Wondering where to find good websites for learning at home, without spending hours searching or feeling that you need to recreate school? You are not alone. A handful of trusted sites can offer ideas, explanations and activities, while leaving you free to shape home education around your child and family.
There is no single website that suits every child, and you do not need to follow a set online curriculum. Use resources when they are useful, set them aside when they are not, and remember that books, conversations, outings and everyday life can all be part of learning.
Good free websites for home education in the UK
BBC Bitesize
BBC Bitesize has clear explanations, short videos, quizzes and revision materials across many subjects and age ranges. It can be handy when your child wants a straightforward introduction to a topic, or when you want a quick refresher before exploring something together. Its content follows school-age stages, so treat those labels as a guide rather than a timetable your child has to follow.
Oak National Academy
Oak National Academy offers free video lessons and downloadable resources, mainly organised by age, subject and topic. It can be useful if your child enjoys a more structured session, or if you want to dip into a particular subject. You can use one lesson, adapt an activity or skip it altogether. You are not required to use Oak or any other curriculum scheme for elective home education.
BBC Teach
BBC Teach brings together videos and classroom resources across subjects, including history, science, English and music. The clips can be a good starting point for a discussion, a practical project or a trip to follow up a topic. Check the age guidance and preview content first, then decide whether it suits your child.
NRICH Maths
Run by the University of Cambridge, NRICH offers free mathematical problems and activities designed to encourage reasoning and problem-solving. Rather than giving your child a long list of sums, you might choose one puzzle to think about together. There are resources for different ages, and many activities can be adapted to suit your child’s confidence and interests.
STEM Learning
STEM Learning has free science, technology, engineering and maths activities, videos and resources. Search by subject or age to find ideas for practical investigations and projects. Some activities use materials you may already have at home; others may need planning, so check the instructions before you begin.
National Geographic Kids and the British Library
National Geographic Kids is a lively place to find articles, facts and quizzes about animals, places and the natural world. The British Library’s online collections and learning resources can lead to fascinating explorations of books, history and culture. These sites are especially useful when a question sparks your child’s curiosity and you want to follow it somewhere unexpected.
How to choose websites that work for your family
Start with what your child is interested in, what you have time for and how much structure feels comfortable. A video followed by a real-life activity may work better for one family; another may enjoy a planned sequence of lessons. Families use many different home education approaches, and it is fine to mix ideas or change direction over time.
- Try one resource at a time. A short trial makes it easier to see whether your child enjoys it and whether it adds value.
- Look beyond the screen. Follow a website activity with library books, a nature walk, cooking, a museum visit or a conversation.
- Check access and suitability. Look at age guidance, accessibility options, advertising, privacy information and whether an account is needed.
- Keep your plans flexible. Websites are tools, not a measure of your child’s progress or a requirement for home education.
If you are making a broader plan, our guide to curriculum ideas can help you consider different ways to organise learning, without suggesting that a formal curriculum is compulsory. You can also browse more practical home education resources when you want fresh ideas.
Using websites and keeping a useful record
You might jot down what your child explored, a question they asked or what they chose to do next. That can help you remember the range of learning happening in everyday life. If your Local Authority makes informal enquiries, the guidance for England says parents are under no legal obligation to produce specific evidence. A parent’s written account can explain the education being provided; do not feel you need to send photographs or samples of work.
Rules and processes differ across the UK. In England, the duty to secure a suitable education rests with parents under section 7 of the Education Act 1996, and the National Curriculum is not required. For more about Local Authority contact and reports, see our guide to Local Authority reporting. Flybrite can help turn everyday learning notes into a tidy record in minutes, while keeping the record yours. If you use printables for activities, the Flybrite Shop has instant-download resources you can choose to use at home.
Frequently asked questions
Are these websites free to use?
The sites listed have free content, although some may offer additional paid services or require an account for particular features. Check each site’s current terms before signing up.
Do I have to follow the National Curriculum when home educating?
No. In England, home educating families do not have to follow the National Curriculum. You can choose resources and activities that suit your child and circumstances.
Can online lessons be the whole of my child’s education?
Websites can be useful, but there is no need to rely on them alone. Books, practical activities, conversations, community experiences and your child’s interests can all contribute to learning at home.
How can I keep track of learning at home?
You could keep brief notes about topics, activities and interests as they arise. Flybrite helps organise those notes into a clear record. To try it, start a 7-day free trial, with no card needed to start. The record stays yours.
A gentle next step
Choose one website that looks promising, try it with your child and see where the conversation goes. There is no perfect list and no need to use every resource. For a simple way to organise the learning already happening in your home, begin your 7-day free trial with no card to start. The record stays yours.
