Free Home Education Resources UK Families Love

Complete Free Online Curriculums

These are full curriculum programs covering multiple subjects. The best free home education resources UK families use every day.

Oak National Academy

Website: thenational.academy

What it is: Complete UK curriculum-aligned video lessons for all subjects, Reception to Year 11.

Subjects covered:

• Maths
• English
• Science
• History
• Geography
• Art
• Computing
• PE
• PSHE

Why it’s brilliant:

• ✓ Follows UK National Curriculum
• ✓ Professional video lessons (10-20 mins each)
• ✓ Includes quizzes and activities
• ✓ Downloadable worksheets
• ✓ Created by actual teachers
• ✓ Completely free, no registration needed

Perfect for: Families who want structure and UK curriculum alignment.

BBC Bitesize

Website: bbc.co.uk/bitesize

What it is: The BBC’s learning platform covering all subjects, all ages.

Why it’s brilliant:

✓ UK-focused content

✓ Engaging videos and activities

✓ Revision guides for exams

✓ Games and interactive content

✓ Regularly updated

Perfect for: Supplementing other resources, exam revision, quick lessons on specific topics.

Khan Academy

Website: khanacademy.org

What it is: Comprehensive maths and science curriculum with practice exercises.

Why it’s brilliant:

✓ Self-paced learning

✓ Tracks progress automatically

✓ Explains concepts step-by-step

✓ Unlimited practice problems

✓ Works on any device

Note: US-based but maths is universal. Skip US-specific history.

Perfect for: Maths-focused learning, building strong foundations.

Free Maths Resources UK

The best free home education resources UK for mathematics.

Khan Academy (See Above)

Honestly the best free maths resource available. Comprehensive, self-paced, tracks progress.

White Rose Maths

Website: whiteroseeducation.com/homelearning

What it is: Free maths resources following UK curriculum approach.

Why it’s brilliant:

✓ Clear, structured lessons

✓ Video explanations

✓ Printable worksheets

✓ UK curriculum aligned

✓ Mastery approach (depth before breadth)

Mathigon

Website: mathigon.org

What it is: Interactive maths textbook with games and activities.

Why it’s brilliant:

✓ Beautiful, engaging design

✓ Interactive manipulatives

✓ Makes maths fun

✓ Covers primary to secondary

Times Tables Rock Stars (Free Version)

Website: ttrockstars.com

What it is: Gamified times tables practice.

Why it’s brilliant:

✓ Kids actually WANT to practice

✓ Tracks speed and accuracy

✓ Competitive element (if desired)

✓ Free version available

Nrich Maths

Website: nrich.maths.org

What it is: Mathematical problem-solving activities and challenges.

Why it’s brilliant:

✓ Develops mathematical thinking

✓ Rich, challenging problems

✓ All ages

✓ From University of Cambridge

Free English and Literacy Resources

Top free home education resources UK for reading, writing, grammar, and spelling.

Your Local Library

What it is: The single best free resource for literacy.

Why it’s brilliant:

✓ Unlimited free books

✓ Often have online ebook/audiobook services

✓ Story time sessions

✓ Summer reading challenges

✓ Study spaces

✓ Home education groups often meet there

Pro tip: Get a library card for every local library you can access. More libraries = more books.

Oxford Owl

Website: oxfordowl.co.uk

What it is: Free ebooks and reading resources from Oxford University Press.

Why it’s brilliant:

✓ 100+ free ebooks

✓ Phonics games and activities

✓ Reading advice for parents

✓ Age-appropriate books

Pobble 365

Website: pobble365.com

What it is: Daily image with creative writing prompts.

Why it’s brilliant:

✓ Inspiring images

✓ Story starters and questions

✓ Different difficulty levels

✓ New image daily

Phonics Play (Free Resources)

Website: phonicsplay.co.uk

What it is: Phonics games and activities.

