Spelling Patterns and Rules:

Learning to spell is not linear and our spelling progression is designed to be used flexibly and responsively by staff based on the needs of learners and ongoing assessment and observation.

Learners will typically progress through the following spelling stages:

• Semi-Phonetic Stage – phonemes are introduced in a set order to allow learners to quickly blend to produce and read simple words
• Phonetic Stage – at this stage the learner develops the skill of blending with consonant blends.  They also begin to distinguish between long and short vowel sounds.  Other common vowel digraphs are introduced and children learn how to break words into syllables.  The First 100 high frequency words are also taught at this stage.
• Transitional Stage – rules for more complex plurals are introduced and a range of spelling rules for suffixes and prefixes are taught.  More complex silent letters are also introduced.  The second 100 high frequency words are also taught at this stage.
• Independent Spelling Stage – learners engage in word studies exploring Latin and Greek roots and English words adopted from other languages.

Word lists/spelling rules for each stage can be found by clicking on this link:

WfL Spelling Progression

How can I help my child with their spelling?

• Read regularly to your child or with your child
• Break words down into syllables – clap/tap the syllables
• Write words in different coloured pens to make a rainbow
• Write words in shaving foam, flour or sand
• Look with your child at the bits in the words which they find tricky – use colours just to highlight the tricky bit
• Look for prefixes and suffixes in words e.g. -tion, -ness and learn these in chunks at the beginning or the end of words
• Use flashcards or play matching games to let your child see the word lots of times – the more they see the word, the better they will be able to read and spell it
• Use cut out or magnetic letters to build words together, then mix up the letters and rebuild the word together
• Use mnemonics – silly sentences where the first letter of each word makes up the word to be spelled e.g. because – big elephants can always understand small elephants
• Find smaller words in the bigger word, for example ‘there is a hen in when’