Resources to borrow

Learning Resources for Education offers a multitude of resources, both physical and online, that can help enhance your pupils' learning and reading skills.

We offer more than just books - we can provide a variety of resources as part of your subscription that are also available on an ad-hoc basis if you don't subscribe.

Once you know what subscription you would like, or what resources you want to borrow, please contact the LRE team. Pricing is available on our tailor made service subscription costs.

​Artefact collections contain various objects which can be handled and are guaranteed to engage and provoke discussion

Children love to be able to handle objects. Our artefact collections cover a range of topics which can be used in cross-curricular settings and will help children to develop a better understanding of the subjects.

Collections

Learning Resources for Education (LRE) can provide collections suitable for key stages 1, 2 and 3. They comprise of at least 10 quality artefacts and 3 to 4 books to support the topic.

Borrowing an artefact collection

Schools with a full primary subscription can borrow 1 artefact collection per term (6 per year) as part of their subscription at no extra charge.

For schools or settings who don't subscribe, or schools with a full subscription who want to borrow more than 6 in a year, artefacts can be borrowed on an ad-hoc basis via our tailor-made service menu.

Collections for loan

Artefact collections contain various objects which can be handled and are guaranteed to engage and provoke discussion. They cover a range of topics which can be used in cross-curricular settings and will help children to develop a better understanding of the subjects. Learning Resources for Education can provide collections suitable for key stages 1, 2 and 3. They comprise of at least 10 quality artefacts and 3 to 4 books to support the topic.

Geography:

  • East Africa
  • Southern Africa
  • West Africa
  • Australia
  • Bangladesh
  • Caribbean
  • China including Chinese New Year
  • India
  • Japan
  • Mexico including Aztecs
  • North America
  • Pakistan
  • Poland
  • South America
  • Rainforests

Religion:

  • Buddhism
  • Chinese New Year including China
  • Christianity
  • Diwali
  • Eid
  • Hinduism
  • Islam
  • Judaism
  • Sikhism
  • Weddings
  • World Faiths

Science:

  • Dinosaurs
  • Forces and magnets
  • Human body
  • Light and sight
  • Materials
  • Recycling
  • Rocks
  • Science investigations
  • Sound and hearing
  • Space

History:

  • Ancient Egypt
  • Ancient Greece
  • Aztecs including Mexico
  • Britain Since 1900
  • Castles
  • Costume
  • Invaders and Settlers
  • Romans
  • Slavery
  • Stone Age to Iron Age
  • Toys through the Ages
  • Tudors
  • Victorian times
  • Vikings
  • World War Two

Art, design and culture:

  • Costume
  • Puppets
  • Puppets: Traditional tales
  • Saris
  • Shoes

We can provide collections of 'dual language' and 'English as an additional language' books

Learning Resources for Education can offer small collections of 'English as an additional language' picture books. Languages available include:

  • Polish
  • Russian
  • Urdu
  • Somali

and many more.

We will always try to fit the book to the child. We also have a selection of wordless picture books that can complement the dual language and help to develop visual literacy and language skills. A collection usually contains up to 20 books.

Borrow a collection

You can borrow dual language collections for a 6 week period and we will arrange delivery and collection. A £10 delivery and collection charge may apply.

Alternatively, you can arrange a visit to our showroom to select your own titles. They can form part of your school or setting's project loans entitlement, or be loaned separately as part of the tailor made service menu.

Dyslexia friendly collections contain a carefully selected range of books that are specifically aimed at children with dyslexia

The books in these collections have been selected as they:

  • have fairly large print
  • contain bitesize chapters
  • have simple text but age appropriate storyline
  • are printed on a pale yellow paper to make them easier to read with less contrast between page and text
  • use an easy to read typeface

Dyslexia friendly collections contain up to 20 books. They can be borrowed for a 6 week or 12 week term.

