Spelling
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At our school, we recognise spelling as a key skill within the English curriculum and an important part of becoming a confident and successful writer. Spelling is taught explicitly in both Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2 through three 15-minute lessons each week, alongside regular opportunities to revisit and apply spelling knowledge within daily Literacy lessons.
Across each year group, children follow a carefully sequenced spelling curriculum based directly on the National Curriculum. Throughout the year, pupils rotate between learning specific spelling rules and patterns appropriate to their age and studying the common exception words that they are expected to know. Teachers use a wide range of strategies and activities to help children recognise patterns, understand spelling rules and develop effective techniques for remembering unfamiliar words.
Each week, children are given a list of 10 focus spellings to practise both in school and at home. We encourage families to support children in revising these words regularly in preparation for a weekly spelling test, which takes place every Friday. During these tests, spellings are given within the context of a sentence. This helps children to understand the meaning of each word and encourages them to use their developing spelling knowledge confidently within their own independent writing.
Spelling is not taught in isolation. Within Literacy lessons, children regularly revisit previously taught words and spelling patterns, explore why certain words are classed as common exception words and apply their knowledge throughout the writing process. Teachers support pupils in identifying and correcting spelling errors, encouraging children to become increasingly independent when proofreading and editing their own work.
Children’s spelling knowledge is also assessed each half term. These assessments help teachers to identify any gaps or misconceptions and ensure that key spelling rules and words can be revisited where necessary. Children who require additional support may also take part in targeted spelling interventions, giving them further opportunities to practise key skills and build confidence.
Through regular teaching, practice, assessment and application, our aim is to help every child develop a strong understanding of spelling and the confidence to use increasingly ambitious vocabulary accurately within their writing.