Latimer Tuition

Navigation

Latimer Tuition

Parent guide

Educational resources for parents

Choose a sensible starting point for reading, maths, homework, revision or home learning, and know when to ask school or seek more tailored support.

Choose by learning need

Editorial

  • Lead authorRobin GibbonsFounder & CEO·Latimer Tuition
  • Reviewed byHeather LatimerTutor Matching & Customer Service·Latimer Tuition
  • Published
  • Last reviewed

Choose by what your child needs

Give parents an immediate route into the page by matching common learning needs to resource types and next checks.

Learning needGood first stepCheck first

Reading practice

Try a reading-focused resource with age/stage fit, then keep reading positive and regular.

Ask school if there is a phonics or reading scheme to match.

Maths confidence

Use everyday maths activities or problem-solving resources rather than only worksheets.

Make sure the activity is at the right level and does not become another source of pressure.

Homework or revision

Look for school-aligned resources or resources the teacher has already recommended.

Avoid random extra work that conflicts with school methods.

Online learning

Choose tools with clear age fit, privacy/safety information and a manageable routine.

Check screen time, access requirements and whether the tool supports the actual learning goal.

Home education

Use resources only after checking the relevant official home-education route.

Guidance differs across UK nations.

Persistent difficulty or suspected SEND

Speak to school or SENCO before adding more resources.

A better worksheet is not a substitute for appropriate support.

Good educational resources to start with

These are source-backed starting points, not a universal ranking. Pick one or two that match your goal, check access and age fit, then give them a fair trial before adding more.

How we chose these
  • UK relevance
  • parent usability
  • free or clear access model
  • age/stage fit
  • school-alignment potential
  • trustworthy provider
  • not a substitute for SEND, home-education or official advice

Reviewed 2026-04-30

reading

Oxford Owl free eBook library

Oxford University Press / Oxford Owl

Best for: Primary reading practice at home

Parent-facing reading support plus free eBooks when the library is available.

Check first

Confirm registration requirements and whether a larger screen is easier for shared reading.

Oxford Owl free eBooks

maths

NRICH parents

NRICH / University of Cambridge

Best for: Mathematical thinking and home discussion

Free curriculum-linked maths activities and richer problem-solving tasks.

Check first

Not an exam-cramming shortcut — pick activities that match your child’s stage.

NRICH

maths confidence

Family Maths Toolkit

National Numeracy

Best for: Practical everyday maths activities

Family activities and confidence framing from a UK numeracy charity.

Check first

Confirm the current access path and whether any form is required.

Family Maths Toolkit

homework, catch-up and revision

Oak National Academy — parents and carers

Oak National Academy

Best for: Teacher-aligned catch-up, homework or revision

Video, quiz and worksheet formats can support structured study when they match what is being taught.

Check first

Strongest when school uses or aligns with it; confirm the current parent/carer access page.

Oak for parents and carers

literacy

Words for Life

National Literacy Trust

Best for: Age-based literacy support from home

Parent support and age-based literacy activities from a UK literacy charity.

Check first

Literacy-focused — not a full-curriculum substitute.

Words for Life

reading discovery

BookTrust — reading together

BookTrust

Best for: Choosing books and keeping reading enjoyable

Practical parent advice and discovery tools from a national reading charity.

Check first

Stronger for reading culture than for replacing a formal phonics programme.

BookTrust reading together

online learning and safety

Internet Matters — online learning resources

Internet Matters

Best for: Checking age fit, safety and practical suitability of online tools

Combines online-learning ideas with safety framing for families.

Check first

Not a curriculum authority — use alongside learning goals and school advice.

Internet Matters online learning

Parent script

What to ask school before adding more resources

Situation

You are not sure whether a resource matches what school is teaching.

Try saying

  1. Which method or topic should we match at home?
  2. Is there one resource you recommend for this term?
  3. How often should we practise before it becomes too much?
  4. At what point should we come back to you if it is not helping?

Why it helps

Keeps home support aligned with school methods and reduces random extra workload.

Support ladder

When another resource is not enough

Persistent barriers, suspected SEND, anxiety around work, or repeated homework conflict may need school or specialist input rather than more websites.

  • At home

    Try one manageable resource matched to the child’s need and track whether it helps over a few weeks.

  • At school

    Ask the teacher which method to match and whether there is a recommended resource for this term.

  • SENCO or specialist

    If difficulties persist or SEND may be involved, speak to the SENCO or your local information and advice route (for example SENDIASS in England).