Borrow a collection

A dyslexia friendly collection can form part of your school or setting's project loans, or be loaned separately as part of the tailor made service menu.

Group readers support reading interventions with groups of up to six pupils

Each group reader collection contains 6 copies of each title. Titles include a wide range of reading material, such as plays, non-fiction and picture books.

Reception

Collections for reception classes contain 9 titles including:

  • picture books
  • non-fiction books
  • phonics books
  • rhyme books

Years 1 to 2 (key stage 1)

These shared year group collections contain 7 titles including:

  • non-fiction books
  • picture books
  • first reader books
  • poetry books

Years 3 to 4 (lower key stage 2)

Shared year 3 and 4 collections contain 7 titles including:

  • easy reader books
  • story books
  • non-fiction books
  • play

Years 5 to 6 (upper key stage 2)

This is a shared year group collection which contains 7 titles including:

  • story books
  • play
  • non-fiction books
  • Hi-Lo books

Borrow a group reader collection

Group reader collections are available to borrow by schools with a full or basic primary subscription with us for a 6 week or 12 week term. Schools can borrow up to 3 boxes at a time.

These collections can also be borrowed on an ad-hoc basis by non-subscribing schools and settings via our tailor-made service menu.

Story sacks contain toys and games to engage early years and key stage 1 children with stories

Story sacks contain resources to extend the story and enhance learning. Research shows that they:

  • encourage reading for pleasure
  • extend general knowledge
  • develop social skills
  • improve confidence
  • develop listening and oral skills
  • encourage talking and extend vocabulary

What's included

A typical story sack includes 3 books including picture books and non-fiction texts, plus multi-sensory materials such as soft toys, games, and activities.

Borrow a story sack

All Private Voluntary Independent Childcare and Early Years Education providers, early years and primary subscribers can borrow story sacks as part of their subscription at no extra charge.

They are also available to be borrowed on an ad-hoc basis by non-subscribing schools and settings via our tailor-made service menu.

Early years foundation stage story sacks

Character and story based

Caterpillar, Elmer, Gruffalo, Owl Babies, Peter Rabbit, Pirates, Room on the Broom, We’re Going on a Bear Hunt.

Animals

Bears, dinosaurs, farm animals, jungle animals, minibeasts, night-time animals, pets, polar animals, safari animals, under the sea, woodland animals.

Health and growth

Caterpillar (growth), food.

Other

Gardens, sound and music.

Geography

Farm, seaside, travel, weather, winter.

Maths

Elmer (colour and shape).

Personal, social, health and economic (PSHE)

Celebrations, families, families with Peppa Pig, feelings, Noah's Ark, people who help us: doctor, people who help us: firefighter, people who help us: nurse, people who help us: police, people who help us: postman, superheroes.

Traditional tales

Gingerbread Man, Goldilocks, Jack and the Beanstalk, Little Red Hen, Little Red Riding Hood, Nursery Rhymes, Three Billy Goats Gruff, Three Little Pigs.

Key stage 1 story sacks

French dual language KS1

Itchy Bear, Mrs Rainbow, Did You See Them Too?

Character and story based

Caterpillar, Elmer, Gruffalo, Handa's Surprise, Owl Babies, Pirates, Roald Dahl, We’re Going on a Bear Hunt, Where the Wild Things Are.

Animals

British wildlife, dinosaurs, jungle animals, pets, safari animals, sharks, under the sea, woodland animals.

Geography

Farm, food (fruit and vegetables), travel, weather, winter.

Personal, social, health and economic (PSHE)

Celebrations (general), celebrations (birthdays), celebrations (weddings), people who help us: general, people who help us: doctor, people who help us: nurse, people who help us: police, superheroes.

Traditional tales

Dragon, fairy tales, Gingerbread Man, Goldilocks, Jack and the Beanstalk, Little Red Hen, Little Red Riding Hood, Three Billy Goats Gruff, Three Little Pigs.

Last updated 19 May 2025