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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

Plain wording for a school conversation

What to ask school before adding more resources

When this applies

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

Suggested wording

  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 this 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.

Related guidance

More guidance from this section

More guidance from this part of the Ed Centre that may help with the same decision, stage or next step.

Related guidance

Learning support for parents

Use this section to find parent guides on homework, reading, dyslexia-aware support, home-school tutoring and practical resources.

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