The best FREE resource websites for Teachers in the UK

According to the department for educations survey on nearly 4,000 teachers, the average U.K teacher spends between 52-60 hours per week working. On top of class teaching, staff meetings and marking it goes without saying that a great proportion of this time is spent on planning, aka the ‘dark side of teaching’! 

Here at Mana we want to make our teachers planning a little lighter and in turn give them a few more hours’ worth of free time a week, that’s why we’ve researched and created a list of the best FREE websites for resources, lesson plans, activities and educational games. Listed below are the best websites that we found for you to use (Have something to add to this page? Just email it to info@manaeducation.co.uk).

Websites Offering Differentiated Lesson Plans and Activities

When you're on the hunt for high-quality educational resources tailored to different learning stages, there are a couple of standout options to consider:

Comprehensive Resource Hubs

1. Teach Starter (offer free and paid for options): https://www.teachstarter.com/gb/

2. A robust platform boasting over 170,000 teaching materials. It provides resources for a variety of educational levels, from early years up to primary stages. Additionally, the site offers a unique studio tool, allowing educators to craft customised materials to better suit their specific classroom needs.

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4. Classroom Secrets (offer free and paid for options): https://classroomsecrets.co.uk/

5. This site specialises in creating differentiated lesson plans and activities. It's ideal for educators seeking resources suitable for a range of educational stages, including Key Stage 1 (KS1), Key Stage 2 (KS2), and the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS).

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7. PlanIt (offer free and paid for options): https://www.twinkl.co.uk/resources/planit-primary-teaching-resources

8. What Does the PlanIt Feature Include for Making Teaching More Successful?

   The PlanIt feature offers a comprehensive toolkit designed to enhance teaching success. Here's what you can expect:

   • In-Depth Lesson Guides: Detailed outlines and plans to ensure every class runs smoothly.

   • Engaging Presentations: Ready-to-use slides and visual aids to capture student attention and facilitate learning.

   • Creative Lesson Activities: Differentiated tasks that cater to various learning styles, keeping activities fresh and engaging.

   • Home Learning Supports: Assignments and projects that extend learning beyond the classroom and involve the whole family.

   • Challenge and Fact Cards: Tools for stretching student thinking and providing interesting tidbits that enhance subject understanding.

   • Visually Appealing Display Packs: Eye-catching materials for decorating learning spaces and reinforcing concepts.

   • Vocabulary Grids: Key terms and definitions that support language development and comprehension.

   • Assessment Materials: Formative assessment tools to track student progress and identify areas for improvement.

   These features are meticulously crafted to create a dynamic and adaptable teaching environment, ensuring educators have all they need to inspire and engage their students.

By utilising these platforms, teachers can access an array of lesson plans and activities designed to meet diverse learning requirements and enhance the educational experience.

Where can teachers find resources for bringing EYFS and primary classrooms to life?

Top Resource Websites

1. TES Resources: This platform offers a vast array of teacher-created content, including lesson plans, games, and worksheets tailored for different subjects and age groups: https://www.tes.com/teaching-resources

2. Strictly, this isn’t a free website. There are an incredible amount of fantastic resources for those willing to pay, however it is always worth having a look at the limited but free resources offered, such as the templates and some free teaching resources. 

3. It offers comprehensive teaching package designed to make teaching both successful and joyful encompasses a wide array of materials tailored to various classroom needs. It includes meticulously-crafted lesson plans to guide educators through each topic. Teachers receive engaging lesson presentations that captivate student interest from start to finish.

4. To cater to diverse learning styles, creative activities and resources are provided, offering differentiation to support all learners. Home learning tasks extend education beyond the classroom, fostering continuous engagement.

5. The package features challenge and fact cards to stimulate critical thinking and curiosity. It also presents visually appealing display packs to brighten the learning environment and reinforce key concepts.

6. Key vocabulary grids help solidify understanding, while formative assessment materials allow educators to track progress effectively. Altogether, this package ensures that every aspect of teaching is covered, paving the way for a joyful and impactful educational experience.

7. Education.com: With an extensive collection of printable worksheets, educational games, and activities, this site supports teachers in making learning both fun and informative: https://www.education.com/

• Free and subscription options: Review concepts and explore new topics with worksheets, hands-on activities, puzzles, games, and more–the options are endless! Access their library of 37,000+ resources.

Websites Offering Resources for Teaching Coding to Students

In today's tech-driven world, it's vital for students to grasp the basics of computer science early on. A plethora of websites exist that provide engaging lesson plans and resources to help educators teach coding.

Code.org

Code.org offers a comprehensive curriculum that caters to primary and secondary school levels. It includes interactive exercises and projects, designed to make coding fun and accessible: https://code.org/

Khan Academy

Khan Academy provides free coding courses that cover fundamental programming concepts. This platform is renowned for its easy-to-follow video tutorials and hands-on practice exercises: https://www.khanacademy.org/

Scratch

Scratch, developed by MIT, is a popular tool that introduces younger students to the basics of coding through interactive games and creative projects: https://scratch.mit.edu/

Tynker

Tynker’s coding platform is designed to ignite creativity and spark interest in programming across various age groups. It features courses that range from coding games to developing mobile apps: https://tynker.com/

These websites not only supply valuable teaching materials but also captivate students' attention, motivating them to explore their coding potential.

Discovering Classroom Inspiration: Your Go-To Resources

Are you a teacher on the hunt for fresh classroom inspiration? Here are some top destinations where educators can find engaging blogs, innovative activities, and valuable resources:

• Educational Blogs: Check out well-respected educational blogs like Mana Education, Edutopia and TeachThought. These platforms offer a wealth of articles on creative teaching strategies, classroom behaviour management tips, and educational trends.

• Discover a Hub for Teacher Resources: Teachers looking to both share and access a wealth of free teaching materials can turn to online platforms dedicated to educational contributions. One standout option (Primary Resources) is a collaborative website where educators can contribute their own resources.

  • Why Contribute? By participating, teachers not only aid fellow educators but also gain access to an extensive collection of teaching materials tailored to primary education. These resources cover a broad range of subjects and teaching strategies.

  • How to Get Involved: 

    • Contribute Your Resources: Share your unique lesson plans, worksheets, or creative teaching strategies.

    • Access Free Materials: Benefit from a diverse collection of tools and resources, perfect for enhancing classroom instruction.

    • Support and Connect: Consider making donations to keep the platform thriving and fostering a community of educators eager to innovate and share.

    A platform like this doesn’t just host materials—it fosters a community where teachers help each other succeed.

• Additional Tips and Strategies for Teachers: Teaching comes with its fair share of challenges, but with the right strategies, you can create a more efficient and rewarding experience for both you and your students. Here are some transformative tips and strategies shared on the blog:

  • Maximise Time with Innovative Apps: One common stressor for teachers is the overwhelming list of tasks that need to be juggled daily. Discover 21 top-rated apps recognised for their ability to save time. From lesson planning to classroom management, these apps are designed to streamline your workload, helping you achieve a healthier work-life balance.

  • Engage with Self-Assessment Tools: Empower your students to take charge of their learning journey. By integrating self-assessment tools, you not only receive valuable feedback for targeted teaching, but also encourage students to engage actively in their own developmental process. This small shift can have a significant impact on learning outcomes.
    

  • Organise with a Dynamic Planner: Efficient lesson management can make all the difference. Access a dynamic planner that integrates smoothly into your digital workspace, providing easy navigation and sharing options, especially beneficial for coordinating distance learning.

  • Elevate Teaching with Comprehensive Resources: Ensure your teaching success with a suite of detailed lesson plans and resources. Access engaging presentations, differentiated activities, and formative assessments that cater to varied learning styles, making the teaching process as enjoyable as it is effective.

  • Simplify Math Proficiency Checks: Assess your students' mastery of times tables with a flexible assessment tool designed for simplicity and precision. This resource is a free add-on that ensures no child is left behind in their foundational math skills.
    

  • Enrich Learning through Interactive Games: Incorporate interactive games to enhance student engagement and learning. These resources are adaptable for tablets, laptops, and mobile devices, providing a fun and educational experience that students love.

    By integrating these strategies into your teaching routine, you can enhance student engagement, reduce stress, and foster a more dynamic and interactive classroom environment.

• Classroom Resources Offered by Teaching Ideas: Are you searching for fresh inspiration for your classroom? Teaching Ideas is your ideal destination. What they offer: 

• • Blogs: Dive into a variety of insightful articles covering innovative teaching strategies, classroom management tips, and more. These blogs can inspire new teaching approaches and keep your methods up-to-date with current educational trends.

  • Activities: Access a wide range of engaging activities designed to enhance student learning. These activities are crafted to cater to different subjects and learning levels, ensuring that you find just what you need to make lessons more interactive and fun.

  • Resources: Explore a treasure trove of teaching resources, including lesson plans, worksheets, and project ideas. These materials are perfect for sparking creativity and bringing new life to everyday lessons.

  • Whether you're looking to refresh your teaching style or need specific materials for your next class, Teaching Ideas provides an array of tools to help educators succeed in inspiring their students.
    

