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English Language

Primary Level

Phonics

Schools should seek advice from their phonics programme provider about resources that are available to support remote phonics learning at home. For example, Read Write Inc. (RWI) has made video content freely available online.

DfE’s validated phonics programmes are:

Audible

  • 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

Authorfy

  • 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

Book Trust

  • 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

Classroom Secrets

Elevenses with the World of David Walliams

English Mastery

  • 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

Literacy Shed

Love Reading 4 Kids

  • 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

Pobble 365

  • 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

Poetry by Heart

  • 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.

Purple Mash

  • 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

Storytime with Nick

The Children’s Poetry Archive

  • 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

The Day newsletter

  • 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

Secondary Level

Audible

  • Website: https://stories.audible.com/start-listen
  • Key stages: key stage 3 and key stage 4
  • Description: all children’s audiobooks are available for free while schools are closed.
  • Registration: not required

English Mastery

  • Website: https://www.englishmastery.org/
  • Key stages: key stage 3
  • Description: downloadable resource books providing 12 weeks of activities covering writing and poetry.
  • Registration: not required

English and Media Centre

  • Website: https://www.englishandmedia.co.uk/publications/
  • Key stages: key stage 3 and key stage 4
  • Description: downloadable resources covering a range of texts for key stage 3. GCSEresources are categorised by examination board.
  • Registration: not required

Pobble 365

  • Website: https://www.pobble365.com/
  • Key stages: key stage 3 and key stage 4
  • 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

Poetry by Heart

  • Website: https://www.poetrybyheart.org.uk/
  • Key stages: key stage 3 and key stage 4
  • Description: A wide selection of poetry covering different topics.
  • Registration: not required to view poems, but it is required to access teaching resources.

Seneca

The Children’s Poetry Archive

  • Website: https://childrens.poetryarchive.org/
  • Key stages: key stage 3 and key stage 4
  • Description: an archive of spoken poetry recordings. Pupils can listen to poems being read aloud.
  • Registration: not required

The Day newsletter

  • Website: https://theday.co.uk/subscriptions/the-day-home
  • Key stages: key stage 3, key stage 4 and key stage 5
  • 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
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