  • Latimer tutor role

    A tutor can help identify gaps, explain material differently and keep practice manageable — but tutoring should not replace school or SENCO routes where those are needed.

  • When to escalate

    Escalate when the child is stuck despite regular practice, avoids work, becomes distressed, or the same difficulty appears across subjects.

Reading and literacy resources

For reading practice, prioritise age and stage, short enjoyable sessions, and a routine you can keep. For book choice, use discovery tools as a nudge — not a pressure campaign.

BookTrust contributor Peter Lambden puts it simply: “Don’t be afraid to ask your child’s teacher for help – after all, they’re the experts!” — Peter Lambden, teacher, via BookTrust.

Pair parent-friendly libraries such as Oxford Owl with literacy-by-age routes such as Words for Life, and keep an eye on whether school wants you to follow a particular phonics or reading scheme.

  • Choose age/stage-appropriate material.
  • Keep reading positive, short and regular.
  • Ask school which reading or phonics approach to match.

Maths resources for confidence and problem-solving

If confidence is the barrier, everyday maths and gentle routines often beat endless worksheets. If your child needs stretch or richer thinking, look for tasks that reward reasoning — not speed alone.

National Numeracy and NRICH are different tools for different moments; use the chooser above to pick a sensible first step.

  • Use real-life maths where confidence is the main barrier.
  • Use richer problem-solving where the child needs stretch or mathematical thinking.
  • Avoid using worksheets as punishment or extra pressure.

Homework, catch-up and revision resources

Homework and revision support works best when it is linked to classroom work, teacher feedback, or a clear goal from school. Evidence summaries (such as the Education Endowment Foundation’s homework toolkit) frame impact cautiously — fit and feedback matter as much as extra minutes.

  • Prioritise resources set or recommended by school.
  • Use Oak or similar resources only where they fit the topic being taught.
  • Keep routines short and specific.

Free and online educational resources

Free can still mean registration, device limits, or changing terms — so treat “free” as something you verify, not assume. For online tools, add safety, privacy, and screen time to your checklist.

  • Check access, registration and device requirements.
  • Check age fit and data/privacy expectations.
  • Use one resource well before adding another.

Support routes when resources are not enough

If the same difficulty keeps returning, school conversations usually come before another worksheet. For home education decisions, use official nation guidance. For SEND concerns, keep language cautious and route parents through school and local information services rather than turning this page into legal advice.

In England, mainstream schools are expected to identify and support pupils with SEND through a graduated approach; your first practical step is often the SENCO and the school’s own plan — see Contact for a readable overview of what “extra support” can mean in context.

  • Speak to school if the same difficulty keeps returning.
  • Use official guidance for home education decisions.
  • Keep tutoring CTA conditional and late.
Talk to us about learning support

Related guidance

You might also find these useful

Pages from elsewhere in the Ed Centre that share the most ground with this one — picked by keyword overlap rather than position in the navigation tree.

Related guidance

Does my child need a tutor?

Help parents decide whether tutoring is the right next step, what to try first, and how to choose safely if tutoring is appropriate.

Support and clarity

Frequently asked questions

Straight answers to the questions people ask most often.

What counts as an educational resource?

Anything that helps learning outside a single textbook moment: books and eBooks, maths activities, videos, worksheets, revision tools, and trusted online guides. The useful question is whether it matches your child’s goal — not whether it has a famous brand name.

Are free educational resources enough?

They can be enough for a specific, manageable goal, but fit, consistency, and school alignment usually matter more than price. A paid subscription that clashes with school methods can still be the wrong tool.

How do I know whether an online educational resource is suitable?

Check age fit, safety and privacy, access and accounts, screen-time load, and whether the tool supports the actual learning goal. If school already uses a platform, that is often the best compatibility signal.

Should I use the same method as school?

Yes, where you can — especially for maths methods, phonics, homework, and revision. If you are unsure, ask the teacher what to match at home.

Are home education resources different from homework resources?

Sometimes. Home education can involve wider planning and official responsibilities depending on your nation and situation. Use official guidance for the big decisions; use this page to pick sensible learning starting points.

When should I consider tutoring instead of more resources?

Tutoring may help when a child is still stuck after targeted practice, but parents should still involve school (and SENCO where relevant) when difficulties are persistent or SEND may be involved.

Sources and references

Sources and references

Official guidance

Peer-reviewed research

Other sources