• Resource Libraries: Websites like Teachers Pay Teachers provide an extensive library of ready-to-use teaching materials, crafted by fellow educators. Whether you're looking for lesson plans or creative worksheets, you'll find something to fit your needs.

• Online Teaching Communities: Join forums and groups on platforms such as Reddit's r/teaching. Engage with other educators, share experiences, and find unique activity ideas that have been tested in real classrooms.

• Pinterest Boards: For visual inspiration, Pinterest is a goldmine. Follow education-focused boards to discover colorful, engaging activity ideas that can breathe new life into your lesson planning.

• Educational Apps: Explore apps designed for educators like ClassDojo or Google Classroom. These tools often come with a variety of features and resources to enhance your teaching and student engagement.

Harnessing a World of Ideas

By exploring these venues, you'll unlock a treasure trove of ideas to invigorate your teaching methods. Embrace the creativity and expertise of these communities to inspire both you and your students. Happy teaching!

Where can teachers find resources to help students stay safe on the internet?

Teachers looking for comprehensive tools to educate their students about online safety can explore the offerings at the UK Safer Internet Centre. This platform provides a wealth of resources specifically tailored to help young learners navigate the digital world responsibly.

Here’s what you can find there:

• Lesson Plans: Structured guidance to teach online safety in a classroom setting.
• Educational Films: Engaging visual content to illustrate key internet safety concepts.
• Interactive Games: Fun, hands-on activities that reinforce safe online behaviour.
• Quizzes: Tools to test and reinforce students' knowledge of internet safety.
• Drama Activities: Creative ways to explore scenarios related to digital security.

These resources are invaluable for integrating internet safety education into your curriculum, ensuring students gain the skills they need to protect themselves while online.

Other tips and advice can be found on our Blog article HERE: Mana's guide to keeping safe on the internet and social media

Interactive Film-Based Content for Primary Classrooms

Looking to bring some cinematic excitement into your classroom? A wide array of interactive film-based materials are available to enhance your lessons. These resources are perfect for engaging young students and making learning more dynamic.

Engaging Film Titles

• Adventure and Fantasy: Dive into interactive versions of beloved films like "How to Train Your Dragon." These resources allow students to explore fantastical worlds while learning valuable lessons.
• Animated Stories: Introduce your class to the magical tales of "Legends of the Guardians: The Owls of Ga'Hoole." These films offer a rich narrative experience that can be both educational and entertaining.

The Film Space: Classroom Content Offerings

The Film Space provides a range of interactive, film-related content designed specifically for classroom use. This selection features engaging titles, such as "How to Train Your Dragon" and "Legends of the Guardians: The Owls of Ga'Hoole." These films are accompanied by resource activity sheets, crafted to enhance learning experiences for primary school students. Perfect for integrating storytelling and visual media into lessons, these resources aim to make learning both fun and educational.

Educational Resource Packs

Each film comes paired with specially curated activity sheets. These are designed to reinforce key concepts and promote critical thinking, making them ideal for primary school settings. Activities might include:

• Discussion Prompts: Facilitate class conversations about film themes and characters.
• Creative Projects: Encourage students to express their understanding through art and creative writing.
• Quizzes and Challenges: Test comprehension and retention in an engaging way.

With these interactive film-based resources, you can seamlessly integrate popular stories into your educational curriculum, capturing your students' imaginations while nurturing their learning.

How Can a Website Help Teachers Nurture Gender Equality in the Classroom?

Incorporating gender equality into education is crucial for shaping an inclusive society. One way teachers can effectively promote this is by utilising resources available on dedicated websites. These platforms offer a wealth of materials specifically designed to foster an understanding of gender equality.

Resource Libraries
These websites often feature extensive resource libraries filled with valuable content, such as detailed reports and engaging media. They provide practical activities, vibrant posters, and thoughtful books that teachers can seamlessly integrate into their lesson plans.

Classroom Activities and Tips
Teachers can find a variety of classroom activities that encourage discussion and reflection on gender roles and stereotypes. Many sites offer practical tips on how to handle these conversations, ensuring they are both informative and age-appropriate.

Engaging Lesson Plans
Designed by educators for educators, these lesson plans address gender issues across different subjects. They offer innovative approaches to help students understand the importance of equality and respect for all genders, both within and beyond the classroom walls.

Implementation Strategies
Websites provide strategic advice on implementing gender-inclusive practices. From modifying the language used in classrooms to adjusting curricula, these strategies help in creating an environment where gender equality is central to learning.

By tapping into these online resources, teachers are equipped with the tools needed to inspire the next generation to value and uphold gender equality, creating a positive impact on future societal norms.

