Spelling
Our Approach to Spelling
At South Tawton Primary School, we are committed to developing confident, accurate spellers who understand the patterns and rules of the English language. Spelling is taught progressively from Reception to Year 6, ensuring children build secure foundations before moving on to more complex spelling knowledge.
Spelling in Reception and Year 1
Children in Reception and Year 1 learn spelling through their RWI lessons, where spelling is closely linked to the sounds they learn in phonics. They make phonetic attempts when spelling green words by segmenting the sounds and blending them using the graphemes they know. Children also use their Fred Fingers to count the sounds in a word and pinch each sound onto their fingers to support accurate spelling.
Alongside this, children are introduced to red words (common exception words), which cannot be sounded out using phonics alone. These are learnt by sight and through red rhythms, which help children remember the tricky parts of each spelling. This approach develops both strong phonetic spelling skills and the ability to spell important non‑decodable words.
Spelling in Years 2 - 6
From Year 2 onwards, children follow the RWI Spelling programme. This structured approach teaches new spelling patterns, rules and exceptions in a clear and systematic way. It builds on children’s phonics knowledge and introduces a wide range of spelling concepts, including:
- Common spelling patterns and alternatives
- Prefixes and suffixes
- Word families
- Homophones
- Key spelling rules and exceptions
- Strategies for remembering tricky words
RWI Spelling is taught daily for 15 minutes, and each week children are introduced to a new spelling unit or rule, which they practise through a range of activities designed to develop accuracy, understanding and independence. The spelling rules and word lists taught in each year group cover the statutory spelling requirements and common exception words set out in the National Curriculum.
Spelling assessments take place every six weeks, enabling teachers to identify class and individual strengths as well as any gaps in learning. Where needed, units or spelling rules are revisited through class teaching or small group interventions to help children consolidate and improve their spelling accuracy.
Spelling Practice at home
From Years 1–6, spellings are sent home weekly as part of home learning, based on the words or spelling rules taught in class that week. This helps children reinforce their learning, build confidence and apply their spelling knowledge through short, regular practice at home.