Spelling is a vital life skill that supports children’s reading, writing and communication. When children can spell accurately, they are able to focus more confidently on expressing their ideas, choosing ambitious vocabulary and writing fluently.

Learning to spell also helps children to:

• Understand how words are built and connected

• Develop a richer vocabulary and spoken language

• Read more effectively by recognising patterns in words

• Build confidence and independence as writers

At our school, we believe spelling is not about memorising lists of words for a test, but about understanding how language works and developing strategies that children can use throughout their lives.

We follow a structured, research-based spelling programme called Pathways to Spell that runs from Year 1 to Year 6 and is fully aligned with the National Curriculum as well as our Writing Curriculum, Pathways to Write.

Spelling is taught explicitly in short, regular sessions each week. Lessons are carefully sequenced so that children:

• Revisit and consolidate prior learning

• Explore and investigate spelling patterns and rules

• Practise new learning in a variety of engaging, multi-sensory ways

• Apply spellings in sentences and real writing contexts

• Reflect on what strategies helped them learn best

Children are taught to spell using a range of approaches, including:

• Phonics (understanding sounds and how they are represented by letters)

• Spelling patterns and rules

• Word meanings, prefixes and suffixes

• The history and origins of words

• Visual and memory strategies

Talk, discussion and collaboration are central to spelling lessons. We encourage children to be curious about words, spot patterns and explain their thinking. Spelling is also strongly linked to handwriting and writing, so children regularly apply what they learn beyond the spelling lesson.

We place a strong emphasis on ongoing, formative assessment rather than relying solely on weekly spelling tests.

Teachers monitor spelling progress by:

• Observing children during spelling lessons

• Looking closely at spelling in independent writing

• Analysing common spelling errors to identify patterns or gaps

• Reviewing children’s personal spelling logs and target words

Children keep personal spelling logs, where they record words they find tricky or frequently misspell. These words become personalised targets and are revisited regularly until they are confidently used in writing.

This approach allows teachers to:

• Adapt teaching to meet the needs of individuals and classes

• Provide targeted support where it is needed most

• Ensure progress in spelling is secure and meaningful, not just short-term memorisation

Where appropriate, spelling assessments may also be used for diagnostic purposes, but the main focus is on long-term improvement and confident application in writing.

Parents play a valuable role in supporting children’s spelling development. You do not need to be a spelling expert to help – encouragement and interest make a big difference.

You can support your child by:

• Practising target words or words from their personal spelling log, little and often

• Encouraging your child to say words aloud and listen carefully to the sounds

• Talking about spelling patterns or “tricky bits” in words

• Helping your child spot words with similar spellings in books, signs or everyday life

• Praising effort and strategies, not just correct spellings

Rather than asking children to copy words repeatedly, try a range of approaches such as:

• Writing words in different colours

• Saying words in a way that highlights tricky parts

• Creating simple sentences using the word

• Talking about what the word means and how it is used

Most importantly, remember that spelling develops over time. Making mistakes is a normal and valuable part of learning. By working together, we can help children become confident, capable and enthusiastic spellers.

To reinforce their learning of high frequency words, we also have Spelling Awards. These are tests that all children are encouraged to take throughout their time at Broomwood. They range from Bronze to Diamond with the latter also testing the application of grammar. Children are presented with a badge when they achieve each award and parents are invited into school to see their child receive each badge.

Links to each of the Spelling Award Lists can be found below: