - www.pearsonprimary.co.uk/BCPhonics
Access through ActiveLearn Primary to Bug Club Phonics e-books, activities, shared read aloud videos and resources.
Bug Club Reading -https://www.pearsonschoolsandfecolleges.co.uk/Primary/Literacy/AllLiteracyresources/BugClub/bug-club-overview.aspx
Key stages: early years foundation stage to key stage 2
Description: Bug Club Phonics has e-books, teaching material and practice games, following the letters and sounds programme. Bug Club reading is a comprehensive primary reading scheme for independent and guided reading. It includes fiction, non-fiction, comics and plays all covering a variety of different genres.
Registration: required for free access to Bug Club Phonics. Form available for parents to register
Website: https://classroomsecrets.co.uk/free-home-learning-packs/
Key stages: early years foundation stage to key stage 2
Description: downloadable resource packs which cover a range of subjects, including reading and writing.
Registration: not required
Website: https://www.emile-education.com/
Key stages: key stage 1 and key stage 2
Description: game-based resources covering phonics, grammar and spelling. Schools need to register and distribute log-ins to pupils.
Registration: is required
Website: https://www.englishmastery.org/
Key stages: key stage 1 and key stage 2
Description: downloadable resource books providing 8 weeks of activities.
Registration: not required
Website: https://www.jmbeducation.com/
Key stages: key stage 1 and key stage 2
Description: 3 months free access available to game-based resources covering reading, writing and grammar
Registration: is required
Website: https://literacycounts.co.uk/
Key stages: early years foundation stage, key stage 1 and key stage 2
Description: free home learning packs for parents covering reading and writing. A school offer is also available.
Registration: is required
Website: https://www.literacyshedplus.com/en-gb/browse/free-resources
Key stages: key stage 1 and key stage 2
Description: downloadable resource packs with tasks based on video clips on YouTube.
Registration: not required
Website: https://www.lovereading4kids.co.uk/
Key stages: early years foundation stage to key stage 2
Description: a site with recommended booklists, categorised by age range and topic, covering fiction and non-fiction.
Registration: not required
Website: https://www.lovereading4schools.co.uk
Key stages: early years foundation stage to key stage 5
Description: a site with recommended booklists, categorised by age range and topic, covering fiction and non-fiction.
Registration: not required
Website: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCnEaSVZf7cZR1kNQkuIRoUg/playlists
Key stages: early years foundation stage, key stage 1 and key stage 2
Description: YouTube videos covering phonics and reading
Registration: not required
Website: https://literacytrust.org.uk/family-zone/
Key stages: early years foundation stage to key stage 3
Description: a range of family activities to support literacy.
Registration: not required
Website: https://www.naturalcurriculum.co.uk/
Key stages: key stage 1 and key stage 2
Description: grammar lessons based on the BBC’s natural history archives.
Registration: not required
Website: https://www.pobble365.com/
Key stages: key stage 1 and key stage 2
Description: a new image is published each day as a basis for creative writing. Story starters, questions and drawing ideas are provided.
Registration: not required
Website: https://learning-platform.roh.org.uk/create-and-learn
Key stages: key stage 1 to key stage 3
Description: a range of resources which allow you to explore theatre from home.
Registration: not required
Website: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCM5pEwawjlZt69qmczAiQvg/playlists
Key stages: early years foundation stage, key stage 1 and key stage 2
Description: YouTube videos covering phonics, reading, spelling, punctuation and grammar
Registration: not required
Website: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLDe74j1F52zQ51fqNpKV07E71knNl8HFn
Key stages: early years foundation stage and key stage 1
Description: films of well-loved stories read by Nick Cannon, a trained actor, teacher and trainer available Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 2pm.
Registration: not required
Website: https://childrens.poetryarchive.org/
Key stages: early years foundation stage to key stage 2
Description: an archive of spoken poetry recordings. Children can listen to poems read out loud.
Registration: not required
Website: https://summerreadingchallenge.org.uk/
Key stages: early years foundation stage to key stage 2
Description: the Summer Reading Challenge takes place during the summer holidays. This year, our challenge features extra special characters designed by the award-winning author and illustrator Laura Ellen Anderson.
Registration: is required
Website: https://stories.audible.com/start-listen
Key stages: early years foundation stage to key stage 2
Description: all children’s audiobooks are available for free while schools are closed.
Registration: not required
Website: https://authorfy.com
Key stages: early years foundation stage to key stage 2
Description: access to masterclasses on texts from a range of authors, including videos from the authors and activities linked to novels.
Registration: is required
Website: https://www.booktrust.org.uk/books-and-reading/bookfinder/
Key stages: early years foundation stage to key stage 2
Description: a site with recommended booklists, categorised by age range and topic, including fiction and non-fiction. Family activities are included in the ‘Home Time’ section.
Registration: not required
Websites: Bug Club Phonics - www.pearsonprimary.co.uk/BCPhonics
Access through ActiveLearn Primary to Bug Club Phonics e-books, activities, shared read aloud videos and resources.
Bug Club Reading -https://www.pearsonschoolsandfecolleges.co.uk/Primary/Literacy/AllLiteracyresources/BugClub/bug-club-overview.aspx
Key stages: early years foundation stage to key stage 2
Description: Bug Club Phonics has e-books, teaching material and practice games, following the letters and sounds programme. Bug Club reading is a comprehensive primary reading scheme for independent and guided reading. It includes fiction, non-fiction, comics and plays all covering a variety of different genres.
Registration: required for free access to Bug Club Phonics. Form available for parents to register
Website: https://www.century.tech/
Key stages: key stage 2 to key stage 5
Description: courses and micro-lessons covering a range of topics. Sections for schools, parents and carers and pupils.
Registration: is required
Website: https://classroomsecrets.co.uk/free-home-learning-packs/
Key stages: early years foundation stage to key stage 2
Description: downloadable resource packs which cover a range of subjects, including reading and writing.
Registration: not required
Website: https://www.worldofdavidwalliams.com/elevenses/
Key stages: key stage 2
Description: one free audio book reading is available to listen to every day.
Registration: not required
Website: https://www.emile-education.com/
Key stages: key stage 1 and key stage 2
Description: game-based resources covering phonics, grammar and spelling. Schools need to register and distribute log-ins to pupils.
Registration: is required
Website: https://www.englishmastery.org/
Key stages: key stage 1 and key stage 2
Description: downloadable resource books providing 8 weeks of activities.
Registration: not required
Websites: www.oxfordprimary.co.uk/floppysphonicstp
https://home.oxfordowl.co.uk/reading/ for phonic guidance and practise
Key stages: early years foundation stage to key stage 2
Description: online subscription enables schools to give pupils access to materials to practise GPCs at home. Activities and advice for parents and selected e-books available.
Registration: required for Oxford Owl for Home
Website: https://www.jmbeducation.com/
Key stages: key stage 1 and key stage 2
Description: 3 months free access available to game-based resources covering reading, writing and grammar
Registration: is required
Website: https://literacycounts.co.uk/
Key stages: early years foundation stage, key stage 1 and key stage 2
Description: free home learning packs for parents covering reading and writing. A school offer is also available.
Registration: is required
Website: https://www.literacyshedplus.com/en-gb/browse/free-resources
Key stages: key stage 1 and key stage 2
Description: downloadable resource packs with tasks based on video clips on YouTube.
Registration: not required
Website: https://www.lovereading4kids.co.uk/
Key stages: early years foundation stage to key stage 2
Description: a site with recommended booklists, categorised by age range and topic, covering fiction and non-fiction.
Registration: not required
Website: https://www.lovereading4schools.co.uk
Key stages: early years foundation stage to key stage 5
Description: a site with recommended booklists, categorised by age range and topic, covering fiction and non-fiction.
Registration: not required
Website: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCnEaSVZf7cZR1kNQkuIRoUg/playlists
Key stages: early years foundation stage, key stage 1 and key stage 2
Description: YouTube videos covering phonics and reading
Registration: not required
Website: https://literacytrust.org.uk/family-zone/
Key stages: early years foundation stage to key stage 3
Description: a range of family activities to support literacy.
Registration: not required
Website: https://www.naturalcurriculum.co.uk/
Key stages: key stage 1 and key stage 2
Description: grammar lessons based on the BBC’s natural history archives.
Registration: not required
Website: https://www.pobble365.com/
Key stages: key stage 1 and key stage 2
Description: a new image is published each day as a basis for creative writing. Story starters, questions and drawing ideas are provided.
Registration: not required
Website: https://www.poetrybyheart.org.uk/
Key stages: key stage 2
Description: a wide selection of poetry covering different topics
Registration: not required to view poems, but it is required to access teaching resources.
Website: https://2simple.com/purple-mash/
Key stages: early years foundation stage to key stage 2
Description: free during the school closure period. Each week, a selection of daily activities is produced on different subjects, including comprehension and grammar.
Registration: is required
Website: https://my.risingstars-uk.com/
Key stages: early years foundation stage to key stage 2
Description: books and reading resources available online.
Registration: is required
Website: https://learning-platform.roh.org.uk/create-and-learn
Key stages: key stage 1 to key stage 3
Description: a range of resources which allow you to explore theatre from home.
Registration: not required
Websites: www.syntheticphonics.net
Rapid reading e-books and resources
Key stages: nursery to key stage 1. Key stage 2 and key stage 3 pupils learning to read.
Description: advice, activities, videos, lesson plans and sample pages for reading, spelling and handwriting. Access to Rapid Phonics e-books and resources.
Registration: not required for Sound Discovery® videos and sample pages. Required for Pearson via school to access Rapid Phonics e-books.
Website: www.sounds-write.co.uk/
Key stages: early years foundation stage to key stage 1. Key stage 2 and key stage 3 pupils learning to read.
Description: online courses and videos for parents, IWB resources, activity workbooks and games.
Registration: not required
Website: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCM5pEwawjlZt69qmczAiQvg/playlists
Key stages: early years foundation stage, key stage 1 and key stage 2
Description: YouTube videos covering phonics, reading, spelling, punctuation and grammar
Registration: not required
Website: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLDe74j1F52zQ51fqNpKV07E71knNl8HFn
Key stages: early years foundation stage and key stage 1
Description: films of well-loved stories read by Nick Cannon, a trained actor, teacher and trainer available Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 2pm.
Registration: not required
Website: https://childrens.poetryarchive.org/
Key stages: early years foundation stage to key stage 2
Description: an archive of spoken poetry recordings. Children can listen to poems read out loud.
Registration: not required
Website: https://theday.co.uk/subscriptions/the-day-home
Key stages: key stage 1 and key stage 2
Description: a daily newsletter for parents and carers at home with children, helping to enrich learning with real-world knowledge and skills.
Registration: is required
Website: https://www.theweekjuniorparentsclub.co.uk/
Key stages: key stage 2
Description: downloadable articles and activities adapted for parents and guardians for home learning.
Registration: is required
Website: https://summerreadingchallenge.org.uk/
Key stages: early years foundation stage to key stage 2
Description: the Summer Reading Challenge takes place during the summer holidays. This year, our challenge features extra special characters designed by the award-winning author and illustrator Laura Ellen Anderson.
Registration: is required