Why it’s brilliant:

✓ Phase 1-6 phonics covered

✓ Interactive games

✓ Some resources free

✓ Follows UK phonics approach

Project Gutenberg

Website: gutenberg.org

What it is: 70,000+ free classic ebooks.

Why it’s brilliant:

✓ All the classics free

✓ No copyright restrictions

✓ Multiple formats

✓ Perfect for older children

Free Science Resources and Activities

Brilliant free home education resources UK for budding scientists.

Science Museum Group Learning

Website: learning.sciencemuseumgroup.org.uk

What it is: Free science activities and resources from UK Science Museums.

Why it’s brilliant:

✓ High-quality STEM activities

✓ Hands-on experiments

✓ Links to real museum objects

✓ Age-appropriate

Explorify

Website: explorify.uk

What it is: Science activities based on fascinating images and videos.

Why it’s brilliant:

✓ Engages curiosity

✓ Question-based learning

✓ Primary science topics

✓ Short, manageable activities

Crash Course Kids (YouTube)

Website: YouTube – search “Crash Course Kids”

What it is: Animated science videos for primary age.

Why it’s brilliant:

✓ Engaging animations

✓ Clear explanations

✓ 5-minute episodes

✓ Covers physics, biology, chemistry

NASA Kids Club

Website: nasa.gov/kidsclub

What it is: Space science games and activities from NASA.

Why it’s brilliant:

✓ Real space science

✓ Interactive games

✓ Amazing images

✓ Inspires wonder

Kitchen Science Experiments

Use what you already have:

• Baking soda + vinegar = chemical reactions
• Water + food coloring = color mixing, density
• Ice + salt = freezing point depression
• Bread + yeast = biology
• Magnifying glass + sunlight = optics (supervision!)

Search YouTube for: “kitchen science experiments kids” – hundreds of free videos.

Free History and Geography Resources

Excellent free home education resources UK for humanities.

Historic England Learning

Website: historicengland.org.uk/education

What it is: UK history resources focusing on buildings and archaeology.

Why it’s brilliant:

✓ Local history focus

✓ Hands-on activities

✓ Links to places you can visit

✓ Primary sources

British Museum Learning

Website: britishmuseum.org/learn

What it is: Free resources about world history and cultures.

Why it’s brilliant:

✓ World-class museum resources

✓ Ancient civilizations

✓ Cultural studies

✓ Virtual tours

National Geographic Kids

Website: natgeokids.com/uk

What it is: Geography, animals, science, and culture.

Why it’s brilliant:

✓ Engaging articles

✓ Amazing photography

✓ Country profiles

✓ Quizzes and games

YouTube History Channels

Best channels:

• Horrible Histories – Clips from BBC show
• Crash Course History – Older kids/teens
• History Bombs – Animated history
• Simple History – Short, clear videos

Free Foreign Language Learning

Top free home education resources UK for languages.

Duolingo

Website/App: duolingo.com

What it is: Gamified language learning app.

Languages: Spanish, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, and many more.

Why it’s brilliant:

✓ Completely free (ads optional to remove)

✓ Fun and engaging

✓ Daily practice in 5-15 minutes

✓ Tracks progress

✓ Kids actually enjoy it

BBC Languages

Website: bbc.co.uk/languages

What it is: Free language courses and resources.

Why it’s brilliant:

✓ Multiple languages

✓ Audio and video

✓ Games and activities

✓ UK-produced

Free Art, Music, and Creative Resources

Creative free home education resources UK for artistic kids.

Tate Kids

Website: tate.org.uk/kids

What it is: Art activities and games from Tate galleries.

Why it’s brilliant:

✓ Creative challenges

✓ Art history for kids

✓ Interactive games

✓ Virtual tours

Art for Kids Hub (YouTube)

Website: YouTube – search “Art for Kids Hub”

What it is: Step-by-step drawing tutorials.

Why it’s brilliant:

✓ Easy to follow

✓ Builds confidence

✓ New videos regularly

✓ Kids feel successful

Chrome Music Lab

Website: musiclab.chromeexperiments.com

What it is: Interactive music experiments.

