Spelling Curriculum Intent
At our school, we believe that strong spelling skills are essential for effective communication, confidence in writing and success across the curriculum. Our spelling curriculum is designed to develop fluent, accurate spellers who understand the patterns, rules and structures of the English language.
Through the Read Write Inc. Spelling programme, pupils build on their phonics knowledge to become confident and independent spellers. The curriculum is carefully sequenced to ensure progression in spelling knowledge, morphology, etymology and vocabulary development from Key Stage 1 through to Key Stage 2.
Our intent is to:
- Develop pupils’ understanding of spelling patterns, rules and conventions.
- Build automaticity and fluency in spelling through regular practice and revisiting.
- Enable pupils to apply spelling knowledge accurately across all areas of writing.
- Strengthen pupils’ understanding of morphology and etymology to support vocabulary development.
- Foster resilience and confidence so that pupils take pride in accurate written communication.
- Ensure consistency and progression in spelling teaching across the school.
- Support all learners, including disadvantaged pupils and pupils with SEND, through adaptive teaching and targeted interventions.
- Encourage pupils to become reflective learners who can identify and correct spelling errors independently.
Spelling Curriculum Implementation
Spelling is taught through the structured Read Write Inc. Spelling programme from Year 2 onwards, following the completion of the Read Write Inc. Phonics programme. The scheme provides a consistent approach to teaching spelling through interactive lessons, partner work and active learning strategies.
Structured and Progressive Teaching
· Spelling lessons are taught daily and follow a clearly sequenced progression.
· Pupils learn spelling patterns, statutory word lists, common exception words and spelling rules systematically.
· Prior learning is revisited frequently to support long-term retention.
· Gaps in spelling knowledge from these lessons are then assessed and planned in coverage is then delivered.
Read Write Inc. Spelling Approach
The programme teaches pupils through:
· Interactive online and teacher-led sessions
· Investigation of spelling patterns and rules
· Partner discussion and oral rehearsal
· Speed spelling activities
· Dictation and application tasks
· Proofreading and editing opportunities
Vocabulary and Morphology
· Pupils explore word origins, prefixes, suffixes and root words to deepen understanding.
· Vocabulary instruction supports both spelling accuracy and language comprehension.
· Teachers explicitly model how morphology and etymology support spelling choices.
Application Across the Curriculum
· Pupils are encouraged to apply taught spelling patterns in independent writing across all subjects.
· Teachers reinforce spelling expectations during writing lessons and across the wider curriculum.
· High-frequency and subject-specific vocabulary are revisited regularly.
Assessment and Feedback
· Teachers use ongoing half termly assessment to identify misconceptions and gaps in knowledge.
· Groupings are then decided based on pupil misconceptions
· Dictation, proofreading and independent writing provide opportunities to assess spelling application.
· Feedback supports pupils in recognising patterns in errors and developing independence.
· Regular monitoring ensures progression and consistency across year groups.
Inclusion and Adaptive Teaching
· Lessons are adapted to meet the needs of all learners.
· Additional scaffolds, precision teaching and targeted interventions support pupils who require further practice.
· Pupils working at greater depth are challenged through ambitious vocabulary and deeper investigation of word structures.
Consistency and Professional Development
· Staff receive training to ensure the Read Write Inc. Spelling programme is implemented consistently.
· Subject leaders monitor provision through book scrutiny, pupil voice, lesson visits and assessment analysis.
· Collaborative moderation and professional dialogue support high expectations and quality first teaching.
Spelling Curriculum Impact
The impact of our spelling curriculum is evident in pupils’ growing confidence, accuracy and independence when spelling across the curriculum. Pupils develop secure knowledge of spelling rules and patterns and apply these effectively in their written work.
As a result:
- Pupils spell with increasing accuracy and automaticity.
- Children confidently apply spelling patterns, rules and strategies in independent writing.
- Pupils demonstrate improved proofreading and editing skills.
- Writing outcomes across the curriculum show improved spelling accuracy.
- Pupils develop a broader vocabulary and stronger understanding of word structures.
- Children can discuss spelling patterns and rules using appropriate terminology.
- Disadvantaged pupils and pupils with SEND make strong progress from their starting points.
- Pupils are equipped with the spelling knowledge and confidence needed for the next stage of education.
Impact is measured through:
- Ongoing formative assessment
- Dictation and spelling assessments
- Analysis of independent writing
- Pupil progress meetings
- Book scrutiny and learning walks
- Pupil voice
- End of key stage attainment outcomes
Through our ambitious spelling curriculum and the consistent implementation of the Read Write Inc. Spelling programme, pupils become accurate, confident and reflective spellers who can apply their knowledge effectively across all areas of learning.
