Intent

The spelling curriculum is designed to ensure pupils develop secure transcription skills so they can write fluently and focus on composition, vocabulary and overall writing quality. Pupils are taught to understand how spelling works, rather than memorising isolated word lists, with high expectations for all learners.

Implementation
In the early stages, spelling is taught alongside phonics through Read Write Inc. Pupils learn to segment words into sounds and select the correct graphemes, providing a strong foundation for accurate spelling.

Once pupils are secure with phonics, they transition to Spelling Made Easy. This programme builds cumulatively on prior learning and explicitly teaches spelling patterns and rules, word families, prefixes and suffixes, as well as morphology and etymology. Teaching is consistent across the school, with dictation used regularly to develop accurate transcription and application in context.

Assessment is ongoing and informs teaching, grouping and intervention. Termly spelling challenges linked to the National Curriculum statutory spelling lists support recall, ambition and retention. Where needed, pupils receive timely support, while high-attaining pupils are challenged appropriately.

Impact
Pupils spell with increasing accuracy and confidence and apply spelling knowledge consistently across their writing. They write fluently, show resilience when tackling unfamiliar words and are well prepared for the spelling demands of the next stage of their education.