Why it’s brilliant:

✓ Teaches music concepts through play

✓ Create rhythms and melodies

✓ Visual and auditory

✓ No musical knowledge needed

Free Coding and Technology

Essential free home education resources UK for digital skills.

Scratch

Website: scratch.mit.edu

What it is: Visual coding platform for kids.

Why it’s brilliant:

✓ No typing required

✓ Create games and animations

✓ Teaches programming concepts

✓ Huge online community

✓ Ages 8+

Code.org

Website: code.org

What it is: Free coding courses for all ages.

Why it’s brilliant:

✓ Structured courses

✓ Ages 4-18+

✓ Game-based learning

✓ Tracks progress

Free Real-World Learning Opportunities

The best free home education resources UK are often outside the house.

Free Museum Entry

Major UK museums with free entry:

• Natural History Museum, London
• Science Museum, London
• British Museum, London
• National Gallery, London
• Tate Modern/Britain, London
• V&A Museum, London
• National Museum Scotland, Edinburgh
• National Museum Wales, Cardiff
• Plus hundreds of regional museums

Pro tip: Many regional museums are also free. Check your local council website.

Nature Study (Completely Free)

Activities:

• Nature journals (draw what you see)
• Leaf identification
• Bird watching
• Cloud identification
• Seasonal changes observation
• Bug hunting
• Plant pressing

Cost: £0. Just go outside.

Local Library Events

Free activities often include:

• Story time
• Craft sessions
• Summer reading challenges
• Author visits
• STEM activities
• Holiday programs

YouTube University

Free channels for learning:

• Crash Course – All subjects, older kids
• SciShow Kids – Science for younger children
• National Geographic – Nature and geography
• TED-Ed – Educational animations
• Free School – All subjects, UK-focused

Resources by Age Group

Best free home education resources UK organized by age.

Ages 5-7 (Key Stage 1)

Start with:

• Oak National Academy (Maths, English)
• Oxford Owl (Reading)
• Phonics Play (Phonics games)
• BBC Bitesize (All subjects)
• YouTube (educational channels)
• Local library (books and activities)

Focus: Reading, basic maths, lots of play and outdoor learning.

Ages 8-10 (Key Stage 2)

Add:

• Khan Academy (Maths)
• White Rose Maths
• Crash Course Kids (Science)
• Scratch (Coding)
• Duolingo (Languages)
• Museum visits
• Project-based learning

Focus: Building independence, following interests, broadening subjects.

Ages 11-14 (Key Stage 3)

Add:

• Khan Academy (Science, Maths)
• BBC Bitesize (Exam prep)
• Crash Course (History, Science)
• Code.org (Advanced coding)
• YouTube educational channels
• Project Gutenberg (Classic literature)

Focus: More independent learning, preparing for GCSEs if taking them.

Ages 14-16 (GCSE Years)

Add:

• BBC Bitesize (Revision)
• Seneca Learning (Revision platform)
• Past papers (exam board websites)
• YouTube revision channels
• Oak Academy (GCSE courses)

Focus: Exam preparation if taking GCSEs, or continuing broad education if not.

You Don’t Need Money to Provide a Great Education

Three years ago, I thought I’d need thousands of pounds to home educate properly. I was wrong.

These free home education resources UK have given my daughters an education as good as – often better than – what expensive curriculums provide.

What we actually spend money on:

• Museum trips (travel costs, food)
• Swimming lessons (£6/week)
• Occasional workbooks when we want them (£5-8 each)
• Art supplies (paint, paper, glue)
• One curriculum subscription we actually like (Mathseeds, £10/month)

Total: £30-50 per month

Everything else? Free.

The internet has democratized education. A child with a library card and internet access has access to better educational resources than royalty had 100 years ago.

Use these free resources. Save your money for experiences, trips, and the occasional paid resource that genuinely adds value.

You don’t need money to home educate well. You just need to know where to look.