What Resources Are Available for Teaching Environmental Topics in the Classroom?

When it comes to enriching your classroom discussions about the environment, there are a variety of valuable resources at your disposal. Here’s a breakdown of what you can use to make your lessons more engaging and informative:

Comprehensive Lesson Plans

• Tailored for Different Ages: Access lesson plans that cater to the needs of different age groups, ensuring that the content is age-appropriate and impactful.
• Variety of Topics: These plans cover a wide range of environmental issues, from climate change and conservation to renewable energy and biodiversity.

Which website provides environment-specific lesson plan?

• If you're looking for lesson plans focused on environmental topics, the Young People's Trust for the Environment is an excellent resource. They offer free educational materials designed to enrich your teaching experience with relevant environmental content.
  

Interactive Activities

• Hands-On Projects: Implement project-based learning with activities such as growing a small garden, recycling challenges, or energy efficiency experiments.
• Outdoor Learning: Use nature walks or field trips as a platform for students to observe environmental concepts in action.

Multimedia Resources

• Videos and Documentaries: Leverage educational videos and documentaries that bring awareness to current environmental issues, sparking discussions and critical thinking.
• Infographics and Charts: Utilize visual aids that simplify complex data and concepts, making them more digestible for students.

Free Online Platforms

• Trustworthy Educational Websites: Take advantage of platforms that offer free educational resources for teachers looking to introduce environmental sciences into their curriculum.

By incorporating these diverse tools into your teaching strategy, you can foster an engaging learning environment and help your students develop a deeper understanding of the natural world and their role in protecting it.

Resources for Student Wellbeing and Anti-Racism Education

School Wellbeing Initiatives

Educators can find a wealth of resources aimed at helping students manage their wellbeing through local education authority initiatives. Many city councils offer comprehensive services and expert advice to assist children and young people in navigating life’s challenges. These programs often focus on social, emotional, and mental health, equipping students with the skills to care for themselves and others while promoting a sustainable future. Resources frequently encompass important topics, including anti-racism and personal, social, health, and economic education (PSHE).

The Black Curriculum Resources

For those looking to enrich their classroom environment with transformative teachings on racial equality, The Black Curriculum offers a blend of paid and free educational materials. These resources are designed to facilitate thought-provoking discussions and lessons on anti-racism. Teachers can integrate these materials directly into their curriculum or suggest them to parents for home-based learning, ensuring that students gain a comprehensive understanding of racial justice both in and out of the classroom.

The Dual Benefits of Self-Assessment Tools in the Classroom

Self-assessment tools can be a transformative element in education for both teachers and students. These tools offer a structured approach to gather insightful feedback, which can significantly enhance teaching strategies and student learning experiences.

For Teachers:

1. Targeted Insights: Teachers can use self-assessment tools to collect data on student performance. This information helps pinpoint common areas where students may struggle, allowing educators to tailor lessons to address these gaps.

2. Efficient Feedback: With structured feedback mechanisms, teachers save time on manual assessments. This efficiency means more time can be dedicated to developing personalized teaching methods that cater to individual learning paces.

3. Enhanced Communication: These tools facilitate better communication between teachers and students by providing clear evidence of progress. Teachers can discuss results with students, offering opportunities for constructive dialogue about learning goals.

For Students:

1. Active Participation: Self-assessment encourages students to take charge of their learning journey. By evaluating their own work, students develop critical thinking and reflection skills that promote lifelong learning.

2. Ownership of Learning: When students actively assess themselves, they become more aware of their strengths and areas for improvement. This sense of ownership empowers them to set realistic goals and take steps towards improvement.

3. Motivation and Engagement: Seeing their progress in real-time can be highly motivational for students. The ability to track their own advancement fosters a more engaging and interactive learning environment.

What is the purpose of the Tables Assessment tool?

In summary, self-assessment tools are instrumental in creating a dynamic classroom atmosphere where both teachers and students thrive. By fostering a culture of continuous improvement and reflection, these tools ensure that every member of the classroom community benefits.

Planning tools are a game-changer for teachers aiming to streamline their lesson management. Educators can access a multitude of valuable resources depending on the tool you choose. Some are positioned conveniently on the desktop screen's right side, to provide easy navigation.

Key Benefits:

• Seamless Organisation: A planner tool allows teachers to effectively organize and oversee their lesson plans.

• Effortless Sharing: Its capabilities extend to sharing lesson materials and resources with distance learners, facilitating smooth communication and interaction.

Twinkl UK's innovative tool ensures that managing and delivering lessons becomes a more efficient and stress-free process for teachers, making it especially useful in diverse teaching environments.