Spelling

At Bickerton Holy Trinity, we believe that secure spelling knowledge is fundamental to developing confident, accurate and independent writers. Building on the strong foundations established through phonics, our approach helps children recognise spelling patterns, understand and apply rules, and develop effective strategies for spelling unfamiliar words. Our aim is to develop confident, independent spellers who understand how words work and can apply their knowledge accurately in everyday writing, rather than simply memorising words for a test.

From Years 3 to 6, we use the Read Write Inc. (RWI) Spelling programme, which provides a structured, progressive and engaging approach to teaching spelling in line with the National Curriculum.

Our aims are to:

Develop accurate, confident and independent spellers.
Build on the phonics knowledge established in Reception and Key Stage 1.
Teach spelling rules, patterns and exceptions systematically.
Develop children's understanding of word structure, including prefixes, suffixes and root words.
Ensure consistency and progression in spelling across Key Stage 2.
Enable pupils to apply spelling knowledge accurately and independently in their everyday writing.

How do we teach spelling?

Read Write Inc. Spelling uses interactive activities, short videos and carefully structured lessons to help children explore, practise and remember spelling patterns.

Each unit focuses on a particular spelling rule or pattern, allowing children to build on prior knowledge and develop their understanding progressively.

Children learn to:

Recognise and apply common spelling patterns and rules.
Identify sounds and their corresponding graphemes using familiar Read Write Inc. strategies, including dots and dashes.
Understand how prefixes and suffixes change the meaning and spelling of root words.
Explore spelling exceptions and less predictable words.
Use strategies to investigate, practise and remember unfamiliar spellings.
Proofread and edit their writing to identify and correct errors.

All children have a dedicated spelling exercise book in which they complete activities linked to the spelling patterns and rules being taught.

At the end of each unit, pupils complete a spelling assessment that includes words linked to their learning and selected statutory spelling words. Teachers use these assessments to identify misconceptions, revisit learning and provide additional support where needed.

Supporting spelling at home

At Bickerton, we do not send home weekly spelling lists for traditional weekly tests. We recognise that memorising words for a test does not necessarily mean that children can apply those spellings accurately in their independent writing.

Instead, we encourage regular, purposeful practice that helps children understand spelling patterns, remember statutory words and develop confidence.

Children are provided with termly spelling menus, offering a range of enjoyable activities to support spelling practice at home.

We recommend choosing approximately 5–10 words each week from the relevant statutory spelling lists and revisiting these regularly to strengthen recall.

How can you help your child?

There are lots of simple ways to support spelling at home:

Talk about spelling patterns: Ask your child to explain a spelling rule they have learnt and suggest other words that follow the same pattern.
Use familiar phonics strategies: Encourage your child to use Fred Fingers, dots and dashes to identify sounds and select appropriate graphemes.
Explore word families: Investigate how prefixes and suffixes change root words, such as help, helpful, helpless.
Practise little and often: Short, regular practice sessions are more effective than relying on one longer session.
Encourage proofreading: Ask your child to reread their writing, identify possible spelling errors and use their phonics knowledge, spelling rules or a dictionary to make corrections.
Celebrate progress: Recognise when your child independently remembers and applies a spelling pattern in their writing.

Developing confident, independent spellers

Spelling is reinforced throughout the curriculum, not just during dedicated spelling lessons.

Children are encouraged to apply their knowledge in all written work, reflect on their spelling choices and take increasing responsibility for checking and improving their writing.

Teachers regularly assess spelling accuracy and use this information to adapt teaching and provide additional practice where necessary.

Through explicit teaching, regular retrieval, purposeful practice and opportunities to apply learning, we aim to ensure that every child develops the spelling knowledge, accuracy and confidence needed to become a successful writer.

Useful links:

Files to Download

How Y2 RWI Spelling matches the National Curriculum How Y3/4 RWI Spelling matches the National Curriculum How Y5/6 RWI Spelling matches the National Curriculum RWI Spelling Sound Chart spelling menu spring .pdf CommonExceptionWords_Y2.pdf SpellingWordList_Y3-4.pdf SpellingWordList_Y5-6.pdf